Showbiz Oddities

The term "showbiz oddity" refers to a person, thing, or event within the entertainment industry that is considered strange, unusual, or peculiar. 

Showbiz is an informal abbreviation for "show business," which encompasses all aspects of the entertainment industry, including film, theatre, and television, as well as the people involved, like artists, producers, and agents. 

Oddity means something strange, unusual, or different from what is expected or ordinary.

So here we go.  Don't you think Carla Abellana getting married on the same day her erstwhile husband, Tom Rodriguez, won Best Supporting Actor ...  an oddity?

And the more strange it becomes because the title of Tom's movie is UNMARRY? Coincidence?

Oddity

Remember the plane crash 5 days ago?

The lone survivor of the deadly Air India plane crash last June 12, 2025, occupied seat 11-A.

Thai actor Ruangsak James Loychusak remembers the same ordeal when he survived a deadly crash 27 years ago.

And was it a coincidence that he was also sitting in the same seat number - SEAT 11-A?

Does it mean that seat 11-A is the safest seat in any plane?

Pageant Oddity

This is another pageant oddity. There are only two countries in the world that have completely won all 6 Alpha crowns - the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

We won the six crowns - how come our kapitbahays does not consider us a powerhouse? That's odd.

To think that these neighbors are not even in the list above. An oddity ... indeed!

Akisha Albert - Philippines Lucky Charm From Curacao

CJ Opiaza- Miss Grand International Philippines 2024

Here is another beauty pageant trivia you don't want to miss. Would you believe Akisha Albert is the new Miss Grand Int'l Curacao 2024? So, does it matter to Filipinos if she will represent Curacao or not?

On the face value ... maybe none. But if I am going to tell you ... she is a lucky charm to some of our previous winners. Maybe you will reconsider your answer.

She was unplaced in Miss Earth 2014, but Jamie Herrell of the Philippines won Miss Earth 2014.

Akisha continued her pageant journey ... and in Reina Hispano America 2017, she won first runner-up ... only second to Winwin Marquez of the Philippines, who took the contest by storm, being the first-ever delegate of the country to the contest ... and won.

Akisha doesn't rest on her laurels.  In 2018 ... her third attempt at Miss Universe was the most-watched. By now having proven she was indeed a lucky charm ... Filipinos were already sure and confident Catriona Gray would bring home the bacon ... and the rest was history ... Catriona was boiling hot with her lava walk giving the Philippines its fourth Miss Universe Crown.

And what is this we heard the indefatigable Akisha is trying out her luck this time at Miss Grand International 2024 - the title that is too elusive for Filipinos ... what with Uncle Nawat's sweet and sour relationship with the Philippines.

Will CJ Opiaza bring the Golden Crown to the Philippines and will her victory prove that Akisha Albert's being the lucky charm was not only coincidental ... but providential. 

The finals of Miss Grand International came, and bomber CJ Opiaza fell short as she ended up only as the second best (first runner up). Filipinos were expectant that the Philippines would finally win the elusive crown ... but it was not written in the stars. Although downhearted...  they console themselves ... "Well, next year will be another year."

So did Akisha Albert's magic being the lucky charm for not just one but four Philippine titleholders, a mere coincidence? Or is it just an oddity ... it may have worked with the other Pinoy beauty queens in the past, and the Miss Grand 2024 finals was its expiry date?

Fast forward to the present - May 28. 2025. What's this we heard that Rachel Gupta - Miss Grand International 2024 has resigned. Or was she terminated? It looked like there was bad blood between her and the organization.

And as expected, with her resignation, somebody has to take over, and who would aptly assume control and fill in her beauty shoes than the first runner up herself, CJ Opiaza?

Moral of the story? It is not over ... till it is over.

Indeed, Akisha Albert is the Philippines' lucky charm. The finals of Miss Grand 2024 may not be the way we expect it to be ... but with Akisha around ... the melodrama has made its last twist and turn ... and the Golden Crown ... was given to the rightful owner, CJ Opiaza.

Akisha Albert - Miss Grand International Curacao 2024

Pageant Oddity

In 2021, Alexandria Faith Garcia of the Philippines won Miss Aura International. Her First Runner Up was Alexandra Stroe from Romania.

In 2025, Krishan Pauline Alerre of the Philippines won her second Miss Aura International title. Surprisingly, Kira Andreea Joanna Stan also from Romania was the First Runner Up.

