No Miss International Beauty Pageant this 2020

Posted by Norman on June 4, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , . 14 Comments

TOKYO, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 12: Sireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand (center) is crowned Miss International 2019 during the 59th Miss International Beauty Pageant at Tokyo Dome City Hall on November 12, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage)

Now it can be told.

There will be no Miss International in 2020.

The organizers have decided to postpone its 60th edition and have it staged in 2021 after the Tokyo Olympics.

Reigning titleholder Sireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand will now be the longest-reigning titleholder of the pageant.

Visit the URL below to read more. My media colleague Armin Adina reports on the cancellation.

Reference: https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/363703/miss-international-pageant-cancels-2020-competition/amp/

Sireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand will now be the longest-reigning Miss International in the pageant’s long history. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage)

Miss Philippines Earth 2020: Going smoothly with their Preliminary Competitions

Posted by Norman on June 3, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: . 9 Comments


The organizers of Miss Philippines Earth are faithfully sticking to the schedule of their activities. Some adjustments were made, but it has been all systems go since May 30. Later this week till the coming ones, the next events will be held online. The all-important Prejudging phases will also take place with the semifinalists chosen from the combined tallies of Beauty of Figure, Beauty of Face and Beauty of Intelligence.

For now, here are the results of the first four official activities:

Some pageant fans are calling the COVID Craze Outfit Challenge as “baduy”. But regardless, you have to give them some credit for thinking out of the box to make the entire pre-pageant worth watching.

The Importance of Core Values in the New Normal of Pageantry

Posted by Norman on June 3, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 18 Comments

The modern concept of beauty has the physical and intellectual aspects as givens. There is a third element, though, that pageant aspirants – and even beauty queens – should strive to solidify within themselves. These are the #CoreValues that strengthen a person’s inner beauty.

Core Values are the principles or beliefs that can make anyone stand out consistently because these form the foundation on which we execute plans, conduct ourselves or go through everyday living.

In my second vlog, I made the attempt to answer the following question:

“More than ever, why are Core Values important in the #NewNormal of pageantry?”

Click below to watch.

And while you’re at it, please hit the subscribe button as well.

PS 1) This vlog has special photographic participations of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados, Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidate Pauline Amelinckx and the pretty Ro-An Tamondong who placed 2nd RU during Miss Bikini Philippines 2019.

2) Special thanks to reader @scorg for inspiring me to tackle this subject matter.

Official Statement from Miss World Philippines ND Arnold Vegafria on Maureen Montagne

Posted by Norman on June 2, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , . 27 Comments


Miss World Philippines Organization National Director Arnold Vegafria issued his statement after Maureen Montagne turned down the Miss Eco International title:

“As Miss World Philippines National Director, I am greatly saddened to hear that Miss Eco International 2019 1st Runner-Up Maureen Montagne declined her privilege as the rightful successor of recently dethroned Miss Eco International 2019 Suheyn Cipriani from Peru.

Being the next in line, she was automatically qualified to wear the prestigious crown which would have brought glory to our country, would have given her the rare opportunity to become United Nations Ambassador for Ecotourism, and possibly would’ve made pageant history with the country’s back-to- back wins for Miss Eco International 2018-2019.

What disappointed me even more was that she chose to join another local pageant instead–without even according proper courtesy to the Miss World Philippines and Miss Eco International organizations. This is a clear violation of the prestigious international pageant’s rules and regulations since her tenure has not yet formally ended.

Based on my dialogue with Miss Eco International founder Dr. Amaal Rezk, Maureen could’ve still accepted the crown and waited until September when she can formally relinquish her title–but she refused. Her conduct unbecoming of pageant queen is a clear deterrent to her loftier aspirations for yet another crown.

Despite all these, I still send her my blessings and wish her luck in all her future endeavors.

#missecointernational #missecointernational2019 #missworldphilippines

Downy for Miss Universe Philippines 2020

Posted by Norman on June 2, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 8 Comments

Check out this Downy Philippines salute to the #PhenomenalWomen whose passion will never fade.

Above are BTS images from the shoot.

Now watch Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and some of the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidates in the clip below.

Maria Lianina Macalino: Family Love comes first for this Marinduqueña

Posted by Norman on June 2, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , . 5 Comments


Even before the pandemic happened, it has always been in the thoughts and heart of Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidate Maria Lianina Macalino of Marinduque to advocate for the importance of family and the influence it can bring to a child or even an adult.

“Family is the common denominator we all have. We all come from one. This is the core of our self-identity towards self-acceptance.  Family is where you consider yourself at home, it is where you should feel the Love and Acceptance of being in this world. This is a crucial stage in kids because this is where they learn first education that couldn’t be taught in school. It is the first and a lifetime Education.”

“Being a parent is a full-time job and it is an important responsibility to raise their children right – to bring awareness about reality, to be good to people, to be firm in their values and good morals and to have a positive outlook in life. While growing up, a family’s role is important because it is where you will invest that Love and Care for a child that in return when the child grows up, the invested Love and Care will be given back to the society and other people in a form of Respect, Gratitude, and Understanding. Many can be educated, but that doesn’t mean Educated people are good in maintaining their integrity.”


“In this present time, it is a challenge on how we can still nurture kids on a different approach. How we will still make them feel safe and loved in the comfort of our homes. How being educated doesn’t necessarily mean you are a good person. Family love should be nurturing and safe. We can advocate for this without even going outside of our homes. This advocacy and awareness of mine can be practiced inside our homes, or by ourselves. We don’t need a lot of resources, but lots of initiative and understanding. We need not only be Intelligent, but also Emotionally Intelligent. Home breaks the barriers of vulnerability. Home and Family should be the first stage of where you should feel open to communicate, accepted, and where we should be taught about Forgiveness.

A child first feels the acceptance and love from a parent or a guardian. In this way, they will not search for love and acceptance from other people, from different activities and situations that introduce them to Bad Vices and such, that will later alter their positive outlook in life.”
 

“During the start of the lockdown I was still very blessed to be able to keep my job and being able to work from Home. In this way, I can also help my parents and my brother with a few expenses at home. This quarantine made me realize how difficult it is to live in your own thoughts. It is always helpful to be in the presence of your loved ones. I realized how hard it is to be a prisoner. I have been volunteering in charity works in different City Jails through our ministry in Church, Ladies of Charity, even before this pandemic happened. It came to my light how hard it really is to be trapped in your own thoughts, away from your family, and losing hope to be able to see them again, to be forgiven, and to live a second life. Quarantine gave new light for us to believe that it is through God who started the universe, and it is through Him where we get our Strength and Hope from. While living, we can still make the most out of this gift. In your own ways, through little acts of kindness, giving hope to one person at a time.”