A Filipina in the global news is Alexandra Escat because she was seen with Prince Andrew in a yacht. The Duke of York was seen engrossed in a playful conversation with the Filipina model on a luxury yacht last week.

Who is she?

Photo credit:estilodemadrid.com

From Night Celebrity

The 25-year-old swimsuit model joined the prince over the weekend as he jetsetted about. They even spent time aboard a massive multi-million dollar yacht that measures well over 150ft, only to end up in a luxury hotel with the likes of Janet Jackson and a few famous athletes.

But who is this woman, whom many believe to be Prince Andrew’s girlfriend?

For starters, she is a well-known socialite, who can be seen hitting up the party scenes in Madrid and Manila. Aside from bikini modeling, she has appeared in a commercial for hair products (see below), and has been invited to some of the most exclusive events in the UK. She is also a columnist for a Spanish website called ‘Estilo De Madrid.’

Her unique look can be traced back to her parent’s diverse background; her father is from Spain, while her mother is a native of the Phillipines, where she is often spotted at fashion events.

Cheryl Tiu, a wealthy Filipino magazine editor and close friend of the model, confirmed Miss Escat was the bikini-wearing woman snapped giggling as she allowed Prince Andrew to kiss her hand. Her friend wrote on Twitter ‘My friend Alex Escat was spotted yachting with Prince Andrew, Duke of York! Hello Magazine UK said she was the wife of another man. Hahahaha!’

A Filipina Reigns in Women’s Boxing: I received an email this morning from GMA Pinoy TV about its airing of the Super Bantamweight Championship fight that was held in Ontario, Canada last June 30, 2010 where Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton emerged as the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) Super Bantamweight champion via split decision over Maria Elena Villalobos of Mexico. It’s a Happy July 4th (American Independence Day, USA) treat when GMA Pinoy TV vicariously allows viewers to empathize — blow-by-blow — with the positive adrenalin rush that can only be found in a great women’s boxing match.

Let’s relive this moment! This latest boxing match, dubbed “Laban ng Pinay: Julaton vs. Villalobos,” will air exclusively on GMA Pinoy TV on July 4 in the US, Canada and the Middle East. On July 11 it will air to Asia Pacific viewers of GMA Pinoy TV.

IN THE USA

12:05 pm PDT/Vancouver
1:05 pm MDT
1:05 pm CDT
3:05 pm EDT

From: Policarpio, Freida V.
Date: Sat, Jul 3, 2010 at 5:27 AM
Subject: WATCH ANA “THE HURRICANE” JULATON WINNING FIGHT FOR THE WBO SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT BELT ON GMA PINOY TV, JULY 4
To: Lorna Lardizabal Dietz

Hi Lorna,

We know you share the same pride and honor we have that a proud Filipina continues to make an indelible mark in the world of female boxing! To all the countless Filipino-Americans and Filipino-Canadians who we know are excited to watch her winning fight, we would appreciate you spreading the word that GMA Pinoy TV will air it in the US and Canada on July 4. (Schedule is indicated below). Don’t miss it!

We would not want the rest of the world to miss the fight, too! It broadcasts only on GMA Pinoy TV on July 4 in the UAE at 6:05 p.m., Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at 5:05 pm and Italy at 4:05 p.m. In the Asia –Pacific region ( Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, etc) it airs on Sunday, July 11 at 11 a.m.

Fries S. Policarpio
GMA International
FSPolicarpio@gmanetwork.com

Pinay Hurricane is WBO Super Bantamweight Champ

Two-time world champion Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton grabbed the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) Super Bantamweight champ via split decision over Maria Elena Villalobos of Mexico last Sunday, June 30 (Monday, Manila time) at the Casino Rama, in Ontario, Canada.

Julaton and Villalobos displayed their mettle in a rousing display of women’s boxing. Villalobos appeared to dominate early in the bout with her punches, but Julaton, now under the tutelage of top-notch trainer Freddie Roach, employed fine jabs, footwork and agile body movements, to eventually rule the bout.

Two judges scored in favor of Julaton’s , 96-94, while the other favored Villalobos, 97-94.

