Janine Tugonon to stay in US for good

MANILA – Almost a year after her reign as the Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up, Janine Tugonon will soon leave for the United States and stay there for good.

“I’m going to the States in September. I’m studying there. Babalik pa naman ako every now and then for some events and for some contracts that I have here. But, yes, I’m moving there for good,” she said in an interview with “The Buzz” on Sunday.

The beauty queen said she just wants to chase her dream now that it’s within her reach.

“Kasi ever since I really wanted to study abroad. This time, there’s an opportunity na talaga and I can study na talaga. I want to,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tugonon denied reports that she is in a relationship with actor Benjamin Alves after they have been spotted together numerous times in public.

Tugonon maintained she and Alves are just friends and there is nothing romantic going on between them.

“Hindi ko po siya boyfriend. We are not even dating. People saw us at Cinemalaya and they said it was a date. I was with Jonas (Gauffud, her manager) and Cheska (a friend) that night. It was the four of us. Benjamin is a very good friend of mine. We go to the same church. We eat after church with our other friends,” she said.

In a separate interview, the 24-year-old actor, in a report published on the entertainment news site Philippine Entertainment Portal, said he is currently "going out" with the beauty queen.

"I say we go out, wala namang masama doon porke't artista kami," said Alves. "Para namang big deal kung lumabas kaming dalawa. If we were 15 [years old], then that could be a big deal. We're of age naman na."

Both Tugonon and Alves are under the management of the talent agency Mercator.

Tugonon maintained that she does not have a love life as of the moment.

Breakup with Jaypee

In the same interview on "The Buzz," the beauty queen also addressed questions concerning her former relationship with Jaypee Santos.

Last April, Tugonon made headlines when she broke up with Santos after she admitted on national television that she got attracted with The Script vocalist Danny O'Donoghue.

“I kept quiet during that time. There’s nothing I can say that can actually change what people think kasi it’s already set in their mind. Parang ako, I think it’s better na tumahimik muna,” she said.

Tugonon said she really waited for the right time to finally explain what happened.

“I think I was misunderstood. Parang iba 'yung na-perceive nung tao, [that I dumped Jaypee without mercy]. There’s a bigger story behind that breakup,” she said. “I want to keep it private as much as possible but hindi lang 'yung The Script issue. It’s more than that. [The breakup] was a mutual decision.”

“I admit I was at fault because of what happened. The ‘Kris TV’ interview, it was my fault. But the breakup, kaming dalawa ang involved doon eh. May dahilan pa. Before the concert, before everything popped out, hindi lang iyon ang story,” she added.

Tugonon, however, admitted that O'Donoghue was indeed one of the reasons why they called it quits.

“Of course, I admit I got attracted. I said that on ‘Kris TV.’ Who wouldn’t? I love the band, I love their music a lot. I got attracted. Yes, nagselos [si Jaypee]. I think one of the reasons (iyon) but hindi iyon ang main reason,” she said.

Tugonon also emphasized that O’Donoghue did not court her.

“Natawa ako sa issue na we are dating. Unang una, how can it happen, he’s in the other side of the world? I think we just talked. Of course, I admit I got attracted. But no, [hindi nanligaw],” she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Janine Tugonon explains Miss USA's win

MANILA, Philippines -- Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up Janine Tugonon named four factors that contributed to Miss USA Olivia Culpo being crowned this year's titlist.

At the time the Bataan and Rhode Island beauties held hands awaiting the announcement of the 61st Miss Universe, Tugonon felt there was a "50-50" chance she'd bring home the Philippines' third crown from the international pageant.


"Pero inisip ko rin na pwede ring hindi talaga," Tugonon, 23, told ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo in an exclusive interview shortly after the coronation night held Thursday morning (Manila time) at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The two-time Binibining Pilipinas contender -- she was runner-up to Shamcey Supsup (Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up) in last year's local competition -- enumerated four reasons why Culpa emerged winner.

Firstly, "Hindi naman pangit 'yung sagot ni USA, and very spontaneous."

In the Question & Answer portion, where the Top 5 picked at random questions from the judges, Culpo was asked to name one thing she would never do again. "Picking on my siblings growing up," she replied.

Tugonon also credited Culpo's being friendly as a factor in her win. "Alam ko rin 'yung personality niya, sobrang okay," the Filipina beauty said.

Leading up to the coronation night, the two appeared together on Las Vegas television as representatives of the 89 Miss Universe candidates to promote their charitable activities.

"Nakakausap ko siya, nakakasama ko siya sa ibang shoot, sobrang okay niya, kaya alam ko na na talagang papasok siya," the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) cum laude graduate added.

Another factor that contributed to Culpo's win, Tugonon said, is: "Kilala narin siya ng Miss Universe organization." As Miss USA, Culpo was under the same group that organizes the yearly Miss Universe pageant.

