'The X Factor Romania': Pinay singer has judge comparing her to Beyoncé | ABS-CBN
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'The X Factor Romania': Pinay singer has judge comparing her to Beyoncé
'The X Factor Romania': Pinay singer has judge comparing her to Beyoncé
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 21, 2018 10:45 PM PHT
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She's wowed Romanian viewers a number of times already.
She's wowed Romanian viewers a number of times already.
And Bella Santiago, a Caviteña singer, was at it again as she took the stage of "The X Factor Romania" and performed a cover of "Bang Bang" that had one of the judges comparing her to Beyoncé.
And Bella Santiago, a Caviteña singer, was at it again as she took the stage of "The X Factor Romania" and performed a cover of "Bang Bang" that had one of the judges comparing her to Beyoncé.
She was in the middle of her performance when the camera panned to one of the judges, who could not help but exclaim, "Beyonce!"
She was in the middle of her performance when the camera panned to one of the judges, who could not help but exclaim, "Beyonce!"
This was before a co-judge raised his arm and said an expletive in apparent disbelief over Santiago's sexy number.
This was before a co-judge raised his arm and said an expletive in apparent disbelief over Santiago's sexy number.
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Santiago's performance has garnered nearly 3 million views on the Facebook page of "The X Factor Global" alone.
Santiago's performance has garnered nearly 3 million views on the Facebook page of "The X Factor Global" alone.
Prior to her appearance on the show, Santiago also joined "Romania's Got Talent" in 2016, and "Eurovision Romania" early this year.
Prior to her appearance on the show, Santiago also joined "Romania's Got Talent" in 2016, and "Eurovision Romania" early this year.
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69 candidates vie for Miss Universe PH 2025 crown
69 candidates vie for Miss Universe PH 2025 crown
A total of 69 candidates were presented at the Miss Universe Philippines Press Presentation at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati.
A total of 69 candidates were presented at the Miss Universe Philippines Press Presentation at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati.
Announced as the new national director is Ariella Arida, Miss Universe 2023 3rd runner up.
Announced as the new national director is Ariella Arida, Miss Universe 2023 3rd runner up.
“It’s a big responsibility on my part,” Arida said with excitement.
“It’s a big responsibility on my part,” Arida said with excitement.
Her tip for all the women competing: “Everyone is unique,” she said. “At the end of the day you’re competing within yourself and don’t forget to have fun. I think that’s one of the reasons why I enjoyed my journey during my time.”
Her tip for all the women competing: “Everyone is unique,” she said. “At the end of the day you’re competing within yourself and don’t forget to have fun. I think that’s one of the reasons why I enjoyed my journey during my time.”
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Actress Julia Barretto made a special appearance as a brand ambassador to talk about authenticity and self-love, promoting “a celebration of beauty that goes beyond the surface.”
Actress Julia Barretto made a special appearance as a brand ambassador to talk about authenticity and self-love, promoting “a celebration of beauty that goes beyond the surface.”
Candidates introduced themselves representing their regions /cities.
Candidates introduced themselves representing their regions /cities.
Early favorites included pageant veterans such as Quezon Province’s Ahtisa Manalo.
Early favorites included pageant veterans such as Quezon Province’s Ahtisa Manalo.
“Actually I took the vacancy of the representative for Quezon Province as a sign.”
“Actually I took the vacancy of the representative for Quezon Province as a sign.”
“Then they announced that it’s in Thailand, sabi ko ‘ay parang gusto yata ako ng mga taga-Thailand’ then after, someone tagged me in a photo [of me] in a salon sa Thailand,” Manalo explained. “I was thinking wala rin naman ako masyadong gagawin— no big projects coming up so why not give it another shot.”
“Then they announced that it’s in Thailand, sabi ko ‘ay parang gusto yata ako ng mga taga-Thailand’ then after, someone tagged me in a photo [of me] in a salon sa Thailand,” Manalo explained. “I was thinking wala rin naman ako masyadong gagawin— no big projects coming up so why not give it another shot.”
“Let’s enjoy this journey,” she added, explaining that she’ll have a “more chill” outlook to avoid overthinking during the pageant.
“Let’s enjoy this journey,” she added, explaining that she’ll have a “more chill” outlook to avoid overthinking during the pageant.
