CATRIONA GRAY, Gilas Pilipinas Players, Announced As FIBA Local Ambassadors

Hearing that the FIBA Basketball World Cup is happening in the Philippines is already a huge deal for me. Filipinos are the biggest fans of it in the world, you can tell why as much of the streets are lined with basketball courts, big or small, just so we could have somewhere to play they game we absolutely love.

Yesterday was also extra special as SBP (Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas), FIBA and various affiliates introduced the local FIBA Ambassadors consisting of former Gilas Pilipinas players and the one and only Miss Universe Catriona Gray.

Here's what happened that morning

 

 During the event, they also announced the simultaneous start of the Tissot Time in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.  This means there's only "one year to go" before FIBA matches starts. They also have hinted that there will be a FIBA Global Ambassador later this year. This is also the first time in FIBA's history to see three countries hosting the games, with the Philippines heading the pack. They also mentioned that the local ambassadors wouldn't be the only ones to help disseminate information about the games, because YOU can be part of that too. You may start joining the community by registering here https://register.worldcup.basketball so you could get early bird rates on tickets and Superfan packages. 

What's also touching is that they plan to identify several basketball courts around the country that they will adopt so they could fix, restore and make them a project for the ambassadors together with the FIBA players, making sure they also get to see the culture and what Filipinos are known for, the heart filled hospitality.

Stay tuned for more updates about the games, plus the time they're raffling off the countries battling it out in the FIBA Basketball World Cup!

Meet TOP CLASS Dance Mentor BRIAN PUSPOS

Looks like you're going to be treated to a dance off unlike no other as Catriona Gray hosts the search for the next P-POP Icon called TOP CLASS.

This afternoon, we got to talk to Brian Puspos, the dance mentor for the competition. He's a Houston based guy, part of SoReal Cru and Mos Wanted Crew who landed runner up and third in America's Best Dance Crew on its Second and Seventh season. He's a deadly choreographer and worked with the likes of Justin Bieber, Chris Brown and several K-POP acts (oh you know who they are) just to name a few.

Brian says "It means the world to me, being a Filipino American, we've been in the forefront of dance and this program will get Filipinos to reach their dreams. This is what it means for me. Having the discipline to work very very hard, it's what I'm looking for. Working with the KPOP stars, I've seen how hard they work, how much they put into their craft, but Filipinos have a knack to go beyond that. It's special because this is brand new, I'm excited. It's amazing I've seen very talented PPOP groups, I would love to work with my people and hopefully get to see them in the Philippines soon. I'm really grateful for this opportunity. It's given me confidence to work with Chris Brown who saw and reached out a couple times and it was really cool to be commended by megastars commending our work. BTS stood out because I also saw how hard they work, in everything they do, the work ethic is something that I really respect, which I hope to expect with the contestants of Top Class too. Filipinos are some of the best dancers in the world, I hope they continue to learn and grow. For me, I also have much more to learn and I look forward to do that in the dance community in the country. I'll be there in June, I always go there like once a year so I'm pretty familiar with the place. I think I've learned a lot in Texas, the time is now to take the leap and I'm pursuing this. Pour out your heart on stage, think of it as the last thing you'll do every time you do that. If you have insecurities, pick yourself up, get it out of your head, as dance will make you confident."

He adds "My parents were ballroom dancers who compete, I kinda absorbed that trait when I was a kid. I guess I was inspired by them. I've been preparing for this role my whole dance life, I fell that I am ready and credible to be mentoring Top Class, I'm ready to work. Any superstar or celebrity I worked with. Being in a couple reality shows, I've seen how mentors became really good behind the camera. I'm going to be an educator, to make everyone be better. That's what I'm here for."

By the way, today is the last day to submit your audition videos, if you haven't yet please do because this is a big opportunity especially for dance fanatics, if you are part of crews who have been in the Philippine contest scene for a long time.

This show is brought to you by KUMU, CS Entertainment, TV5 and Cignal.

CATRIONA GRAY Launches Own Single RYF (Raise Your Flag)

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray just recently released her single RYF (Raise Your Flag). She was in Australia, but there were media from all around the world asking questions, pretty good to see that in the morning yeah?

Catriona says "If you see discrimination on your workplace, in school, you can stand up for that. You need to empathize and listen. I believe the song's message is standing up for someone or for something. It can be as simple as an employer looking after your people, a leader looking after your community, around the world, not just the Philippines. I think that's the message from RYF.Recording is a different field, when I came back to the PH after my reign, I had to do RYF, it's lending my voice for something that I believe it. I encourage for people to do the same, to resonate with my journey and hope they too can connect with that. A lot of things have been changed but I've been working on this silently and I'm excited to release more music soon."


She adds "In RYF, there is a line that says "Whatever dreams there is in your heart" whenever you have a certain ambition, an interest, you have a dream in your heart for a reason. I really want to put it there. 2021 is going to be interesting, I have a few upcoming organizations that I will work with this year. It is my role giving back to the community and I recognize my privilege and there are people who are in hard times. I know I can be of service. When I was younger, when I was in highschool, I never knew what I wanted to do. I didn't know my purpose, but life is a journey, we have plans, but at the end of day we will be nudged to somewhere else, listen to your inner compass. At a certain point, you have to choose if you want to live for others, or yourself, it's a decision that you have to make, if you want to live your life, it's a bit of a journey."

"I want to be able to perform in different places around the world. When you put yourself out there, a new work, a new place, a new career, there is self doubt. When I submitted an entry to BB Pilipinas, I came from losing something, wanting to try again, there was so much doubt. Will I even get in as candidate? Another title? I realized that when I was on stage, I can talk for things that I care about. I searched for that feeling again, to live my life, to cry, but I can."

"RYF is an anthem for me, a personal song and I hope people connect with that. People are showing so much support and I'm glad people are appreciating the song and my music."

Her single RYF (Raise Your Flag) is now available for streaming on Spotify and other streaming sites around the world. This is under Star Music and ABSCBN. Go do it now!