Archives

All posts for the month July, 2014

Miss Grand Philippines 2014 Press Presentation

Posted by Norman on July 31, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

mgpbanner1

image

Stills from the Miss Grand Philippines 2014 Press Presentation

image

Miss Grand International 2013 3rd Runner-Up Ali Forbes wearing the brand-new crown of Miss Grand Philippines 2014.

On a rainy Thursday afternoon, the Press Presentation of Miss Grand Philippines 2014 took place at The Hub@Kilometer Zero. Good thing it was held indoors. The downpour alternated between strong drizzles and flash rains. But rain or shine, the organizers remained undaunted. The enthusiastic contenders pulled it through, regardless. Hosted by Binibini 36 Krystal Alonday from Bb. Pilipinas 2014, the whole program moved at a quick pace when it started a little past 3pm and wrapped up before 5pm. Pageant Director John dela Vega also spoke about his long-term plans for the national pageant he started.

As you all know by now (and based on my previous post introducing the ladies), there are no familiar names and faces among the wannabes. And you could look at it two ways. For starters, the competition is fair game for the OCs. There is no particular bet being automatically seeded for the win this early. On the other hand, some quarters feel that this is quite a risky move because there are higher expectations on the Philippine rep to Miss Grand International 2014 coming from a fourth-place finish last year courtesy of Ali Forbes who was already a Bb. Pilipinas-trained runner-up prior to her stint in Bangkok.

Be that as it may – and inspite of the less-than-pleasant feedbacks early on – there are a few potential surprise performers in the roster. With dedicated training, styling and make-over to the eventual winner, whoever will make that trip to the Land of Smiles could still provide good competition vis-a-vis the foreign delegates from all over the world.

image

The ladies of Miss Grand Philippines 2014 in their blue Dennis Santos 2-piece swimsuits

The Miss Grand Philippines 2014 Official Candidates
1. Ivy Meerry Enriquez (Bataan)
2. Charlianne Lapitaje (Bukidnon)
3. Rosanna Andrea Reniva (Ilocos Sur)
4. Joanne Tampoco (Camarines Sur)
5. Cynthia C. Caldona (Dagupan City)
6. Shaira Nicole Novicio (Manila)
7. Rosevemme Marie Fajardo (Surigao del Sur)
8. Hyra Desiree Betito (Surigao del Norte)
9. Kimberly Karlsson (Oriental Mindoro)
10. Kathleen Matillano (Bacolod City)
11. Jean Marie Feliciano (La Union)
12. Edlean Sierra (Rizal)
13. Apple Anne Michelle Bartolome (Kalinga)
14. Kristine Lozano (La Union)
15. Mary Theresa Erna Gomez (Tarlac)
16. Princess Dana Gail Rockwell (Valenzuela City)
17. Maria Jessica Oribe (Valenzuela City)
18. Princess Airaden Gonzales (Isabela)
19. Kristine Mae Rojas (Zambales)

image

Some of the girls I'm keeping an eye on are scattered in the images above.

So far, my early choices are equestrian Kimberly Karlsson, ballerina Mary Theresa Erna Gomez, tall Ilongga Kathleen Matillano and celebrity (Erich Gonzales) look-alike Rosevemme Marie Fajardo from Surigao del Norte.

Let’s see how things will pan out before the finals two weeks from now.

Raymond Saldana shoots Janine Tugonon anew

Posted by Norman on July 31, 2014
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

image

image We all know that Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-Up Janine Tugonon is presently fulfilling work commitments in the USA and still on the hunt for further professional growth as a fashion or photographic model. So when popular photographer Raymond Saldana uploaded his latest photos of the former Miss Universe Philippines, it makes me ask the question – why do some beauty queens become more ravishing after they complete their reigns? Could it be due to the fact that stress levels have gone down to normal? Or perhaps, it’s because they have already collected a wealth of learning experiences that has allowed the person to formulate a more effective strategy to survive in the real world outside of tiaras, platform heels and criss-cross walks?

janine1 Whichever the reason is behind Janine’s more commanding presence nowadays, we can only give her kudos for an impressive physical upkeep long after nearly capturing the Philippines’ 3rd Miss Universe crown. 😀

Zandra Flores is Miss Supranational UK 2014

Posted by Norman on July 31, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

image

Zandra Flores, Miss Supranational UK 2014


A ravishing Zandra

A ravishing Zandra

Call it never-ending determination. Call it tenacity. Call it whatever you want. Truth of the matter is that Zandra Flores got her wish granted – maybe not for Miss Universe and not for the Philippines – but she will take part in an international beauty competition. As the newly-installed Miss Supranational UK 2014, she will travel to Poland come late November for the much-anticipated finals set for the first weekend of December.

