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All posts for the month May, 2013

Dressing up our Beauty Queens

Posted by Norman on May 31, 2013
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Some of the designers (and their rep creations) for Philippine Fashion Week (Photo credit: Status Magazine)

Some of the designers (and their rep creations) for Philippine Fashion Week (Photo credit: Status Magazine)

Photo credit: Status Magazine

Photo credit: Status Magazine

jeromesalayaang1 Let’s play another round of fantasy dressing today. Since I took a lot of photo inspirations from the various collections presented during Philippine Fashion Week, I thought of making a collage of twelve among them.

If you had to assemble the wardrobe of our current beauty queens based on the design concept and aesthetics of the dozen designers shown in this post, who would you pick as the major collaborators for the evening gowns that Ara Arida, Bea Santiago, Cindy Miranda, Mutya Datul and Angelee delos Reyes will wear in their respective competitions here and abroad?

While these talents have not reached the world-class reputation of either a Michael Cinco or Monique Lhuillier yet, some of them have the potentials of shining bright in the next few years to come and possibly hit the international market if the opportunity rises.

If you don’t see the ones you like, then post your preferred designers below. 😉

How about these golden gowns?

Posted by Norman on May 31, 2013
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

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Designer Cherry Veric (middle) with his muses Queenie Rehman (left) and Shamcey Supsup.

Photo above shows the back details of the gowns above (Photo credit: Status Magazine)

Photo above shows the back details of the gowns above (Photo credit: Status Magazine)

When designer Cherry Samuya Veric presented his Holiday 2013 collection during last week’s Philippine Fashion Week, little did the audience know that gold will be the predominant color of his creations. And with two fab beauty queens closing his segment, it just goes to show that his inspirations impressed the World and the Universe. Miss World Philippines 2012/Miss World 2012 Semifinalist Queenie Rehman and Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2011/Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runner-Up Shamcey Supsup wore his show-stopping (and sparkling) outputs to the delight of many.

How do you feel about the gowns above? A little too much for your pageant taste? Or just right with a couple of tweaks here and there? 😉

Gabriela Kratochvilova: Ceska’s best for 2013

Posted by Norman on May 30, 2013
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , .

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gk1 Long, flowing tresses are usually staples for beauty queens. Rarely do we encounter crowned winners sporting fashionably short hair. So I find it refreshing that Ceska Miss 2013 Gabriela Kratochvilova was able to pull off a well-deserved victory as Czech Republic’s official representative to Miss Universe 2013.

The Emma Watson-deadringer, who partly vacationed with the 9 other finalists in the Philippines prior to her win, will try to raise the bar in the big competition.

By now, the short hair has already grown long (see photo below) and the vibe has slightly changed. If you ask me, I really love the old Gabriela with the clean look and aura. But who knows, she might be styled back to our liking once MU2013 nears its actual period of candidates’ arrivals in a still unannounced venue.

How about you, dear readers? Do you like her hair long or short? 😉

Gabriela with longer hair

Gabriela with longer hair

A possible back-to-back victory in Miss International Queen 2013?

Posted by Norman on May 30, 2013
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , .

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image When Kevin Balot won Miss International Queen 2012, the Filipino gay community was not the only group that celebrated the victory. The whole country heralded the achievement.

This year, will a back-to-back crown be achieved with the possible participation of Marianne Arguelles in Miss International Queen 2013? Not a far-fetched possibility. While the Thais may not give their whole-hearted support to another Philippine win so soon, you can never tell how the competition will unfold for the contenders. And I believe we will have strong delegates again this year. 🙂

Riza Santos: “I was in a complete state of shock”

Posted by Norman on May 29, 2013
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Just to read both sides of the situation, below is the actual article of Val Fortney posted on the website of Calgary Herald about new Miss Universe Canada winner Riza Santos who was initially named 1st Runner-Up but was declared the rightful winner after pageant organizers admitted to their ‘human error’ in auditing the final scores last May 25.

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Read more HERE.

I’m sure Riza is in Cloud 9 nowadays. Of course, it would make her feel uneasy that the victory came at the expense of Denise Garrido who was utterly embarrassed by the whole scenario. But the true winner needs to be crowned.

Reactions, dear readers? 😉

Denise Garrido: “It was shattering”

Posted by Norman on May 29, 2013
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , .

Below is the actual article posted by Joe O’Connor on the website of National Post regarding the reaction of Denise Garrido after winning the Miss Universe Canada 2013 crown, reigning for barely 24 hours and getting dethroned due to miscalculations of final scores from pageant organizers.

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I would be just as shattered – even inconsolable – if I were in her position.

Reactions, dear readers?

Irene Esser for Miss World 2013?

Posted by Norman on May 29, 2013
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , .

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ireneesser1 First off, here’s the article from Panorama movil:

    “Irene Esser podrĂ­a ir al Miss Mundo 2013”

Aunque aĂşn no hay nada confirmado corren fuertes rumores sobre una posible participaciĂłn de Irene Esser en el Miss Mundo 2013.

