Miss Universe 2018 Preliminary Interviews done!

Posted by Norman on December 12, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 23 Comments


Preliminary Interviews done!

The seven members of the all-female panel who will select the next Miss Universe were amazed at the lineup of ladies they spent time talking to. The length of each interview may not be that long, but it already gave (left to right top photo) Lili Gil Valletta, Bui Simon, Monique Lhuillier, Michelle McLean, Iman Oubou, Janaye Ingram and Richelle Singson-Michael a good idea on who deserves to be in the Top 20 come Finals.

#MissUniverse2018
#MissUniverse

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Catriona Gray and her #ootd for the Miss Universe 2018 Preliminary Interview

Posted by Norman on December 12, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , . 30 Comments


When you show up for the all-important Miss Universe 2018 Preliminary Closed Door Interview proudly wearing an attire that depicts the shining heritage of your country in a fashionable way.

That’s our #kittycat Catriona Gray in a Filipiniana top made by Jearson Demavivas, paired with an Ifugao skirt and pearl earrings by Jewelmer.

I doff my hat to you, Catriona Elisa!

Styling by Andrea Justine Aliman

#CatrionaGray
#MissUniverse2018

By the way, if you still haven’t watched the “Mindanao” video behind our Queen Cat’s National Costume “Celebrate”, please click below.

An All-Female Panel of Judges for Miss Universe 2018

Posted by Norman on December 12, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 45 Comments

THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES THE FIRST EVER ALL-FEMALE SELECTION COMMITTEE THAT WILL DETERMINE THE NEXT MISS UNIVERSE

Bui Simon: Miss Universe 1988 from Thailand, founder of Angel Wings Foundation, which addresses the needs of Thailand’s young and vulnerable citizens with increased educational opportunities

Monique Lhuillier: World renowned bridal and fashion designer with creations worn by celebrated women including first ladies of the United States for more than two decades; member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America

Janaye Ingram: Corporate executive, political grassroots organizer and founder of Women’s March, Inc.; 2017 Glamour Magazine Women of the Year along with her fellow Women’s March organizers; Miss New Jersey USA 2004

Michelle McLean: Returning to Bangkok, where she was crowned Miss Universe 1992 from Namibia, internationally recognized model and television presenter; Chairperson of the Michelle McLean Children Trust and Founding partner of the Business of Beauty

Iman Oubou: Moroccan-American entrepreneur, former pageant titleholder and founder of women’s digital platform SWAAY MEDIA; published scientist recently named as one of CIO Magazine’s 2018 “Female Entrepreneur’s to Watch” and awarded the first ever “Visage Du Maroc” of 2018, a new initiative uplifting female voices in Morocco and across the Middle East

Lili Gil Valletta: Award-winning entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of CulturIntel and CIEN+, TV business commentator and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader; O.S. Hispanic Businessperson of the Year; and 2018 Women of Excellence Award recipient, among others

Richelle Singson-Michael: CEO of Platinum Skies Aviation and FinTech Casha.me; pioneering architect and Vice Chairwoman of the LCS Group of Companies, which led and oversaw the successful hosting of the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® in the Philippines

#Note: Same set of judges for prelims and finals

#MissUniverse2018
#MissUniverse

Looking forward to the Miss Universe 2018 Preliminaries

Posted by Norman on December 11, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 92 Comments


Now that the National Costume Competition is over and done with, we can all look forward to the Miss Universe 2018 Preliminaries this coming Thursday night at the Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani.

#BuongPilipinas, let us keep on rallying behind our #kittycat Queen Catriona Gray as she continues to make us proud in the most important pre-pageant event of the entire competition – accounting for the swimsuit and evening gown scores that will determine the Top 20 on the Finals (with the separate closed-door interviews and the MUO deliberation held privately).

I just learned that three of the several judges are Miss Universe 1992 Michelle McLean, Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova and Filipino-American Designer Monique Lhuillier.

#CatrionaGray
#MissUniverse2018
#MissUniverse

Catriona in Jearson Demavivas the morning after the National Costume Competition

In the meantime, below is the Visayas video of Cat’s National Costume.

My Favorite National Costumes of Miss Universe 2018

Posted by Norman on December 11, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 21 Comments

Sharing with you now my Ten Favorite National Costumes of Miss Universe 2018 during last night’s National Costume Competition held at Nongnooch International Convention and Exhibition Center in Pattaya. In random order now:

#ElSalvador
#Peru
#India
#Thailand
#Philippines
#Laos
#Brazil
#Mexico
#Japan
#Panama

Photo credits: Amorn Pitayanant, Ralph Smith and Patrick Prather for the MUO

Marisela de Monteclaro of El Salvador

Romina Lozano of Peru

Nehal Chudasama of India

Sophida Kanchanarin of Thailand

Catriona Gray of the Philippines

On Anong Homsombath of Laos

Mayra Dias of Brazil

Andrea Toscano of Mexico

Yuumi Kato of Japan

Rosa Iveth Montezuma of Panama

#BuongPilipinas or “Celebrate”

Posted by Norman on December 10, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , . 225 Comments

The sketches by Jearson Demavivas


This is #BuongPilipinas called “Celebrate” as stated during the description of Miss Philippines Catriona Gray’s National Costume for Miss Universe 2018. A collaborative effort among Queen Cat herself for concept, Eric Quiwa for Luzon (Parol), Jearson Demavivas for Visayas (Pintados body) and Jojo Bragais for Mindanao (the shoes and the headdress).

The actual NatCos – front and back


I was told that the lantern should have been lighted onstage, but was prevailed upon by the safety and security people of the venue from proceedings with that part.

The reactions are mixed. Half of the fans liked it. Half of the fans are underwhelmed. I am slightly higher than middle because I know the hardwork and sleepless nights that went into it. I still believe that the team should get an A for effort with the finished ensemble.

Tonight: The Miss Universe 2018 National Costume Competition in Pattaya

Posted by Norman on December 10, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , . 90 Comments



Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters invites everyone to the Miss Universe 2018 National Costume Competition tonight starting at 7pm (8pm Manila time) at the Nongnooch International Convention and Exhibition Center in Pattaya.

Hopefully the YouTube link below works till tonight’s show: