Carlene Aguilar

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Christi Lynn McGarry: The Mutya ng Pilipinas and Bb. Pilipinas winner who represented us in Miss Intercontinental twice

Posted by Norman on April 26, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , .

The Mutya ng Pilipinas 2010 winners doing the wave of victory. (Photo credit: OPMB Worldwide)

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Left-to-right: 2nd Runner-Up Kimverlyn Suiza, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism Ann Lorraine Colis, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Christi Lynn McGarry, Miss Universe Philippines Pia Wurtzbach, Bb. Pilipinas International Janicel Lubina, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Rogelie Catacutan and 1st Runner-Up Hannah Ruth Sison

Christi as Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific 2010

There’s nothing new anymore about established beauty queens crossing over to other national beauty pageants and winning a second title to their names. The likes of Catriona Gray, Carlene Aguilar, Katarina Rodriguez, Kirby Ann Basken (from Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific 2006 to Miss Universe Norway 2007) and Leren Mae Bautista fall under that category – even the subject of our blog entry for today.

But what really makes Christi Lynn McGarry more unique compared to the rest? I can name two (2):

Christi McGarry during the first time she represented the Philippines in Miss Intercontinental back in 2010.

1) She was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific 2010 but was sent instead to Miss Intercontinental 2010 in the Dominican Republic after the original Mutya ng Pilipinas Intercontinental 2010 Carla Lizardo could not fulfill the overseas mission. She placed in the Top 15 and was named Continental Queen of Asia Oceania. In the same year, she was appointed to represent the Philippines in Top Model of the World where she also finished in the Top 15.

2) When Christi suited up for Bb. Pilipinas 2015, she wanted so much to win any of the titles at stake except for Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental for obvious reasons. But as fate would have it, she earned the right to represent us in Miss Intercontinental for a second time. The only difference is that she performed better by grabbing 1st Runner-Up honors to Valentina Rasulova of Russia and claiming the Continental Queen of Asia Oceania sash once more.

Christi (2nd from right) was more successful in her second attempt when she finished 1st Runner-Up during Miss Intercontinental 2015

Christi’s pageant career is colorful to say the least. Maybe the hues are not as bright as, say competing in either Miss Universe or Miss International. But all things being equal, her share of achievements cannot be sneered upon. Here is someone who vied twice for the same international pageant crown, made a creditable mark at first and returned as a more polished and prepared fighter five years later. All #ForThePhilippines.

This is how Christi spends her golden hour workout at home while on ECQ

Throwback to 2001 and the very first crowning moment of Miss Earth

Posted by Norman on March 31, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .


I had fond memories of Miss Earth 2001. Aside from the homegrown international pageant’s inaugural edition, it was also my first international coverage as pageant media. I was still part of Mabuhay Beauties then – several years before I even started blogging independently.

I can remember the official residence of the delegates being the – now gone – Intercontinental Manila along Ayala Avenue. It was the one and only time that the said hotel hosted/sponsored ladies for a pageant. What’s more, some of the pre-pageant activities were held at the Manila Polo Club. Finals was held at the UP Theater.

As for the batch, Catharina Svensson of Denmark was a standout – both physically (read: tallest) and intellectually. She was not the most gorgeous (her three elemental runners-up from Brazil, Kazakhstan and Argentina were more eye-catching, but the minute she speaks, everyone listened. She was the most convincing spokesperson for Mother Earth all the way to the Grand Coronation.

Below are two video clips from the inaugural finals.

Miss Earth has come a long way from 2001. And in terms of annual candidates, ladies from all over the world flock to be part of the beauty and environmental extravaganza. This inspite of encountering a number of major intrigues in the past that Carousel Productions and its officers were able to hurdle with head held high.

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: , , , , , , , .

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

Throwback Thursday: Memories of the Very First Miss Earth

Posted by Norman on September 25, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .

