Isabel Preysler Lecturas y Semanas Cover

Isabel Preysler is on the cover of the Spanish magazine Semana this week as the famous Filipina celebrates her 57th birthday. Above is a picture of the controversy that took place when the Spanish magazine Lecturas featured the same cover of Philippine Tatler. Of course, the Philippine Tatler and Lecturas are both owned by the same publishing company, but Isabel was still upset according to her daughter Tamara. In the Philippine Tatler, Isabel said, "I always try to promote Philippines whenever I can and try to help as much as possible." And she did, as she was recently in Manila as the godmother of an Inno Sotto fashion show, for which all proceeds were donated to homeless Filipino children. Meanwhile, Isabel's most famous son, Enrique Iglesias was in Miami, Florida for the 20th anniversary of the Premio Lo Nuestro Awards, where he performed to an excited crowd, let a reporter kiss him on the lips, and left everyone with their mouths wide open when he said in a press conference after the event that his most attractive physical assets are his testicles.And here's a picture of her beautiful daughter, Tamara Falcó, who is the covergirl of Yo Dona magazine. Tamara admits that she is posh, and that all the questions the media asks her are related to clothes. Speaking of Posh, Isabel Preysler is friends with Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham, and even had Vickie and famous hubby David Beckham over at her mansion for dinner when he was still playing for Real Madrid. The Spice Girls end their reunion tour today with their final concert in Toronto. See how the Philippines is connected to famous people all over the world? And most Pinoys think that we just live in our own little prism, but we're out there in the world.
Spice Girls on Tour February 2008 Wallpaper
David Beckham Wallpaper

Isabel Preysler meets President Arroyo

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was in Spain for an official visit and honored with a special dinner by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. Only two guests of honor were permitted into the dinner, and they were none other than Filipina journalist Isabel Preysler, who received rave reviews in the Spanish press for her elegance alone at the dinner, and husband Miguel Boyer. President Arroyo was accompanied by husband José Miguel Arroyo. Also in attendance to honor President Arroyo were Princess Letizia Ortiz, who honored Philippines especially with her Filipina-themed falda (skirt) from the fashion line Mantón de Manila, and the Prince of Spain.
Pictures of Arroyo's arrival>>>
Hola Magazine Coverage - Isabel Preysler and President Arroyo >>>
Isabel Preysler causes sensation at Royal Palace>>>
Terra España Coverage and Pictures>>>
Video coverage from El Mundo España
Letizia e Isabel 20 Minutos España




President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and husband Miguel meet Miguel Boyer, husband of Isabel Preysler.





Princess Letizia Ortiz
Isabel Preysler




Isabel Estrella
Isabel Preysler, Priscilla Presley
Las Hermanas Preysler
Meanwhile, Isabel Preysler's daughters, Chabeli (Iglesias) and Tamara (Falcó) spent a night at the opera as the madrinas of an exposition of jewelry designed by María Callas.

Isabel Preysler en Filipinas 2007

ISABEL with mom, Betty Preysler; cousin Rosanna Fores; sister Vicky Preysler and niece Christina Tuason; aunt Mercy Tuason; and good friend Ching Montinola

