Who’s the real Lil Wayne? Jarel Stewart is identical to the young rapper.

Photos by James Norton

Guess who just got added to the San Diego Music Awards performance lineup? No other than best hip-hop nominee Jimmy Powers! San Diego Music President Kevin Hellman has been getting heat from SDRaps.com blog post about this year’s hip-hop nominees. Kevin tells CityBeat, “He booked Powers because he wanted to diversify the lineup.” Besides from the hip-hop controversy surrounding this year’s SDMA–Jimmy Powers wrote an e-mail to CityBeat saying, “Regardless of the flack surrounding the nominees or the process, I think it is an extended hand that I was asked to perform. It may or may not be a response to the backlash, but I am really not concerned with the semantics of it.” Jimmy is nominated for best hip-hop album with his CD “Califoreigner”.

The San Diego Music Awards is Sunday, Sept.12. Be there.

From Scene Queen to Philippines Queen, SD sweetheart Frances Pascua was crowned Miss. Philippines California 2010, Aug. 28. Frances’ prizes included a scholarship program, a year full of cosmetics, shopping spree and free fitness consulting! Frances took time from her busy schedule to chat with SDGS about her new tittle as queen!

SDGS: How do you feel about winning?

Frances: When they called my name as the winner, I really couldn’t believe it. Many of my competitors had prior pageant experience and I had none. Miss Philippines California was my first pageant ever. I never thought in a million years I would be in involved in a pageant- let alone win one! I was a complete nerd in high school, was never in a sorority in college, and wasn’t popular by any means growing up. Winning this pageant is like a dream come true for me. I feel like my life is turning into some sort of fairy tale.

SDGS: What are your new duties?

Frances: My new duties as the title winner of the Miss Philippines California pageant is to attend community events promoting our organization as well as my platform, Gawad Kalinga, which is a non-profit worldwide foundation whose mission is to eradicate poverty. This title will also allow me to reach out to my Filipino community here in the state of California and all over the world! Filipinos are everywhere!

SDGS: What’s the hardest part of your new title?

Frances: Time management. This year’s going to be a very busy one for me! I have so many events lined up already and I was just crowned a few days ago. On top of the events I must attend, I plan on preparing and joining the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, which is the preliminary pageant to Miss Universe!

SDGS: How are people treating you since you’ve been crown?

Frances: Oh my goodness! I have received so many positive remarks from family, friends, and Filipinos from around the world! The majority of people, including my family, really want me to train for my next pageant. They want to see me go all the way and hopefully be the next Miss Universe! I am ready, so look out for me.

SDGS: What’s your favorite memory, so far, during this experience?

Frances: Getting the crown of course! When they called my name I had no idea how to react! I didn’t know whether to jump, laugh, cry, it was a complete whirlwind of emotions! I really proved to myself that I could do anything that I put my mind and heart into. Winning this pageant not only boosted my morale, but also inspired me to train and prepare for future pageants! It was a very exciting experience and I cannot wait to do it again!

Frances’ first Miss. Philippines California 2010 event will be hosting Shanghai Nights on her birthday September 18th.