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All posts for the month April, 2016

Views of a Gentleman Series: #1 Mohammad Ali Imran Atendido

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

This is the start of a series for the Official Candidates of Gentlemen of the Philippines

In order to start you off in knowing more about the Official Candidates of Gentlemen of the Philippines, I am beginning with a series of individual blog features which detail their thoughts about being part of the male competition.

Each of the Gentlemen replied to five (5) questions which they answered as honestly as possible. Let us start now with Mohammad Ali Imran Atendido, the Fil-Pakistani hopeful who is a multi-lingual Computer Engineering major from Lucena, Quezon.

1) What is your personal definition of a Gentleman?

“For me, Gentlemen of the Philippines is a big opportunity. Having had good life experiences so far, being part of this pageant is not just to secure the brand of being a Gentleman, but to live and act like one in real life – confident, sincere and with the right attitude in dealing with others.”

2) What Gentleman qualities do you possess that will convince people that you are one?

“As I mentioned in my answer above, being part of Gentlemen of the Philippines should also show in actual life dealings like giving respect to all people and mostly to our parents. Be humble and, most especially, fear God above all.”

3) Who is your Gentleman role model?

“Honestly, I have no Gentleman role model in mind because I believe in myself that someday, I can be the Gentleman role model for the new generation or the succeeding participants of this male competition in the next year or two.”

4) If you win the national competition and represent the country internationally, what kind of image for a Filipino Gentleman do you plan to show?

“If I win this competition, I will give thanks to God first who has given me the opportunity. Hopefully in the international competition, I can show to other countries how young Filipino men can be humble and caring for each other, while showing my friendly ways and giving respect to our elders”.

5) What message of support can you give to your growing number of fans and followers out there?

“To my supporters and followers, I am very thankful to everyone because with their constant rallying behind my back, I can feel complete. In every competition, fans and supporters give us the energy to compete with great boost to my morale and I want to say thank you very much and God bless! Please stay with me till the finals.”

So there you go with our first Gentleman. Ali is the picture of a level-headed and down-to-earth young man – no vices or bad habits and with a strong religious faith brewing inside his personality. He promises to give his 100% best in Gentlemen of the Philippines. 🙂

Ali (right) during my one-on-one with him last Thursday afternoon

Thoughts from Mr. World Philippines 2015 Sam Ajdani 

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

Mr. World Philippines 2015 Sam Ajdani during the Kim Gan fashion show (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

Before Mr. World Philippines 2015 Sam Ajdani immerses himself deep into all the preparations for Mr. World 2016, he wrote down his thoughts in one Facebook update to share with all friends, fans and followers who have been following his life here in the Philippines till now. More than fifteen (15) years and still counting.

Allow me to share the following:

“Today as I sat down by the pool I reflected upon my life and its events so far. it was mid 2004 when I first came to Philippines and I have been calling it home ever since. I don’t know where to begin, but if I have to begin somewhere it would be my family, they recognized how important it is for children to be independent and so they sent me and my brother here to learn and experience on our own. the things I have been through ever since.. the joy, the struggle, the pain, are nothing but love. I have learned that there is a good in everyone and our job as people on this earth is to discover that goodness and bring it out. if you can make a person feel good especially about themselves, then you have done your job and made a positive impact.

I’m writing this because I feel like this is a way for me to give back to some people who follow my story.
If things have been tough for you and you are struggling to have hope for a better tomorrow, here is my message to you.. Believe in yourself and never underestimate what God is capable of. If you want things to change you have to begin with yourself. Go toward the direction of your hearts desire and happiness will find you.

There will always be people who would unintentionally drag you down because they don’t know their potential or lack the confidence to pursue their dreams. Encourage them, lift them up but never let their negativity affect you. After all, this is your path and yours alone. I believe we all came to this life with a purpose and somewhere deep within us we have a voice calling to us and telling us what it is we are here for. Listen to that voice only, because everything else is details. Do not pay attention to details. To have a clear mind it is vital to let go of the past and memories that weaken you. If you don’t move on it would be impossible to take a step forward toward the light.

No matter what this voice is telling you, find the courage to go in that direction. Once you do that, life becomes more meaningful, more beautiful, and worthwhile. Take a step today and let tomorrow take care of itself. Today you have the opportunity to do more, to give more, and to be more.

Believe in yourself, let go of all the material things and money. Make a decision to love yourself and then you will fall in love with the journey.
Always do the right thing. Live your life on ethics rather than rules.
As the rest of this road unfolds each and every day, as you take one more step, remember that there are people who love you, people who will stand by you. Remember that God is walking this path with you. When you are in this place fear and every other negative emotion will start to fade away. Learn to master your emotions and you will be in alignment with the universe and all its goodness. Once the magic happens you will start to feel the energy flowing within and around you.. This is when things start to happen for you and not to you.

It really is that simple I believe; but first you have to believe in yourself!