The Fil-am Hurricane who proudly declares her Filipino roots, now has a record of seven wins, two losses and two draws. Just before she saw action in the ring she was quoted as saying, “I’m seeing my opponent as someone who’s prepared, someone who’s hungry to win, who’s come here to fight. I’m game.”

Her coach Freddie Roach, meanwhile, expressed delight in Julaton’s passion for the game. “Her workout is great. She comes to my gym everyday. She is very dedicated,” he said.

With this victory, Julaton redeemed herself after suffering from a unanimous decision loss at the hands of Lisa Brown last March 27, a fight shown on GMA Network and GMA Pinoy TV.

This latest boxing match, dubbed “Laban ng Pinay: Julaton vs. Villalobos” will air exclusively on GMA Pinoy TV on July 4 in the US, Canada and the Middle East. On July 11 it will air on Asia Pacific viewers of GMA Pinoy TV.

For particulars and other details, visit www.GMAPinoyTV.com.

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Photo Credit: Anton Sheker of Blog Watch

I had the opportunity to hear Charice Pempengco sing the National Anthem , live during the Inaugural of the 15th President of rhe Republic of the Philippines. I was very impressed because her rendition is the original tempo. The National Historical Commission reportedly also gave a raving review to Pempengco’s rendition and for adhering to its lawful interpretation under the masterful guidance of Ryan Cayabyab.

“Okay ang pagkanta ni Charice ng Pambansang Awit,” added Ogie Alcasid, who co-wrote Noynoy’s inaugural song “Bagong Pilipinas” with progressive artist Noel Cabangon.

If you were not able to hear her sing, here is a youtube of her singing “Lupang Hinirang”
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THE woman who shook the nation by delivering P3 million in bribes to Malacañang 11 years ago is wanted in the United States for swindling and is believed to be in hiding in the Philippines.

Former textbook agent Mary Ann T. Maslog, who tried bribing officials of the Department of Budget and Management in 1999 so that her firm could wangle a P200 million textbook contract, is now Mary Ann Smith and married to an American who allegedly became her partner in crime.

Court records in Orange County in Florida show that Maslog is wanted for theft and scheme to defraud. She is facing charges of grand theft amounting to more than $100,000 and scheme to defraud in the amount of $50,000 which are classified as criminal felonies punishable with imprisonment.

Maslog also has been charged with civil traffic infraction for improper backing.

A source who participated in the investigation, and who asked to be identified only as James Katarungan, told VERA Files that Maslog operates with her husband, Michael Lee Smith, who hails from Virginia.

Katarungan said Maslog has a bag of tricks and the more successful one is where she takes a job as a salesperson with a reputable company, normally in radio or print advertising.

After a few months, her husband gets an office in or near the building where she works, identifying himself as a sort of a career guidance counselor. The two then promise their victims jobs at the company where Maslog works, although she is in no position to do so.

Maslog would even show victims around her company’s office, explain how things work, and even introduce them to her co-workers who welcome these visitors thinking they were clients.

The couple would then require a deposit from their victims ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, supposedly to cover training in another city, either Houston or Washington, D.C., for six months. Once they get the money, they close shop and skip town.

“She’s done this scam in Virginia and in Florida,” Katarungan said.

Maslog was also into credit card fraud. “While working in sales, she took credit card numbers from paying customers and stole their identities. She defrauded one man in Orange County Florida for over $100,000 by having credit cards made in his name and sent to her. This particular victim owned a gas station and has since gone out of business and was forced into bankruptcy,” Katarungan said.

A number of people the Smiths had conned have gone to court. Maslog was charged with grant theft and scheme to defraud on Feb. 26, 2007 and was ordered arrested Dec. 18 that year.

Arraigned in open court while in jail on Jan. 8, 2008, Maslog posted a $5,000 bail bond for the grand theft charge and $1,500 for the scheme to defraud.

Court records showed she missed the hearing of her cases last Feb. 22 and that her lawyer, David Faulkner, had withdrawn his services.

Read more http://verafiles.org/main/focus/pinay-in-textbook-scam-wanted-in-the-us-for-swindling/