The story behind the controversial quitting of the beauty titlist

The Binibining Pilipinas World title abruptly changed hands Tuesday after the controversial winner last March, Janina San Miguel, resigned, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities announced.
According to a statement, San Miguel had backed out due to personal reasons, notably the recent death of a close relative.
“The untimely demise of her grandfather, among other personal reasons, has caused undue stress thus hindering her from fulfilling her duties for the said title,” the statement said.
First runner-up Danielle Castaño was picked to replace San Miguel for the Ms World Pageant in Johannesberg, South Africa in November.
San Miguel drew criticism over her remarks in the question-and-answer portion of the Bb Pilipinas Beauty Pageant, in which she went on to capture the Bb Pilipinas World title.

China Milk scare

In a past few days, China Milk products were now pull out in the market due to melamine content reports. There were a lot of Chinese kids who are suffering and even dying from consuming China milk products. This Chinese milk products manufacturers is a very large company that distributes its products around the world to big companies that manufactures milk. Philippines is one of the countries that patronizes and uses its milk products. You can see a lot of milk products that are made in China displayed in local market and also in the grocery stalls in the big malls but right now the government warns the public to stop buying China milk products for they might have melamine content that can do harm to our body system. They directed sellers to pull out China products immediately to avoid people from consuming. The BFAD (Bureau of food and Drugs) is getting samples of all milk products that are made in China for melamine test purposes. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the country’s main business group, on Monday told its members to refrain from importing any China-made dairy and milk products amid the contaminated milk which killed four infants in China and caused thousands of others to fall ill.

In a statement, PCCI president Edgardo Lacson said the group is supporting the government’s decision to ban the importation and use of Chinese products with milk content.

“Immediately, PCCI issued an advisory to all its members and local chambers to avoid purchase and consumption of any dairy products from China until the DOH (Department of Health) issues a clearance that it is safe to consume such," the group said.

The Bureau of Food and Drugs earlier imposed a ban against all China-made milk as a precaution against melamine, which ha been found in formula and other milk products.

Melamine is an industrial chemical used to make plastic products and fertilizer.

Lacson also emphasized the necessity to strengthen the monitoring of substandard products coming in and going out of the country to ensure that only products with good quality are sold in the market.

It was not Santa stocked in the chimney

It wasn't Santa Claus but a would-be burglar that rescue workers found stuck up a chimney in central Australia on Friday.

Staff at the Gapview Hotel in Alice Springs heard a man groaning when they arrived for work in the hotel bar, and called the fire department.

The man had been stuck inside the chimney for about 10 hours with his knees jammed tightly into his chest, said local fire station officer Mark James. "He was like a grub in a cocoon when we found him," James said. "He was really wedged in there."

Firefighters and ambulance officers spent 90 minutes trying to free the man before finally removing part of the chimney with jackhammers.

"Imagine being in the tightest ball you can (make) and being in that position for 10 hours," James said. "He was pretty embarrassed and ashamed, so he didn't say much when we got him out. He was obviously feeling sore and sorry for himself."

The man's identity was not immediately released, and it was not clear if he would be charged with any offense.

Drew Barrymore hunts for a perfect place to live in NYC

Enjoying the beautiful sunny Monday afternoon, Drew Barrymore was spotted out and about in New York City looking for a new place to live.
The “Charlie’s Angels” hottie looked bright and colorful in a yellow printed dress underneath a black cardigan sweater with black leggings and green suede boots.

Audrina Patridge got a new home and a new Mercedes SLK ride

Just moved out of her shared house with Lauren Conrad and Lauren Bosworth, “The Hills” star Audrina Patridge was busy moving into her new home with the help of family members on Saturday (September 20).

To go along with her new abode, the MTV reality starlet also picked up a brand new ride to accompany her Mercedes SLK - a third generation red Dodge Challenger complete with racing stripes.

Paparazzi beware of Lindsay Lohan

Photographers beware: Lindsay Lohan is fighting mad Gossip site TMZ reports Lindsay Lohan attacked a photographer on her way to the Bowery Hotel in New York City on Sunday night, September 14 and her conduct was caught on camera.

Ashley Tisdale takes her iced coffee drink on her favorite coffee shop

Before hitting the studio on yesterday (Monday), Ashley Tisdale made her usual stop at a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Los Angeles, picking up an iced coffee drink. The "High School Musical" star was carrying her everpresent Chanel handbag, wearing a pair of dark trendy jeans and v-neck grey t-shirt but what do you guys think of her striped newsboy cap? Yay or nay on that hat?

