Good Friday Reflections of a not-so-accidental Pageant Blogger

Posted by Norman on April 14, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

With fellow media colleagues Andy Cayna, RL Lacanienta, Onecho Gabinete and Brix Vera

I am not a certified journalist, let alone a formally-trained writer. When I was barely five years old, two separate incidents led me into having a love affair with words. First, my maternal aunt (who just graduated from college at the time) gave me her old trusty typewriter as sort of a gift after finding out how I love playing with the keys and typing anything that catches my fancy. Shortly after, my father started buying second-hand hard-bound books (mostly Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew) hoping that he will get me into reading. Both elders were successful in getting me productively busy during idle days from school. After I finish reading one book, my mind would wander off and create stories that would initially mimic the genre I love the most – mystery. Funny but I would even make crudely-drawn posters out of it like the cover of a paperback novel bought at Alemar’s or Goodwill Bookstore. Not many of you know that I also inherited my father’s talent in drawing/sketching. It’s a skill that I never really harnessed until college when female classmates would ask me to sketch gowns/dresses for their debuts.

One of my favorite Ian McEwan books

My love for books never ceased. During high school at the seminary, I collected Agatha Christie & Daphne du Maurier novels which I voraciously read one after another. And when college at UST came, I leveled up with my choice of authors, even if I found myself constantly drawn to the works of Stephen King, John Irving and Ian McEwan. By this time, I knew that writing is something that comes naturally, even if I needed to be spoiled with inspirations most of the time. But being the Psychology major that I am, the talent was fully utilized in writing Psychological assessments of mental patients which eventually evolved into my first corporate job doing long write-ups for employees who wanted to be promoted or who are applying for overseas work contracts.

During a MAC workshop we covered

In all of these, my love for pageants was always a given. And so, I would intermittently pore my head over Miss Universe and Bb. Pilipinas twice a year. None of those type-written musings ever got published. They were neatly organized in a mid-sized antique treasure chest in our ancestral house in Hagonoy, Bulacan which – sadly – is now gone forever after a fire gutted the entire property more than five years ago today.

Blogging came as a result of advancements in technology back in 2009. At first, I thought that an online personal journal would suffice given my less-than-reliable track record in keeping locked diaries filled-up. But when readers and followers started trickling in, I knew that I was on to something. It was good motivation to say the least. The initial mix of travel stories, movie reviews and pageant stories was eventually streamlined to focus mainly on what I love to write about – beauty contests. And the rest – as they say – is history.

Coverage partner Joy Arguil and I

On this Good Friday, I’d like to thank God for giving me this gift – a gift for words that I got to link with pageantry and everything that comes with it. I may not be perfect, as the grammar nazis will attest to. But I always try to learn even at my age when people would make jokes about senior moments (I’m definitely not in that category yet haha) or why a mature-looking individual like myself would be so into writing about young beauty queens and kings.

I also thank God for the gift of smile which lifts me up everytime I am down or stressed. Seldom will you see me unsmiling in photos because I never allow myself to be photographed without flashing a big smile.

Lastly, I thank God for the gift of loyal readers, followers and critics. I have learned time and again to brush off intrigues at the onset and relish the praises with humility. Life is too short to linger in the company of negative-minded people because they always have problems for every solution. I just let ill comments slide because there are just so many things to write about and little time to squeeze all my thoughts in a 24-hour period. To even engage in a heated exchange of unpleasant statements is a complete waste of time.

I always love it when Joy, Joseph and I are complete for a coverage


These are the reflections of a not-so-accidental blogger this Lenten period. My apologies if I got carried away. I was inside the church praying and the words just came flooding in when the air conditioning units were opened by the caretakers. I got cooled off and this article is the result. Finished in 23 minutes flat. 😉

40 comments on “Good Friday Reflections of a not-so-accidental Pageant Blogger”

  1. Norman, this is one of the few blogs I regularly read and send my feedback on. This blog experience is rather different because it breaks the tedium of my everyday work routines in a foreign land, as I shed off my inhibitions tempered by the corporate world and the academe. Like you, writing is a talent honed by campus journalism in the USA, that did not find its expression in the science degree I pursued in the bachelor and graduate level.