Was it a coincidence or fate has it written in the stars? 

History repeats ... and how it webbed its storyline ... has amused and entertained us, leaving our jaws open in disbelief. 

Indeed, this pageant oddity will be long remembered ... it is almost comparable to Halley's comet!

Why? Halley's Comet last appeared in Earth's skies in 1986 and is expected to return in 2061 on its regular 76-year journey around the Sun. 

See?

Pageant Oddities

Another pageant oddity this 2024 is when Liana Barrido won Miss Tourism International 2024. For the record, the Philippines won its sixth title for this brand. Here they are:

2000 - Maria Esperanza Manzano

2012  - Rizzini Alexis Gomez

2013  - Angel Dione Gomez

2017  - Jannie Loudettee Alipoon

2019  - Cyrille Payumo

2024  - Liana Rose Barrido

Congratulation Philippines!

Back To Back Win? Too Soon For Mister International?

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The unthinkable happens again with the feat of Francisco Zafra winning in Mr. International 2024.  Not that we are complaining ... but it just becomes odd that a "back-to-back phenomenon" had reared its ugly head again in pageantry. A case of too much ... too soon?

A back-to-back win is when a delegate or a team wins a title ... two in a row without any defeats in between. It is a rare feat so they say ... in unbroken sequence ... it describes events that happen one after another without interruption.

Let it be clear that I have nothing against the winner ... I love Francisco Zafra ... and he may have all the qualifications of the winner as seen by the judges. And it is unfair that you will strip him of that opportunity just because the previous winner was also from Spain.

However ... I am all for inclusiveness and giving others a chance. Not that the two runners-up are totally push-overs ... as a matter of fact in the interview ... the Philippines did better than the two. 

In the two-year existence of Mister International, it could have spread its wings by letting Peru, the Philippines ... or China win. Instead, they spread themselves too thin by biting more than they can chew. Imagine ... opting for a back-to-back decision ... was not well thought out .... it was a spur-of-the-moment decision ... that could have worked to their advantage had the judges deliberated the results. 

I don't mind if Mr. International had existed for more than twenty years (like Miss Universe) ... they could do the luxury of doling out back-to-back wins all they want. But two years in its history ... and if somebody asked them who are your past winners ... the glaring fact shows Spain and Spain. Wala na bang magaling ... except for Spain?

Peru and the Philippines are note-worthy winners, not that I am on their side. Spain for sure is not expecting a title based on the fact that they won last year (so there is no bad blood or animosity there if he falls short of getting the title). He can be a runner-up to give credence that their delegate was also outstanding ... but winning twice in a row looked like an overkill. 

And back-to-back win is like Haley's comet where they return to Earth after seventy-five years ... so in Spain's case, they have not entertained the thought. Only the judges or the organizers are making a fuss about doing everything faithfully and correctly.

Had they given the title to Peru ... more countries would be encouraged to join. Twenty-five candidates are not that much to be considered many. So how can the organization lure and entice more countries ... if there are flagrant leanings (whether true or not) skewed to a specific country?

Just a thought ... and to Mister International Organization ... I am with you all the way. I believe in your cause ... what happens are just labor pains ... too normal for an organization undergoing birthing throes.

Lavender Fields Oddity

Is this the showbiz trend that is in vogue right now? A trend is a general direction in which something is developing or changing. Others call it a movement ... a swing ... or a shift.

It all started with Iron Heart a teleserye produced by ABS CBN when 98 percent of the cast names are either Greek or Roman gods and mythical deities.

GMA followed suit ... and they did not take the situation lying down. In Widow's War, it was clear they were concocting a similar plan to what the rival company did. Whether the viewing public notices it - the cast surnames make reference to a house - it has a fondness to make a home its central theme ...that is why we hear Palacios, Casas, Castillo, Balay and this I found today two characters have Trano as their family names which also means an Italian house. Another character has a surname Domo which is a Greek word for house. I wonder why they didn't use Villa instead ... which is more popular.

ABS CBN's Lavender Fields is now in its second week.  If you pay attention ... the names of female leads are all flowers. 

