Page 9 - LM Confidential Issue August 2014

‘Bling’ clothes, ‘peacocks’ of
SONA irk Santiago
MANILA, Philippines—Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said she could not stand watching legislators and their spouses took turns displaying “bling” clothes and jewelry during President Benigno Aquino’s fourth state of the nation address (SONA) Monday.
So on Tuesday, Santiago said she would file a resolution, prescribing an official uniform for Congress members attending the annual SONA to prevent a repeat of Monday’s event “where male and female lawmakers took turns displaying “bling” clothes and jewelry, and acted as endorsers of expensive designers.”
“I watched TV and could not stand it,” she said in a statement.
“The SONA event should be a serious time for the Congress to pick up policy directions indicated by the President. It should not be treated as Oscar night in Hollywood, with a red carpet, where peacocks spread their tails and turn around and around, as coached by media in a feeding frenzy.”
Santiago said the clothes should merely indicate membership in the Senate and House of Representatives, to separate them from those who are not members.
Flashy women, flaky men
“The highlight of the SONA is the President. It is not the flashy women. Now the flaky men are even getting into the act. They also parade, sometimes with pho- togenic arm candy, into the session hall and preen like their female counterparts. Enough!” she said.
For women, Santiago said, the uniform should be a short pencil skirt, paired
with a simple short-sleeved barong blouse. Jewelry should be a single strand of Phil- ippine pearls.
For men, it should be a plain long- sleeved barong, she said.
“Both men and women could wear a ceremonial ribbon with the Congress logo. For the gallery, it should be office attire,” said Santiago.
“Most important of all, the attitude should not be frivolous and giggly. The attitude should be serious and business like,” she added.
Not the proper venue
Santiago, who failed to attend the SONA due to acute chronic fatigue, has decried for the last few years, the expen- sive floor-length gowns worn by Congress members and even by their spouses, many
produced by high-end designers.
“I was once a clueless participant in
those mindless events. Don’t get me wrong. I am very proud of our local fabrics and our local designers, some of whom are world-class. But the SONA event is not the proper venue for their talents,” she said.
She also reminded lawmakers that the law “frowns on conspicuous consumption which she called “the obsession to bling.”
The senator cited the Civil Code, Article 25: “Thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display during a period of acute public want or emergency may be stopped by order of the courts at the instance of any government or private charitable institution.”
Mabuhay Cup Selects PIDC Ms Sports Model 2014
by: Suzy Llanera
In it’s 11th year anniversary, the Mabuhay Cup Invitational Basketball Tournament formally opened the Toronto’s biggest and much anticipated three-day championship games on Saturday, July 26th which was held at Hoopdome, Downsview, ON.
The early morning ceremonies officiated with the introduction of the Mabuhay Cup participating teams across and outside the GTA, and fittingly presented the eight lovely candidates who competed for the Ms Sports Model 2014 title. Each contestant who represented their basketball teams are Candidates number 1 – 8 respectively, Melissa Nichols, Maharlika; Melissa Raisie, Durham; Richel Biscayda, CKATT; Kimberley Bautista Ambion, Red Warriors;
AUGUST 2014
Tara de la Paz, Angiels; Mary Grace Enciso, Durham-Crossover; Elaine Columbano, North York Pinoy Athletic Association
(NYPAA); and Jurice Encarnacion, Jayhawks.
After the ceremonial toss and the deliberation of the panel of judges, the winners were announced. Congratulations to Jurice Encarnacion, represented Jayhawks team,
who vied and coveted the title of PIDC’s Ms Sports Model 2014 and Melissa Raisie, who got the 1st Runner-Up title, represented D u r h a m basketball team. The winners took home a Title, trophy, sash, bouquet of flowers and as well as gift bags and gift boxes containing a Pearl necklace
and a bracelet donated by Jeweller Oscar Papa Gella, and Gift Vouchers worth at least $299 for photo sessions, including portrait
print from Ino Sanchez of Inspirasyon Photography. All candidates, performers and other beauty pageant title holders each received a gift bag item.
Nicole Samantha Huff, an aspiring actress in a recurring star role in the famous TV show “Degrassi”, Nikki de Ocampo, 1st Runner up Ms Philippines PIDC 2014, 2nd Runner-Up, Danny Samson, of TREMNET Group,andInoSanchez,owner/proprietor of INspirasyon Photography, comprised the distiguished Panel of Judges.
President Norma Carpio, Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter, Liberal MP York Centre candidate Michael Levitt, Toronto Mayoral candidate Olivia Chow, TCDSB Ward 12 Trustee candidate Paulina Corpuz, and WFG magnate Agnes Miranda, graced and delivered welcome and inspirational messages to the enthusiastic crowd.
Youcanfeelthehypeandtheenergy on the field before and during the opening ceremonies. The organizing committee, Vilma Tahsin, Roger Tarca, Bob San Juan, Manny and Vilma Villamor were commendable with their hard work, dedication, great effort and sports team- spirit evidently poured out from their hearts. For without the organizing committee, the volunteers, the nurses, the basketball players, the team directors, the referees, Hoopdome staff, and of course the Sponsors, Dr. Vicky Santiago and Associates, Agnes Miranda, FRNAO, Luminous Financial Group, and Ilocandia Oriental Foods, this event would not have been possible,
It was indeed a tremendous and a successful event!(ssl)
LEFT, PIDC Miss Sports Model Jurice Encarnation of the Jayhawks and 1st Runner-Up Melissa Rasie of Durham
ABOVE, Suzy Llanera and Rory Elefano pose with Mayoral candidate Olivia Chow and actress Nicole Huff.
BELOW, Durham team poses with the two beauties.
L. M. Confidential
9