BEIJING — Christel Simms, a Punahou School senior swimming for the Philippines, had a personal best in the women’s 100-meter freestyle yesterday, but did not advance to the semifinals.

Simms, just the seventh woman from the Philippines to swim in the Olympics, finished fourth in her heat in 56.67 seconds. Her previous best was 57.17.

Simms will swim in the 50-meter freestyle qualifying heats tomorrow.

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

Congratulations to Ramiele Malubay for making the top 24 on American Idol 7.

We spotted Christine Viernes, Aka: Teen, at the next movement event at the Nextdoor club in her hometown, Honolulu, Hawaii. She was showcasing her latest fashion line, and I thought that her designs were very inspiring.

Q&A with Christine Viernes

Brown Nation: Where are your origins in the Philippines?
Teen: Mayantoc, Tarlac…don’t know what purok that is?

Brown Nation: What did your parents want you to be when you grow up?
Teen: A Nurse…typical right…or at least in the medical field.

Brown Nation: How long have you been designing?
Teen: 3 years

Brown Nation: How did you start in the fashion industry?
Teen: I have always been creative and got into fashion when I was studying at Heald College. Then my fashion sense began to kick in. When I could not find a job in the medical field, I worked for the state at Farington High School and realized that this wasn’t working for me and quit. Then I ended up at Honolulu Community College studying fashion design and loved it.

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Youtube sensation, Charice Pempengco stars on the Ellen Degeneres show. Ellen says - In her first appearance on American television, 15 year-old Charice Pempengco from the Philippines performs an incredible version of, “i will always love you” It is one of the most incredible performances I’ve ever seen.

Click here to see video