Miss World 2011 1st Princess Gwen Ruais for Pat Santos
Consider this like a 2-in-1 photo blog. Over the weekend, our beauty queens conquered two separate environments where their presence is no longer unusual – at the 20th Philippine Fashion Week held inside Discovery Primea in Makati and during the start of the new Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where four of our reigning beauties were chosen as muses of the participating basketball teams.
Bb. Pilipinas International 2014 Bianca Guidotti
Miss World Philippines 2015 1st Princess Cassandra Naidas for Arnold Galang
Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2014 Yvette Santiago for Arnold Galang
Miss United Continents Philippines 2015 Anabel Tia for Arnold Galang
Miss Tourism Queen International Justine Gabionza for Arnold Galang
On the runway for Designers Pat Santos and Arnold Galang were Angelia Ong, Gwen Ruais, Bianca Guidotti, Yvethe Santiago, Anabel Tia, Cassandra Naidas and Justine Gabionza. And all of them delivered in their respective catwalks in collections that really made them stand out in the line-up.
And over at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, four of our national beauty queens were selected as muses. They held their own side-by-side the showbiz personalities amd models who represented the other squads.
Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa for Purefoods Star Hotshots
Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina for Meralco Bolts
Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 Jaya San Jose for Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Bb. Pilipinas 2016 1st Runner-Up Angelica Alita for TNT Tropa Texters
Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa for Purefoods Star Hotshots, Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina for Meralco Bolts, Bb. Pilipinas 2016 1st Runner-Up Angelica Alita for TnT Tropang Texters and Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 Jaya San Jose for Rain or Shine Elasto-Painters.
It was a beauty-filled weekend indeed!
All Philippine Fashion Week photos were taken by Joy Arguil for normannorman.com
Part of the ladies who made it during the screening of Jewel of the Philippines
The accepted ladies with the members of the screening panel
The screening panel included Christianne Ramos (in purple), Jean Tumang (in red), Jeslyn Santos (in black with gray blazer) and Anabel Tia (in black spaghetti strap). Domz Ramos of Pegarro Swim (2nd from right) was also part of the group
Last Saturday night, Jewel of the Philippines 2016 – the inaugural edition – had its screening at the Madison 101 Hotel & Tower in Quezon City. Beauty Queens and Binibinis – such as Miss United Continent Philippines 2015 Anabel Tia, Miss Tourism Philippines-Model of the Universe 2016 Jean Tumang, Miss World Peace Philippines 2015 (and Bb. Pilipinas 2016 candidate) Jeslyn Santos and Binibini 40 of Batch 2016 Christianne Ramos – joined the panel along with Domz Ramos of Pegarro Swim among others.
Pageant owner John dela Vega was visibly happy with the healthy turnout of ladies as he was already able to assemble at least half of the Official Candidates who will vie for the crowns at stake come August 10 at the Tanghalang Pasigueno. Winners will represent the country in Miss World Peace, Miss Bikini Universe and Charity Queen International.
Let’s follow this beauty competition and see who will shine even more once the real beauty battle begins. 😉
Jewle of the Philippines 2016 will be held on August 10 at the Tanghalang Pasigueno
Our last Twelve to Triumph list before the Final Predictions!
Today, I present to you my last Twelve To Triumph list a week before the release of my fearless forecast for Bb. Pilipinas 2015.
This ranking – in addition to the Parade of Beauties which will start shortly – will help me come up with the basis for the predictions that I will post late March 13 or early March 14.
Binibini 11 Janicel Lubina is still in the lead, but a precarious one at that. These are the pre-homestretch days where even the smallest factors can make or break a candidate’s chances. Don’t ask me the specifics yet, but there are details that I have learned through the years as possible reasons behind the zoom-up or slide-back of a favorite or two. As a member of the press, I am inevitably capable of scratching deeper than the eye-level surface that most everyone have seen and observed to date.
Be that as it may, the other ladies who are figuring out strongly are Binibini 19 Christi McGarry, 10 Pia Wurtzbach, 21 Alaiza Malinao, 29 Nancy Leonard, 24 Ann Colis and 12 Kylie Verzosa. Running closely to make it are Binibinis 28 Hannah Ruth Sison and 8 Kimverlyn Suiza.