Lastly, Tugonon pointed to the obvious: "Maganda pa siya."

Even before the pageant, Tugonon said Miss USA appeared to be an early favorite. Much like the Philippine representative, Culpo frequently appeared in promotional activities for the pageant.

"Alam ko talaga si USA, malakas siya nung [pre-pageant] process palang. Kasi kung ako, lagi niyo nakikita sa shoots and interviews, mas parati siya, siya 'yung mas busy sa 'kin," Tugonon said.

Despite finishing runner-up, Tugonon said she is already happy achieving this latest best finish of her country in Miss Universe in over a decade.

"Pero thankful na ako na nakarating doon, dahil kaunting Pinay rin lang naman ang nakakarating sa ganoon, sa last spot, so happy na," she said.

The Philippines' last best finish was the first runner-up win of Miriam Quiambao in 1999. Venus Raj and Shamcey Supsup finished 4th and 3rd runner-up, respectively, in 2010 and 2011.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Netizens in a frenzy with Miss Universe results

MANILA, Philippines – Sharp-witted Filipinos again dominated social media with their jokes about the Miss Universe pageant, which garnered a wide range of reactions, from acceptance to surprise and outrage.

After Janine Tugonon’s first runner-up finish at the Miss Universe pageant, the hashtag #MissPHILIPPINESforMissUniverse2012 trended in the Philippines on Twitter, as did other pageant-related topics #1stRunnerUp, Nigel Barker (the one who questioned Tugonon during the pageant's question and answer portion), #top5, Venus Raj and Trump.

#ChicserForMissUniverse also trended, with netizens joking that the boy band’s members would have a fighting chance if they joined the pageant.

‘Blessing’

Tugonon’s supporters expressed shock at the near-win, as they thought the Filipina did really well during the different areas of the competition, especially the question and answer portion.

Bitter fans said the United States’ win was a consolation for the nation’s recent tragedies, such as typhoon Sandy and the deaths of children in a school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

However, many also agreed with Tugonon, who said her runner-up finish was a blessing from God this Christmas, and that it was a good enough achievement, as it is rare for Filipinos to reach the Top 5 in the Miss Universe pageant.

End of the universe

Several memes have cropped up making fun of the pageant results, which have been reposted by Pinoys looking to vent their frustration with the loss.

Some said Olivia Culpo, who was crowned Miss Universe, should enjoy her reign, as the end of the world is near.

Others poked fun at what they said was a "hometown decision."

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Second time's the charm: Janine Tugonon is 2012 Binibining Pilipinas-Universe

MANILA, Philippines--She may have only placed 1st runner up in 2011 but this year, Janine Tugonon wears the crown as Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2012.

Tugonan, a BS Pharmacy cum laude graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, bested 23 other candidates in last night's biggest search for the country's most beautiful woman who will compete for this year's Miss Universe competition in December.

The 22-year-old Bataan native placed 1st runner up in 2011, when architect Shamcey Supsup won the crown and eventually placed 3rd in the Miss Universe.

Although she was barely noticed during the competition and didn't win any other special prize, Tugonan won the judges over during the question-and-answer round.

When pageant judge Jose Manuel Rodriguez asked Tugonon, "Many women nowadays forego a happy family life for a successful career. How do you feel about this?”

She answered: "I believe that women have the right to choose between what they want. But for me, just go for what God wants you to do. Between the two, whatever it is, you must do your purpose in this world. Just have a child-like faith and mature obedience, and everything will go smooth.”

After the Q&A round, Tugonon was judged as the winner, while Nicole Schmitz was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-International and Katrina Dimaranan as Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism.

Schmitz and Dimaranan will both compete later this year.

Completing the top 5 were Elaine Moll (1st runner up)and Ann Forbes (2nd runner up).

Will she win?

Following a back-to-back Top 5 finish in the Miss Universe competition, popular beauty pageant blog Missosology.org posed a question on its website, whether or not Tugonon will fare better in the competition or make an early farewell?

As of 5 pm, most of the respondents said Tugonan might likely be "out" of the Top 5 owing to her lackluster pre-pageant performance.

But there are those who said Tugonon might be the dark horse of the competition and make a three-peat of the Top 5 performance for the country.

Since 2010, the Philippines has been placing in the Top 5 of the Miss Universe pageant. Venus Raj finished at Top 5, following what many saw was a blunder in the Q&A round. Supsup followed in 2011 with a Top 3 finish.


The last time the Philippines placed higher than Top 3 was in 1999 when UST-alumna Miriam Quiambao placed 2nd in the competition.

The Philippines currently has two Miss Universe winners: Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973.

source: interaksyon.com