Inspired to win, Jennifer Hammond is

Posted by Norman on September 30, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , . 2 Comments

Jennifer with boyfriend Ryan


Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2016 Jennifer Hammond is all set to leave for Colombo, Sri Lanka this coming Monday, October 3, to start with her mission to win the country’s first Miss Intercontinental title in the more than four decades old beauty pageant.

During her send-off, Jen confessed that she was initially sad of not going to Germany as previously expected. But after studying more about the Sri Lankan culture and traditions, she started developing a real interest for the South Asian nation. She even dug deep into the dos and donts for first-time visitors. In short, she is all hyped for the host city now.

And outside of taking inspiration from having the most exotic destination among the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Queens, she is also motivated by the fact the she will be writing pageant history for the Philippines should she become the next wearer of the Miss Intercontinental crown. Of course, it goes without saying that her boyfriend Ryan is super proud and supportive of her. They may have only eyes for each other – love-wise – but they allow a lot of room for growth in their respective careers.

Best of luck, Jennifer!

Do not forget what I whispered in your ears during the sendoff. It should serve to inspire you even more.😉

Jennifer, Nicole and Kylie | Off to Colombo, Vegas and Tokyo 

Posted by Norman on September 29, 2016
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Send-off X 3 for Jennifer, Nicole and Kylie

Answering questions from the members of the Press

The Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Queens

Jennifer, Nicole and Kylie with BPCI’s Conchitina Sevilla Bernardo and Betsy Westendorp


Earlier in the afternoon, a triple send-off was hosted in honor of Bb. Pilipinas International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2016 Jennifer Hammond and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves at the Monet 2 Ballroom of Novotel Araneta Center.

The three queens showed to everyone how well-prepared they have already transformed themselves into, especially Nicole Cordoves who is sporting a very sexy (explosive) vibe knowing that her contest will expect a Miss-Universe-like fierceness. Kylie Verzosa continues to be her very confident self as she is adding extra elements of elegance to her stance as she knows that this is one of the key strengths the Japanese are looking for. As for Jennifer, she has studied Sri Lanka and all its practices, traditions and religion so that she can adapt best to the liking of the locals.

All in all, I believe we have a really strong set of contenders who can literally bring home their respective international crowns if fate continuously stays in their favor.

Best of luck in your missions abroad, Binibinis!😀

Blowing kisses now!

Mister Universal Ambassador 2016 | Who could possibly be the 2nd?

Posted by Norman on September 29, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

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Tomorrow night in Surabaya, Mister Universal Ambassador 2016 will be named. He will be the 2nd in the two year-old male pageant that has managed to rise up the ranks in terms of popularity. From a mere nineteen (19) candidates in 2015, it has assembled forty-eight (48) in this batch – quite an impressive jump in terms of the trust given by National Directors from all over the world.

So as is customary in my blog, I will give now my Final Predictions for the Top 15. The video above had the choices presented in alphabetical order. Here now are my picks arranged from 1-15 (top to bottom):


In all honesty and objectivity, I can see a three-way battle for the top spot with Christian Llorente of Spain, Alejandro Martinez of the Dominican Republic and Andrea Biondo of the Philippines fighting tooth and nail to be #1. The rise to pole position won’t be easy, as I know that the IMP (Indonesian Male Pageant) Organization will make it doubly hard for the contenders to slug it out considering that the next winner will have big shoes to fill in the person of Christian Ortiz of Puerto Rico. In the end, I can see a winner who will not only be a “Captivating Role Model” (the pageant’s tagline), but also a committed brand ambassador who can help make Mister Universal Ambassador become the best male competition anywhere in the globe.

As for the potential qualifiers outside of the trio above, I can pick Eric of Puerto Rico, Jesus of Peru, Marcello of Brazil and Mazi of Algeria as strong spoilers. This quartet can individually zoom to higher placements if the breaks go in their favor.

