Charice takes Italy by storm

Charice with Christian Imparato singing "Adagio"

Singing sensation Charice was back in Italy for the third time and consistently making the crowd thrilled by her performance. Charice returned to Italy to perform at “IO Canto (I Sing),” a popular singing competition in the European nation.

Like in her past international guestings, Charice belted out Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and “I Have Nothing” and her first international single called “Note To God.”

Charice also sang an Italian song titled “Adagio” with one of the show’s contestants, Cristian Imparato. After their performance, the audience chanted “Charice, Charice.”

Charice also joined other contestants, all of whom are children aged 7 to 15, in belting out Beyonce’s “Listen.”

It was in July of 2008 when Charice first performed in Italy. Charice sang a duet with world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli at the Teatro del Silenzio in Italy. She also sang “The Prayer” with Bocelli.

In May of last year, Charice went back to Italy and captured the hearts of the Italians when she performed in popular musical variety show "Ti lascio una canzone (I'm Leaving a Song for You).”

The show, which is also a talent competition, was aired on Rai Uno, Italy's local network.

Robin Tomas wins Supima Award

Robin Tomas, a Filipino designer, has just won the Supima Award for Best Reinvention of the Tee. Tomas is the only son of actress Tessie Tomas.

Robin, 33, who is based in New York, took the prize at the Supima Design Competition in New York City held last Jan. 19. His winning design will be sold in all Bloomingdale’s stores all over the US. His winning creation capitalized on the tensile strength of lightweight Supima cotton with layers of knit in various tonal shades.

Selected through an arduous contest that began with an open call held at Bloomingdale’s in October, Robin was one of six finalists whose works were featured in a live runway finale show held at the Times Center at the New York Times building in front of judges, representatives from Bloomingdale’s, Parsons School of Design, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. The finalists presented four pieces: Three pieces of women’s evening wear and one men’s T-shirt, all made from Supima cotton. Gina DeSilva, who has her own ready-to-wear label, took home the prize of Best in Show for her evening wear designs.

Robin launched his own collection during Philippine fashion week in Manila last May. Asked about his view on fashion, Robin said, “It is a great mix of entities: fantasy and practical reality; past periods and the uncharted path of what’s to come. I see fashion not just as garment being worn, but attitudes enhanced.”

A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Tomas worked as a men’s wear designer for Gap, Tommy Hilfiger and J. Crew. He interned at Valentino and Anna Sui.

Pinay Beauty Wins Ford International Modeling Contest

A Filipina model recently won 1st runner-up at the "Ford Supermodel of the World 2009" Finals held in Sao Paulo, Brazil on January 15.

Filipina model Charlene Louise "Chat" Almarvez, 16, won a $150,000 (P6.9 million) modeling contract from Ford Models NYC, a prestigious modeling agency founded in 1947.

According to a press statement, Almarvez was chosen by a panel of judges headed by Ford Models CEO Katie Ford to represent the Philippines in the contest finals.

Almarvez beat 7 other model-aspirants during the pre-finals search including Binibining Pilipinas contestants Janina San Miguel and Mary Tiffany Jones.

She was flown to Brazil for 5 full days along with 35 other contestants from all over the world.

Throughout their stay, the models underwent photo tests, walking lessons, samba lessons, judging with Ford Model licensees, interviews, casting calls and modeling workshops.

They were also treated to shopping sprees, tours and dinner parties.

Out of 36 participants, only 7 lucky women were chosen for Ford modeling contracts and a chance to model in haute couture fashion events like Fashion Week's Fall collections this 2010.

Grand prize winner Katrina Karlina Caune, 16, of Baltics State won a $250,000 modeling contract, followed by Almarvez at second place, and Isabelle Storck from Sweden at third place with a $100,000 modeling contract.

Other winners include Olivia Majour from the USA, Maryna Linchuck of Belarus, Grace Hurley of Australia and Bruna Tiedt of Brazil.

Almarvez, a statuesque and mocha-skinned beauty, is originally from Laguna and is a student at the College of Saint Benilde.

Long-legged, willowy and endowed with delicate features; Almarvez was the only Asian to make it to the Top 7 at the Supermodel of the World 2009 Finals.

Ford Supermodel of the World, which started in 1980, is the largest and most prestigious international competition in the globe, with over 60,000 contestants from 40 countries worldwide.

It serves as the worldwide talent search Ford Models.

Former Ford Models talents include actresses Lindsay Lohan, Kirsten Dunst, Jennifer Connelly, and Chanel Iman (who won as "Supermodel of the World 2005") among others.