A 17 years old dance instructor from Bergenfield, New Jersey,  Lovely Jane Tanglao, daughter of Ms. Lalaine Tanglao wins the crown as the 4th Miss Teen Philippines USA in a recently concluded beauty pageant sponsored by the Philippine Hearts and Hopes Society, Inc. at the Grand Ballroom, Astoria World Manor, Astoria, New York.

Lovely Jane wowed the panel of judges with her captivating talent as she performed the ballroom dancing with her elegant  style and poise. She also got the plum as the best in these categories being awarded as best in talent, gown and resort wear. She was also chosen as Miss Congeniality  before she was formally proclaimed as winner.  On the other hand, Erica Nadera of Paramus New Jersey was the Ist runner-up- Miss Philippine Teen Princess of the Pacific 2008 winner showed off her skill in singing with a combination of ballet dance while Miss Philippine Teen Connecticut, Kai Maura Foraker the second runner up, did a cowboy dance. She also got the first ever title of Miss Philippine Angel of Charity 2007.  May Ann Flores of Bergenfield, New Jersey,  3rd runner-up and Miss Philippine Teen-East Coast 2008, and Nina Sausa-Fiske of New York was the 4th runner-up and Miss Philippine Teen Eastern Region.  Shazia Khan of New Jersey  was also crowned as  Miss Philippine Hearts and Hopes USA 2008 while Jem Fabros was crowned Miss Philippine Pearl Idol 2007 having garnered the highest vote from the internet voting.

Special added awards were also given to the following candidates   namely: Dana Ariella Festejo  as the most adorable candidate,   Likewise other  candidates, who did not make it to the top five, Marilis Pineiro was formally given the title of Miss Philippine Teen New Jersey, Sharleen Benjamin was Miss Philippine Teen New York,  and finally, Ashley Almario, was given the title as the first Miss Philippine Tourism America 2007. Andrea Cook was given the Miss Spirit Award

An unexpected crowd of 677 seated guests and more or less 30 guests, standing, packed the grand ballroom as their eyes were glued to a bevy of beauties  when the pageant opened with the first Miss America’s Five Prettiest Filipinas dancing a modern “binasuan”, reigning Miss Teen Philippines USA 2007 Jasmin Jardeleeza Ducusin dancing in bamboo sticks and the 12 Miss Teen Philipines USA 2008 finalists showing off the well choreographed modern Muslim dance clad in their multicolored Muslim attire.  They all danced a 20 minutes hot production number followed by resort wear  and,  finally, they paraded  with a very simple but elegant turquoise blue uniformed gowns as their final wear. Parents were also given parts during the program when all of them paraded to the grand ballroom when they were called and introduced to the audience by the President of PHHOSO, Inc.  This is really a spectacular  show that we never get bored, a community leader from New Jersey said, "We don’t care if we have no seats assigned", "This show has so much fun", another guest’s comment.  The exciting event went through with so much heat as dance enthusiasts also occupy the ballroom with so much gusto during candidates break.   It was a great delight to see everyone enjoying that night said Mrs. Kaufman, President and Founder of PHHOSO, Inc. and  creator of this pageant. I was very impressed with this year’s candidates where they showed not only their physical asset but more importantly their wit and smartness in answering questions said our very own Consul General, Cecille B. Rebong, who graced the occasion and crowned the new Miss Teen Philippines USA assisted by Friends Indeed Chairman, Mr. Roger Alama.  I was also impressed with the qualifications of the 7 panel of judges.  I’m very proud to get pretty candidates for the last 4 years of this pageant.  Every year is getting more exciting and more improvements, said Erno John Hormillosa, the very artistic and creative pageant director and choreographer.  Indeed their transformation was proof enough that the search for Miss Teen Philippines USA has gratifying end result.

Four year’s successes reverberates to the less fortunate brothers of the Philippines who are the beneficiaries of such undertaking and who have been the recipient of more or less $60,000 charity works of PHHOSO, Inc. since its inception.  Of course, this success story will never be ours to share without the support and hard works of the parents of the candidates, the advertisers and guests,  Marho Migrino, chairman, Search for Miss Teen Phil. said.  Kudos also to the moral support of the officers and advisers of PHHOSO, Inc., Friends Indeed and the Philippine  Consul General of New York, Cecille Rebong.   We shall not also fail to mention the presence of the former Miss Teen Philippines finalists, Leanne Torres, last year’s Most Adorable Candidate , Mae Herb, Miss Philippine Teen Charity, Nikka Castillve, last year’s 4th Runner-up and Miss Spokesperson, and former first Miss Philippine Hearts and Hopes USA 2005 and 2006, May Anne Pernia and Marla Villanueva.

PHHOSO’s special thanks to ABS CBN GLOBAL for their presence, Mrs. Luchi Lacson for her donations of Medical Supplies to PHHOSO, INC,  Mr Ernie and Leodie Salazar and the rest of the Alay Group for the beautiful screen and their non-stop support to PHHOSO, Inc.  The golden touch of Joel Adriano and Oscar, Michelle, Marho and  Madelaine, Lito, Angie and Elsa, the Asian Workforce alliance,   and of course the indefatigable pageant director and choreographer, Erno John Hormillosa.

Meanwhile, the search is on for next year’s Miss Teen Philippines USA in which only 4 spots left for the next years search.  Anyone who is interested can log on to www.phhoso.com or call 212.799.1847. Last day of submission is January 15, 2008.