Allow me to start drafting the post for my predictions now. I need to clear my mind first before plunging into the task of zeroing in on the likely new titleholders for 2015. 😉
The last five wearers of the Bb. Pilipinas International crown in reverse order from 2014 down to 2010
The Bb. Pilipinas International crown
Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti was 24 when she won the title last year. Bea Rose Santiago, on the other hand, was 23 the year she nailed hers, the same age Nicole Schmitz was crowned last 2012. Before that, Dianne Necio was a young 19 year-old at the time she was named for the honor. And nearly five years ago today, Krista Kleiner was all of 20 summers during Bb. Pilipinas 2010 – the edition where she got the nod as Bb. Pilipinas International.
Of the five titles at stake, this is the crown that only Official Candidates below the age of 25 can vie for. And in the 2015 batch, there are those who are skipping the hunt to become the country’s next representative to Miss International. Hence, the likes of 25-to-26-year-olds Hannah Ruth Sison, Pia Wurtzbach, Kimverlyn Suiza, Anja-Vanessa Peter, Ria Rabajante, Patricia Ejercitado, Anabel Christine Tia, Toni Alyessa Hipolito, Caneille Faith Santos and Samantha Balbin are no longer eligible for the same. The rest can breathe easy knowing that they are still up for all the prized spots.
Christi McGarry by Jory Rivera
There is one gray area, though. For example, Binibini 19 Christi Lynn McGarry was 24 when she got in as Official Candidate. But just last February 5, she already turned 25 – more than a month before the March 15 coronation night. Can she still be considered for Miss International? My impression is that the Japanese organizers are strict when it comes to age and are understanding when the rep is already 25 but still under that age when she participated in and won the national crown (just like Bianca Guidotti). Will Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta make an exception or will she play it safe and go for those who are safely within the age brackets to avoid any unnecessary kinks about the matter?
Play the music video of “Let It Go” from the Disney movie “Frozen” before slowly scrolling down to read the post below for extra heartwarming effect.
courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios
Only seven (7) ladies won. So where does that leave most of the remaining 33 aspirants? The sulking and crying leave-me-by-my-lonesome period is thankfully over.
Consider this post an epilogue to Bb. Pilipinas 2014. Just like in a book or in the movies, the end credits show updates on what’s new or what has now become of the characters we just watched. For sixteen of the less than-successful Binibinis, life goes on as follows:
Bininini 1 Julian Aurine Flores is back to her first love - modelling.
Binibini 21 Racquel Kabigting just auditioned for Bodyshots 2014
Binibini 6 Anabel Christine Tia is back in Ozamiz City where she recently re-activated her art/cooking/dancing classes (aptly called Bb. Summer 2014 now) to kids and teens in a much bigger space.
Binibini 28 Carla Lizardo went back to her radio DJ work (seen above being visited by close pals Pia Wurtzbach and Bianca Guidotti) inside the booth. She has also resumed news presenting at PTV4.
Binibini 33 Erika Tilokani has been reuniting with her friends plus officially graduating from her course at Rizal Technological University.
Binibini 14 Emma Tiglao is also back to modeling like the hair-designing stint she did above for Maggie Wilson-Consunji.
Binibini 16 Zahara Soriano has also resumed work accepting modelling and promo gigs like the one she did for Smart above.
Binibini 10 Shauna Indra Curran (shown above with her father Bruce) has returned to Baguio to manage the family business.
Binibini 31 Angelique de Leon has returned to job hunting and is actually considering/deciding on a few good offers by now. She might even get an endorsement offer soon.
Binibini 32 Jeslyn Santos just spent the past weeks in Hagonoy, Bulacan before resuming her modeling assignments here in Manila.
Binibini 20 Kenneth Santiago is still keeping her 3feety shoe business alive while training at Philippine Airlines.
Binibini 34 Leonalyn dela Cruz has touched base with her auditing job again, but has also screened for Bodyshots 2014.
Binibini 29 KC Halili (2nd from right) will be resuming her Medical studies at UST.
Binibini 15 Kimverlyn Suiza has returned to work behind the camera.
The Instagram update of mentor Arnold Mercado above should give us a hint on what Binibini 17 Diana Arevalo could be up to next.
As for Binibini 8 Pia Wurtzbach, she has beautifully moved on from the Binibini experience and is currently mulling over other career options, like a resumption of her showbiz life perhaps?
So as you can see, these ladies have already learned to let go of the Binibini dream for now. Real life beckons and it’s time to process the next chapters of their individual journeys.
By the way, you can also add up developments about the other unfeatured Binibinis by replying below.. 🙂
This is supposed to be a fun, whimsical post…so let’s keep it as such!
The pressure of Bb. Pilipinas 2014 is getting into my sanity.
So let’s keep it light for a while, shall we?
