Some backgrounder: Jasmine Villegas is a 16-year-old American of Filipino and Mexican heritage.

And here’s the news roundup:

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-American teen singer Jasmine Villegas visited 8-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao after the boxer’s hard sparring day in Los Angeles.

[ABS-CBN]

MANILA, Philippines — A nasty rumor is going around claiming that Justin Bieber has been cheating on Selena Gomez with the star of his music video to “Baby.” Apparently Jasmine Villegas, who was the target of a steamy kiss in the music video, still has the keys to Justin’s heart.

A source told the National Enquirer, “While he and Selena were together for the February premiere of his documentary ‘Never Say Never,’ he was secretly sending romantic text messages to Jasmine – saying he was sad she wasn’t with him.

[ABS-CBN]

Canadian pop superstar Justin Bieber caught “making out” with Fil-Am singer Jasmine Villegas but the two young celebrities insist they are just “cool friends.”

[Philippine Entertainment Portal (pep.ph)]

In the backseat of someone’s Honda. Or something like that. They say its all made up to generate buzz.

Jason Ivler‘s mom Marlene Aguilar doesn’t mind telling the whole world that she would pay to satisfy her son’s sex drive if the prison police would allow it.

Marlene Aguilar is Freddie Aguilar’s sister.

Previously, these were what we got:

• Jason Ivler pleads not guilty to road-rage murder charge
• Marlene Aguilar-Pollard on son Jason Ivler: “He is the price I pay for being the kind of person I am.”
• Freddie Aguilar rails against NBI for bloody shootout during nephew’s arrest

Xian Lim‘s photo scandal remains to be a hot topic online. This Katorse star and Cosmo hunk has something interesting hidden that needs to be told.

Actor John Apacible (real name: Enrique Apacible) was shot dead following a supposed argument with his uncle in Cainta, Rizal before dawn Sunday. John’s uncle has reportedly been charged with homicide. The 61-year-old seaman, Armando Rustia, has been formally charged by the Rizal provincial prosecutor’s office, although the suspect has continued to insist he only acted in self defense, as reported by GMA News on March 22.

John is part of the series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.

Apacible’s girlfriend, former Viva Hot Babes Anna Leah Javier, expressed regret about what happened. As reported, Javier said Apacible left their condo unit in Ortigas a few days before his death following a misunderstanding with her. She lamented not being able to apologize to him and not exerting enough effort to patch things up.

Apacible and Javier have reportedly been together for eight years, and have planned to marry this year.

Bianca Paz is the fourth candidate to be removed from the official roster of this year’s pageant after she reportedly posed sexy for a calendar two years ago.

Paz was replaced by Joanne Tuazon.

A statement released by Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) read in part: “Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. has removed another candidate from the 2011 roster due to circumstances affecting her which recently came to light. As with the previous statement, we urge everyone to cease further speculation regarding the matter as respect to the privacy and integrity of all those concerned.”

It was the second time for Paz to join the beauty contest, the first was in 2009.

A total of 40 candidates are vying for this year’s pageant. The winners will represent the country in the Miss Universe and Miss International beauty contests.

Paz has issued a statement through her Facebook page. “I would like to clear things up regarding the issue for the FIRST and LAST time.

“To make a long story short, I took part in a calendar shoot 2 years ago which never came to mind as a possible hindrance for my participation in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant as I made sure that the finished result would not be less than tasteful and even of editorial standard before being published; “Unfortunately, BPCI did not have the same opinion of the said shoot and so as of today I have been officially DISQUALIFIED;

“I would also like to make clear that there are NO, I repeat, NO nude photos or “sex videos” anywhere existing; “I respect and accept BPCI’s decision and refuse to make the issue any bigger than it already is. I only ask that everyone does the same and refrain themselves from making false judgments and ignorant accusations towards me and anyone else involved. At this point, it’s all very unnecessary;

“Instead, I encourage everyone to show support to all remaining candidates and… well… Enjoy the show! This is, after all, “entertainment.”

“I want to thank everyone that has supported me. God bless and I love you all!” This developed as the 40 alluring candidates rocked the Gateway Activity Area when they took part in the annual fashion show.

The first part of the fashion show presented the girls in playful summer-styled day dresses in floral and colorful prints. Then the girls stunned the audience when they glided down the ramp robed in evening wear of different styles and fabrics.

The parade of glamour was capped by reigning Bb. Pilipinas International Krista Kleiner and Bb. Pilipinas World Czarina Gatbonton who wowed the crowd when they romped on the catwalk in stylish attire. Miss Universe Venus Raj could not make it to the show, to the disappointment of the crowd. The fashion show is one of the many activities lined-up for the Bb. Pilipinas 2011 candidates. Other upcoming events include the Parade of Beauties on March 27, charity visits, Pre-Pageant on April 3 and the Grand Coronation Night on April 10 which will be held at the Araneta Coliseum and aired on ABS-CBN.

Now on its 47th year, the Bb. Pilipinas search is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, becoming even more exciting with the positive changes it is undertaking.

The Bb. Pilipinas has produced five Filipinas world titlists – Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1969; Margie Moran, Miss Universe 1973; Aurora Pijuan, Miss International 1973; Melanie Marquez, Miss International ’79; and Precious Lara Guigaman, Miss International 2006.

Source:
article by Robert Requintina
Manila Bulletin
March 24, 2011

Alfred Vargas
Gwen Garci
Jhong Hilario
Joshua Dionisio
Karel Marquez
Kathryn Bernardo
Kim Chui PBB
Paulo Avelino
Piero Vergara
Princess Ryan
Richard Gomez
Xian Lim

Department of Tourism (DOT) website
with the slogan Pilipinas Kay Ganda
beautifulpilipinas.com

is administered by:
Christian Coronel
chris@alfafusion.com
AlfaFusion Technologies
404 B1 Manggahan Village
Amang Rodriguez Avenue
Pasig, Metro Manila 1611
Philippines
(632) 916-9450

Now, who did the campaign?

They say its Campaigns & Grey.

DOT could’ve crowd sourced the campaign, don’t you think?

Related Articles:
DOT: Pilipinas, Tara Na!
Pilipinas Kay Ganda
Basta Pinas

She is from Gunma, Japan.

Maiden Name: Mayumi Iizuka
She has the same name as the Japanese pop singer.

Some thought she may be Filipino because ‘mayumi’ is a Tagalog word that means modest. In Japanese, ‘mayumi’ means true bow (archery).

It is not confirmed whether Mayumi Heene has anything to do with the hoax of the weather balloon flying away with Falcon.

The police are also investigating if Mayumi is a victim of domestic violence.