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All posts for the month March, 2016

The Binibinis for the Opening Billboard of Bb. Pilipinas 2016

Posted by Norman on March 31, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

 

Nichole, Angelique and Dindi

 
 

Clockwise from top: Angelica, Lina, Gail and Kimberle Mae

 
 

Jennifer, Maxine, Kylie and Anjellica

 
 

Clockwise from top left: Riana, Apriel, Jehza and Nicole

 

Sarah, Jennyline, Geisha and Niza

 
 

Clockwise from top left: Maria, Ria, Candy and Paula

 
When you get to watch the opening billboard of Bb. Pilipinas 2016 on April 17 Coronation Night, the clips will be from this particular filming and photoshoot of the forty (40) Official Candidates at the inviting pool area of Novotel Manila Araneta Center. Wearing colorful geometrically aztec-designed swimwear from the summer collection of Jeffrey Rogador, they flashed their sexy bodies and gave best efforts to shine individually

I am loving the photos of some of the ladies here, particularly Binibini 38 Angelica Alita, Binibini 39 Sissel Ria Rabajante and Binibini 4 Kimberle Mae Penchon.

Let’s see how the final edit will unreel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum! 😉

All in one group shot, the Bb. Pilipinas Class of 2016

Let us support Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana

Posted by Norman on March 31, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

 

Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana

 
courtesy of Wilbert Tolentino
In just a few weeks from now, Mr. Gay World Philippines 2016 Christian Lacsamana will be departing for Valleta, Malta to embark on what could possibly be his biggest mission and challenge in life – to win the country’s first-ever Mr. Gay World title, bring honor to the country and be an inspiration to people everywhere with his platform on HIV Awareness and HIV Stigma.

With the generous backing of Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization headed by Wilbert Tolentino, the guy is dead serious in doing well in the finals come late April. More than anything else, he wants to create a big impact in the host city once the actual competition goes underway. I personally believe he can.

Here is an inspiring message from Christian himself.

“We are just as important and we all play pivotal roles in making this planet a better place to live in. This leads me to believing that Mr. Gay World is not by principle just a pageant of pomp and grandeur. I believe that it seeks to serve a noble purpose and as i begin with myself, I trust the MGW organization may be pleased to make me his agent of change to influence others to be responsible.” #mrgayworld2016 #mrgayworldPhilippines #labanPilipinasMGw2016

 

Vote for Christian by clicking on the link below

 
Please keep on supporting our bet, Christian, by voting for him in the online poll of Mr. Gay World 2016. Click HERE!

  

Will the Sisters Manalo achieve the triple crowns in 2016?

Posted by Norman on March 31, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

 

Left to right: Kate Manalo, Binibini 28 Nichole Manalo and Bianca Manalo during the Press Presentation (Photo credit: Edmund Chua of Fabmanilaph)

 
When Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2009 Pamela Bianca Manalo and Bb. Pilipinas World 2002 Katherine Manalo attended the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Press Presentation, it wasn’t only to add more to the glitter of having former titleholders present. They were there for youngest sister Nichole Marie Manalo who is in her 2nd and final attempt to win a crown in the nationals.

You see, nothing would make the sisters more pageant-fulfilled than to eventually see Binibini 28 grab one of her own. And if a good crown is in the offing, then that would make it more celebratory for the Manalo clan. For starters, the Bb. Pilipinas International title is out of the question because of age. So which honor will Nichole be fitted with?

I am not saying that a crown is already in the bag for the third pageant-prepared Manalo sibling. But she has really prepared hard for this and my hunch is that she will gain more success in 2016 compared to the last.

Your thoughts, dear readers? 🙂

Once more, the Manalo Sisters by Edmund Chua of Fabmanilaph

“Stepping-Up Six”: My Next Level of Hot Picks from the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Press Presentation 

Posted by Norman on March 31, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: .

 

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Dindi Pajares, Vina Openiano, Jennifer Hammond, Paula Rich Bartolome, Joanna Eden and Jehza Huelar make up my “Stepping-Up Six” from the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Press Presentation (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

 
Trailing behind the Scintillating Seven in my opinion – but not significantly lagging in terms of performance – are these six Binibinis I have temporarily christened as “Stepping-Up Six”, or the ones who elicited additional oohs & aahs and have managed to make spectators lovingly stare at them longer than necessary.

Binibini 27 Dindi Pajares – our favorite Flight Attendant (that effectively prevents her from being named Miss PAL) is doing more than alright. She has an enchanting smile that beckons and an over-all aura that disarms. Binibini 16 Vina Openiano is almost on the same boat. She certainly knows how to turn on the heat onstage. She has a very lilting presence that made some member of the Press happy with her presentation, not to mention a knockout figure that is hard to miss.

