Sunday Super Specials: Jeslyn Santos of the Philippines takes Miss United Continents 2016

Posted by Norman on September 25, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , . 36 Comments

Jeslyn wins in Guayaquil

Screenshot by screenshot, Jeslyn’s victory during the Live Streaming


Last night, an Ecuadorian lass won Miss Global 2016 in Manila. This morning, a Filipina beauty claimed Miss United Continents 2016 in Guayaquil. Just an interesting detail (similar to what happened years back when Riyo Mori won Miss Universe in Mexico and Priscila Perales got Miss International in Japan) surrounding the very pleasant victory of Jeslyn Santos as she became the first Filipina and Asian to win the Ecuador-based title. This is a sweet vindication for the determined Bulakenya (we share the same hometown on Hagonoy, Bulacan) who never stopped believing in her determination to bring honor to the country. This is also an achievement for her mentor John dela Vega who continuously pushed her ward to reach the top.

Jeslyn’s court is made up of the entries from Denmark, India, Brazil, Mexico and Panama, in that order.

Congratulations, Jeslyn!

So proud of you!😀

Jeslyn during the swimsuit competition

Jeslyn and her court

Sunday Specials: Angela Bonilla of Ecuador takes Miss Global 2016

Posted by Norman on September 25, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , . 11 Comments

Jessica Peart (left) after crowning her successor Angela Bonilla of Ecuador

Left to right: Czech Republic (3rd RU), Australia (2nd RU), Ecuador (Miss Global 2016), Philippines (1st RU) and Norway (4th RU)


Just when everyone (including yours truly) thought that Miss Philippines Camille Hirro had the crown in the bag, Angela Bonilla of Ecuador edged her out and claimed the Miss Global 2016 crown in a finals that had the predominantly Filipino audience clamoring for a hometown decision after seeing the host delegate performed at her best in all areas of the competition.

The Top 5 Q&A must have been key. While Miss Philippines went about with a lengthy reply to the question about what makes Miss Global a unique pageant for women, Miss Ecuador answered in a short but sweet manner when asked to choose between a man and a woman on who the better beauty contest judge is. Camille almost maxed out her alloted time in heaping praises about the pageant’s empowerment mission and the uniqueness of allowing single mothers and older ladies (read 28-above) to participate. Angela, on the other hand, simply focused on the equality between man and woman and that no sex is better than the other in serving the panel and choosing the most deserving winner.

The winners blowing kisses to the audience


In the end, I reckon that it must have been tough for the organizers to green-light a hometown decision as there were some delegates who allegedly complained about Miss Philippines getting the lion’s share of special pre-pageant awards, hence, perceived favoritism in the works. It may not be the strongest opposition to cave in to, but there was a segment or two that many felt tilted in favor of our girl instead of someone more rightful for the side honor.

Regardless, I am just glad that the extra-long finals night gave the top prize to the Ecuadorian bet who was just in her best elements all throughout the proceedings.

Outside the two, Miss Australia Caitlynn Henry snagged 2nd Runner-Up, with Nikola Bechynova of Czech Republic and Britt Roselyn Rekkedal of Norway taking 3rd and 4th Runner-Up placements, respectively.

Congratulations to all the winners!

My photo op with MU2005 Natalie Glebova


P.S. Your blogger is happy to get a photo opportunity with Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova who served as one of the four hosts, along with Angelee delos Reyes, Bobby Yan and Derrick Monasterio.

Kylie Verzosa, Jennifer Hammond & Nicole Cordoves on Tonight With Boy Abunda

Posted by Norman on September 24, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , . 13 Comments

Jennifer, Kylie and Nicole guested on TWBA last night


Since three of our Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Queens will compete abroad in the same month of October, they were also guested by the popular TV Host in his nightly show “Tonight with Boy Abunda”.

Bb. Pilipinas International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2016 Jennifer Hammond and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves were subjected to the program’s brand of Q&A. And while the whole episode was short, you will really get an idea as to how more vibrant and prepared these ladies have become.

Watch the videos after the images below and tell me what you think.

courtesy of ABS-CBN Entertainment

Happy Birthday, Miss Universe!  

Posted by Norman on September 24, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , . 18 Comments


To the pride of the Philippines. The Filipina who returned the Miss Universe crown to the country after more than four decades of anticipation. The woman who showed to everyone what strong will and determination can do.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS UNIVERSE PIA ALONZO WURTZBACH!

