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All posts for the month December, 2015

Happy New Year to all my dear Readers!

Posted by Norman on December 31, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

img_5034 image 2015 has been an extremely busy yet fulfilling pageant year for your blogger! Time was when the Holiday Season is the most looked forward to in terms of some much-needed rest and relaxation. No can do. It’s like all the pressures have decided to gather during the 12th month. At first, I thought it would be such a difficult task to accomplish. But I survived. And more than anything else, I will take a Miss Universe crown in exchange for all the planned breaks and vacation.

Thank you very much to all of you who have decided to stick it out with me. I know that I may not be the most responsive in terms of putting in comments and replies to your questions or clarifications. But I decided to focus more on coming up with new posts, topics and features that you can animatedly discuss. It’s not easy and I’m not complaining. I just needed to find that window of sleep in the wee hours of the morning to propel myself back to more blogging the following day. And I don’t intend to slow down just yet, at least not after the Philippines claimed its 3rd Miss Universe crown. Such a powerful booster, if you ask me.

2016 should hopefully be more exciting! And in line with this, allow me to announce that normannorman.com on Facebook will start at midnight later – while all the fireworks are starting to explode. Do find the time to visit me in that PAGE. It will be an extension of this blog where all the new posts will be linked to lure them back in return so they can finish reading the article. May I ask that you drop by at least once to LIKE and SHARE the PAGE in your personal accounts.

normannorman.com will start on Facebook at facebook.com/normannormandotcom January 1, 2016! Click above to visit.

normannorman.com will start on Facebook at facebook.com/normannormandotcom January 1, 2016! Click above to visit.


HAPPY 2016 to one and all! 😀

Leonalyn dela Cruz for Bb. Pilipinas 2016

Posted by Norman on December 31, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , .

 

Good for one more Bb. Pilipinas edition, Leonalyn dela Cruz is. (Photo credit for Leona in blue: Andy Cayna)

 
Leonalyn dela Cruz had her first taste of Bb. Pilipinas last 2014 when she was entered in the competition by John dela Vega. It wasn’t her year of good fortune yet as she treated the whole thing to be a learning experience of sorts. She was only 23 then.

Earlier this month, I had my latest personal encounter with Leona during the Galatea Christmas Party organized by Designer Jontie Martinez. And she wowed me without a doubt. She has a more lively and appealing aura nowadays, and I reckon that she must be preparing for another stab at the nationals. Her beauty is more refreshing, such that if she finally decides to sign up for Bb. Pilipinas 2016 next month, I can feel that she has a better chance of creating an impact.

Leona is more ready than ever.

Believe me. 😉

Leonalyn during Bb. Pilipinas 2014

Jennyline Carla Malpaya: An Independent Binibini?

Posted by Norman on December 31, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

 

Jennyline Carla Malpaya could be the Jontie Martinez baby for Bb. Pilipinas 2016

 
A little over three weeks ago, I attended the Christmas Party hosted by Designer-Siblings Jontie and Nickky Martinez at the Manila Polo Club with some media friends. During the same festive gathering, beautiful ladies were also present – mostly previous titleholders/pageant joiners like Jeanne Harn, Maricarl Tolosa, (Dr.) Ellore Punzalan & Eizza Lim plus a sprinkling of potential winners for 2016 which include the vibrant and alluring Jennyline Carla Malpaya who is the subject of this post.

Jennyline is a Philippine Fashion Week mainstay who has been regularly booked for the runway and meticulously observed/supervised by amicable Direk Cata Figueroa. And it is here where the tall (5’8″) headturner has constantly improved her catwalk and projection skills.

True-blue pageant followers are well aware that Jontie Martinez usually fields in just one applicant in the annual Bb. Pilipinas and almost always gets a 100% batting average of putting his bet in the official fold. Will Jennyline Carla Malpya be that one or another girl who will be featured next?

Let’s wait and see! 😉

Jennyline for Philippine Fashion Week

Justine Mae San Jose: Will the Bb. Laguna go for Bb. Pilipinas?