Also making a comeback into the pageantry scene this year is mom and pageant veteran Winwyn Marquez representing Muntinlupa.
Also making a comeback into the pageantry scene this year is mom and pageant veteran Winwyn Marquez representing Muntinlupa.
In her last pageant, she won the Reina HispanoAmericana 2017.
In her last pageant, she won the Reina HispanoAmericana 2017.
When asked about how she’s preparing after an 8-year pageant hiatus, Marquez answered with “discipline.”
When asked about how she’s preparing after an 8-year pageant hiatus, Marquez answered with “discipline.”
“I am still the Winwyn who’s competitive. I’m excited to be on stage,” she added.
“I am still the Winwyn who’s competitive. I’m excited to be on stage,” she added.
Kat Llegado, who was 2nd runner up in the 2022 Miss Universe Philippines, also returned for her shot at the crown representing Taguig.
Kat Llegado, who was 2nd runner up in the 2022 Miss Universe Philippines, also returned for her shot at the crown representing Taguig.
“Ever since 2022 I would always say to myself that I would finish my unfinished business,” Llegado said.
“Ever since 2022 I would always say to myself that I would finish my unfinished business,” Llegado said.
“And this time I feel like I’ve been always improving,” she added while explaining her dedication to practicing her Q&A even more.
“And this time I feel like I’ve been always improving,” she added while explaining her dedication to practicing her Q&A even more.
Representing Cebu is Chella Falconer, part of the Filipino Society of Melbourne, who is happy to be back in the pageant scene.
Representing Cebu is Chella Falconer, part of the Filipino Society of Melbourne, who is happy to be back in the pageant scene.
For Chella, her heart is her biggest advantage with her bright personality “coming out naturally.”
For Chella, her heart is her biggest advantage with her bright personality “coming out naturally.”
Fresh faces also stood out among the candidates like Benguet’s Maiko Ibarde who is proud to be Igorot.
Fresh faces also stood out among the candidates like Benguet’s Maiko Ibarde who is proud to be Igorot.
As an active hiker, Ibarde has her mind set on viewing her MUPH journey as another “steep mountain” she must overcome.
As an active hiker, Ibarde has her mind set on viewing her MUPH journey as another “steep mountain” she must overcome.
There was also Eloisa Jauod of Laguna and Shaina Ong Rabacal of Camarines Sur.
There was also Eloisa Jauod of Laguna and Shaina Ong Rabacal of Camarines Sur.
“It has really been my dream to be Miss Universe Philippines and to hopefully be able to represent the Philippines on the international stage,” said 25-year old Shaina.
“It has really been my dream to be Miss Universe Philippines and to hopefully be able to represent the Philippines on the international stage,” said 25-year old Shaina.
Just like Shaina, Eloisa says that joining the pageant really is her “childhood dream.”
Just like Shaina, Eloisa says that joining the pageant really is her “childhood dream.”
“This is also my mom’s dream for me even though she’s not here anymore, I’m still continuing our dreams together.”
“This is also my mom’s dream for me even though she’s not here anymore, I’m still continuing our dreams together.”
There were also a handful of Filipino-foreigners who are competing, including representatives of Pasay, Las Piñas, San Jose Batangas, and Ifugao.
There were also a handful of Filipino-foreigners who are competing, including representatives of Pasay, Las Piñas, San Jose Batangas, and Ifugao.
The venue was filled with the Filipino pageant community, media, MUPH team, and queens such as Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner up Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi.
The venue was filled with the Filipino pageant community, media, MUPH team, and queens such as Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner up Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi.
Miss Universe Philippines Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag emphasized that to train queens like Manalo and Cortesi, it “doesn’t just take a village— it takes a nation.”
Miss Universe Philippines Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag emphasized that to train queens like Manalo and Cortesi, it “doesn’t just take a village— it takes a nation.”
“Miss Universe Philippines is more than just a sisterhood. It’s a family,” Tayag said.
“Miss Universe Philippines is more than just a sisterhood. It’s a family,” Tayag said.
The activities for Miss Universe Philippines will now officially begin, with Manalo’s successor set to be crowned in May 2025.
The activities for Miss Universe Philippines will now officially begin, with Manalo’s successor set to be crowned in May 2025.
The winner will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe pageant in November 2025 in Thailand.
The winner will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe pageant in November 2025 in Thailand.
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