Happy Friday!

What a lovely Bb. Pilipinas-filled dinner!

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

Our group shot with Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves at Breakfast In Bed


I had a beautiful dinner with some of our Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Queens along with members-friends from OPMB Worldwide and Aces & Queens.

Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina, Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves and Bb. Pilipinas 2016 2nd Runner-Up Angelica Alita showed up in a fun get-together at the All-Day Breakfast In Bed in California Garden Square in Mandaluyong City. All three lovelies were at their most relaxed state and the conversations ranged from the lightest to tracks of stories that are even lighter and humor-filled.

A lot of photo ops ensued. And the next question to be answered is this: Will both Maxine and Nicole separately compete in Las Vegas if plans for a Philippine hosting of Miss Universe do not prosper any further than it already has.

Maxine & I

Nicole Cordoves & I

Angelica Alita & I

Nicole, Maxine and I

A Filipina-Japanese vying for Miss Supranational Japan 2016

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

Yuki Du Sonoda is gunning at the Miss Supranational Japan 2016 crown

She’s the girl I blogged before as having the potentials of joining Bb. Pilipinas 2016. She was really interested (she idolizes Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach). But with still-unfulfilled residency requirements, Yuki Du Sonoda could not do anything but sit it out first and wait for 2017 if ever. Several weeks to a couple of months passed, and this Filipina-Japanese beauty updated me that she has decided to sign up for Miss Supranational Japan 2016 where the eventual winner will compete with Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2016 Joanna Eden in Poland come December.

As Miss Kagoshima, I trust Yuki to do well in the national preliminary for Miss Supranational 2016. If she gets to win this one, then chances are that she might need to wait just a little longer until she can take part in Bb. Pilipinas. Or be a Japanese beauty queen for the rest of her eligible pageant life. But that’s destiny and fate in control for her.

Ganbatte ne, Yuki-san! 😉

Yuki (2nd row, 2nd from right) with the other candidates of Miss Supranational Japan 2016

Photo Blog: The Gakuya by Kim Gan/Seishun Fashion Show

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

It was a successful fashion event last night at B Hotel in Quezon City when Designer Kim Gan unveiled her latest collection of Gakuya/Seishun which is very Japanese-inspired but filled with a lot of unique touches only she can come up with.

Beauty Queens/Kings and Professional Models walked the ramp, including Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa, Bb. Pilipinas International 2014 and 2015 Bianca Guidotti & Janicel Lubina, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2014 and 2015 Yvethe Santiago & Rogelie Catacutan, Mister World Philippines 2015 Sam Ajdani, Miss World Philippines 1st Runner-Up Cassandra Naidas, Kim Ross delos Santos, Alaiza Malinao and more.

With shoes by Jojo Bragais, take a look at the photos taken by my partner-in-coverage Joy Arguil:

MJ Lastimosa

Rogelie Catacutan

Janicel Lubina

Bianca Guidotti

Cassandra Naidas

Kim Ross delos Santos

Alaiza Malinao


Sam Ajdani

Kim Ross delos Santos

Yvethe Santiago

Cassandra Naidas

Designer Kim Gan (left) and shoemaker Jojo Bragais

Jojo Bragais made the shoes for Kim Gan

It ain’t easy being Miss Universe Philippines, but Maxine Medina is game for the challenge

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

Maxine being interviewed by Boy Abunda for an upcoming episode of The Bottomline

Being Miss Universe Philippines is a magnet for adulation and intrigues. And Maxine Medina is experiencing both every single day of her life as a national titleholder. There will always be times when the harsh online comments can really get to her, but nothing that will prevent her from pushing more.

I appreciate my regular chats with Maxine. We may not be the closest of friends yet, but I know that we’ll get there in no time at all. She is at her most endearing outside of the klieg lights and camera flashes, never hesitant to show her sweet and unadorned self. And I believe that she will only get stronger as the days and months progress.

It also helps that Maxine continues to be love-inspired. Her 5-year relationship with boyfriend Marx is like a steady wall she can lean on everytime she needs the emotional support.

Maxine and boyfriend Marx on top of Mt. Batulao 5 years and counting


Watch out for Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina in an upcoming episode of The Bottomline with Boy Abunda. No heated grillings here, just light and spontaneous conversations with the host. 🙂

The Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Queens choose Empire East

Posted by Norman on April 28, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

Our new Queens choose Empire East

During all their important sponsor visits, the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 winners never fail to bring smiles and excitement to the people they meet. Such was the case when they trooped to the offices of Empire East (Megaworld Properties) where they met up with Head Anthony Yu who is a solid supporter of BPCI. Selfies and photo ops soon followed.