Nicjk Jonas is so friendly with the paparazzis

Some celebrities rent out massive venues and throw extravagant parties to celebrate their birthday. But Nick Jonas would rather keep things low-key.
The “Burnin’ Up” stud was spotted taking his pet pooch for a walk outside of his Toluca Lake, California home earlier today (September 16), giving the paparazzi a thumbs up.

Naomi Watts strolls with her 13th month olld son

Naomi Watts is on a roll as she strolls Monday with 13-month-old son Alexander back home in Sydney, Australia. Despite her burgeoning baby bump, the actress has yet to confirm her second pregnancy.

Walking straight

Katie Holmes takes some stylish steps through New York City Monday as she makes her way to rehearsal for her Broadway show, All My Sons. Previews for the Arthur Miller revival begin Sept. 18.

Marcia Cross with her twins at the park

Marcia Cross has her hands full while balancing her 18-month-old twins Eden and Savannah after a Sunday outing at a Santa Monica, Calif., playground. The actress returns to Wisteria Lane when Desperate Housewives premieres Sept. 28.

jordin sparks Defends Jonas brothers by using purity rings

Not everybody is laughing at Russell Brand at this year's Video Music Awards. Jordin Sparks spoke out against the British comedian's jokes about the Jonas Brothers and their purity rings before introducing T.I.'s performance. "I just have one thing to say about promise rings. It's not bad to wear a promise ring," Sparks, 18, told the crowd, off-the-cuff, "because not everybody – guy or girl – wants to be a slut."The American Idol winner's comments were met by an audible cheer from the crowd. During his opening monologue, Brand had poked fun at the Jonas Brothers, suggesting that they should be taking advantage of their celebrity to win dates. (Brand, himself, is a famous lothario in his native England.) Sparks has long spoken publicly about holding onto her virginity. She, too, wears a purity ring. Later, Brand returned to the stage to offer an apology of sorts.

nding time for Patrick Dempsey and his son Darby

Patrick Dempsey is on daddy duty Sunday as he escorts son Darby, 19 months, and daughter Tallulah (not pictured) out and about in Santa Monica.

Jay-Z tied the knot with Beyonce Knowles

Although word first leaked out in April, at the time of the nuptials, that longtime couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé had tied the knot, neither bride nor groom has ever confirmed that simple fact – finally prompting one journalist to confront the hip-hop superstar with the question. For the September issue of Vibe magazine, interviewer Elliot Wilson presented 15 questions to Jay-Z – with No. 15 being, after Jay-Z had referred to Beyoncé as a "friend": "You said your 'friend,' but this is your wife. Are you still not willing to confirm?" "That's ridiculous for me to confirm," replies Jay-Z. "I don't have ... I'm gonna say, I think that was a ridiculous question. I just think it's really a part of your life that you gotta keep to yourself." Continuing the riff, Jay-Z says, "You have to, or you'll go insane in this type of business. You have to have something that's sacred to you and the people around you. "I shared so much of my life, my childhood, and my family, the death of my nephew with the world. I should have something to hold on to. You need something for your sanity … to say, Okay, I could chill out, and this is it. What Jay-Z does own up to is being part of a stable, committed relationship – which he considers "part of maturing, right? You have the right people around you, and if that person around you is your friend, then you just wanna carry it like that. You get to a point when you could let people into your circle, and that's it."

Ashlee Simpson will be a good mother to her kids and a good wife to her husband

Ryan Cabrera rarely sees his former flame Ashlee Simpson these days, but he saw enough in their relationship that he doesn't doubt her parenting ability. Cabrera, who dated Simpson in 2004 and was reportedly the subject of her song "Pieces of Me", said, "She's just a good person and she's dedicated to her family." Recently Simpson, 23, said she and husband Pete Wentz, 29, have been busy baby-proofing the house and getting a nursery together. None of this surprises Cabrera about the couple.

