The world’s most prestigious male pageant is back! 80 exceptional men from around the globe will vie for the title of Mr. World and a US$50,000 cash prize in Seoul, South Korea this coming September 2009. Initiated in 1996, the pageant is organized by the Miss World Organization.

For the Philippine representative to the Mr. World finals in Korea, Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI) announced that it is now accepting applications for Mr. World Philippines.
If you are a natural-born Filipino male aged 17 to 27 years old, single, physically fit, competitive and accomplished, has at least a high school diploma, stands at least 5’10” barefoot, has never competed in any international male pageant, and has good moral character, you might be chosen as the country’s representative and sent to Korea to compete in the finals.

For inquiries on Mr. World Philippines, please log on to the Binibining Pilipinas website at www.bbpilipinas.com.

Eiga Sai ’09 at the Shang Film fest

As a kickoff event for the celebration of Philippines-Japan Friendship Month, the Shang presents its Japanese Contemporary Film Festival titled Eiga Sai ’09 from July 3 to 12 at Shangri-La Plaza Cinema 3. This 10-day, free-for-all event is organized by the Japan Foundation Manila, in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, and the UP Film Institute.

The current line-up of films promises to be an exciting one. The festival opens with “Always – Sunset on Third Street” (“Always San-chome no yuhi,” 2005) by director Yamazaki Takashi, a film that reminisces about 1950s Japan. 

A film based on the novel by Muneki Yamada “Memories of Matsuko” (“Kiraware Matsuko no issho,” 2006) tells the story of Sho, who, after sorting out the possessions of his recently deceased Aunt Matsuko, unwittingly learns more about her past.

“Kamome Diner” (“Kamome shokudo,” 2006) follows the journey of three Japanese women in Helsinki. Sachie, one of the women, opens a restaurant, which only has one regular customer. However, when two other women start helping out in the restaurant, customers mysteriously begin to pour in.

An incredible drama film, Memories of Tomorrow” (“Ashita no kioku,” 2006) is about a man named Mayasuki Saeki, a successful company executive who eventually suffers with Alzheimer’s disease in his old age; while “The Milkwoman” (“Itsuka dokusho suru hi,” 2005) brings to light the story of 50-year-old milkwoman Minako and Keita, whom she has been in love with since her teens.

“Turn Over” – An Angel is Coming on a Bicycle” (“Futari biyori,” 2004) is set in an old Kyoto neighborhood and tells the story of an aged couple whose lives are changed when a magic-loving college student enters the picture.

Finally, “Mind Game” (“Mind Game,” 2004) is an animé film based on the comic by Robin Nishi. It revolves around protagonist Nishi, whose ambition is to become a comic book artist, and his childhood crush Myon. Together, they experience a life-changing turn of events that eventually help them grow as individuals.

All films will be shown with English subtitles. Admission is free. For detailed screening schedules and inquiries, log on to www.shangrila-plaza.com.

Hi-way 54 at Conways tonight

Groove to familiar songs performed by Hi-way 54 at Conways Bar at the Shangri-La Makati tonight.

Apart from Hi-way 54, Conways gig schedule is filled with live performances from the following artists this July: Side A on Mondays, Fat Session on Tuesdays, Spirit of ‘67 on Thursdays, Midlife Crisis and Rx80s on Fridays, and Gang of Pearl and Rockin’ Revival on Saturdays.

Join TV5 ANIMEGA’s CosTube Video Contest

TV5, in partnership with Cosplaymania, invites all animé and cosplay enthusiasts to join TV5 AniMega’s CosTube, a cosplay video contest where fans can display their love for animé by dressing up as their favorite animé character, recording a video of themselves, uploading the clip and sending the link online for a chance to fame and to winning up to R70,000 cash prize.

CosTube video contest is open to cosplayers and amateur film-makers of all ages. All interested participants should first become a member of TV5Kommunity or Cosplay.ph at www.tv5.com.ph and www.cosplay.ph in order to join the contest, which theme centers on “Group Cosplay.”

Contestants simply has to dress up as their favorite anime character, prepare a skit and record a video portraying their anime character (cosplay), upload the clip online and once registered, send the link to www.cosplaymania.com.

Submission of entries is ongoing from until Aug. 8. For more information, visit www.tv5.com.ph or www.cosplaymania.com and watch the animé shows on ANIMEGA, only on TV5.