Posted by Norman on December 31, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

 

Bb. Laguna 2015 Jaya San Jose: a shoo-in as Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Official Candidate?

 
Justine Mae “Jaya” San Jose is the reigning Bb. Laguna and a very beautiful one at that. She has just the right height of 5’7″ and a face that can capture one’s attention in an instant. A Communications major at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Calamba, she hails from the town of Pila, Laguna. Prior to settling down in the country more permanently, she used to reside in Qatar with her parents who are work-based in Doha. That is also where she got more than a taste for modeling when she signed up with Trinity Talent.

Right now, my sources are saying that trainings at KF are keeping her busy even during the Holidays. She is not about to let up in the pursuit of transforming her regional title of Bb. Laguna into the more prestigious sash of Bb. Pilipinas.

Do you like Jaya? She looks real good, even more in person. And the pictures in this feature might not do full justice to how she will be finally presented by the camp once the assigned day of application for Bb. Pilipinas 2016 comes.

Good luck to you, Jaya! 😉

Jaya is training with KF now

Laura Lehmann: The right time to re-join Bb. Pilipinas?

Posted by Norman on December 30, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

 

Could 2016 be the right time Bb. Pilipinas for Laura Lehmann?

 
One of my blog’s regular readers engaged me in a chat that really piqued my curiosity. I must admit that I still haven’t looked at the connection right away, and even considered it a remote advantage in a way. But you all know that my favorite girl Laura Victoria Lehmann is half-American. And that part of her lineage is actually Jewish. And the new owner of Miss Universe – WME/IMG’s Ari Emmanuel – is Jewish. So logic dictates that sending someone like Laura could be advantageous in terms of going for a back-to-back win in Miss Universe.

Crazy idea? I’ll take the potshot alright. But if you really try to look at things from that standpoint, it doesn’t sound far-fetched at all. Of course, someone would oppose by saying that the next Miss Israel could even be 100% Jewish so why not favor her? Hmmmm.

Anyways, regardless of the connection, I always see Laura as having the right ingredient to win big in the nationals should she try joining for a 2nd time. After placing 1st Runner-Up last year, she could be ripe for the picking for 2016. And more polished, I might add. She is now a trained Sports Commentator so the natural elements of speaking in front of the camera are already in place. And besides, the natural charm has never been lost. It got stronger even.

So Team Lehmann for Bb. Pilipinas 2016? 🙂

Will Laura’s Jewish connection by blood be an advantage for Miss Universe Philippines?

Call her Krizzia Lynn Moreno. Or just plain Kia if you will.

Posted by Norman on December 30, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

 

Krizzia Lynn Moreno of Camarines Sur: Bound for Bb. Pilipinas 2016?


This girl, Krizzia Lynn Moreno, represented Camarines Sur during Miss Republic of the Philippines just over a month ago. She made the semifinals of that search. Tall and brainy, she graduated Magna cum Laudefrom the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Travel Management. She stands 5’9″ and is actually an articulate speaker, especially that her course thrives in social relations and public delivery of travel and tourism-related advisories.  

Kia is not affiliated with any particular beauty camp for now. Her independent handlers are still weighing their options. But I think it won’t be long till she finds a nesting place for her training and physical improvement sessions.

Remember her name – Krizzia Lynn Moreno. She is practically a guaranteed enlister for Bb. Pilipinas 2016. And I won’t be surprised if she gets a totally different styling for the nationals. 🙂

Kia has both beauty and brains to her credit

Philippine Passport-ready? Check! Then get set, go for Binibini!

Posted by Norman on December 30, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

 

With Rachel Peters now a Philippine Passport holder, will she seriously consider joining Bb. Pilipinas 2016?

 
When Rachel Peters won as 4th Princess during Miss World Philippines 2014, she made a commitment to fulfill her contractual obligations for the organization. Never mind that it stopped the continuous move on her tracks. After all, she is also keen on establishing local residency to be able to acquire a Philippine Passport – regardless of it being personal or pageant-related. Of course, seeing her picture (check photo grid above) proudly displaying the said document made some beauty contest followers think that she could now be ready to pursue a stint with Bb. Pilipinas. Or is she?