1. Jodi Santa Maria - Jasmine Flores - Both name and Surname are referring to flowers.

2. Jodi Santa Maria - Lavender Fields - Lavender is a flower

3. Janine Gutierrez - Iris Buenavides de Vera - Iris is a flower and de Vera is a flower farm

4. Jolina Magdangal - Lily Atienza

5. Maricel Soriano - Aster Fields

6. Jana Agoncillo - Mirasol Gallego - Mirasol - Spanish for sunflower.

7. Krystal Mejes - Myrtle Hidalgo - Myrtle is a flower

8. Pamu Pamorada - Petunia Hidalgo

9. Cheena Crab - Dahlia Esteban

10. Kate Alejnadrino - Maxine Fields - Maxine is a flower

11. Analain Salvador - Heather Buenavidez - Heather is a flower

12. Lotlotde Leon - Rose Flores

13. Roxanne Guinoo - Ivy Fernandez 

14. Maria Torre - Stephanie Jacinto- Stephanie is a flower.

Is these just coincidental? Or there is really a trend like this in showbiz now? Since the backdrop is the flower business, did the director and scriptwriter want to christen everybody with flower names?

The use of flower names sounds so surreal ... I find it disturbing ... and diverting attention. With a good story in hand ... mentioning flowers in every split second is overkill - the puffery and the flowers' scents become abhorrent and despicable.

This made us think - what will the producers offer us next time? Name of trees? Acacia ... Narra ... Maple ... Chestnut... Elm ... Oak ... Walnut ... Willow ... Banyan ... AD NAUSEAM.

                                                                                                       Lavender Fields

Pageant Oddities

Bolivia is fielding a brother and sister team in the pageant of Julia Morley. Mario Chavez will represent his country in the Mr. World 2024 in Vietnam and his sister Olga Chavez will be Bolivia's bet for Miss World 2024.
 

Showbiz Oddities

There is just one glaring error in Batang Quiapo.  That is when Rigor was brought for an emergency operation and Lena (The Jumper) decided to donate blood on his behalf. She did this anyway despite a fellow police colleague reminding her that she can't donate blood when she's pregnant.

Sa tigas ng ulo ni Lena ... she can practically do anything she wants. Maka-score lang ng pogi points kay Marites kahit sa maling paraan.

But in all sincerity ... sa tunay na buhay .... pregnant women are not eligible to donate blood. Being pregnant herself she needs her own blood and its iron para supportahan ang fetus. Donating blood during pregnancy will potentiate the possibility of complications katulad ng anemia ... or ilalagay mo sa alanganin ang kalagayan ng bata.

Pregnant women as blood donors imbes na makatulong ay lalo pa niyang ilagay sa panganib ang taong binigyan ng dugo.  Pregnant women have HLA antibodies in their system.  Once na nadevelop ang mga antibodies ... they will be present forever ... the antibodies can be harmful if transfused. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies formed during pregnancy are a major cause of acute rejection in organ transplantation and of adverse effects in blood transfusion,

I just hope Batang Quiapo has done its research on this matter. It may sound so unimportant ... but it can turn deadly when health information like this is passed to consumers like just one of those things. Teleseryes is a potent source of fake information and Lena's stubbornness contributes to disseminating what we ought to do vs. what we should not do.

Batang Quiapo can redeem itself at wala na silang responsibilidad sa pagpakalat ng fake news na okay lang pala magdonate ng dugo kahit buntis. They can retrieve the broken pieces that once they failed as a medium to disseminate important information when there will be another plot twist ... that LENA WAS NOT PREGNANT AFTER ALL. The situation above (the blood donation) is just a product of Lena's sick mind.

Pageant Oddities

Was this pageant oddity just a coincidence ... or was it written in the stars? Or was this person a LUCKY CHARM to the Philippines? 

We are referring to Akisha Albert - a beauty queen from Curacao. A lucky charm is said to be something or someone that is thought to bring good luck and good fortune.

Consider these facts to prove our point. When she joined Miss Earth 2014, Jamie Herrell of the Philippines won.  When she joined Miss Hispano Americana 2017, she was first runner-up to Philippines Teresita Marquez who was declared the winner. And get this ... when she ventured into Miss Universe 2018, she was included in the Top Ten when Catriona Gray won the fourth Miss Universe crown for the Philippines.

If she was born February 8, 1995, she was 19 when she joined Miss Earth 2014, 22 at Miss Reina HispanoAmericana 2017, and 23 at Miss Universe 2018.

The latest we heard from the grapevine, the Curacaoan beauty was appointed Miss Grand Curacao 2024 at 29.

If she is indeed a lucky charm to the Philippines ... and if it is written in the stars ...will this be the golden opportunity for the Philippines to win the elusive Miss Grand International crown? Hope springs eternal - it is human nature always ... to find fresh cause for optimism. 