Moving on, Binibini 26 Jennifer Hammond showed everyone what years of experience on the runway brought to her stance and projection. She also has a shapely figure that adds up to her magnetic appeal. And how about Binibini 14 Paula Rich Bartolome? People are still amazed how less than a year of preparation transformed this rep of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur into a real fighter. She won’t go unnoticed, that’s for sure.

 

Your blogger with the Binibinis in the background (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

 
Lastly, we have a duo of pageant newbies doing all first-timers proud. Binibini 37 Jehza Huelar and Binibini 13 Joanna Eden are your perfect examples of natural charmers who can give the highly-trained contenders a strong run for the money. It helps even more that they have different brands of strong personalities that anyone can discover after engaging them in interviews.

 

Will these six Binibinis keep up with the increasing momentum on their favor?

 
So who are you giving the thumbs up among the “Stepping-Up Six” Binibinis, dear readers? 🙂

 

Scintillating Seven: My Top Picks from the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Press Presentation 

Posted by Norman on March 30, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

 

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Maxine Medina, Kylie Verzosa, Nicole Cordoves, Nichole Manalo, Apriel Smith, Maria Gigante and Angelique de Leon make up my Scintillating Seven from the Press Presentation (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

 
No matter what the addition is, my hunch is that there will be seven (7) winners come April 17. Be it 5 titles + 2 runners-up or 6 titles + a sole runner-up, the sum will always be 7. Not unless the decision is to still add a 2nd Runner-Up with already 6 titles and a 1st Runner-Up on board. The chances of that happening are not very bright at this point, however.

And so, this justifies what I have decided to call the “Scintillating Seven”, or for the purpose of this post, the ladies who topped the swimsuit presentation in my opinion. They are the ones who looked the most sparkling, aside from individual stylings that were relatively more spot-on. Someone whispered to my ear that four of them exude expensive auras. But I do not want to mull over that angle because it could be interpreted the wrong way.

Truthfully, both Binibini 29 Maxine Medina and Binibini 31 Kylie Verzosa are breathing down each other’s neck for the top spot. I simply gave the slight edge to the former because she was just a bit more in her elements yesterday afternoon. Kylie’s consistent winning aura never gets lost on my scoresheet, but Maxine’s over-all performance exceeded my expectations. And that is progression in my books.

Next in line are the two ladies with only the letter ‘H’ differentiating their first names – Binibini 11 Nicole Cordoves and Binibini 28 Nichole Manalo. They were also marked stand-outs who can never be denied their placements in the high tiers based on commanding presentations. And this leads me to the contender who is completing my first quintet for now – Binibini 22 Apriel Smith. This half African-American, half-Pinay from Cebu always manages to put in a strong stamp of approval in my assessment. She has a wholesome-flirty vibe all over, with a delightful way of showing it.

Meanwhile, Binibini 36 Maria Gigante and Binibini 7 Angelique de Leon complete my list for now. While their positions are the closest to being pursued by the next-in-line, they still deserve to be recognized as the better scorers, not by a wide margin but enough to make the cut.

 
Numbers for your consideration now, dear readers. Nichole is 26. Maxine and Angelique are 25. Kylie is 24. Nicole is 23. Apriel and Maria are both 20. You do the math, dear readers.

Watch out for the next group on my list. I call them “Stepping-Up Six”. 😉

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and her message to the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Official Candidates 

Posted by Norman on March 30, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

  
  
When Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach made a brief (around half an hour more or less) appearance during the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Press Presentation to join the BPCI Executive Committee in judging the swimsuit preliminaries, she was also asked to come up onstage to give her words of advise to the latest batch of contenders where one of whom will snatch her Miss Universe Philippines crown come April 17.

Listen to the Queen P’s message. I especially liked the part where she mentioned the importance of a platform because a beauty title is temporary and that planning ahead for the future is the stuff that doesn’t only get to be mentioned during the Q&A.

Click and watch now.

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Thoughts about the message of Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, dear readers? 🙂

The Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Press Presentation: Forty Karats of Outstanding Filipina Beauty

Posted by Norman on March 29, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , .

 

A very well-attended affair, the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Press Presentation

 
As expected, the Press Presentation of Bb. Pilipinas 2016 was a well-attended event – from the cool confines of Monet Ballroom A of Novotel Manila Araneta Center all the way to the humid albeit dry breezy open-air surroundings of the poolside. Members of the Press – mixed with Corporate Sponsors, former Binibini titleholders, special guests and plain kibitzers – were in awe of the forty (40) Binibinis as they presented themselves while wearing identical pink Pegarro Swim two-piece swimsuits in front of a panel that included Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

The whole event actually served as the swimsuit preliminaries which constitute a very essential part of the judging process. And the by the looks of it, a good majority of the candidates delivered, knowing that this is a major pitstop in their road to the crowns.

