1 September 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz led Embassy and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) officers and staff in gracing the Filipino Best Talent 3rd Season competition and the Search for Mrs. Philippines 2014, which were organized by the Filipino Cultural Guild (FCG), one of the 51 Filipino community organizations in Lebanon, at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut on August 24.

In her message, Ambassador Ruiz commended the FCG for its unity and dedication in promoting Filipino talent in Lebanon. She invited the audience composed of Filipinos and their Lebanese supporters to attend the Philippine Christmas Festival in Lebanon on November 30, which is being organized by the Embassy in collaboration with Filipino community associations. She also urged the Filipino attendees to always view the Embassy’s Facebook page for important announcements concerning their safety and welfare.

There were two categories for the talent search: “Filipino Best Talent”, with twelve contestants, and “Battle of the Stars” category, with six competitors.  In the first category, Ms. Meriam Hamod won the titles “Overall Filipino Best Talent Season 3” and “Filipino Best Talent – Singing”, while Mr. Raffy Miranda won as “Filipino Best Talent for Dance”.  Mr. Briane Famini was adjudged as Battle of the Stars winner.

Out of seven contestants, Mrs. Aprilyn El Hajje won the title Mrs. Philippines 2014 and received the Best in Talent and Mother of the Year awards, while Mrs. Nelma Jerosalem and Mrs. Nina Grace Amoyan were proclaimed first and second runners-up.  Mrs. Janice Cabiles and Mrs. Nelma Jerosalem were awarded the titles Mrs. Elegance and Mrs. Filipiniana. END