It’s your 26th, and a very memorable celebration for you.

So bring out the noise and let’s hear it for our very special celebrant today!

Who will win Miss Global 2016?

Posted by Norman on September 23, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , . 27 Comments

My Top 10 for Miss Global 2016


In the ongoing Miss Global 2016 competition which will have its finals at the PICC Plenary Hall tomorrow night, it is kinda easy to predict who among the candidates will occupy the Top 3 positions. But that’s getting ahead of the story.

My Personal Top 10, in reverse order are:
10) Britt Relkedal of Norway
9) Valeriya Vergunova of Holland
8) Ester Haikola of Namibia
7) Katherine Saavedra of Chile
6) Malikeh Razavi of Iran

Now let’s go to my Top 5 with photos by JR Noses:

Buppha Nilsawat of Thailand could complete the magic circle for me


Miss Thailang Buppha Nilsawat has that regal bearing that can make her stand out even if placed in the middle of Caucasians and Latinas. And she has a charming personality too.

Linnea Johansson of Sweden is 3rd Runner-Up on my scoresheets


The sweet-looking Linnea Johansson who is one of the youngest at 20 does not really exude an aura normally associated with her age. She can be opinionated beneath that doll-like face while maitaining a disarming presence.

Angela Bonilla of Ecuador is a close 3rd in my rankings


Now Angela Bonilla of Ecuador is no newbie in pageants so she knows how to present herself well by now. And in my books, she makes up 1/3 of the Top 3 tentpoles in this batch. She could spoil things for my first and second in rank.

Caitlynn Henry of Australia is the closest pursuer of Miss Philippines (Photo credit: JR Noses)


The biggest hurdle for Caitlynn Henry of Australia is if she could pull off a back-to-back win given the fact that compatriot Jessica Peart is the reigning titleholder. But on her own merits, she is likely to be the one in an intense tug-o-war with the delegate to beat in my opinion.

My choice to win Miss Global 2016 is Camille Hirro of the Philippines (Photo credit: JR Noses)


Honestly, I am setting aside my biases here simply because Camille Hirro of the Philippines could really be the best spokesperson of empowered women globally (i.e., in the profile the Miss Global Organization is looking for in a winner. She is smart, very articulate and can express her views in a lot of subject matters without getting stumped or pressured. The short hair is actually working to her “empowered” advantage. Suffice it to say, the Miss Global 2016 crown is hers to lose.

As for potential ladies who could enter the Top 10 and replace one or two of the listed names above, I would not mind having Daryna Ilvovska of Ukraine and Eshani Diana of Sri Lanka as alternates.

Camille Hirro of the Philippines is my pick to win Miss Global 2016 (Photo credit: Melvin Sia)


So there. Barring any major blunder for the host delegate, I see Miss Philippines as the next Miss Global.🙂

When Raymond shoots Queens

Posted by Norman on September 22, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , . 13 Comments


To say that Raymond Saldaña has an eye for beauty would be an understatement. He has shot a lot of our national titleholders and always meeting our exacting standards. Take for example the latest string of photos he released with Maxine Medina, Kylie Verzosa, Nicole Cordoves, Jennifer Hammond and even Miss Tourism Queen International Philippines 2016 Nancy Leonard. He definitely captured them at their best. And every single time that a new photograph emerges, we are in awe of the final prints.

This blog feature is just my small way of saying thanks to the man who has always made us happy.

Keep it up, Raymond!😉

Maxine Medina brings it on!

Posted by Norman on September 21, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , . 69 Comments

Maxine in her latest Raymond Saldaña capture

Here are the credits first:

MAXINE MEDINA
Miss Universe Philippines 2016
Raymond Saldaña Photography
HMUA : Jp Surco of David’s Salon
Styled by : Patrick Henry
Designer : Charles Kenneth Anito

After Jennifer Hammond, Nicole Cordoves and Kylie Verzosa, can Maxine Medina be far behind? Not at all! Our Miss Universe Philippines 2016 is tantalizingly chic in this latest photo capture from the steady and reliable hands of photographer Raymond Saldaña. And isn’t she just so gorgeous here?

Wearing a Charles Kenneth Anito creation, Maxine exudes supreme beauty that will never go unnoticed. And you know that being host delegate for the next Miss Universe edition has its share of pluses and pressures. But I trust our bet to just compete with herself, more than getting sidetracked by the strong competition.

Keep it up, my dear Maxine!🙂