During last week’s finals of Reyna ng Aliwan 2018, an outstanding delegate from Tacloban City wowed the judges from Day 1 and went on to win the top plum. She also started a streak of sorts for her province after clinching the Best Float Award and the Best in Ritual Dance for the Tribu Buraburon of Burauen, Leyte.
Now back to the beautiful Chelsea, she reminds most everyone of Bb. Pilipinas 2018 1st Runner-Up Vickie Marie Rushton. Not a bad comparison. This girl is taller, though. And she has a truly promising career in pageantry within the next year or two.
I have had the chance to know a good chunk of the 43 Miss Earth Philippines 2018 Official Candidates the past week and a half. I must say that I am impressed with a lot of them. This national pageant has really found a good niche, and it shows in the quality of advocacy and communication skills in majority of the participants. So in alphabetical order now, I am sharing with you my Top 16 running favorites among them:
Berjayneth Chee – Balingasag, Misamis Oriental
Marla Alforque – Cebu City
We’Am Ahmed – Davao City
Lea Macapagal – Dinalupihan, Bataan
Zahra Bianca Saldua – Las Piñas City
Joana Cristine Dalangin – Lipa City
Flordeliz Mabao – Mandaluyong City
Dianne April Pangilinan – Mariveles, Bataan
Theressa Anne Mariano – Fil-Queensland
Silvia Celeste Cortesi – Fil-Rome
Leandrea Camille Batingan – San Jose del Monte City
Jean Nicole de Jesus – San Rafael, Bulacan
Naomie Hannah White – Fil-Sydney
Gabrielle Camille Basiano – Tacloban City
Lovely Lamptey – Taguig City
Noelle Uy-Fuentes Tuazon – Tangalan, Aklan
The #EarthWarriors have a lot more deciding pre-pageant activities in the coming weeks so the list could still change. And once the finals night on May 19 approaches in the homestretch, I will be more confident in ranking them.
This coming May 1, the Coronation Night of Mutya nin Bogñabong (a Barangay in Tabaco City, Albay) will crown the most Queen-worthy among the fifteen lovely contenders.
What three things make this pageant extra special? First, the King of Pageant Heels (and my favorite shoemaker of an anak) Jojo Bragais is the organizer. It is his way of giving back to his hometown on his birthday. Secondly, a surprise guest performer will serenade the ladies, and I was told that it will be ABSCBN artist Xander Ford. And third, two of my dearest lovelies will serve as judges – Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray and Bb. Pilipinas 2016 1st Runner-Up Angelica Alita.
This is going to be an exciting finals!
Don’t miss it if you’re in Albay!
Credits for the swimsuit shots of the candidates:
Styling – Vhee Co
Photography – Mark Neto Diaz
The Official Candidates of Mutya nin Bogñabong 2018
1. Claress B. Burce
2. Margarette Briton
3. Christine M. Taduran
4. Rica Joy Bon
5. Jasmine Jiocsion
6. Maryens Bueno
7. Judy Ann B. Taller
8. Mary Grace Trilles
9. Mary Rose M. Bermas
10. Giezell Kenette Kallus
11. Christaline Reina Bequillo
12. Aliya C. Rohilla
13. Abegail M. Borlaza
14. Sheila Rose Calingacion
15. Glendle Mae B. Buenavente
Bb. Pilipinas International 2018 Ma Ahtisa Manalo was beautifully captured by Fashion Photographer Wilmark Jolindon in these shots. Makeup by Justine Navato.
Just last Wednesday, our young queen had her Victory Motorcade and Homecoming Celebration in Candelaria, Quezon where she was warmly cheered by her townmates.
From the minute the plane landed in Laguindingan Airport, the entire Province of Misamis Oriental rolled out the red carpet to the visiting beauties of Miss Earth Philippines 2018 along with Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco, Miss Earth Philippines Fire 2017 Ella Bautista and Carousel Productions’ VP Peachy Veneracion. Your blogger was given a special invitation to be part of the delegation and I must say that the Provincial Tourism Department of MisOr made sure that each activity was an exciting one, while actively promoting the tourism efforts started by its beloved and indefatigable Governor Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano.
After checkin at Appletree Resort and Hotel in Opol, a lovely dinner was hosted at the plush Ultrawinds Mountain Resort on the first night, then it was off to a morning radio guesting with the Governor for Lambo Misamis Oriental, a fashion show (featuring the Summer Collection of Designer Bea Bianca) and travel magazine launch at the Centrio Mall, Press Conference with the Misamis Oriental members of the media, speedboat rides to breathtaking Agutayan White Island, a trek to Sagpulon Falls, a peek into the Sailfin Lizard Farm in Jasaan, a promotional appearance at the Misamis Oriental Farmers Market and a Meet-and-Greet with all the Provincial Capitol heads and employees. To cap off everything, a sumptuous dinner buffet at Panagatan Restaurant was served before boarding a late flight out of Laguindingan last night.
