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Paris Hilton, the morning after


Why is Paris Hilton so popular? This was a question I was trying to answer on Wednesday, at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City, while waiting for the Century Properties-hosted Paris Hilton press conference to start. Inside the Manila Pen Conservatory were media of all sorts—magazine fashion editors, TV showbiz reporters, wire agency correspondents and even Cecile Van Straten of the popular blog Chuvaness. Why were we willing to wait an extra hour or so (Paris was upstairs, “primping" for the press con, the organizers said) for the infamous socialite? Stars aren’t blind First launched into infamy in 2003 through a homemade sex video with her then boyfriend, Paris has since made an empire built around her name. Before you point out how silly that is, remember that Paris Hilton has made a fortune from reality shows, scents named after her, a bag and clothing line, a one-hit wonder song (“Stars Are Blind," if you didn’t know) and even a Paris iTunes app. This “empire" is on top of the one that she’s had since birth as a member of the Hilton family of hoteliers. Paris Hilton is one of the first celebrities in Hollywood to be famous for being, well, famous. Photographer's favorite As far as the Philippines is concerned, that doesn’t really make sense. Sure, we’ve had our share of celebuspawn (celebrity offspring) who are relevant simply because of their last names. But none of them can even dream of reaching the stardom that Paris has reached.

Paris Hilton arrives at the Manila Peninsula under heavy security on Wednesday for her press conference. Danny Pata
A testament to that is how the local news outfits flipped when word spread that Paris had lost two iPhones/iPods/iPads (the different media organizations didn’t really seem to agree on this one) en route to Manila for a business trip from August 14 to 18. Amid the fanfare and hype that surrounds her, the 5’8" looker doesn’t even flinch. It’s not just that she’s used to the frenzy—she loves it. For example, the moment Paris stepped on stage during the press conference, she owned it. Despite the throng of snap-happy photographers equipped with blinding flash triggers, she winked, smiled and flirted with the camera without batting an eyelash. The photographers loved it and I couldn’t blame them. In a culture where humility (even the false kind) is a virtue, the tenacity in which Paris embraces her stardom is strangely refreshing. The band of photographers at the presser actually groaned when organizers announced that it was time for Paris to leave for another gig. Her new BFF Manny
Paris answers media queries after her dinner meeting with Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao at a Makati hotel on Tuesday. Hilton is on a five-day visit in Manila. Reuters-Cheryl Ravelo
What makes the 30-year-old star especially interesting in the Philippines is her sudden friendship with world-renowned boxer and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao and his wife, Jinkee. Word from the Twitterverse is that the threesome first met a few months ago during Manny’s fight against Shane Mosley. "Wow! Such an honor to be brought on stage by Manny & his wife Jinkee after the fight. Can't wait to visit them when I go to the Philippines," Paris tweeted post-fight on May 7. Thus, it didn’t come as a surprise when Paris took time out of her busy schedule on Tuesday evening to attend a dinner party hosted by the Pacquiaos. The day after the party, Paris posted pictures of herself and the Pacquiaos on her official website and became a Twitter trending topic Wednesday morning, a few hours before the Manila Pen press conference. Playing her cards right Throughout her stay in the Philippines, Paris was two things: nice and consistent, or maybe, even consistently nice. She was not shy with the compliments—from the food to the hospitality and even Filipino women—everything was announced proudly on Twitter or in one of her many media events.
Paris interacts with her fans and even signs a fan's hand. Reuters-Cheryl Ravelo
Most people might think of Paris as just another pretty, dumb blonde (myself included) but they would be surprised to know that this media mogul is actually more business-savvy than she lets on. Century Properties Managing Director Robbie Antonio said as much when he explained their choice of Paris Hilton as their business partner for a beach resort residential complex. “I don’t believe in endorsements wherein they’re not part of the process. Paris is designing the beach club. She comes from a real estate heritage, her predisposition to style and design is unparalleled," he said. Although she comes from a family known to be lord of real estate, this is one industry Paris had yet to immerse herself in. But given that she’ll be designing the beach club for the property, I’d say the party-loving and beach-going heiress might have found the perfect testing ground for her real estate prowess. During the press conference, Paris’ lines sounded rehearsed, even robotic, but she always said the right things at the right time. This girl wasn’t playing an airhead—she was, in fact, a living, breathing business woman Barbie who meant business. “An inspiration" That’s not to say that Paris is a phony. One of the less rehearsed-looking moments on the press conference came when Paris’ “number one Filipino fan" was called on stage to finally meet her idol.
Paris gamely poses with one of her biggest Pinoy fans. Photo courtesy of PEP.ph
Isha Dinio was in tears while hugging Paris. The two had actually been friends on Twitter for over two years now, and it was Isha whom Paris tagged when she announced her trip to the Philippines. “Hey @iamishagirl, I'm flying to Manila, Philippines on August 13th for a few days. Would love to meet up while I'm there. Love you. xo P," Paris tweeted. https://twitter.com/#!/ParisHilton The 20-year-old Isha told GMA News Online that she’s been a fan of Paris since she was 10 years old, after watching her on “The Simple Life," a reality show that featured Paris Hilton and then-best friend Nicole Richie. “Parang siya yung Barbie doll that I could never have," Isha said of Paris. Isha’s love for the heiress, she explained, wasn’t just because of her beauty or her stardom—Paris is really just a nice person, she explained. When asked about Paris’ less than ideal debacles, Isha explained her coping mechanism as “pasok sa isang tenga, labas sa isa" (goes in one ear and out the other). Paris is frequently at the receiving end of Hollywood gossip and scandal, but Isha shrugs them off. “I just collect and collect all the positive [things] and ignore all the negative," she added. Isha was invited to a party that evening and again on Thursday, to Paris’ store launch at SM Megamall. Paris visit 2.0? It’s been a whirlwind of activity both for Paris Hilton and her posse and the Philippine media. Paris left Thursday night wearing one of the T-shirts the Pacquiaos gave her.
Paris wore a Manny Pacquiao shirt when she left the Philippines Photo from Paris Hilton's website
“Bye Manila, I will miss you! Sad to leave, everyone was so sweet! Love the #Philippines so much! I will be back soon! Love you all! xo P:)," she tweeted. Model and TV personality Georgina Wilson had a point when she pointed out that the Philippine President had better, more important things to do than meet a Hollywood socialite and maybe that applies to every other Filipino too—did we really have to spend so much of our energies on the ineffable Miss Hilton? Maybe we did, maybe we didn’t. As luck would have it, Reuters came out with a survey on the most popular and most trusted celebrities in her home country the night Paris left the Philippines. Not surprisingly, Paris was ranked the most unfavorable celebrity in America, besting meltdown-fresh Charlie Sheen. According to the article, companies ought to steer clear of Paris if they want what’s best for their brand. Obviously, Century Properties and the Filipino people have yet to receive the memo. And who knows when or if we’ll ever get that memo? Paris has already promised a return visit. “Loves it!" as Paris would say. - YA, GMA News
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