Rachel is keeping options close to her chest for now. The last time I had a small talk with her (during the MWP2015 screenings, she was still firm with the idea of not joining another pageant anymore. Of course, plans can change in just a matter of months. And if this tall and beautiful lady does reconsider, then I will give her the thumbs up for Bb. Pilipinas 2016!

What say you, dear readers? 😉

Rachel Peters during Miss World Philippines 2014

Should Emma Tiglao return to Bb. Pilipinas?

Posted by Norman on December 29, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

 

Emma Mary Tiglao: Should she give up her 4th Princess title for Bb. Pilipinas 2016? (Lower photos courtesy of Lito Caleon)

 
I have always seen Emma Mary Tiglao as an almost perfect fit for Miss International. So when she took part in Miss World Philippines 2015 more than a couple of months back, I temporarily gave up on the idea because it might be the route fated for her pageant dreams. But after finishing as 4th Princess in the said competition, my interest in this gorgeous Kapampangan going for Bb. Pilipinas was immediately rekindled.

Should Emma take the risk of resigning from her MWP2015 placement to pursue a grander objective in Bb. Pilipinas 2016? Why not? There may be no clear confirmation yet, but I still believe that she stands a better chance of winning in the 6-in-1 nationals. Her glow onstage and even off- is unmissable. And it will only take a full interest on her part to follow the passion. She definitely has it if you ask me.

It won’t take long to find out if she will pursue a return to Bb. Pilipinas. Application and screenings should begin again late next month. And I will be more than happy to see her in that mode all over again. 🙂

I’ve always seen this girl as a good fit for Miss International

Will we see Ria Rabajante 3.0 in Bb. Pilipinas 2016?

Posted by Norman on December 29, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

 

Ria Rabajante during her second and latest Bb. Pilipinas attempt

 
During Bb. Pilipinas 2015 last April, Ria Rabajante – pinned as Binibini 3 – made her second appearance as an Official Candidate. She was already 25 back then. And just two days ago, she turned 26 – the ceiling age limit of Bb. Pilipinas. And you know what that means. She only has the 2016 edition as her one final chance to try for a crown in the nationals.

Ria really wants to give it a third try. She is quite firm about this more than anything else. And proof positive that she is serious is the latest development (as relayed to me by someone close to her) that she has decided to switch camps in an effort to see how she can be transformed by new handlers. A much better version, if you will. From R-L’s Angels, she is now reportedly deep in training with one of the two leading groups.

I am very keen in finding out how Ria will be packaged differently. This girl has got the brains, charm and poise to nail a crown. Who knows, 3rd time could be a charm for her. And Bb. Pilipinas 2016 will be her make-or-break turn.

Good luck, Ria! 😉

Ria Rabajante during one of the Bb. Pilipinas TV guestings

These Elemental Beauties will represent you in 2016

Posted by Norman on December 29, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

 

Air, Earth, Water and Fire for 2016 (Art layout by Jerome Aquino Caducoy)

 
Right after the long Holiday break, Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong and her elemental court will buckle down to the cause they have been originally chosen for – protecting Mother Earth. Miss Air Dayanna Grageda, Miss Water Brittany Ann Payne and Miss Fire Thiessa Sickert will work with our Queen to promote and further the meaningful projects for the environment.

And this could be a really special group of winners. With the able and active leadership of Angelia, they can possibly accomplish more in terms of projects and undertakings. In fact, I believe that she has already bonded close with both Dayanna and Brittany (whom she fondly calls “Hangin” and “Tubig”) while in Vienna so they can already set their minds well on what to successfully put into action in early 2016. Thiessa (“Apoy”) has also grown closer with her new sisters.

In the meantime, I wish all four ladies to have a fresh and productive start for 2016.

Happy New Year, Miss Earth, Air, Water and Fire!

A nice holiday greeting from Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong