On reaching my more-than-half-a-century-marker in the Universe

Posted by Norman on August 11, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

Photo credit: Ejhosh Rodriguez


Today is my birthday. And everytime the calendar hits August 11, I always find time to recollect on things and events that have happened the past year.

Two significant – momentous if you will – events took place from August 11, 2015 to August 10, 2016 that gave me a deep sense of pride in two different ways. First, there was the much-awaited victory of Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach that brought the Filipino nation its 3rd Miss Universe crown. It’s like winning the Olympic Gold many times over if you ask me. If we can’t hit the highest medal in the biggest sports competition ever, then might as well snatch the crown in the biggest beauty pageant ever created. If we can’t let our brawns rule the Universe, then might as well be honored for our beauty and charm and outstanding resilience as a pageant-loving country.

Photo credit: Ejhosh Rodriguez

And then there’s Gentlemen of the Philippines. Along with Senior Partners Precious Anne Medina, Michael Davantes and Salde Singo, we conceptualized a male pageant that will be different. If the majority would go for the show of skin and abs, then we decided to push the envelope further by factoring in the career and advocacies of young men around the country.

Personally, I look at Gentlemen of the Philippines as my legacy in the industry I love the most and which has loved me back in several folds. The female pageant field has been saturated to the max and I can no longer go against the grain of institutions like Bb. Pilipinas or Mutya ng Pilipinas or the younger groups behind Miss World Philippines and Miss Philippines Earth. The category has been oversupplied even if the demands grow only in an off-kilter fashion. There is nothing much I can do to outshadow their efforts, unless my only ambition is to be deemed one of the smaller wannabes.

Photo credit: Joy Arguil

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So I have spent a good amount of the past year spreading my wings and forging ahead with what I envision as the new face of male pageantry. The competition remains strong, but to dare to make a difference is something that brings out the adrenaline rush in me. I know that there were days when my daily blogging has become inconsistent in terms of quantity. But don’t let that drive you to the conclusion that I have grown tired of my multiple subjects everyday. It’s just that the physical toils are just too demanding that multi-tasking is the only way to go.

A sweet, albeit rocky, year it had been for me


The timeline could not have been more punishing. The inception of the male pageant started October last year, with constant plannings and meetings heavily dotting the weeks and months after that. I spent the Holidays squeezing all the creative juices inside my head and building contacts along the way. We launched everything late February 2016, simultaneous with the recruitment of candidates that made me appreciate local tourism even more. Up until late June, we were completing the line-up. And by the start of July, everything started to take shape. By the 31st of last month, we were able to mount the finals leading to an exciting announcement of winners who comprise the newest Gentlemen of the Philippines to shake up the different international male competitions abroad.

With my Gentlemen of the Philippines 2016 (Photo credit: Dencio Natividad)


The past year has been my most spartan ever. I lived a life that is considered austere to some, deadly to most. I averaged only 3-4 hours of sleep every night, adjusting my body clock to a 3am bedtime and a 7am wake-up call. But I never complained. I embraced the sacrifices and the knee-weakening days & disappointments with all the passion I can muster. And in building the Gentlemen of the Philippines brand with the whole team behind Gentlemen Charities Incorporated (GCI), I have learned to take in all the small victories and make them the shining armors that built up my confidence in continuing with the legacy.

By now, the fruits of our hard labor are starting to get ripe. And in due time, the harvest will be enriching in all aspects. Because nothing beats starting a big endeavour with all the good intentions tucked in. The road may not be the smoothest, but the ride will be at its most fulfilling.

Here’s to a more glorious string of 365 days in my life! 😀

35 comments on “On reaching my more-than-half-a-century-marker in the Universe”

  1. Happiest of birthdays! Hope the next 365 days are even better than the last. Thanks for all you do.

  2. Happy Bday Norman! 🎂 So this gentlemen thing explains it all…hope your group can scout the likes of rick palencia and his court..cheers!

    • ..i actually meant reniel villareal and his court…ikr..im stressed up at work..

  4. Happy birthday from HK, Norman! You bring me so much joy. I come to your blog several times a day. More power to you!

  8. happy happy happy birthday lola norms! wishing you good health, long life & happiness 😀

  10. Happy Bday!
    U do not look 51 at all:)
    Hope u get a seat at the judging table of the Binibinimg Pilipinas and Miss U before age 55:)

  11. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one who is like an oracle to many pageant fans.. many many thanks for all the updates, and the hard work/research that go into these…. praying for your good health!!! God bless..

  12. I may be sporadic lately in posting comments here but I always check your posts on a daily basis without fail. We love you Tito Norms! Sana, we can have one of the pre-pageant events of GotPhilippines 2017 edition here in Bohol! Cheers! Happy 52nd!

  14. To THE Gentleman of the Philippines,

    Happy Birthday! Stay confidently beautiful with a heart. Some age like wine, some like vinegar. But you are both Norman. Di ka lang sweet, may asim ka pa! Lol. Here’s to good health, good life, and a booming sex life.

    World Peace.

    Thomas

  15. Happiest of birthdays to the best blogger, bar none. May the coming year make your star shine bigger and brighter!

  16. Happy birthday Norman! Have a blessed one! Wishing you more success and happy years ahead!

  17. Happy birthday Norman. Good health and more success. Enjoy life to the fullest.

  18. Happy birthday Passionada!! Through the years, all my respect. Have a lovely day Norman!!

  22. Salutations!

    And as the Universe unfolds to commemorate the day that a speck of stardust took the form of one christened Norman Tinio, may he spot the Gentle Comet that will take him on the ride of a lifetime..

    P.S.
    Would Sir Norman be related in some way to Rolando Tinio, the composer?
    Please forgive my ignorance.

  23. Happy birthday Norman. Wish you more personal happiness outside the pageant world. Love life naman ang atupagin. Hehe

  25. All the best to you, Sir Norman ! You have indeed come a long way since you started blogging and look at where you are now ? A pageant blogger that everyone look up to ! Thank you for all you do and may you continue to reap more success in an industry that you love most. God bless and may all your wishes come true on your special day ! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🙂 🙂 🙂

  26. Happy Birthday Sir Norman😄🎂🎈🎁
    May you have more blessings and continued support from your readers, fans,friends and business partners😉

  28. Happy Birthday Sir Norms. It’s my first time to comment here, but I have been following your blogs for 6 years now.

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