So with this new development, there will be at least three (3) Filipinas going to the spa town of Krynica- Zdrój – the reigning winner Mutya Datul, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2014 Yvethe Marie Santiago and Zandra. Nice!

Congratulations, Zandra! 😀

Teaser: Miss World 2014 Official Promo

Posted by Norman on July 31, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

And the country's flag carrier - Philippine Airlines - has also jumped into the bandwagon of Miss World 2014 since it now has direct flights to London.

And the country’s flag carrier – Philippine Airlines – has also jumped into the bandwagon of Miss World 2014 since it now has direct flights to London.

mwlogo1 I know you all want this.

I know you are all excited about this.

So go ahead. Give in.

And feel the anticipation even more.

Watch the official promo video of Miss World 2014 in London this December.

courtesy of OfficialMissWorld

Throwback Thursday: The Philippines’ Very First Miss International

Posted by Norman on July 31, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

image

The reaction of Gemma Cruz after winning Miss International 1964 in Long Beach (Photo credit: Tony Paat of Worldcupbeauty)


image

Gemma's Official Portrait (left) and winning moment as Miss International 1964 (Photo credit: Tony Paat of Worldcupbeauty)


image

One of Gemma's photos back in 2011 (Photo credit Emerson Cebanico)


image

Gemma surrounded by her court (clockwise from her right): 1st Runner-up Linda Taylor from the USA, 2nd Runner-up Vera Lúcia Couto dos Santos from Brazil, 3rd Runner-up Tracy Ingram from England and 4th Runner-up Maila Maria Ostrïng from Finland

Miss International 1964 Gemma Teresa Guerrero Cruz has already been featured, talked about and interviewed in many pageant sites, TV and broadsheet media. But there doesn’t seem to be enough when it comes to posting about the very first international pageant of a Filipina. Even if the achievement took place way before a big majority of people here (excluding your blogger who came to this earth a few days before the victory took place) were born.

While the win preceded my nearly-lifelong passion for pageants by five years, it still doesn’t take away the thrill of looking back from time to time. I will always love the fact that she was at her smartest and most elegant at the time, aside from being uniquely statuesque for an Asian candidate during the mid-60s. What’s more, I remember her delightful writer of a mother Chitang Guerrero Nakpil who chronicled the whole memorable stint in Long Beach as part of a long-forgotten locally-published book (by National Bookstore) about Filipino achievements abroad. (A personal copy of the same got lost during one of the great floods of the 70s when my first collection of pageant memorabilia got swept away from our Bulacan ancestral house).

At the moment, Gemma – who is a real-life descendant of our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal – is connected with the Heritage Conservation Society as Chairperson and member of the Board of Trustees, while serving as Vice-Chairperson of the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission (MHHC). She also continues to be an Editorial Columnist of the Manila Bulletin.

The Miss Grand Philippines 2014 Official Candidates

Posted by Norman on July 30, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

image

Before the scheduled Press Presentation of the Miss Grand Philippines 2014 Official Candidates tomorrow afternoon, allow me to introduce to you the nineteen (19) confirmed ladies who will vie for the crown. Alongside with this, I would also like to inform you of the online voting (powered by ZED) that will give one lady a very special award come August 16 finals night at the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center. So if you already have favorites to support, you can start voting now. Just type G(number of candidate) and send to 8933.

