Mirabella Cast, Teen Fashionistas Julia Barretto and Mika dela Cruz | Photos | Video

The latest telenovela for the ABS-CBN Kapamilya network is Mirabella, a melodrama-fantasy teleserye (TV series) that premiered on March 24, 2014, replacing the soap opera Annaliza. It showcasing two of the most successful and rising teenage stars in Philippine show business: Julia Barretto and Mika dela Cruz.

Let us feature both young Pinay actresses, who have a reputation for being a trendy teen fashionista. First is the pretty Julia Barretto (see below photo).

Born on March 10, 1997 in Marikina City, she is the daughter of actor-comedian Dennis Padilla and former actress Marjorie Barretto. By the way, we included her aunt Claudine in our list of hottest Filipina (Pinay) moms!

This Pinay teen fashionista, who is pretty even without makeup (see below pic), was introduced in Philippine television in 2007 through "Walang Kapalit" and "Kokey". Through the years, her home network (ABS-CBN) cast her in various shows such as Palos, Wansapanataym, Maalala Mo Kaya.

Just to remind you, Julia is the cute image model of the latest Palmolive shampoo advertisement. Watch the said commercial in the Youtube video below:

Also having showbiz genes is Mika, who is the sister of actress-singer Angelica dela Cruz. Her birthday is on December 9, 1998. She was born in Tokyo, Japan. From a cute child actress - awarded by PMPC Star Awards for Movies as Best Movie Child Performer of the Year in 2010, she has grown up to be a really stunning Pinay actress (see below photo).

Since 2006, Mika dela Cruz (see below) has been acting in various TV series before landing in the lead role for "Mirabella". She has also appeared in the following movies: Tiyanaks, T2, Ang Darling Kong Aswang and RPG Metanoia.

Joining them in the  Mirabella cast are actors: Enrique Gil, Sam Concepcion, Pokwang, Mylene Dizon, John Lapus, James Blanco, Makisig Morales and Gloria Diaz. Here is the official video-trailer of the said teleserye:

More photos of our featured teen fashionistas (click to enlarge):

Source: Wikipedia, forum posts

Suicide victim, Filipina mestiza model Helena Belmonte | Photos | Video

The Pasig City police has just confirmed that Filipina mestiza model Helena Belmonte (see below photo) committed suicide as she jumped off the 28th floor of her condo (Renaissance Towers 100) in Meralco Avenue in Ortigas Center. They have disregarded "foul play" in the said terrible incident.

Who is Helena Belmonte? She is a 28-year old fashion model who is rumored to be the girlfriend of Marcel Crespo, son of the controversial businessman and former Manila 6th district congressional representative Mark Jimenez (below).

Her mother, Joan Lorraine, is the founding creative director of One Mega Group which releases magazines such as Meg, Travel, Lifestyle Asia and Mega. She is also a ramp model, gracing the L' Oreal Look of Style Awards in 2012 in below photo.

In Youtube video below, the pretty mestiza joins the talk show "the Girls of 28 a" as she talks about the pros and cons of dating older men.

Her godmother, Sari Yap, appeared on TV and said that Helena suffers from bipolar disorder. She alleged that the Filipina-American mestiza model may have mixed anti-depressants with alcohol.

I fear that cases of youth suicides may be on the rise. Sigh! It's a such terrible loss when someone so young and so full of promise suddenly meets death. I sympathize with her family, loved ones, friends and fans. Rest in peace!

More photos of Miss Belmonte (click to enlarge).

Sources: her Facebook page, various news sites