Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2018
Entertainment Gri t + Glam 2018
A night filled with music, fashion and inspiration
Who is
YOUNGoff-cam? P
By Louise Lizan STRUTTING on the runway with must-have outfits for the summer, the Queens of the Universe, along with the World’s Strongest Men, made the night fun and fashionable as possible as they joined forces in the Grit + Glam 2018 held at the Cove Manila Club of Okada Manila in Parañaque on May 8. Reigning Miss Universe DemiLeigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, and our very own Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach shared the Cove Manila stage with the World’s Strongest Men Hafthor Bjornsson, Matins Licis, and Robert Oberst. Grit + Glam kicked off with Yheen and Yuki performing their self-composed songs. They were followed by Mr. Guam 2017 Sam Hashimoto’s rendition of Shawn Mendes’s “Nothing Holding Me Back,” Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect,” and DNCE’s “Shut Up and Dance,” which brought the audience to their feet and dance to the music.
JV
ROBABLY, you are familiar to Young JV because of his regular appearance on TV, his sleek dance moves, his music, and the “scandal” that made him a hot topic among netizens not so long ago.
But little did many people know, Young JV, born Eduardo JV Arancillo Kapunan III, isn’t just lucky for enjoying music as passion while doing it for a living, or having a comfortable life being the son of Ret. Air Force Lt. Col. Eduardo Kapunan Jr., who is now Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar. The 27-yearold urban pop artist who regularly appears in ASAP uses his status to give back and help others. When he was 19, with the support of his dad and mom Elsa Kapunan, he started helping children of soldiers through Lahing Bayani Foundation, an outreach program that grants scholarships. “I am very passionate about helping children get good education and pursue their dreams. That’s what we do in the
Composer and urban pop artist Young JV with Megasoft Vice President for Sales and Marketing Aileen Choi Go.
From left: The World’s Strongest Men Hafthor Bjornsson, Matins Licis, and Robert Oberst and Miss Universe queens Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (2017), Iris Mittenaere (2016), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).
foundation, which helps children of soldiers who perished in the line of duty,” he said and proudly added that the foundation has already produced six graduates to date. Young JV must have been the role model of these children, too. Why not? He went to London at Cambridge University where he studied in high school then finished his studies at St. Joseph School in Iloilo. This year, he plans to continue his Comm Arts course at Entrepreneurs School of Asia (ESA), which was sidelined due to his showbiz commitments. “I want to go back to school for myself and my parents who really would want me to have a diploma,” Young JV stated. With an advocacy that has been running successfully for eight years now, Young JV has found an ally in Megasoft that recently introduced him as its brand ambassador. As the latest celebrity endorser of the
personal care company, Young JV will represent the brand’s continuing “School is Cool Tour,” whose goal is to encourage young Filipinos to complete their education. Speaking before some member of the press, Megasoft Vice President for Sales and Marketing Aileen Choi Go said that they are fortunate to have the young artist on board. Not only that he serves as an effective role model and endorser, Young JV also complements the company’s goal of prioritizing and valuing education. “Celebrities really help promote our products, but more than just business, our company’s goal is to promote the value of education. We go outside the cities and see the situation, knowing that Young JV has already been doing work for the sons and daughters of soldiers, we feel blessed to have him in our roster [of endorsers],” the
Megasoft executive stated. Go further said that they have a few activities lined up for Young JV. Starting tomorrow, Young JV will perform at the Gaisano Grand in Antique. Then, on June 14, the tour will head to Butuan City for the Naligayan Festival, and on July 16, Ororama Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. “We might also work with JV’s foundation, that is still in the wraps but expect JV to be in all our collaterals in social media, posters, images, and shows,” Go added. “I’m thankful to Miss Aileen because they still trust me no matter what,” Young JV retorted alluding to the video scandal that spread on the Internet, “They saw my capabilities as an artist, as a performer. I promise to bring my music to the Megasoft stage and entertain the students in the different schools that we will visit nationwide.”
The fun didn’t stop there as the beautiful queens and the strongest men played the grit and glam challenges. It made the beauty queens run with dumbbells, and the strongest men dominate the runway. Roles changed, indeed, but both groups equally shined throughout the first part of the program. Talking about staying glam under the sun, stunning models took center stage wearing summer themed clothes. Some of the models that graced the event were Anjo Damiles, Sophia Baino, Andre Lagdameo, and Tasha Ang, who carried themselves with grace while showing the audience summerready outfits. They were joined by the beauty queens as the fashion show came to an end, bobbing their heads along with the beat of the music. Everyone had their spirits up as a party followed the event almost immediately. Spearheaded by the Miss Universe Organization and Front Row, Grit + Glam 2018 is a continued partnership of the two organizations for Hope For Change, a project that provides help and inspiration for children all over the world.
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach strikes a pose for her Filipino fans at the Grit + Glam event.