Lea Salonga and Robin Tomas (Tomas' photo courtesy of thefilam.net)

MANILA, Philippines – Internationally-acclaimed and multi-awarded thespian Lea Salonga was recently hailed as “Artist of Excellence” at the 20th Festival of Pilipino-American Culture (FPAC) on Sept 11, as reported by abs-cbnnews.com on Sunday.

Last Thursday, American tycoon and main pageant organizer Donald Trump and Miss Universe Organization President Paula M. Shugart announced that Salonga and six others will be the judges at this year’s pageant. The coronation night will be held at the Credicard Hall in São Paulo, Brazil on Sept. 12 (Brazil time).

As such, abs-cbnnews.com reported that Lea “had to rearrange her appearance at the festival” in order to make way for her Miss Universe judging stint. More, she reportedly also had to call off a Hollywood launch party for a CD that was supposedly slated on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

On Saturday, Lea posted on her Twitter account, “FPAC tomorrow!!! I'll be there at around 11, and must leave by 12:45 to catch my sound check at Sycuan. See you there!”

The same abs-cbnnews.com article mentioned that Lea was set to fly to São Paulo on Sunday.

“The #MissUniverse2011 Pageant is tomorrow!!! It's going to be a very exciting day!!! So, do you have a favorite candidate?” she tweeted on Monday morning.

Lea was quoted as saying in the same abs-cbnnews.com story that she’s “really, really excited” and is “hoping for the best.”

“I've had my briefing, read over what I needed to sign. I've got my gown ready, my shoes, my purse. I think I'm all set to go,” she said also in the same report.

In other news, New York-based designer Robin Tomas has recently unveiled his 2011 Women’s Fall Collection dubbed “Amish couture.” Robin is the son of actress and former TV host Tessie Tomas.

“Amish couture,” or “Amish Chic Futura” according to the official website of his label Tomas, is its “modern slant to a traditional theme.” The collection was described as “lush wools in browns and charcoals contrasted by printed and textured silk, highlighted with luxurious embellished knits.”

Tomas’ creations is currently being carried by New York’s Anik Boutique, “a chain of women’s contemporary apparel stores” known for its “high standards of quality and professional trendy staff,” according to the store’s official website. Aside from Tomas, Anik also carries 7 For All Mankind, Adriano Goldschmeid and Rachel Pally, among others.

“It’s a brand that I wanna build, it’s a certain woman that I wanna dress. I’m very happy. I think it’s [Anik] the right store for my clothes,” Robin said in a report by “Umagang Kay Ganda” on Sept. 12.

Robin first hit the headlines when he won the award for the best reinvention of the men’s T-shirt at the Supima Design Competition in January 2010.  Supima, according to its website, is “the promotional organization of the American Pima cotton growers.”

The young designer attributes his success to “really hard work, pagpupursigi… [and believeing] in what you had to offer.”

33-year old Robin graduated from the Parsons School of Design in 2002. He had internships at Valentino and Anna Sui, and has worked as menswear designer for Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, and J. Crew.