Norman's Blog

Annalie Forbes: will the chanteuse sing her way to Bb. Pilipinas 2012?

Norman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:00:39 +0000

If you happen to visit Dusit Thani Manila on Saturdays – and the HoteL Rembrandt (on Mondays & Wednesdays) and Heritage Hotel (on Thursdays) – you will have heard and noticed a tall sultry singer in the lounge who captivates guests with her cool renditions of old standards and current pop ballads. The lady’s name is Annalie Forbes, or you can simply call her Ali.

Not content with just singing, Ali has also involved herself in a number of smaller pageants in the recent past. Apart from bagging the title of 2011 Binibining Bulacan, she was also 1st Runner-Up during last year’s Miss Makati and the reigning Miss National Capital Region.

With those soulful eyes, this chanteuse can definitely display her vocal ability in the talent competition of Bb. Pilipinas 2012. And if she is formally assigned an Official Candidate’s slot, there is a good chance that she will stand her own side by side the other contenders. The only nagging question is…..will she represent Bulacan or Makati?

Her hard-to-forget name is Shekinah Jirah Lasola

Norman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0000

With a name like Shekinah Jirah Lasola, how can you easily forget this young and lovely Negrense? Standing tall at 5’8″, she is ready to strut her stuff for all the Bb. Pilipinas 2012 panelists, get their nod for an Official Candidate slot, and give her best to leave a lasting mark in the pageant, be it a title or well-earned placement.

Aside from her studies at Silliman University, the girl dabbles in some hosting and modelling gigs in the province. Should she officially become the representative of her hometown, then Dumaguete has a winning ace up its sleeves.

Michelle Panemanglor: Can the Supermodel be a Super-beauty-queen?

Norman — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Michelle Panemanglor was already 19 years-old when she won Supermodel of the World Philippines 2006 and represented the country in Ford Models’ international modelling competition. She did not win that one, but was able to embark on a career that brought her to different runways and photoshoots around the region, courtesy of Cal Carrie.

If I do the math, the half-Filipino, half-Indian Michelle is already 24-turning-25 by now and nearing the age limit of Bb. Pilipinas. By the looks of it, this year is the right time to join the pageant and prove that a supermodel can also be a beauty queen. Armed with a great fashion sense, a distinct facial mix and a height of 5’9″, she can literally stand tall in the company of other ladies and edge them out on the ramp and in proper projection. And may I also add that she reportedly has a 22-inch waistline?

What say you? Does Michelle have what it takes to be a super-beauty-queen?

Can someone pluck this girl to join Bb. Pilipinas 2012?

Norman — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I know very little about this beautiful lass, but I hope someone has already convinced her to screen for Bb. Pilipinas 2012.

Her name is Hillarie Danielle Ang Parungao and she hails from the province of Nueva Vizcaya. The girl looks tall in some of her pics (I did not post them because the quality is a bit iffy) and could be at least 5’6″-5’7″.

Her face does not strike me as pure Filipina at first – she can easily pass off as Brazilian or Mexican or even Colombian. But believe me, she is Ilokana by heart, and more morena in person.

Hillarie does have the Shamcey Supsup vibe. But if she remains untapped for the pageant, the vibe will be just that.

Karen Gallman: a Ximena deadringer for Bb. Pilipinas 2012?

Norman — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:52 +0000

Some people say that this girl has some semblance to Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete. Some people may not agree and reject the comparison outright. But one thing that cannot be denied is the fact that she is one good- looking babe. This Filipina-Australian can definitely make heads turn, aside from her decent height of 5’7″.

The name Karen Gallman doesn’t ring a bell after first hearing. The oddly-spelled surname may even raise the eyebrows of a few biotches who would snap at seeing the Filipino-sounding family name get an extra L to make it foreign to the ear. Regardless, this 19 year-old is one fine specimen who can invade the Bb. Pilipinas 2012 screenings and breeze through the various cuts all the way to being named an Official Candidate. Don’t you think so, dear readers?