Se dice que la nueva representante Venezolana en el certamen Miss World serĂ­a Irene Esser. Esto se vendrĂ­a gestionando hace meses pues Irene contrajo un contrato de manejo y representaciĂłn con el magnate Donald Trump que no le permite competir en ningĂşn concurso de belleza.

Hace escasamente dos semanas la agencia le concediĂł un permiso a Esser con la condiciĂłn que continuĂŠ cumpliendo sus compromisos con la agencia. En caso de que ella ganase el Miss World quedarĂĄ totalmente relevada de cualquier compromiso con Trump Model Management.

And here’s the verbatim English translation made by Google:

    Irene Esser could go to Miss World 2013

Although nothing is confirmed yet run strong rumors about a possible role for Irene Esser in Miss World 2013.

He says the new Venezuelan representative in the Miss World would Irene Esser. This would come as Irene months managing contracted a management contract and representation with Donald Trump that can not compete in any beauty contest.

Barely two weeks ago, the agency granted a permit with the condition Esser continues to meet its commitments to the agency. When she won the Miss World will be completely relieved of any commitment to Trump Model Management.

With Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos taking over the franchise of Miss World Venezuela starting 2014, Osmel Sousa will have up to this year to send his candidate for Julia Morley’s beauty fest. And recent developments are suggesting that Miss Universe Venezuela 2011-2012 Irene Esser is being considered to take part in Miss World 2013 in Indonesia this coming September.

If and when her participation gets the green light and becomes official, only two things could possibly happen – one, she will handily win the crown as a fitting finale for the long-standing relationship between Julia and Osmel. Or two, she will easily be ignored and get “punished” for Osmel not cooperating with Miss World Organization and forcing the latter to secure a new country partner.

So which possibility are you on? 😉

2013 Mrs. Philippines-Globe, 39

Posted by Norman on May 29, 2013
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , .

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(Photo credit: OPMB Worldwide)

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Ruby Jane (middle) and her court. (Photo credit: OPMB Worldwide)

And you thought beauty pageants are supposed to be for ladies 26 years-old and below? Mrs. Philippines Globe 2013 changes all that with the crowning of a 39 year-old mother and former Supermodel of the Philippines (1989) finalist who will now take part in Mrs. Globe 2013 to be hosted by China come October.

At the Sunset Pavilion of Sofitel Philippine Plaza, tall beauty Ruby Jane Magsipoc-Lehmann (who can still pass off as someone in her late 20s) bested 17 other married contenders for the local crown. She used all her elegance, charm and wit to land on top plus the right to represent the Philippines abroad. Her runners-up include Rizza Padilla-Singson, Maria Adelaida Paitu-ob and Rachel Ann Felix.

Good luck in China, Ruby Jane! 🙂

And Riza Santos makes two and three

Posted by Norman on May 28, 2013
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , .

The top banner of the Miss Universe Canada website

The top banner of the Miss Universe Canada website

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The dethroned Denise (left) and the enthroned Riza

The dethroned Denise (left) and the enthroned Riza

And Riza Santos makes two, that is, two 100% Filipinas competing in Miss Universe 2013. Our own Ara Arida being the other one.

Also, Riza Santos makes three, that is, representing Canada in three major pageants – Miss Earth, Miss World and now, Miss Universe.

I wanted to wait for the special press conference of the Miss Universe Canada organizers to enact a special crowning of Riza Santos as the deserving winner. But since the organizers have already confessed to their grave mistake online, then might as well join the bandwagon cheering the ‘slightly delayed’ victory of Riza Santos.

With that, let’s hope both Ara and Riza come out smiling from ear to ear in MU2013. I’m sure the latter wouldn’t relish the thought of being beaten by Miss Philippines three in a row.

Congratulations, Riza! 🙂

What’s up with Ara’s Homecoming?

Posted by Norman on May 28, 2013
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

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MUP2013 Ara Arida during her Alaminos homecoming (Photo credit: OPMB Worldwide)

I was looking at the photos of Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ara Arida’s homecoming parade in the town of Alaminos, Laguna and I can’t help but exclaim in silence. What’s up with the ride? Was a simple shaded float on top too much to come up with?

Ara Arida is currently the most beautiful Filipina in the land and this is the best that the officials can offer? There’s not even a sign of femininity anywhere. What grabs your attention right away is the humongous spare tire of the vehicle distracting what could have been a clearer view of our queen.

I don’t want to put down the ones who organized the same, but surely, they could have done better than to drive her around Alaminos – dressed in an elegant blue gown – in such a spartan-like set-up. I try to avoid making comparisons of simple municipal assignments, but Janine Tugonon’s homecoming in Balanga, Bataan last year looked more regal and befitting a Miss Universe Philippines. Am I overreacting?

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In this pic, the umbrella holders are clearly at a loss on who to shade from the sun. Tsk tsk tsk (Photo credit: OPMB Worldwide)

You know me, guys. I’m not normally on the offensive about anything. It’s just that I love Ara. And I’m sure she did not mind getting sunburn. She was sun-blocked enough for it. I want her accorded a more queenly homecoming drive-around-town. It’s a good thing the people of Alaminos came out and cheered in droves. This overwhelmed her to bits. And made up for everything else I was harping about. 😉