Alright, it’s no secret that I am gay. But what if I happen to be a straight guy who gets infatuated by beautiful ladies? That, of course, would be totally impossible but just for fun, who among the forty (40) Binibinis will I normally fall for based on physical appearance and personality?
Very easy, but confusing in a way because I came up with four (4) names instead of just one (1).
Hannah Mariz – her geeky, one-of-the-boys and wholesome trademark will leave an indelible mark in me. My mom will definitely fall for her instantly.
Anabel – her sometimes pensive moods, at times funny ways and frequently creative mind will challenge the way I see things around me.
Julian – this girl’s street-smart streak and very relaxed side is sure to blend well with the entirely different qualities in my character. Opposite poles attract, anyone?
Angelique – her wacky character will make me laugh all day. And that’s a guarantee.
Now my dilemma enters the picture if I had to choose just one to court afterwards. But that’s taking this fantasy post too far.
Okay, I’m more laid-back now. Let me take that ayurvedic massage now, dear therapists.
As for you, dear readers, relax for now. Watch a movie. Watch Captain America. Or better yet, get a spa treatment. 😉
The Final Ranking of the Top 15 in our Top Picks for Bb. Pilipinas 2014 Poll
The Final Official Results as of 8:00AM of March 28, 2014
The readers, fans and supporters have spoken. 248,031 strong votes if we go by numbers.
And I tell you, the battle for supremacy was so tight up to the last minute (I closed the poll at 8:00 AM today)
The followers of Binibini 13 Kris Tiffany Janson and Binibini 25 Mary Jean Lastimosa just wouldn’t let up. In the final tally, the Cebuana lovely edged the Cotabatao bet. And by a mere One hundred thirty-eight (138) votes at that. Whew!
Binibinis 22 Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti, 6 Anabel Christine Tia and 4 Parul Shah complete the Top 5.
So just to give a rundown of your voted Top 15 for Bb. Pilipinas 2014:
1. Kris Tiffany Janson
2. Mary Jean Lastimosa
3. Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti
4. Anabel Christine Tia
5. Parul Shah
6. Emma Tiglao
7. Laura Lehmann
8. Yvethe Marie Santiago
9. Julian Aurine Flores
10. Shauna Indra Curran
11. Racquel Kabigting
12. Joy Marie Gangan
13. Vessica Sambo
14. Ednornance Agustin
15. Pia Wurtzbach
Let’s see how this list will compare to the actual results on Sunday night. 😉
It’s always been said that a lovely lady who has earned more than enough experience in joining beauty pageants will always enjoy a distinct edge over the newbies who have no intentions of re-joining a second one if unsuccessful during the first attempt. Agree or not?
In the currently raging hot Bb. Pilipinas 2014, we are afforded with a good mix of fresh-faced charmers and third-time experts (either in the same competition or crossover from other tilts). On one hand, some people would – just like looking for youngbloods during elections – automatically go for the promising first-timers who offer something new – albeit untested – for international contests. On the other, there are die-hards who would instinctively support the ones they feel were robbed of a win during their previous participations, thinking that the guarantee of an excellent performance abroad is already in the bag.
The photo grid above shows Hannah Mariz dela Guerra, Julian Aurine Flores and Anabel Tia against Diana Arevalo, MJ Lastimosa and Carla Lizardo. Compare them objectively. Who is your pick to outlast who? Experience over still-evident naivete or the other way around?
Allow me to share four (4) Bb. Pilipinas 2014 Official Candidates who, instead of wearing national costumes with over-the-top wow factors, decided to go for real tradition and went onstage garbed in attires that truly reflected the colorful diversity of Mindanao, plus the simplicity of the Tagalog region. Kudos to Anabel Christine Tia, Janine Asanion, Aiza Faeldonia and Jeslyn Santos plus their respective designers.
I would have included a fifth one in the Igorota costume of Shauna Curran, but the high slit on the skirt prevented me from citing her in this post.
The attire may not be attention-craving, but it reflected Anabel’s roots in Ozamiz City (Photo credit: Jory Rivera)
Janine may be from Zambales, but she wore a very traditional costume from the deep south (Photo credit: Jory Rivera for OPMB Worldwide)
Aiza opted for a Mindanao Royal Princess attire that made her shine with authenticity (Photo credit: Jory Rivera for OPMB Worldwide)
Among those who wore the terno, Jeslyn took one that had the most traditional cut and embellishments. Very Bulakenya! (Photo credit: Jory Rivera for OPMB Worldwide)
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!
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