    Responding to your blogs is fun because I know I am in a community of readers who may be so opinionated and partisan, and in their dogged defense of their beliefs, reveals in their kind of language the kind of persons they are. I write only reactions that uplift and support based on merits; I don’t write things that denigrate. I seldom react to contrary opinions and, and don’t dignify profanity-laced tirades. I am what I am; they are what they are. Your blog is a free market of ideas. But if in writing my reactions I am able to at least impart some knowledge, I am happy that I am positively influencing others through your blog.

    Keep up the good work. More power. And Happy Easter!

  2. Happy Easter y’all. I enjoy reading posts in this blog for pageant related updates.

  3. Hmmm! Halos pareho tayo ng books na binabasa though Ayoko ng Hardy boys! My favorite on Nancy Drew is “Spider sapphire mystery” wishing na maisa pelikula. Agatha Christie would have to be “Poirot”. Gus2 ko lang mga Stephen King adaptation like “thinner” “apt pupil” “hearts in Atlantis” and “misery”. Magandang balikan ngayong holy week!

  4. I actually visit only two blogs on a daily basis – Norman’s and that of a southern American girl living in China who soulfully chronicles the joy, the pain, the ohs and the ahs of living in a foreign land. I discovered Norman’s Blog In 2009 and since then I would never ever start nor end my day without reading an article and the readers’ comments. I must say I have shown 2 sides of me in the comments section – the real me and the “playful” me 😀
    To Norman, thanks a lot and cheers to more blogging and more MU like assigments 🍾

    • Jeremi, nakailang name ka dito since 2009 hihihi
      Ako ay 2 lang. Bong at Bong700, nawala na nga c bong eh baka nag-iba na ng name hihihi

    • I guess, it doesn’t really matter what school you came from as long as you’re hardworking and eager to learn new things everyday, anyone can be successful. Look at Norman, he is a Thomasian and a successful pageant blogger.

      • Mae, I agree . It depends on the student. It’s just that back in the day , the goal of many of us after HS was to really get in to either UP or Ateneo.

      • @bong , ok naman ang BSU . Di ba nag top ten nga sa bar sila this yr?

      • @4M
        am a proud Thomasian too… and we are all blessed that we have a Norman Tinio in our midst- he, whose untiring efforts in pageantry keep us all updated,and happy.. a blessed Good Friday, Norman..!!

      • 4m , ok naman UST. Pero Nung panahon namin u go to Up if u cannot afford Ateneo.
        But like what many of the people here are saying, it’s not the school. It’s the person

    • OMG Fabian, you didn’t lol…the cachet of a well-known school (UP here of batch 92 and Stanford U) can only bring you so far (look at Pia W, an alumnus of Star Magic college hahaha)…and in the end, its passion and common decency (as Norman has exemplified via this blog) that will bring you success and more importantly, peace of mind.

      • Andrew, UP din Ako . But I didn’t make it To Stanford. I stayed on the east side during my training yrs.
        My wife (now ex) teaches at Stanford U school of medicine .

    • Fabian, my parents couldn’t afford Ateneo at the time. As for UP, I missed the entrance exams because I was a stay-in seminarian during High School with only two weekends free per month. UST was convenient for me because my paternal grandparents resided around the University belt. And I passed the Pre-Med standards of UST

    • When I was having my externship at PGH, napansi n ko na may sense of entitlement Ang mga estudyante SA peyups. Ganun din Yung mga consultant. Parang u r not on our level Kung di ka alumni.

      Pero sabi NGA ni Solita Monsod, karamihan ng naging Chief Justices, Senate President at Panghulo ng Pilipinas ….. Bar none …. Eh puro UP

      But with punchline…..

      Eh nasan tayo ngayon?