The photos of the candidates in each grid correspond to their respective numbers and names below on a left-to-right-to-left-to-right orientation from the top to the bottom.

image

1. IVY MEERRY ENRIQUEZ, 2. CHARLIANNE LAPITAJE, 3. ROSANNA ANDREA RENIVA, 4. JOANNE TAMPOCO, 5. CYNTHIA C. CALDONA, 6. SHAIRA NICOLE NOVICIO,
7. ROSEVEMME MARIE FAJARDO

image

8. HYRA DESIREE BETITO, 9. KIMBERLY KARLSSON, 10. KATHLEEN MATILLANO, 11. JEAN MARIE FELICIANO, 12. EDLEAN SIERRA, 13. APPLE ANN MICHELLE BARTOLOME

image

14. KRISTINE LOZANO, 15. MARY THERESA ERNA GOMEZ 16. PRINCESS DANA GAIL ROCKWELL, 17. MARIA JESSICA ORIBE, 18. PRINCESS AIRADEN GONZALES, 19. KRISTINE MAE ROJAS

Once more, you can participate in the online voting by clicking this LINK. You will only need to type G(number of candidate) and send to 8933.

My report on the Press Presentation will be posted late tomorrow or early Friday. 😉

Swimsuits a la Miss Grand Philippines 2014

Posted by Norman on July 30, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , .

image

Some of the Miss Grand Philippines 2014 OCs rehearsing for the July 31 Press Presentation.

image Once the Official Candidates of Miss Grand Philippines 2014 are presented to the Press tomorrow at The Hub@Kilometer Zero in Rizal Park, the ladies will be wearing red and apple green one-piece swimsuits (see photos below) designed for the competition.

And as for the third photo below, the two piece printed number with criss-crossing fabric in the middle will be assigned to the ten (10) contenders who will make the semifinal cut on August 16.

Do you like them? I have some reservations with using one piece styles as official swimwear. But who knows? They might look good once worn and paraded around. 😉

image

The apple green version of the swimsuit to be worn by the Official Candidates of Miss Grand Philippines 2014

image

The red version of the swimsuit to be worn by the Official Candidates of Miss Grand Philippines 2014

image

The swimsuit that the Top 10 during the Miss Grand Philippines 2014 finals will be wearing.

Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014: A Visit to Palawan

Posted by Norman on July 30, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , .

The ladies of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 get a taste of Puerto Princesa hospitality.

The ladies of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 get a taste of Puerto Princesa hospitality.

mutya20141 Right now, the thirty (30) Official Candidates of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 are enjoying their brief stay in Puerto Princesa, Palawan where they will be shooting clips for the finals as well as putting their best figures in display for the swimsuit competition.

Sheridan Resort & Spa – already branded as the place for pageant beauties to go to when in Palawan – is hosting all of them.

Let’s wait for the swimsuit and video-shoot photos to be uploaded.

A Police Officer for Misters of the Philippines 2014? Why not?

Posted by Norman on July 30, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , .

image

Neil Perez is now an Official Candidate of Misters of the Philippines 2014 (Photo credit: Raymund Isaac)


wpid-img_18149059211643.jpeg Okay, let me specify his profession more clearly. The guy is a Support Police Officer and just last Saturday afternoon, he made it as an Official Candidate of Misters of the Philippines 2014 during the final screening for NCR and Luzon at Fisher Mall.

The name is Neil Perez. And the guy is definitely oozing with loads of manly appeal. Add to that the vision of him wearing the blue uniform he wears everyday at work and you’ll get what I mean.

Good luck in the competition, Neil! 😉

image

One more look at Support Police Officer Neil Perez (Photo credit: Raymund Isaac)

Or how do you like MJ Lastimosa’s selfie here?

Posted by Norman on July 30, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

image

You don't get to see MJ from this angle that often.

image

MJ and the family dog Jacob plus a relative

You don’t get to see a photo of Miss Universe Philippines 2014 Mary Jean “MJ” from the angle in the photo above, especially with just a hint of a smile that brings out the more classic side of her looks. It really shows a versatile face without people looking at (and constantly noticing) her pearlie whites.

Or if you want her simpler and without all the heavy cosmetic applications, MJ is at her most refreshing everyday relaxed self when at home and bonding with her dog Jacob. She is also just as beautiful when taking selfies with sister Maricar which almost always get uploaded on the latter’s Facebook page.

I’d like to think that you would prefer her in both images.

By the way, this MJ Lastimosa watch would like to give credit to Maricar Lastimosa (for the house pic on the left) and the FB group “I Am For MJ All The Way” (for the selfie). 😉