An invitation from Bella Ysmael

Posted by Norman on March 29, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , . 9 Comments

An invitation from Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Official Candidate Ysabella “Bella” Roxas Ysmael:

“Hi Everyone, I am going to be a part of a webinar tomorrow by Forth Co., a startup business I’m supporting. The webinar is on mental health and they asked me to be one of the panelists to talk about mental health and how to care for our mental well-being during this time of crisis 😊 I hope you guys can watch tomorrow at 7pm! 😊❤️”

Here’s the link where you can sign up to catch the online panel discussion:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mindfulness-for-mental-health-panel-discussion-tickets-101446487174

Bb. Pilipinas 2005: The batch that produced our fourth Miss International

Posted by Norman on March 29, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 27 Comments

Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman

There are three things worth remembering about Bb. Pilipinas 2005. First, it was the only edition where a candidate – Wendy Valdez – was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Tourism first and then declared as 1st Runner-Up during the official announcement proceedings. Second, the first recognized national titleholder who crossed over and won another crown – Bb. Pilipinas World – was here. She is Miss Philippines Earth 2001 Carlene Aguilar. And lastly, it was the batch that produced the true shining star of the Philippines in international competitions – not just for the years 2000-2009 – but including two previous decades – the 80s and the 90s (do remember that Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez was the last big winner before 2005). When Precious Lara Quigaman was crowned Bb. Pilipinas International 2005, she eventually became the country’s fourth Miss International winner in Japan.

Photo credit: Boyet Blas of Mabuhay Beauties

Recommended Netflix Watch: “Dead Kids”

Posted by Norman on March 28, 2020
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks, 5 TV Tales. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 4 Comments

I very rarely recommend Pinoy films to watch but this is too good to pass up on. Since a large number of people I know spend their home quarantine watching Netflix, check out DEAD KIDS. This is the first Netflix-produced movie from the Philippines. And it sure didn’t disappoint. You will get to see the most authentic characterizations of young millennials in a movie, but with the envelope pushed so much further.

The film is from Globe Studios, directed by Mikhail Red and stars an impressive ensemble cast of “Dead Kids” – Sue Ramirez, Khalil Ramos, Kelvin Miranda, Vance Larena, Gabby Padilla and Markus Patterson. Watch the trailer below.

Download it now and watch! #deadkids

Firsts: The first Asian winners of Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International

Posted by Norman on March 28, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , . 6 Comments

Time was when the only recognized international beauty pageants around the world are Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International. The very first winners were Armi Kuusela of Finland, Kiki Håkansson of Sweden and Stella Marquez of Colombia, respectively. But it didn’t take too long before these competitions started appreciating Asian beauties as winners. Below are highlights of Miss Universe 1959 won by Akiko Kojima of Japan, Miss World 1966 dominated by Reita Faria of India and Miss International 1964 where our very own Gemma Cruz proved to be the best in that edition. Miss World 1966 Reita Faria of India Miss International 1964 Gemma Cruz of the Philippines

Bb. Pilipinas 2003: When the stars aligned for Carla Gay Balingit

Posted by Norman on March 28, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 32 Comments

2003 was the Bb. Pilipinas year that offered both expected results and a major unanticipated surprise. Both Bb. Pilipinas World Maria Rafaela Verdadero Yunon and Bb. Pilipinas International Jhezarie Javier were already on my radar then as sure winners, with Noella Evangelista as the lady who could have completed the troika. Lo and behold, a petite Kapampangan Binibini – Carla Gay Balingit – upended the favorites and earned the crown that brought her to Panama as the country’s representative during Miss Universe 2003. No offense meant to her – but as soon she as was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2003 – my hopes were dashed of even making it to the first cut in the bigger competition. She is pretty, but being simply pretty just doesn’t cut it in MU. Just imagine standing beside Amelia Vega who won that time. I was really hoping then that Mafae would take BPU. But she was meant to do us proud in Miss World where the Philippines achieved a Top 5 finish.

The Year of Living Dangerously amidst COVID19

Posted by Norman on March 27, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , . 32 Comments

A good friend of mine (who’s also into pageantry and whose name I am keeping in confidence for now) asked me this question. For a long while after, I got stumped for a definitive reply:

“…alam mo, given how things are, cancelling the entire 2020 pageant season isn’t a bad idea. the olympics are being moved. what’s your thought? kasi even if they come up with the cure, the economic and social aftermath still haven’t been felt…”

Now I am asking your take on this, dear readers. As far as I’m concerned, I believe it is inevitable. The cancellation, that is.

While you’re processing your mind on this, do watch the music video below where our music artists from different networks plus the stage and even a few frontliners have collaborated on.

The memorable Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres (and why she was fated to have a love affair with the Filipinos)

Posted by Norman on March 27, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 17 Comments

There is always this lingering fondness of the Filipinos for foreign beauty queens who visit the country, fell in love with the people and culture and made a go of staying longer for possible opportunities. Back in 1974, four of the five Miss Universe finishers grabbed the chance to do so. Maureen Ava Vieira of Aruba and Johanna Raunio of Finland launched short-lived movie careers, while Amparo Muñoz of Spain and Helen Morgan of Wales appeared in one movie each. During the 70s, two winners of Miss Asia (Eva Arni of Papua New Guinea and Tara Fonseca of India) also made a movie each with Joseph Estrada. In 1994, the outgoing Miss Universe did more than just movies after crowning her successor. Dayanara Torres of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico was given several showbiz offers, started a hosting/dancing career on TV, learned how to speak Filipino and even had a romantic relationship with actor Aga Muhlach. It went on for a few years before she decided to leave and return to her Latina roots when she also married singer Marc Antony, had a career in Puerto Rico and a celebrity status in the US. Time came when she was diagnosed with skin cancer which she battled at length until recently when she was diagnosed free from the disease. Below are highlights from Dayanara’s Miss Universe win and homecoming in Puerto Rico Highlights from Dayanara’s first Filipino movie with Aga Muhlach “Basta’t Kasama Kita”. A clip from Dayanara’s movie with Gary V, “Hataw Na” When Dayanara guested in the drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya” with actor Cesar Montano TV interview on ANC’s Headstart Fast Talk with Boy Abunda Interview with Vice Ganda on GGV Dayanara being announced on TV being free of cancer If Dayanara did not win Miss Universe 1993, she would have no reason to visit the Philippines. As fate would have it, Manila hosted Miss Universe 1994. Having been the reigning titleholder then, she savored the host country more intimately and that started her interesting love affair with the Filipinos. The whole nine yards of it all.