MY friend Apple is sick.
You see, Apple is a fabulous gay kontesera—meaning she is a veteran of gay beauty pageants. From Binibining Gay Boracay to Miss Gay Medallion in Bulacan, Apple would more often than not win the title or, at least, be in the top 10. When she sashays in her swimsuit, she would imagine she is Venus Raj. In her evening gown, she would channel Megan Young. In the question-and-answer portion, she brings out her inner Pia Wurtzbach, answering the final question with all the chutzpah she can muster.
While she recently bagged another title two weeks ago, Apple is a wreck. You see, she developed a case of that dreaded disease TaloSaBeautyContestitis. Symptoms include loss of appetite and snapping back at anybody who talks to you. Apple has been diagnosed with Stage 4.
Apparently, it started when Gazini Ganados failed in her bid for a back-to-back title in Miss Universe. She couldn’t believe it since Apple thinks Gazini’s got it. Then a few days later, Michelle Dee also stumbled on her way to the final round of Miss World. That sealed the deal and now Apple is on the terminal stage of the disease.
Hopefully, when she reads this column, she would feel better as I will write about one of her idols, Catriona Gray. The Miss Universe 2018 is now back in the country and set to pen her pageant journey and beyond in a book to be launched next year, with ABS-CBN Books proudly welcoming the beauty queen into its roster of inspiring authors.
“It’s a collection of lessons I’ve learned in the past couple of years that I feel allowed me to achieve what I did. Things I’ve learned from a personal perspective, things I’ve learned with regards to dealing or learning from others, and also about giving back,” shared Catriona during the contract signing for her upcoming book, titled Conquering Your Universe.
The inspiring read will also delve into her advocacies, especially when she represented Filipinos and raised the Philippine flag in the beloved pageant and promoted various causes all over the world during her reign.
“Catriona has been an inspiration to millions, being an advocate of children’s right to education, equality and love for country. We, at ABS-CBN Books, hope that readers will continue to be inspired by her story,” ABS-CBN Books Head Mark Yambot, said during the contract signing.
Conquering Your Universe is targeted to be released in the first quarter of 2020. Hopefully, Apple will be OK by then so we can go to our suki bookstore to grab our own copy.
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IT’S the stunning country that most travelers dream of crossing off their list, the City of Lights, the City of Love, but, more important, a place known for its haute cuisine and fine wine, and it’s where Metro Channel’s The Crawl heads on to next—France.
The mouth-watering exploration is led by fashion and design enthusiast, Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez, who also hosts the home and living show, Metro Home. She is accompanied by Jhonel Faelnar, a top-notch sommelier hailed by Wine & Spirits magazine as the Best New Sommelier of New York, and the wine director of Atomix, a star restaurant recognized by Wine Enthusiast as one of the Best Wine Restaurants in the US.
Stephanie’s profound respect for food and design and Jhonel’s expertise on wine culture will make the perfect combo to guide viewers in relishing the intricate wine-and-dine scene, as well as the breathtaking sites in France. Their journey starts at Café du Marche, which Stephanie used to frequent during her student days. There, they feast on some favorites like Soupe A L’Oignon, Confit de Canard and Escargots de Bourgogne.
Meanwhile, Le Café Alain Ducasse and Manufacture de Chocolat Alain Ducasse may just be a blissful haven for coffee and chocolate lovers, respectively, due to their unique coffee recipes and some of the finest chocolates in the world. The pair also drops by Le Servan, a casual bistro founded by French-Filipina sisters Tatiana and Katia Lehva that serves exceptional French food with an international and Asian twist.
Witness and taste the magnificence of France in The Crawl: France on Metro Channel. The show can also be streamed via iWant.