Beverly Hills 90210 Premiere

Finally! The hype is over and we can get down to business. The new 90210 premiered Tuesday on the CW and it needed two hours to introduce new characters, reintroduce familiar ones and whip up a whole lot of drama. But this is not your big sister’s 90210, which became obvious less than five minutes into the show with a muted — but obvious — sex scene in the parking lot of West Beverly Hills High. That, and the eight mentions of the A-word, the six mentions of the B-word and so on.
We’re Not In Kansas AnymoreIn the opening scene, we meet the Wal –, er, the Wilsons. Parents Harry (Rob Estes) and Debbie (Lori Loughlin) and kids Annie (Shenae Grimes) and Dixon (Tristan Wilds). They’re a wholesome, fun-loving family from Wichita, Kansas, who loaded up the minivan and moved to Beverly. Hills, that is. Complete with swimming pools and movie stars. Actually, it’s Harry’s mother, Tabitha (Jessica Walter), who is — or was — the movie star, but who’s now working on her memoirs over morning cocktails.
Dixon and Annie are in for a busy first day at their new school. On the way in, she sees Ethan (Dustin Milligan), a one-time fling from summers past, sitting in his Escalade and wants to say hi. Surprise: He’s not alone.
Double surprise: Annie learns that Ethan has a girlfriend and it wasn’t the girl he was hooking up with in his SUV. It’s Naomi (AnnaLynn McCord), the school’s frostiest princess with a penchant for Chanel accessories and a bustier. At lunch, Annie meets Silver — Erin Silver (Jessica Stroup), the half sister to Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth), who is now a guidance counselor at West Beverly. But their meeting is short. Naomi steals Annie from Silver and, after a recommendation from Ethan, invites her new friend to her “Not So Sweet 16 Birthday Party.”
In journalism class, Dixon meets Navid (Michael Steger), who produces the school’s daily news broadcast, which is anchored by Hannah Zuckerman-Vasquez. Yes, the daughter of Andrea Zuckerman and Jesse Vasquez, another nod to the original series. One of the best lines comes when hip English teacher Mr. Matthews (Ryan Eggold) tells his class, “What is that girl, like 30?” Later, Dixon tries out and makes the lacrosse team (also coached by Mr. Matthews), which forces some dude named George to second string. George isn’t happy and smacks Dixon with a stick. They fight and end up in the office of the principal, who happens to be Mr. Wilson, Dixon’s dad. Dixon is cut from the team after Ethan, trying to be loyal, lies about who threw the first punch.
The next day, students start mooing at Annie and calling her “farm girl.” It turns out that Silver runs a blog called The Vicious Circle, which she uses to torment her peers with hokey videos. Big sis Kelly tells Silver that her blog causes problems and that she’s hurting the wrong people. Silver thinks it over and decides to help Annie get cast in the school’s musical production of Spring Awakening and all is forgiven. Good work, Kelly!
Annie scolds Ethan for lying about Dixon’s fight and he decides to come clean. Dixon gets back on the team, but not before he texts Naomi about Ethan’s extra-curricular activities in the parking lot with another girl the day before.
The night of the party, Annie wants apologize to Ethan for the text. But she’s too late. In the middle of their spotlight dance, Naomi demands the truth from Ethan. But the biggest bombshell comes when Harry goes looking for Annie, who wasn’t supposed to partying, and runs into Naomi’s mother Tracy, a woman he spent time with 20 years ago. She tells him their brief union bore a son, which she gave up for adoption. Ka-BOOM! Annie is off the hook! Harry is stunned and leaves while Silver takes Annie to Ethan, who also left the party for a dip in the Pacific to clear his head. He accepts her apology and they all end up prancing in the ocean in their party clothes. Welcome to California!

Popular celebrities join in full force to fight cancer

It's now question of who isn't attending Stand Up to Cancer, the Sept. 5 multi-network TV charity event that's raising money to fight the disease. New additions to the line-up include Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Jack Black, Abigail Breslin, Kate Bosworth, Sheryl Crow, Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Garner, Brad Garrett, Angie Harmon, Tony Hawk, Marg Helgenberger, Diane Keaton, Rob Lowe, Mandy Moore, Sharon Osbourne, Josh Peck, Mekhi Phifer, Keanu Reeves, Jimmy Smits, David Spade and Carrie Underwood. They are joining a long list that includes Casey Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, Josh Brolin, David Cook, Dana Delany, Fran Drescher, Kirsten Dunst, Elizabeth Edwards, Jon Favreau, America Ferrera, Neil Patrick Harris, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Masi Oka, Danica Patrick, Christina Ricci, Robin Roberts, Homer and Marge Simpson, Meryl Streep, Hilary Swank, Charlize Theron, Goran Visnjic, and Forest Whitaker. News anchors Charles Gibson, Katie Couric and Brian Williams will present news segments on cancer research. And some of music's biggest stars, including Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Fergie and Miley Cyrus, will perform their charity single "Just Stand Up," which benefits Stand Up to Cancer.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama defends Sarah Palin on pregnancy issue

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says the fact that Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin has a 17-year-old pregnant daughter should not be an issue in the campaign.
"Let me be as clear as possible," Obama told reporters. "I think people's families are off-limits, and people's children are especially off-limits. This shouldn't be part of our politics. It has no relevance to Gov. Palin's performance as governor or her potential performance as a vice president."
Palin, John McCain's VP running mate, confirmed in a statement earlier today that her unwed 17-year-old daughter Bristol is pregnant.