By Anton San Diego Columnist Inquirer

Posted date: November 25, 2007

MANILA, Philippines - It was Isabel Preysler week when one of Europe’s most glamorous, beautiful and iconic women came to Manila. Isabel, who had not been home for more than eight years, took Manila by storm. She was here to attend the Inno Sotto and Bea Valdes gala fashion show and, of course, to visit friends and family. As expected, everyone wanted to spend some time with this sorely missed Filipina, and a series of dinners were immediately planned for her. The first one was, naturally, given by her family at the home of her first cousin, Rosanna Tuason Fores. Another one was hosted by her Assumption classmates at the home of Mary de Leon. Then there was the fashion show. The next day, after the show, Sotto also hosted a dinner at Sala, and guests included Patxi and Sofia Elizalde, Maurice Arcache, Bea Valdes, Marietta Santos, Gina Roxas and Pilar Roxas. The Philippine Tatler, likewise, gave a dinner for her at the Mandarin Oriental Manila’s Tivoli Grill, which was attended by Ting Ting Cojuangco, Lyn Ilusorio Bildner, Doris Ho, Inno Sotto and her sister Vicky Preysler and niece Christina Tuason. Jaime and Bea Zobel also gave a dinner at their home before she left. Preysler had to jet back to Europe in time to catch her son Enrique Iglesias’ concert in London. Her two daughters, Ana and Tamara, went with her to the concert, along with about 15 other friends. To find out how iconic Preysler really is, she had barely arrived in Madrid when photos of her in Manila came out in Spain’s premiere society/lifestyle magazine Hola. The magazine has a circulation of more than a million readers. I was privileged to get an exclusive interview with Preysler in Manila at the tail-end of her visit. Below is the one-on-one with this beautiful and gracious lady that the whole country is so proud of. What is it like coming home after eight years? Seeing family, friends and classmates again? Seeing Manila as a city? Coming back to Manila after so long was wonderful. I see my family often because we travel a lot and they come to Spain. But friends … I always love to see the ones from my childhood and teen years, they are part of my roots. Manila has changed so much in eight years—so many more buildings and remarkable improvements. What do you miss most about the Philippines? Family and friends, first of all. Then the food. I love Filipino food, although some I can get in Spain. And of course, Filipino hospitality, which is something that cannot be found anywhere but here. How’s your visit? Hectic? Too short? Both—definitely hectic and too short; but I am enjoying every minute of it. What would you say are the highlights of your trip? Spending time with family and friends. Of course the fashion show was a wonderful event. My classmates also made my stay in Manila memorable by hosting a get-together. It allowed us to catch up and share some laughs. You get a lot of attention in Spain. Is it the same with people here in Manila who would like to meet you and ask to have photographs taken with you? It’s a compliment and always a pleasure when people want to meet me or take a picture with me. To feel liked and appreciated is such a blessing, isn’t it? Your trip was a time to catch up with your family. What was that like? This trip gave me the opportunity to spend time with some of my cousins who I do not see often. Although I have said that I see many of my relatives frequently, it was nice to visit them in their homes for a change. How was the fashion show? Your thoughts on Inno’s designs? Bea Valdes? Fantastic! Beautiful colors, very original gowns and, as usual, Inno showed his creative talent and Filipino ingenuity. Bea Valdes? What can I say? So much talent in someone so young. I loved the beautiful bags. What will you take with you from this trip? So many fresh memories with my life-long friends. And food … mangoes, suman and ensaymada (which she took along with her back to Spain) When do you think will you be back? Because I have three children and a grandson in the United States, I take every opportunity I have to visit them. But when we are all able to, I definitely want to come back soon with all of my children. The last time I was here, my three girls came with me. Julio and Enrique have also been here, but we all must come back to Manila together. Your message to your family, friends and the country as a whole? I am so grateful for the warmth, the care and love I have felt on this trip and most especially over the years. Although I do not get the chance to come back to Manila often enough, I’m always so overwhelmed by the support I get from my family and friends.

The Best of Filipino Art: Fernando Amorsolo

Fernando Amorsolo

The first National Artist for painting, Fernando Amorsolo is the foremost Philippine artist of the early 20th century. An outstanding art student, the businessman Enrique Zobel de Ayala awarded him with a study grant to Spain. This allowed him to visit important museums in Europe and the United States.

In contrast to Luna's heavy and predominantly European themes, Amorsolo was known for sunny landscapes of Luzon and smiling images of dalagang bukid (country girls). His rendition of Philippine sunlight and its nuances was unparalleled during his time. Fernando Amorsolo was named National Artist in 1972.

Filipina singer Shaila Durcal triumphs at Latin Grammy Awards

Filipina singer Shaila Dúrcal, daughter of Filipino singer Junior, triumphs at the Latin Grammy Awards 2007. She didn't win the award she was nominated for, Best Pop Female Vocal Performance, but she did do an awe-inspiring rendition of Amor Eterno in a tribute to her deceased mother, Spanish singing legend Rocío Durcal, and was named by Univision's fashionista of the stars as one of the best dressed celebs of the night.
Shaila arrives in Las Vegas, Nov. 7 for rehearsals for the Latin Grammy Awards.
Shaila Durcal performs Amor Eterno, Nov. 8 on the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas.

Isabel Preysler returns to Philippines

Filipina journalist Isabel Preysler, better known to younger Filipinos as Enrique Iglesias' mother, featured in Hola magazine as she hosts and funds an Inno Sotto-designed fashion show at the Shangri-La Makati Hotel in the Philippines with proceeds going to homeless Filipino children in her home country via the Virlanie Foundation, for which she also got a large donation from the Amade Foundation headed by Princess Carolina of Monaco. Isabel is seated below next to Imelda Cojuangco.

Vanessa Hudgens Filipinas Cover

Filipina actress Vanessa Hudgens is on the cover of Filipinas Magazine for November 2007.