  7. Wow.. who cares if Sirene doesn’t have a camp…

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BSvey4yAeaR/

    She’s actuallly being mentored by the legendary Bambi Fuentes…. I love it… I hope Binibini would disregard camp politics this year and assign crowns based on the girl’s own merrits…

    May the best girl win! 🙂

    • I do .
      No offense meant to KF but the 6 MUPs from A&Q had great transformation after they won MUP.
      I’m hoping Sirene gets the same makeover … if she wins MUP

    • I will not complain if she gets MUP. beside nasa list ko sya sa MUP title. but i will expect that she will transform in to more re branded MU Material with camp or none but having no camp now pa lang ay pinabibilib na nya ako sa kakayahan nya. sana lang ma maintain nya to til finals or even madagdagan pa nya in to winnable. medyo may hinahanap pa ako sa kanya pero this thing na hinahanap ko is makakuha naman nya since may mga panahon pa for training. Kung ok talaga ang b2b sa MI. at pag d nakuha ni Sirene ang MUP then sana sya ang ipadala sa MI, she can win this. But if she win the top prize (MUP), Then Jehza is my MI. Mariel for Intercon, Dindi for supra. Maine for Globe and Rachel for MGI.

      • Rachel for MGI is a good idea if she does no win MUP. We can only have one MUP

      • Fabian, Rachel is disqualified to win a crown because of virginity issue.😂
        Puede cya bumalik sa ME at bka ibigay pa ang title sa kanya ☺

  8. Thanks Tito Norms for approving my comments… I hope itl get fixed soon so that I wouldn’t have to bother you so often. Happy Lenten Season! 😀

  9. It’s also great to hear more about your life, Tito Norms. Happy Easter!

  10. Years ago I “found” you while browsing and have been grateful ever since. You truly are one of the greater “discoveries” on the internet.

    • I second to that! Thank u Sir Norms for a wonderful blog, it has been like a maintenance pill which I need to take everyday. #thankyou #THANKGOD

  11. Pasalamat tayo sa ating panginoon dahil mahal na mahal nya tayo.
    Binigyan tayo ng talento at gamitin natin ito sa magandang paraan at hindi sa kasamaan na hindi natin namamalayan na naging kasapi na pala tayo sa kaharian ng mga demonyo dahil sa pera na ipinamumudmod ng maling sistema na ginagawa ng tama kahit kinasusuklaman na tayo ng Panginoong Diyos.
    Sana ay magbago na ang pagkukunwari ng nagdadamit santo pero mga demonyo at handang ipagdasal ang mga may karamdaman na walang kapalit na pera.
    Sana wala ng magkakalat ng Fake News dahil lamang sa Pera.
    Sana maliwanagan na ang pag-iisip ng may ambisyong maging makapangyarihan sa gobyerno alang-alang sa ikabubuti ng Bansang Pilipinas at sa ikabubuti ng buhay nating mga Pilipino.
    Sana ay magiging matino na ang mga masasamang Bakla na followers ni Mommy Norman, Amen 🙂
    Happy Holiday everyone, hihihi… Charette 🙂

      • OMG Maureen got teamed up with the girls who were gossiping about her… and she actually picked the biggest bitch 1st… luckily they won… I’m surprised Jennica is bitchin about her only kababayan, Maureen… I was hoping theyd be friends. 😦

      • Jenica may attitude talaga regardless kung sino inaaway niya (feeling ko). Feel ko insecure and lola mo kasi gonda gonda ni Maureen

      • Grabe kahit kapwa Pilipino insecure sya… Tangapin nalang nya na hindi sya matangkad at kagandahan hindi yung dun pa sya nagkalat ng crab mentality nya… at tinarget pa nya talaga e kapwa kababayan nya. 😦

  12. Thank you Norman. I seldom post but I always read your blogs. Much appreciated! Thank you.

  13. It’s a gift given that should be used. Like you, I’m learning to use mine again. Not just writing but the gift of music.

  14. tito norms thank you for sharing your gift and passion for pageants, and i admire you more for crediting our supreme guidance for it.

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