It won’t be long till they start with their all-important trainings for international pageants. So these personal appearances will show you the looks that they are starting with. They will be on game face mode right after the National Elections on May 9. 🙂

Kylie, Maxine and Nichole for Empire East

First 4: Gentlemen of the Philippines Official Candidates 

Posted by Norman on April 28, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

There are many male pageants in the Philippines. But Gentlemen Charities Incorporated (GCI) wants to make the competition evolve into something that will make the more jaded of pageant followers believe in what we want to achieve. We want Gentlemen of the Philippines to harvest young men who have the will to succeed regardless of the field. We want them to have present careers or future careers to lean on. And we want them smart. Not necessarily muscle-filled, but capable of speaking their minds in a heartbeat.

Here now are the first four (4) Official Candidates. We want to introduce them in groups to give each one a share of the limelight before the floodgates are unlocked wide open.

Mohammad Ali Imran A. from Lucena, Quezon

Mohammad Ali Imran Atendido is 21 and stands 5’10”. He is a half-Filipino, half-Pakistani from Lucena, Quezon who studies Computer Engineering at the Manuel Enverga University Foundation. He speaks five (5) different languages – English, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi – and has experienced life in three different cultures. He grew up in Lahore, worked as an 18 year-old Electrician in Hong Kong and started to reside permanently reside in the Philippines when he started college schooling in Quezon.

Kian Jabin Sumague from San Pablo City, Laguna

Kian Jabin Sumague is 21 years old and stands 5’10”. He lives an active lifestyle by engaging in a lot of sports like swimming, soccer and basketball, while doing crossfit training to keep himself in shape all the time. He speaks fluent Italian (after living in Florence, Italy for 13 years) and conversational French (brought about by school requirements that required him to learn a different tongue). He is a Tourism major.

Miguel Alexis Maliwat from San Fernando, Pampanga

Miguel Alexis Maliwat is a true-blue Kapampangan – currently a Senior taking up Civil Engineering and works on the side as a Fitness Instructor. Of late, he was featured as one of the Century Tuna Superbods Nat10n transformation stories during the contest’s finals. He used to be a really overweight teenager who struggled to keep himself in shape. But with determination, he was able to beat all odds and become the lean and muscular young dreamer he is right now. He stands 5’11”.

Carlo Roy Roslinda from Bohol

Carlo Roy Roslinda has very impressive academic credentials. This 27 year-old from Tagbilaran graduated Summa cum Laude when he finished his Masteral degree in (Surgical) Nursing. At the moment, he is in the middle of his Doctorate studies in the same field, but majoring in Gerontology now. To keep himself afloat in terms of allowances and expenses, he works as an Events Host and similar gigs. He is 5’10.5″.

So as you can see, there is and will always be something unique in each and every Official Candidate of Gentlemen of the Philippines. These are just the first four. Watch out for the other contenders who will come from almost every part of the Philippines and at least six (6) Filipino Communities abroad (US, Canada, UK, Germany and one each from Rome and Milan). 🙂

How much do you miss Kim Ross Delos Santos?

Posted by Norman on April 28, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks.

Kim Ross delos Santos in Mark Bumgarner

To the woman who could have and would have – Kim Ross delos Santos – she’s so back where the past won’t haunt her like a stalker at midnight. She has always been the A-list professional model who never fails to show that she’s got game in every move and every pose. With every click, she delivers. And for every concept, she meets the brief spot on.

Do you miss Kim Ross, pageant-wise? Or have you moved on from what should have been if you remain to be a fan still? Well, there’s not much legroom in that regard. Let’s be happy that she is back to the love of her working life. And from my end, I’m just happy that she continues to intermittently like my posts here or on Facebook or Instagram. Everytime I see the message alert saying that “kimrosswilliams likes your photo“, I still get tickled pink. And we will continue to have this virtual connection.

Yeah. I miss Kim Ross. But I know that she is in a relatively happier place now. 😉

More of Kim Ross in Mark Bumgarner

Wayback Wednesday with Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves

Posted by Norman on April 27, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

Nicole Cordoves in her AdMU graduation picture and as Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2016

Nicole (center) with Grade 1 students of Makati Hope Christian School

A proud banner from her high school alma mater

You all know by now that, before being crowned Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2016, Nicole Cordoves graduated with a degree in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University last 2013 and worked as a Speech Writer and Executive Assistant at the Department of Finance under Secretary Purisima.

But did you also know that she is a proud graduate of Makati Hope Christian School (MHCS) during her secondary years where she was part of its successful championship-winning debate team? A picture above shows her bonding with the Grade 1 students of said school during a visit last September, 2014 when she was still Miss Chinatown Philippines. And the whole institution is mighty proud of her achievements. I actually passed by MHCS late last week and saw a big banner outside congratulating her and all.

A really wayback 2008 photo of Nicole (in blue) with other members of the then winning debate team of MHCS (Photo credit: Lio Carreon)

Such a fruitful journey for one of our new Queens who has successfully hurdled all her academic challenges as a student and is now ready to face a mightier mission for the country in Miss Grand International 2016 later this year.

Nicole as photographed by Dookie Ducay