"I love being Filipina. There aren't many Filipina girls in the industry, so to stand up and be that girl makes me proud."

Read entire article.

Filipina singer Shaila Durcal Hola November 2007

The covers of Hola! Magazine Spain for the past few months have been filled with Filipinos: Junior talking about the death of his wife, Isabel Preysler on the cover twice, one in Paris and another with George Clooney, fashion designer Tamara Falco in Paris, Enrique Iglesias with his new album in Miami, and now Shaila Durcal, daughter of popular Filipino actor and singer Junior.

Latin Grammy-nominated Filipina singer Shaila Dúrcal who performed "Amor Eterno" in a touching tribute to her deceased mother during the November 8th awards presentation last night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, is also making plans for a walk down the aisle with her fiance, Dorio Ferreira. Hola! magazine reports that, following a four-year courtship, the couple will be united in a wedding ceremony to be held in Mexico in the spring of 2008.

Filipina singer Shaila Durcal on Latin Grammy Awards

Filipina singer Shaila Durcal, daughter of Filipino singer Antonio Morales Barreto "Junior" and deceased Spanish singer Rocio Durcal, will be performing on the Latin Grammy Awards airing tonight LIVE at 8 p.m. from Las Vegas and pre-show at 7 p.m. on Univision here in the United States, Spain, and Latin America where she is also nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Shaila Durcal talks to Elle magazine about how she was "conceived":
«Mi madre me contaba que yo llegué inesperadamente. Mi padre llevaba unos meses trabajando en Filipinas y, cuando regresó, ella ni siquiera estaba en el momento fértil de su ciclo. Sin embargo, se quedó embarazada. Por lo visto fue por la presencia del macho… »

"My mother told me that I came unexpectedly. My father was working for a few months in the Philippines, and when he came back, she wasn't even in her fertile cycle. Regardless, she became pregnant. It was because of my dad's macho-ness."

Shaila's real name is Shaila de los Ángeles Morales de las Heras.
Our Dayanara Torres, beloved among the Filipino people for her years spent as an actress and host in Filipino TV and movies, will also be featured tonight as a presenter. She's on my TV screen right now being interviewed as I type this, I'm recording it straight to DVD right now to my DVD recorder right now and on my Tivo, so we have can have two copies just in case.

Ariani Nogueira FHM Cover

Brazilian model and cast member of Eat Bulaga Ariani Nogueira and Filipina actress Dawn Zuleta, newly skinny after her recent preganancy, on the covers of FHM and Good Housekeeping. On sale now at all National Bookstores nationwide!

Pilita Corrales Spanish song

The legendary Ms. Pilita Corrales sings in Spanish, Tagalog, and English and shows off her sexy legs all in one song: her duet with Janno Gibbs. Don't we all just love her? She's our bellisima reina de canciones, and still amazingly beautiful at the age of whatever her age is right now, which is ageless, hehe.

I was really happy because I remember that during the Latin American parade last September here in Los Angeles, Philippines was part of it, and it was televised nationally in the US, Latin America, and Spain on the Spanish language TV network Univision, which most Filipinos think, ah it's a Spanish language network, it's not important, actually it is, because regardless of it being in Spanish, it gets higher ratings than most of the major English language networks, last year it was the 3rd highest ranking network in the United States, #1 is ABC, #2 NBC, #3 Univision, and Fox, the CW, and MyTV are #4-6, so a lot of people were watching when the song during the part where Philippines was walking down the parade was a Pilita Corrales song, and the announcer said, "What a beautiful dance the Filipinos have, tan cariñosa, and what a beautiful song." I'm sure Ms. Corrales would be so happy to hear the influence she's still having on the world today.

Special thanks to Mr. Francis Magalona for the nice digital photo on the left (you rock Francis as always, you the man, compadre, keep up the great work on your music and your comedy stylings on Eat Bulaga!), which I photoshopped with an old album cover of Ms. Corrales on the right in which she looks amazingly beautiful, as always.

Bianca Araneta: Beautiful Filipina

Just got the prints of Ms. Bianca Araneta's most recent photo shoot in which she looks amazingly beautiful as usual, the photos from which will appear in various magazines and ad spots in the near future.

Bianca Araneta, besides being a model/VJ in her own right, is also the daughter of Filipina actress Maritess Revilla and the grand-daughter of Filipino cinema legend Armando Goyena and the first ever Camay supermodel Paquita Roces. And if you're a fan of Filipino actors Bernard Palanca and Mico Palanca, you're in luck if you make her your BFF because they're her cousins.