VEGAS&STYLE Vanessa Hudgens’ Independence Day post draws mixed reactions from Pinoys Jo Koy joins producing team of Here Lies Love on Broadway

by Jeline Malasig Philstar.com

THE Independence Day post of Philippines global tourism ambassador Vanessa Hudgens was met with mixed reactions from Filipino social media users.

To commemorate the country’s national holiday, the Filipino-American actress shared a photo during her visit to the Philippines for a travel documentary on her Pinoy heritage.

The Philippines celebrated its 125th Independence Day (also Araw ng Kasarinlan) on Monday, June 12.

The day marks the period when the country showed its resolve to consider itself absolved of allegiance to the Spanish crown, the first and longest colonizers of the Philippines.

Vanessa was among those who posted about the national holiday on social media.

She shared a photo of herself wearing a champagne-colored terno dress when she visited the Malacañang for the bestowment of her title.

“Maligayang [A]raw ng [K] alayaan, [P]ilipinas! (heart symbol),” the actress wrote on Instagram on June 13.

“Happy [I]independence [D] ay, [P]Philippines (Philippine flag emoji) learning about my heritage and history was so empowering. Connecting to the land and people. Can’t wait to get back,” Vanessa added.

She also accompanied her post with the hashtag “#WeGiveTheWorldOurBest,” the muchtalked-about phrase which had a senator calling out the tourism department as the campaign

“commodifies Filipinos.”

The phrase was spotted in an overseas ad that featured British-Filipina nurse May Parsons who administered the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine in England.

Vanessa’s Independence Day post was well-received by some Pinoys who cheered her for commemorating what is called the “true birthday of the Philippine nation,” according to a former president.

“We indeed #givetheworlfourbest. Thank you for being our voice,” an Instagram user partly wrote.

“Happy [I]independence [D] ay, kababayan,” another online user wrote with a Philippine flag emoji.

“I love that you embrace Filipino culture and history, @vanessahudgens! Maligayang [A] raw ng [K]alayaan (Philippine flag emoji),” commented a differ- ent Pinoy.

Others, however, were more wary of Vanessa’s Philippine-oriented post.

“It took you 30+ years to love [PH]? Lol,” a Filipino on Facebook wrote.

Talaga ba, sis,” another social media user commented.

“Aralin mo muna correct spelling man lang ng Pilipinas at Philippines, ineng… My heritage and history ka [diyan]!” exclaimed a different Pinoy. Kasama sa pay kaya may pagreet na ganyan, but noon ay waley [wala],” another Facebook user wrote.

Vanessa’s appointment as the country’s global tourism ambassador was previously met with mixed comments, with some Pinoys suggesting other personalities who they felt were more apt for the role due to their evident love for the Philippines.

These include Filipino-American influencer Bretman Rock who is vocal about his Pinoy heritage and South Korean personality Sandara Park who frequently posts about the Philippines on her social media accounts, among others.

The government’s global tourism ambassador initiative is part of the branding campaign and marketing strategy of Paul Soriano’s office and the tourism department.

Soriano, the nephew-in-law of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, is the presidential adviser on creative communications.

The global tourism ambassador initiative aims to attract international tourists and push for the resurgence of the Philippines as a travel destination.

STAND-UP comedian and actor Jo Koy (Easter Sunday and The Monkey King) has joined the Broadway producing team of Here Lies Love, ahead of the new musical’s Broadway beginning performance on Saturday, June 17.

Jo Koy said, “Here Lies Love is a celebration of Filipino culture and I’m so honored to be a part of this groundbreaking musical. For the first time, Broadway will get to see what we have always known, that Filipinos are some of the most talented entertainers.”

“On behalf of all of our producers," said Diana DiMenna, "we welcome Jo Koy and his internationally renowned Pinoy Pride to our fully binational team.”

From the minds of Grammy®, Oscar®, and Tony Award® winner David Byrne (concept, music and lyrics) and Grammy Award® winner Fatboy Slim (music), Here

Lies Love tells the story of Imelda Marcos' rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution.

The show features the first all-Filipino cast to perform on Broadway: Arielle Jacobs (In The Heights, Aladdin, Between The Lines) as “Imelda Marcos,” Jose Llana (The King and I, The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee) as “Ferdinand Marcos,” Conrad Ricamora (“How to Get Away with Murder,” The King and I, Soft Power – Grammy nominations) as “Ninoy Aquino,” Melody Butiu, Moses Villarama, Jasmine Forsberg, Reanne Acasio, Jaygee Macapugay, Julia Abueva, Renée Albulario, Aaron Alcaraz, Carol Angeli, Nathan Angelo, Kristina Doucette, Roy Flores, Timothy Matthew Flores, Sarah Kay, Jeigh Madjus, Aaron "AJ" Mercado, Geena Quintos, Shea Renne, and Angelo Soriano. Tony and Olivier Award winner Lea Salonga, a global Filipina legend, will also join the cast for a special guest engagement this summer, performing for five weeks from Tuesday, July 11 through Sunday, August 13.