Thank you once more to Governor Bambi Emano and Tourism Officer Atty. Jeffrey Saclot for the continuously warm hospitality given to everyone.
#ExploreMisOr
The fourteen Miss Earth Philippines 2018 delegates who were part of the visit are Theressa Martinez of Fil-Queensland, Naomie White of Fil-Sydney, Brazzirie Yanson of Fil-Vienna, Lea Macapagal of Dinalupihan Bataan, Jean de Jesus of San Rafael Bulacan, Joana Dalangin of Lipa City, Marjorie Vista of Malinao Albay, Analea Rabe of Sta. Cruz Marinduque, Zahra Saldua of Las Piñas City, Ronelie Pador of Kalibo Aklan, Ann Palmares of Passi City, We’Am Ahmed of Davao City, Berjayneth Chee of Balingasag MisOr and Joanna Krystel Cabrezos of Zamboanga City.
Cynthia Magpatoc Thomalla of the Philippines wins Miss Eco International 2018!
She now joins the two other successful winners of the Miss World Philippines Organization – Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Teresita Ssen Marquez and Miss Multinational 2018 Sophia Senoron – and made it victorious for three of the four national titleholders.
Congratulations!
Newly-crowned Miss Eco International 2018 Cynthia Thomalla @thia_thomalla is flanked by National Director Arnold Vegafria @arnold_vegafria (rightmost) and Bessie Besana @bessiebesana right after her victory in Egypt
Our second to the last pair of Official Candidates for Mr & Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines 2018 have a number of similarities that make up the individual threads of their existence. They are both independent-minded, both hungry for achievements and both keen on making themselves purposeful. He is the only remaining entry for Mindanao, while she is the sole rep from Bataan.
Meet Michael Gomez #SwimmerForLife and Errish Anne Nalus #WomanOfPurpose.
Swimming represents more than just a sport in the life of Michael from Midsayap. It is not all about doing laps on the pool or competing with fellow aquatic athletes for a podium finish. He has the Gold medals to prove, especially in his favorite event – the butterfly – for this. But this young man hashtagged #SwimmerForLife considers himself as someone in continuous search for the win in every challenge he takes. He is neither a perfectionist nor a motion-follower. He would rather be called a strategist.
“Growing up in North Cotabato may not be the most ideal in the eyes of the judgmental. But in my case, it has given me the foundation to stand on my feet without necessarily cutting off my family ties. I love everything that has to do with my parents, siblings and even my foster father in Manila. But I also love pushing my boundaries and seeing what’s out there for me. I relocated to Davao City to evolve into a professional right after graduation. I did for a while. The call for stronger achievements is a lot louder though. I want to do well in Mr & Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines. And I dream of being a representative of the country in an international competition.”
Michael is not one to give up on his goals easily. He has had his share of failures in the past couple of years. But he learns from his mistakes, picks up the pieces and plots a stronger comeback every time. Going for the Gold means more than just a medal for him. It is a hard-earned validation.
There is subtle parallelism between Errish and her current employer -City of Dreams – in that she would like to envision herself in a perfect-ish world where all her wants and wishes can be realized. Being self-reliant since she became an adult at 18, she has been gradually planning her life according to what she wants to become in ten years’ time. And she very seldom goes on auto-pilot mode. She would rather drive herself towards a goal as she pleases.
“I have been an independent woman for many years now. And this conscious shift from relying on my parents for everything made me realize everything I found significant about life. One thing that I want in is to show people that I am more than what they see physically. I can be quite the adventurous individual, like when I climbed Mt. Pimitinan in Montalban, Rizal to the surprise of my family and friends. The universe created ‘ME’ only once and I am born with my unique qualities, unique stories and unique talents. My purpose may still be unclear to many, but it is something that adds up to my mystery as an individual.”
At the onset, I thought of Errish to be self-limiting in a way. But she proved me wrong. She has guts, and loads of it. And when she focused her sights on Mr & Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines, I know that she’s in it for the long haul, however bumpy the ride can get.
During the Beauty of Figure Pre-Judging of Miss Philippines Earth 2018 held at the F1 Hotel Manila in BGC, the veils were no longer there. And in its place, hats and big shades took over – an improvement I might add. It would have been better though if the venue was similar to previous years.
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
"By viewing this blog, the viewer acknowledges that s/he has read and agrees to the terms of this disclaimer and assumes total responsibility and risk for his/her use of this blog. The content of this blog is published as an information service only and is presented “as is.” Please recognize that the information is general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be viewed as expert, legal or professional advice.
It confers no warranties, rights or merchantibility and makes no representations as to its accuracy, completeness or validity. In addition, those opinions expressed by readers and third parties who have elected to post their comments and opinions are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the author who is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by such readers and/or third parties.
The author of this blog is not liable for any errors, omissions, delays, losses, injuries or damages -- be it direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or other -- arising from its display or use.
The author of this blog is also not responsible for the content of, accuracy of, or opinions expressed in third party sites to which this blog links. "