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Soaring Like Falcons: 5 Showbiz Artists from Adamson University

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EJ Salut

<div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/2015/081215/Pins/081215-francinejestonismokey_main.jpg" alt="081215-francinejestonismokey_main.jpg" width="600" height="435" border="0"/><br/></div><div><br/></div><div>With less than a month before the opening of another UAAP season, let&#x27;s have a rundown of the celebrities who once roamed the corridors of its participating schools.</div><div><br/></div><div>Adamson University, a private and Catholic institution in Manila, first joined the UAAP in 1952 as a probationary member and was awarded regular membership in 1971. The collegiate men&#x27;s varsity teams signed with the athletic association are under the title Adamson Soaring Falcons while the women&#x27;s varsity teams are called the Lady Falcons.</div><div></div><div>Here are five TV and movie personalities who cheered for them and their colors of blue and white:</div><div><br/></div><div><b>1) Hazel Ann Mendoza</b></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="" alt="081215-hazelmendoza_main.jpg" width="400" height="290" border="0"/><br/></div><div>Cast as Brooke in the teen-oriented show <i>Berks </i>(2002-2004), Hazel Ann Mendoza graduated with a degree in Education. The Filipina-Spanish actress starred in several other soaps such as <i>Gulong ng Palad (2006), Love Spell (2006-2008), and Eva Fonda (2008-2009).</i></div><div></div><div><b>2) Francine Prieto</b></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/2015/081215/Pins/081215-francineprieto_main.jpg" alt="081215-francineprieto_main.jpg" width="400" height="290" border="0"/><br/></div><div>Born Anne Maria Jensen, Francine studied units for BS Psychology but was unable to continue when she became more active in the show business. She started out as a member of <i>That&#x27;s Entertainment</i> and was a professional model at 14--then still known as Anna Marie Falcon. Her stunning Eurasian features of Norwegian and Chinese descent led her to join the Miss South East Asia Peninsula International Pageant, the Binibining Pilipinas, and Mutya ng Pilipinas. She was part of the fantasy series<i> Imortal</i> and <i>Ina Kapatid Anak.</i> She also used to have a radio show on DZMM.  </div><div></div><div><b>3) Jestoni Alarcon</b></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/2015/081215/Pins/081215-jestoni_main.jpg" alt="081215-jestoni_main.jpg" width="400" height="290" border="0"/><br/></div><div>Part of the original run of <i>Pangako Sa &#x27;Yo</i> in 2000, Jestoni has more than 50 films under his belt. His notable movies include <i>Huwag Mong Buhayin Ang Bangkay (1986), Hiwaga sa Balete Drive (1988), and Kristobal: Tinik Sa Korona (1990).</i> A resident of Antipolo City, he served as the Vice Governor of Rizal from 2004 to 2007.</div><div></div><div><b>4) Neil Coleta</b></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/2015/081215/Pins/081215-neilcoleta_main.jpg" alt="081215-neilcoleta_main.jpg" width="400" height="290" border="0"/><br/></div><div>Neil debuted in the television industry in 2008 and in the movie business in 2010 through Star Cinema&#x27;s <i>Miss You Like Crazy</i> (2010). He was recognized as New Movie Actor of the Year by the PMPC Star Awards for <i>I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila!</i> (2012) wherein he portrayed the gay guy Brent.</div><div></div><div><b>5) Smokey Manaloto</b></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/2015/081215/Pins/081215-smokey_main.jpg" alt="081215-smokey_main.jpg" width="400" height="290" border="0"/><br/></div><div>A popular comedian, Smokey was part of the hit sitcom<i> Home along da Riles</i> which ran for more than a decade. He has also starred in various episodes of <i>Wansapanatym, Maalaala Mo Kaya, and Ipaglaban Mo.</i> Smokey currently plays the role of Principal Spencer in the teen comedy series<i> Luv U </i>(2012-present).</div>