Asya Branch

All posts tagged Asya Branch

#TurningPhenomenal Series No. 14

Posted by Norman on June 4, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .


A much younger Kim with her Filipina mom Jeanette Dela Peña

#TurningPhenomenal Series No. 14

This is a pure and unadulterated “fanciful” entry into this series of potential Miss Universe Philippines 2021 for obvious reasons. But I am posting it to engage everyone in a discussion.

Kim Layne of Idaho is, of course, the Miss USA 2020 1st Runner-Up to Asya Danielle Branch. She is also half-Filipina, and proud of it.

Now there are talks that – should there be no staging of Miss USA 2021 due to lack of time – Kim might be pulled up to do the job of participating in the next Miss Universe this coming December. Otherwise, pageant fans have expressed some approval that she could be taken in by Miss Universe Philippines to vie for the national crown.

This is not a wild possibility. But I am pretty sure that resistance from different groups will be in strong play. After all, there are several Filipinas who are just as qualified to represent the country. Why import a delegate?

Our Thai neighbors have already made similar moves to that effect, but more felt in countries in Europe (or Canada) where halfies have been beautifully born and raised. We don’t want to go that route now. Or are we?

What are your thoughts, dear readers?

Bits and Pieces for the 69th Miss Universe

Posted by Norman on May 6, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , .


I am loving the National Costume of Miss Universe Nepal Anshika Sharma – an ode to mountaineers who have conquered Mount Everest.

This modern ensemble is not complicated but very reflective of one of the country’s contributions to the Universe.

It takes a village to build a National Costume. And nowhere is this more evident than what Miss Universe Malaysia Francisca Luhong James will wear for the 69th Miss Universe – a #kampungku or translated from Bahasa Malaysia as “my hometown”.

She is literally bringing a representation of her village to the competition. Wow! 😯

To be host delegate and birthday celebrant at the same time – that is Miss USA 2020 Asya Danielle Branch for you.

#HappyBirthday!

You have the shortest travel time to Hollywood, Florida among the candidates – less than 90 minutes by plane from Mississippi. But you have one of the most demanding responsibilities in the 69th Miss Universe – a 23 year-old big sister to 73 delegates.

The one country gunning for a back-to-back win in the 69th Miss Universe is South Africa. They were close to achieving a three-peat before, if you will recall.

And Miss South Africa 2020 Natasha Joubert is not leaving any stone unturned in her mission. Never mind if Venezuela has already done it first. The important thing is to win.

#69thMissUniverse

The 69th Miss Universe: My Pre-Registration Picks

Posted by Norman on May 1, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .


It is already May 1 and in just over two weeks from now, the 69th Miss Universe will be crowned at the Seminole Hard Rock Auditorium in Hollywood, Florida.

Seventy-four (74) delegates will register starting May 3-4. And based on what we have seen among them prior to their arrival in the host city, I am pleased to share my Pre-Registration Picks in alphabetical order. I am arranging them this way because I would like to see how they will settle in for the first couple of days before placing them in terms of ranking or hierarchy.

Here are the twenty (20) I have high expectations on. Let’s see if they will deliver on either the hype or the kind of impact they have shown the past few weeks:

Argentina – Alina Luz Akselrad
Australia – Maria Thattil
Brazil – Julia Gama
Colombia – Laura Olascuaga
Curacao – Chantal Wiertz
Czech Republic – Klára Vavruskova
Iceland – Elisabet Hulda Snorradottir
India – Adline Castelino
Indonesia – Ayu Maulida Putri
Jamaica – Miqueal-Symone Williams
Laos – Christina Lasasimma
Mexico – Andrea Meza
Nepal – Anshika Sharma
Philippines – Rabiya Mateo
Puerto Rico – Estefania Soto Torres
Romania – Bianca Lorena Tirsin
South Africa – Natasha Joubert
Thailand – Amanda Obdam
USA – Asya Danielle Branch
Venezuela – Mariangel Villasmil

I still have at least five (5) bubbling under and they might just manage to pull down a few of the ladies above a week from now.

Who are yours, dear readers?

Asya Branch of Mississippi wins Miss USA 2020

Posted by Norman on November 10, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

Asya Branch of Mississippi wins Miss USA 2020. She will take part in the next edition of Miss Universe next year.

First Runner-Up is Kim Layne of Idaho.

The three other runners-up are Oklahoma, Indiana and Alabama in that order.

It must have been close going into the Final statement. And this is where Asya edged out Kim for the title.

Congratulations❣️

#missusa2020