PIA, gumawa ng history dahil first Miss Universe titleholder na ipi-feature sa ‘Arab Fashion Week’

GUMAWA ng history si Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach dahil siya ang kauna-unahang Miss Universe titleholder na ma-feature sa digital edition ng prestigious Arab Fashion Week. 

Si Pia ang magbubukas ng Arab Fashion Week on March 24, suot ang avant-garde creation of fellow Filipino Furne One of Amato Couture, kilala as the “King of Couture” in Dubai at favorite designers ng Hollywood celebrities tulad nila Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and Nicki Minaj. 

“The five-minute fashion film starring Pia will pay sartorial homage to life beyond Earth — an exploration to the unknown dimension of life, a new beginning, a life after life,” ayon sa rep ng Arab Fashion Week.

All-black ang collection ng Furne One na binubuo ng over-the-top ruffled gowns with soft laces, leather finishings and flowy ostrich faux feathers.

Happy si Pia na gawin ang digital fashion show dahil malapit daw sa puso niya ang Middle East, lalo na ang mga tao rito at ang kultura nila.

“I am excited to see what I can do to connect and hopefully influence my community through all the works and activities lined up for me for the rest of the year.”

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SA New Zealand na pala naka-base ang dating Viva Hot Babe na si Asia Agcaoili.

Ayon kay Asia, ten years na siyang nakatira sa New Zealand at nagpapasalamat ito na hindi gaano naapektuhan ang naturang bansa ng COVID-19 pandemic.

“Maganda ang buhay sa New Zealand. Hindi namin masyadong na-feel ‘yung mga lockdown-lockdown na ‘yan. Well, everyone gets scared of COVID, but then we look at the news and we go like ‘Wow. It’s almost like the apocalypse. Let’s have a steak.’ You know what I mean? It’s a little bit weird that we’re kind of oblivious of it. But, yeah, hang on in there, mate,” sey ni Asia.

Meron din daw safety protocols na implemented, but in general, movement and daily activities ay hindi limited compared sa ibang bansa.

“We’re only required to wear a mask in certain areas, especially like public transport, but you know, we’re good. Hopefully, pati Pilipinas maging ganun din,” dasal pa niya.

Sa Auckland based si Asia at ang kanyang pamilya. Normal na raw ang takbo ng buhay niya ever since na nawala siya sa showbiz. Pero paminsan-minsan daw ay iniisip niyang bumalik sa showbiz kaya panay ang punta niya sa The New Zealand Stage & Screen Combat School (NZSSCS) para mag-aral ng fight scene techniques.

Isa sa paboritong tambayan ni Asia ay ang Cornwall Park at ang Ladies Bay Beach kunsaan kasama niya ang kanyang husband at anak na lalake at namamangha sila sa view ng Rangitoto Volcano.

“Ito ‘yung paborito kong beach dito sa Auckland kasi ano lang siya…a few minutes away sa aming bahay at sa main city, kaya napaka-accessible. At kitang-kita n’yo naman ang kagandahan ng place na ito.”

Na-enjoy na raw ni Asia ang simpleng buhay kasama ang kanyang pamilya.

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NANANAWAGAN ang maraming Asian-Americans sa Hollywood na tapusin ang paglaganap ng ‘Asian Hate’ sa Amerika.

Maraming na-shock sa naganap na shooting sa tatlong spas sa Atlanta, Georgia na ikinasawi ng walong babae, anim sa napatay ay women of Asian descent. Isa raw itong hate crime laban sa mga Asians.

Ang suspect sa hate crime na ito ay si Robert Aaron Long, 21-years old na taga-Woodstock, Atlanta. He is facing four counts of murder and a charge of aggravated assault. Ang parents mismo ni Long ang nagpahuli sa kanya sa mga pulis.

Ayon sa aktor na si Simu Liu, isang Canadian-Chinese at bida sa Marvel film na Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, natatakot ito para sa safety ng kanyang mga magulang.

“I fear for my parents’ safety because of a virus, although perhaps not the one you’re thinking of. I’m talking about the hate crimes being committed against Asian people at an alarming rate over the past year. Anti-Asian racism is very real, and it will not be solved with an opulent rom-com or Marvel superhero, but with you — the bystanders — acknowledging the validity of our pain.”

Sey naman ng Crazy Rich Asians star Gemma Chan, na isang British-Chinese: “Racism and misogyny are not mutually exclusive. In fact, sexualised racial harassment and violence is something that many of us face regularly. We need to stop the dehumanisation of Asians. We need to stop the scapegoating of Asians for Covid. We need to unite against all forms of hate.”

Para naman sa American-Korean comedian at The Masked Singer judge Ken Jeong: “It was about the harassment and violence that Asians experienced when the pandemic began.”

Nakiusap naman ang American-Vietnamese star ng To All the Boys na si Lana Condor na kumustahin ng lahat ang kanilang Asian friends at makiisa sa laban nila.

“Check on your Asian friends, as many of them are deeply scared, horrified, sick to their stomachs and wildly angry even though they aren’t publicly grieving on social media.”

Nag-post naman ang Korean-American actress and stand-up comedian Margaret Cho ng kanyang galit at lungkot sa isang video on Twitter.

“I’m so angry and full of grief because of what happened in Atlanta. I lived in Atlanta for seven years and I’m… I just don’t understand. And it is a hate crime. It is a hate crime. When you kill eight Asian women, it’s a hate crime. I don’t know why there’s even a question. This is terrorism and this is a hate crime. Stop killing us.” (RUEL J. MENDOZA)