All told, this batch has unleashed a really strong group of entries from Latin America and Spain – the Spanish-speaking countries if you will. But if the organization is looking at gaining more solid grounds into Europe, then a toss between Christian Llorente and Andrea Biondo would be ideal as both of them can connect the brand to the said continent effortlessly well. And between the two, our bet has a slight edge because he still has that solid link to Asia where Mister Universal Ambassador still needs to sustain its popularity.

Mister Universal Ambassador 2016 will have its Grand Finals at the Governor Hall in Surabaya Carnival Jawa Timur where Mister Tourism International Philippines 2015 Willan Pagayon will be the Master of Ceremonies.

Best of luck to all candidates!😀

Nicole Cordoves | She knows what MGI wants in a potential winner

Posted by Norman on September 29, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , . 21 Comments


First off, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves is thrilled to the max that she is going to Las Vegas for her competition. She has long wanted to fulfill her pageant mission in the city where: 1) the Philippines got its third Miss Universe crown and 2) the support of Filipino-Americans from East Coast to West Coast all converge in a place where no stones (or cards) are left unturned to insure that they got her back from Day 1.

Actually, as early as two months ago, Nicole already got confirmation from different Filipino groups in the US that they will rally their troops to go to Las Vegas to cheer and push for her potential victory.

And our bet is not sitting on these guarantees. She is faithfully doing her assignment. She knows that she got the speech and Q&A parts in the bag. So right now, she is preparing for explosive presentations a la Miss Universe Pageant. Miss Grand International is known to idolize the said contest so the parallelisms will definitely be felt.

Now you know why she attended her send-off in a yellow gown that brought out her sexiness even more. She knows what MGI wants, and plans to give them the peg that they want on a silver platter.

My photo with Nicole Cordoves


So who’s betting on Nicole now?😉

Nichole Manalo | Destination: Albania

Posted by Norman on September 28, 2016
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Miss Globe 2016 will go to Tirana, Albania for the Finals on November 25

Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2016 Nichole Marie Manalo

Sisters Bianca (left) and Nichole Manalo


And Nichole Manalo’s date with destiny has been finalized!

Our Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2016 will travel to Tirana, Albania for The Miss Globe 2016 which will take place from November 13-25. The Coronation Night will be at the National Opera Theater on November 25.

Now this is the reason why the reigning winner – our very own Ann Colis – made a trip to the Albanian capital more than a month ago. The organizers are putting the final pieces on the hosting of the pageant’s 43rd edition.

Nichole will be the 4th Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Queen to compete (after Jennifer, Nicole and Kylie). Joanna Eden will be next come early December, with Maxine going for glory come January.🙂

Welcome back, Miss United Continents 2016 Jeslyn Santos!

Posted by Norman on September 27, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , . 29 Comments

The Return of Miss United Continents 2016 Jeslyn Santos

A close-up of the crown

With John dela Vega


Fresh from her successful conquest of the crown in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Miss United Continents 2016 Jeslyn Santos returned home to Manila amidst the warm reception given by friends and supporters plus selected members of the media. The 23 year-old Bulakenya was visibly elated by the rousing welcome she received and was even game enough to repeat the answer she gave during the finals in Spanish (watch below).

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Jeslyn will donate part of her cash winnings to Red Cross, as she herself stated. And aside from this arrival presscon, a separate Victory Party will be hosted on her behalf this coming October 1.

From all of us here at normannorman.com, let me congratulate you once more for a job well done.


Mabuhay ka, Jeslyn!😀
#ForThePhilippines

#LoveYourself: Miss Universe and Miss Universe Philippines for HIV/AIDS Awareness 

Posted by Norman on September 27, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , . 7 Comments


Earlier in the day, Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina teamed up to visit the UNICEF Philippines office for duscussions on how they can help in their HIV/AIDS Awareness Drive. We all know by now how driven Queen P is in this cause, and with her national successor in tow, they will do their share in the national campaign. Which more popular endorsers can/are willing to do the job except the two?

I bet Maxine also has this concern close to her heart. Aside from the meetings, I am pretty sure that the two spent long talks on how to prepare herself for the 65th Miss Universe. Who better to give her advise than the reigning titleholder?🙂