The assessment made inside the ballroom took longer than expected. But when time came to troop to the poolside area for the all-important photo ops with the media, the girls were in high spirits inspite of running on empty stomachs (nobody wanted to stuff their tummies with food prior to the whole thing, for sure). And every single one of them gamely posed, with some even giving ambush interviews for some quick media reps around.

Here is the opening number of the forty (40) Binibinis during the Press Presentation at the Monet Ballroom of Novotel Manila Araneta Center

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Right before the Binibinis were closely judged by the panel headed by Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach

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The Binibinis being judged by the BPCI Executive Committee with Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach

As I have mentioned earlier, most every Binibini stood out. But there were certain contenders who gave that sharper edge to gain more than a glance or two from the BPCI Executive Committee and Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

From where I sat, I would give higher marks to the ladies who have more solid swimsuit presentations. They are Kylie Verzosa, Maxine Medina, Apriel Smith, Nicole Cordoves, Nichole Manalo, Angelique de Leon, Dindi Pajares, Paula Rich Bartolome, Vina Openiano and Maria Gigante. The pleasant surprises are Sarah Christine Bona, Joanna Eden, Anjellica Lopez, Jennifer Hammond, Angelica Alita and Jehza Huelar. In fairness, though, I still feel that majority really delivered. And I wouldn’t be surprised if this competition turns out to be tighter than the Philippine Presidential Race.

Next stop will be the Fashion Show on April 6 at the Kia Theatre, followed by the Parade of Beauties around Araneta Center on April 9 before the Big Night on April 17.

  
See you in the next! 😀

Faces & Spaces: The Geography of Beauty Pageants at UP Diliman

Posted by Norman on March 29, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

  
Ready for a fresh new learning approach about one of our favorite subject matters? Well then, join the beeline to Room 207 of Palma Hall inside University of the Philippines-Diliman this coming Thursday, March 31 from 1-4pm. Here’s the pitch:

Faces and Spaces: An Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) about The Geography of Beauty Pageants, a geographic forum organized by the Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (GSUP). The event will be on March 31, 2015 (Thursday) from 1-4 pm at Palma Hall (PH) Room 207, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. Open to the public.

My friend and long-time pageant “fellow”, Professor Wendell Capili Ph.D. of the UP Department of English and Comparative Literature, will lead the learning forum discussions along with Jonas Gaffud of Aces & Queens, designer Bessie Besana also of Aces & Queens and Miss Global Philippines 2015 Candice Ramos.

This should be very interesting. Thanks to the Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (GSUP) for organizing.

Attend if you’re available. It’s open to the public. 🙂

High noon for the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Press Presentation

Posted by Norman on March 29, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , .

 

At the Novotel Manila Araneta Center starting at 12 noon, the Press Presentation will take place

 
At exactly twelve noon today, the Novotel Manila Araneta Center will be the place to be for members of the media where Bb. Pilipinas 2016 will hold its much-awaited (and strictly by invitation) Press Presentation. The forty (40) Binibinis will literally put their best foot forward because this is one of the four remaining events (along with the Fashion Show, the Parade of Beauties and the Finals) where they should shine as the most beautiful.

All the candidates will parade in their sexiest Pegarro Swim-branded swimwears (the official provider which I previously-blogged about) and get the opportunity to be photographed and interviewed by the Press representing TV, print, radio and online.

 

During last night’s rehearsals for the Press Presentation

 
Who will stand out? Well, I hope all of them will.

And as an added bonus, Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach will make a brief appearance during the whole proceedings, as confirmed by BPCI yesterday afternoon.

  
  
 
   
  
 
   
  
  
  
Watch out for my blog about the Press Presentation much later in the afternoon or early evening! 😉

Pegarro Swim for the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Official Candidates

Posted by Norman on March 29, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

 

Pegarro Swim by Julius Jaguio and Domz Ramos is the Official Swimwear of Bb. Pilipinas 2016

 
When you see the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Official Candidates proudly showing off their shapely bodies during the Press Presentation, they will be wearing this year’s official swimwear – Pegarro Swim – by my friends, business partners Julius Jaguio and Domz Ramos.

I could not be prouder of these two creative and talented individuals after they clinched what friends and supporters (including your blogger) consider to be their biggest break so far. And it’s going to be an upward movement for the duo from hereon now. Domz is a much sought-after Creative Stylist in the fashion and pageant industry, while Julius started building his name as a designer via Pegarro Clothing.

I am not at liberty to disclose any sketches or photos or colors of the swimsuit designs so as not to preempt the official reveal. Rest assured, Pegarro Swim will make all forty (40) Binibinis shine bright on stage even more.
 

Remember the brand: Pegarro Swim!

 
Congratulations for the nth time, Julius and Domz! Watch out as the Pegarro Swim brand starts to soar. 😀