Cebu’s Mia Arcenas will target a Bb. Pilipinas win

Norman — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:00:36 +0000

Cebu has always been a good source of beautiful ladies for many national pageants in the country. In fact, no batch is complete without a candidate or two from the Queen City of the South. Take for example Bb. Pilipinas 2012 which is being eyed by Mia Arcenas as the possible fulfillment of a childhood dream to become a beauty queen. This 21 year-old doesn’t really need the pressure of going through the pageant rigors. After all, she comes from a rich and prominent clan in Cebu where she has chosen to be the CEO of the successful family business (Ferimar) following the completion of a fashion and merchandising degree in Los Angeles,CA and a Summa cum Laude at that. But the girl is up to the added challenge. She knows what she wants and is willing to start from square one en route to hopefully nailing a crown that will give her the right to represent the Philippines internationally. Given her exotic charm, gift of gab, 5’7″ height and 23-inch waistline, I’m confident that she will impress the panelists in the upcoming screenings for the pageant. What fortune awaits her? Abangan!

Michelle Martha Braun’s mission possible: Bb. Pilipinas 2012

Norman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Michelle Martha Braun’s credentials include a stint with Miss Philippines-Earth 2009 where she came very close to claiming top victory after being selected Miss Philippines Air or 1st Runner-Up. After that, her name and face entered a low profile phase up until she resurfaced last year as the Philippine representative to the ill-organized and controversial Miss Asia-Pacific World 2011 held in Seoul, Korea. That’s all water under the bridge.

At the moment, Michelle is lining herself up for a far more demanding challenge, i.e., join Bb. Pilipinas 2012 and hopefully make a decent placement if not take home one of the crowns at stake. That’s a mission possible for this lovely lady who is a sensuous mix of the east and the west. The competition will be tough, but her very reputable and successful handler is not leaving any stone unturned in training her to the max and give the earlier-hyped ladies a good run for their money.

Will this 5’8″ eye candy be one of the top bets for this year’s premier national beauty pageant? Your guess is as good as mine.

Cherrielyn Alvior: Setting her sights on BBP2012

Norman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:00:00 +0000

It’s not easy postponing a lifelong dream of joining a national beauty pageant year after year in favor of finishing one’s studies. That is exactly what Cherrielyn Alvior did. But now that she is over and done with college and postgraduate demands, she wants to take a stab at joining Bb. Pilipinas 2012 before it’s too late. At the age of 25, this Mutya ng Taguig 2008 2nd Runner-Up – who stands 5’6″ – is preparing herself for the initial screenings of the pageant, hoping that she makes it to the first cut. If and when she qualifies, she should thank her lucky stars because this year is shaping up to be one of the toughest ever. Clinching an ‘Official Candidate’ sash alone can already be considered an achievement.

With that in mind, I’d say ‘Good luck, Cherrie!’

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Enter the Dragon!

Norman — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:00:05 +0000

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Lunar New Year!

Today starts the Year of the Water Dragon. And since your blogger is a Dragon himself, a feeling of optimism can’t be helped. But not overly so. I’m just hoping for a 12-month period that would be significantly better than 2011.

And to invite the best of luck, wearing red, pink and orange should help. As early as last November, I started buying shirts (and underwears) in these colors. Nothing to lose in doing so – just additional fillings for my already bursting closet.

Anyways, I am looking forward to another amazing year for Filipinas (and Asians) in the global pageant arena. This could be the time we all have been waiting for.

Janine Tugonon: A crown on her head in 2012?

Norman — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:00:19 +0000

Janine Tugonon during the swimsuit round of Bb. Pilipinas 2011

A better chance for 2012?

Janine Tugonon was almost there. She was one of the more pleasant packages in Bb. Pilipinas 2011 – neither ignored nor perched high among the Top 5 of many armchair judges’ selections. In fact, when she nailed the Q&A, it came as no surprise that she was named 1st Runner-Up.

But then again, a 1st Runner-Up placement is just that – a runner-up. Throughout 2011, she never had the opportunity to represent the Philippines in international beauty competitions. And this might have triggered the confidence to give the pageant a 2nd try. So if she presents herself for Bb. Pilipinas 2012 screening, we all know that she has already relinquished her rank last year, and is more than ready to re-conquer the contest in hopes of getting a crown this time around. And I don’t see that as a herculean objective, i.e., unless we are deluged with a topnotch quality of contenders who are just as eager to follow (and better) the act of Shamcey Supsup. I’m sure she will get the blessings of Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta, just as she backed up Dianne Necio. But how far will that support bring her to? Let’s wait and see.