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Next Attraction: The Book Launch of “The Crown” by Jonas Gaffud 

Posted by Norman on August 17, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , . 15 Comments

normannorman.com’s e-invite to the book launch


Today, August 17, is going to be quite the hectic coverage schedule for normannorman.com. Starting at 1pm, there will be the Miss World Philippines 2017 Sports Challenge scheduled at the Victoria Sports Tower in QC where the fittest and the strongest among the candidates will stand out in a fast-track segment that mimics the same portion of the bigger Miss World. At 7pm tonight, the big launch of Mr & Ms BPO will be held at the Discovery Primea with the exciting unveiling of this year’s most exciting mixed search among the best and brightest in the call center industry.

And sandwiched by the two events is the much-awaited book launch of “The Crown” by Jonas Gaffud with his three (3) muses – Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World Megan Young and Miss International Kylie Verzosa – leading the way into the activity.

In line with this, let me inject a throwback of sorts to a year-old interview Jonas Gaffud gave to PEP.ph which mirrors some of the content of the said book. Watch the videos by PEP now.



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Miss Philippines 2017 Press Presentation | 1 Crown given, 4 more Crowns to go

Posted by Norman on August 16, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , . 10 Comments

Darlene May Reyes was crowned Miss Tourism Queen International Philippines 2017

Instant titleholder Darlene May Reyes

An interesting turn of events happened during the Miss Philippines 2017 Press Presentation held earlier at the poolside of Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City. Five (5) titles are at stake in the competition. But due to the nearing schedule of one of them, one candidate has already been crowned winner. Darlene May Reyes of Bauan, Batangas (you will remember her as Mutya ng Singapore during the recently-concluded Mutya ng Pilipinas) is now Miss Tourism Queen International Philippines 2017 and will already leave for China on September 2 to represent the country in the big world finals latter part of next month.

It was a pleasant surprise for Darlene who welcomed the instant win (first ever for a Press Presentation of a national pageant in the Philippines to happen) and she will now prepare herself for the mission that will be the fulfillment of her lifelong pageant dream.

Watch the video of the announcement below.

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That leaves us with four (4) more titles up for grabs among the 36 remaining contenders – Face of Beauty International Philippines, Miss Princess of the World Philippines, Miss Diamond of the World Philippines and Queen & Beauty Universe Philippines. Finals night will be on September 18. By the way, Isabel Alves of Talisay City was named Darling of the Press during the proceedings.

For now, President/CEO Gareth Blanco will bring the ladies on a provincial caravan to Quezon and Bolinao in Pangasinan where they will fully enjoy the hospitality of both Northern and Southern Luzon.

Below is a photo grid of some of the candidates as taken by Joy Arguil for normannorman.com

normannorman.com Exclusive| Interview with Janela Joy Cuaton 

Posted by Norman on August 16, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , . 37 Comments


Janela with her mom Sol

Last Monday, normannorman.com (Joy Arguil and I) spent quality time with Miss World Philippines 2017 Candidate Janela Joy Cuaton (along with mom Sol) over lunch where we discussed her journey in the pageant and how she wants to use it as a platform for her ongoing “Fashion meets Passion” advocacy to help rehabilitate Igang Elementary School in the province of Masbate.

This beautiful lass explains her BWAP project even more during the one-on-one interview below.

Watch now.

Here are additional images of Janela as photographed by Joy Arguil for normannorman.com before the interview.

Elizabeth Clenci | Bring in the Noise

Posted by Norman on August 15, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , . 15 Comments

With the release of the latest photos Raymond Saldaña took of Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2017 Elizabeth Clenci, the countdown starts for her date with Miss Grand International 2017 which will officially start happening in Vietnam less than two months from now. She will be the first among the Bb. Pilipinas 2017 Queens to wage beauty battle abroad, and it would be wise to start bringing in the noise for our bet right now.

While Liz won’t be going for a back-to-back, surpassing the 1st Runner-Up placement of her predecessor Nicole Cordoves is an equally daunting task because the next step to be able to do that is already winning the crown currently being held by Ariska Putri Pertiwi of Indonesia. Corollary to this, the tightening factor of another Asian getting the big win is an added weight on her shoulders.

But let’s leave it to our girl. I know she can be the silent killer supporters and believers have tagged her to be. 🙂

Photo Blog: Rocky Gathercole Gala Show for Bantay Bata 163 20th Anniversary 

Posted by Norman on August 14, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , . 9 Comments

A fully covered Priscilla Kim Dela Cruz in the show-stopping number from Rocky Gathercole / Photo credit: Roj Miguel


In photos captured by lensman Roj Miguel and the photographers of Metro Style Magazine, here is a blog about the highly-successful Gala Show of Designer Rocky Gathercole for Bantay Bata 163 20th Anniversary. The man is a genius, reason why he is one of the few I genuinely admire. All his works are meticulously crafted with details so masterfully put together. Very clean execution overall – one of the trademarks he is known for, aside from including highly-original pieces where the wow factor (just like the Chess-inspired one above worn by a fully-covered Priscilla Kim dela Cruz) is hits through the roof.

Jojo Bragais provided all the shoes worn by the models which also include Miss Globe 2015 Ann Colis.

Photo credit: Roj Miguel

Meet the Press with Janela Joy Cuaton 

Posted by Norman on August 14, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , . 41 Comments


During lunch yesterday, Miss World Philippines 2017 Janela Joy Cuaton – along with her parents and sister – scheduled a meet-and-greet with members of the pageant press to drum up support for her bid for the national competition. At The Stockpile Bar in Ortigas CBD, the beautiful lass presented herself with the better-than-usual charm and beauty that impressed all the guests even more.

You will have to watch out for my one-on-one interview with Janela soon. This is where she will discuss her BWAP platform and advocacy for Miss World Philippines 2017 and how she plans to stand out even more in the contest.

Janela with her mom, dad and sister


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Sunday Specials: Appreciation Day for Miss Philippines Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco

Posted by Norman on August 13, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , . 27 Comments

Yesterday was very precious for Miss Philippines Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco. She re-visited her alma mater – the University of Santo Tomas – where the College of Science bestowed their appreciation on her achievement as its latest victor in national pageantry. Having been part of the BS Applied Physics Class of 2011, she was given a brief motorcade around the campus and was able to meet up with officials, former professors and students who showered her with attention and well-wishes. This warm and kind lady truly deserves the honor she has received.

In Karen’s own words:


“Thank you to the College of Science and the University of Santo Tomas for the extremely warm welcome. I am speechless with all the effort and appreciation given. I will truly cherish this.”