Developed & directed by Tony

Award winner Alex Timbers, with choreography by Olivier Award nominee Annie-B Parson and additional music by Tom Gandey and J Pardo, Here Lies

Love will transform the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street) into a dance club where the audience is immersed in the story. The musical begins performances Saturday, June 17 ahead of an official opening night on Thursday, July 20.

Ticketing information

Tickets are on sale now at Telecharge.com, by phone at 212239-6200, or at the Broadway Theatre box office.

For information on groups of 10+, contact Broadway Inbound at broadwayinbound.com or call 866-302-0995.

Here Lies Love transforms the Broadway Theatre's floor space into a dance club environment, where some audience members will stand and move with the actors, and others will enjoy from traditional theater seating. Multiple ticketing options will provide audience members with unique and immersive points of view. For more information, visit https:// herelieslovebroadway.com/#ticketingoptions.

Additional show information

From its world premiere at The Public Theater in 2013, Here Lies Love has enjoyed popular and critical acclaim. The show returned to The Public in 20142015, debuted at London’s Royal National Theatre in 2014, and most recently opened at Seattle Repertory Theatre in 2017. The creative team for Here Lies Love on Broadway includes threetime Tony Award® nominee David Korins (scenic design), Tony Award® winner Clint Ramos (costume design), Tony Award® winner Justin Townsend (lighting design), M.L. Dogg & Cody Spencer (sound design), and three-time Tony Award® nominee Peter Nigrini (projection design), with casting by Tara Rubin CSA, Xavier Rubiano CSA, Gail Quintos and general management by Foresight Theatrical. Additional creative team members include ATW Jonathan Larson Grant recipient J. Oconer Navarro (music director), Billy Bustamante (assistant director), Renée Albulario (assistant choreographer), Bobby Garcia (casting consultant/ Philippines), Gregory T. Livoti (production stage manager), and Ryan Gohsman and Sheryl Polancos (assistant stage manPAGE 9

Trailblazing Filipino shoe designer is proud Miss Filipina International sponsor

JOJO Bragais, the young Filipino shoe designer and entrepreneur who made a fashion coup when his quality platform high-heel shoes were worn by the candidates in the 2023 Miss Universe pageant, is a proud sponsor of the 10th Miss Filipina International (MFI) pageant to be held on August 5, 2023 at the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton.

The talented and trailblazing impresario, who is proud that his well-made shoes are handmade by Filipinos in Binangonan, Rizal, Philippines, has earned the respect of leaders and influencers in the fashion and beauty industry. He has been the goto person when it comes to designing comfortable shoes not only for the runway or the beauty pageant stage but also for regular people who simply want to stand tall and look queenly in their Bragais shoes.

Born Jojo Bragais, the newsmaking Pinoy grew up in Albay, Bicol. He is a licensed midwife and nurse by profession but fate brought him to shoemaking and shoe designing. He was instantly hooked. In such a short time, Jojo Bragais Shoes have made a mark in the fashion and beauty pageant world.

The more than 40 lovely candidates of MFI will be wearing a pair from Jojo Bragais Shoes when they compete during the blacktie gala event. They will vie for these titles: Miss Filipina International; Miss Tourism; First Runner-up; Second Runner-up; and Third Runner-up.

Miss Filipina International (MFI), now owned by Geoffrey Jimenez, chairman of the board of directors of Worldwide Media

Entertainment Corporation, lauded the sponsorship of Jojo Bragais Shoes.

“Having Jojo Bragais Shoes as one of our major sponsors is another big step in our commitment to give the best incentives to our candidates,” said Jimenez, a Filipino American community leader, and arts and culture patron.

Follow and connect with Jojo Bragais Shoes on their Facebook Page (BRAGAIS SHOES) and their Instagram and TikTok

In addition to the previously announced top prize of either a BMW 3 Series car or a $10,000 cash prize, the winner will also receive a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin Beverly Hills in the prestigious pageant that will be held on Saturday, August 5, at The Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom, the venue of the Golden Globe Awards, the Academy nominees luncheon, Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party and other prestigious events.

MFI also offers the exciting incentive that three winners will be eligible to compete next year in Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) while two winners will vie in The Miss Philippines

The Philippines is considered a beauty pageant powerhouse, having produced many winners and top finalists in Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International, among others. The MFI winners this August will be welcome additions to the Philippines’ roster of beauty queens.

For sponsorship inquiries, email: missfilipinainternational@