Showbiz Oddities

Widows War was shown with a lot of fanfare and reactions ... and if you are a keen observer you will notice a glaring fact ... its fondness and appetite to make the FAMILY NAME of its central characters revolve around one main and central theme - the HOME or HOUSE.

One family (that of Bea Alonzo, Timmy Cruz, and Jeric Gonzales) their family name is CASTILLO ,,, which means a palace or a home.

Another family (that of Jean Garcia, Tonton Gutierrez, Rafael Rossell, Benjamin Alves) their family name is PALACIOS ... which also means a palace or a home.

Still another family (that of Carla Abellana, Jackie Lou Blanco, and Matthew Uy) their family name is BALAY which means a home or a house.

And not to be forgotten is Juancho Trevino's family name which is CASAS which means a house.

Was this just a coincidence? Or did the director or the scriptwriter want to send a message - that their story was all about four families and how their members interact with each other? 

If the director needs more family names that mean house or home - I am suggesting VILLA. 

If they still need more ... DUPLEX or BUNGALOW works.

Showbiz Oddities

Iron Heart is an action drama TV series produced by ABS-CBN and directed by Lester Pimentel Ong and Richard Ibasco Arellano, and starring matinee idol Richard Gutierrez. It has been aired since November, but nobody has reacted or written this nagging observation ... like I do.  Am I the only one observant ... or was everybody asleep ... or just smitten by this action powerpack ... their tongues curled up ... and they thought reacting to anything trivial or frivolous ... is irrelevant?

Come to think of it ... was there any reason why 98% of the cast were given names of either Greek or Roman gods and deities? There must be a reason for it, and I want to know why? Consider this:

1. Richard Gutierrez - Apollo - Greek god of music, poetry, healing, and medicine.

2. Albert Martinez - Priam - in Greek mythology, he was the king of Troy in the Trojan war.

3. Jake Cuenca - Eros - Greek god of carnal love

4. Sue Ramirez - Venus - Greek goddess of love, beauty, and procreation.

5. Dimples Romana - Selene - Titan goddess of the moon

6. Diether Ocampo - Echo - Greek mountain nymph

7. Maricel Laxa - Helen - Patron deity of the sailors

8. Meryll Soriano - Juno -Roman goddess of love and marriage

9. Baron Geisler- Janus - Greek god of motion and passages

10. Sofia Andres - Nyx - Greek goddess of the night

11. Pepe Herrera - Poseidon - Greek god of the sea

12. Al Tantay - Homer - presumed author of Iliad & Odyssey

13. Roi Vinzon - Hector - Prince of Troy

14. Enzo Pineda - Hero - Priestess of Aphrodite

15. Joem Bascon - Hermes - Patron god of flocks and the shepherds

16. Anna Marin - Delia - epithet for Artemis

17. Mitoy Yonting - Dionysus/Diony - Greek god of fertility

18. Louise Abuel - Troy - the setting of the legendary Trojan war

19. Andi Abaya - Maia - Greek goddess of growth

20. Ryan Eigenmann - Adonis -Greek god of beauty and attraction

21. Emmanuelle Vera - Athena - Greek goddess of wisdom

22. Rafa Siguion Reyna - Zenon - equivalent to Zeus - greek god of sky and thunder

23. Ronnie Lazaro - Oak - the symbol for Zeus for its size, strength, and longevity

24. Vivoree Esclito - Penelope - Greek goddess of nature

25. Anthony Jennings - Cronus - son of Uranus and Gaea

Frankly, I don't have any complaints about the series. The fight scenes were beautifully choreographed, the pacing tight and brisk, the storyline was James Bondish and the cast was a fine ensemble of the finest actors in town. What is there to complain?

However, my observation above deserves an answer from anyone, especially the director and the scriptwriter.  Was this just a passing fancy where the author uses names of Greek gods and personalities? Or was the story lifted from Iliad and the Odyssey? Or was it inspired by a Disney movie with a similar title? I THINK NOT!

The use of these Greek names makes it a little bit distracting. I find it a little bit un-Filipino. Imagine watching a Filipino TV series ... and you see the cast's discomfort delivering the lines as they tried to articulate Priam ... Cronus ...  or Eros.  It gives me a little hiccup suspending disbelief ... and allowing myself to believe in something that sounds too alien ... for comfort!