The first elemental beauties (left-to-right): Miss Fire 2001 Daniela Stucan of Argentina, Miss Earth 2001 Catharina Svensson of Denmark, Miss Air 2001 Simone Regis of Brazil and Miss Water 2001 Margarita Kravtsova of Kazakhstan (Photo credit: Boyet Blas for Mabuhay Pageants)

The first elemental beauties (left-to-right): Miss Fire 2001 Daniela Stucan of Argentina, Miss Earth 2001 Catharina Svensson of Denmark, Miss Air 2001 Simone Regis of Brazil and Miss Water 2001 Margarita Kravtsova of Kazakhstan (Photo credit: Boyet Blas for Mabuhay Pageants)

Catharina as photographed by my friend Boyet Blas

Catharina as photographed by my friend Boyet Blas

catharinasvensson I have quite a number of fond memories about Miss Earth 2001. I remember covering the first edition of the environmental beauty search for Mabuhay Pageants, visiting the ladies at Hotel Intercontinental Manila – their official residence, interviewing my favorites during a pre-pageant activity at Manila Polo Club, watching the (relatively crude-ishly staged) Preliminaries held at the then Mandaluyong City Gymnasium and witnessing the live coronation at UP Theatre.

I remember Misses Argentina Daniela Stucan and Miss Kazakhstan Margarita Kravstsova being the most fiercely-competitive among the 42 candidates and hoping to high heavens that they would nail the crown. Connected to that, I remember sitting down for a one-on-one with the latter who was starting to act up like a stilted presence, but eventually showed a more civil attitude.

Miss Earth India 2001 Shamita Singha (2nd from right) was one of the candidates I bonded with that year. (Photo credit: Boyet Blas for Mabuhay Pageants)

Miss Earth India 2001 Shamita Singha (2nd from right) was one of the candidates I bonded with that year. (Photo credit: Boyet Blas for Mabuhay Pageants)

I remember the very warm and friendly Miss India Shamita Singha who had the right amount of confidence to figure out well in the finals. She made Top 10, but was disappointed when she no longer advanced to the Final 4.

Miss Earth Philippines Carlene Aguilar during the ME2001 Press Presentation at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila (Photo credit: Boyet Blas for Mabuhay Pageants)

Miss Earth Philippines Carlene Aguilar during the ME2001 Press Presentation at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila (Photo credit: Boyet Blas for Mabuhay Pageants)

I remember the mother of Miss Philippines Carlene Aguilar who always reserved the loudest cheers for her daughter.

I remember the non-English speaking but very gracious and beautiful Miss Bolivia Catherine Villarroel who profusely thanked me when I complimented on how “muy lindo!” she is.

I remember the kooky but happy-to-be-with Evelyn Mikomagi of Estonia who was very happy when she was named to the Top 10.

I remember Miss USA Abby Royce who, upon learning that I was constantly hunting her down for a quick interview, gave me the most profound environment-laced answers that would put any Miss Earth wannabe to shame.

But more than anyone else, I remember the statuesque, no-nonsense and cordial Catharina Svensson, the equestrienne, model and law student from Copenhagen who was named the very first Miss Earth. She was one of the earliest arrivals, had a very commanding presence and gave simple but sensible answers to any question thrown at her. Actually, she was only running to be one of the elemental court members. But when she answered the final Q&A, there was no question that the judges had found the most deserving inaugural winner of the competition.

The Press Photographers and some of the Miss Earth 2001 beauties at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila poolside (Photo credit: Boyet Blas for Mabuhay Pageants)

The Press Photographers and some of the Miss Earth 2001 beauties at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila poolside (Photo credit: Boyet Blas for Mabuhay Pageants)

Oh, I really do have so many positive thoughts about Miss Earth 2001. 🙂

The Screening Committee

Posted by Norman on January 23, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

The Bb. Pilipinas 2014 Screening Committee

The Bb. Pilipinas 2014 Screening Committee

In their hands, the fate of the Top 61 Bb. Pilipinas 2014 contenders are placed in. They will decide on who’s in or who’s out.

Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta heads the screeners with her amigas Conchitina Sevilla Bernardo and Betsy Westendorf, plus a string of former Bb. Pilipinas titleholders like Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman, Carlene Aguilar, Karen Agustin, Venus Raj and the like.

Do you think the three elders have their own selections that differ from the younger ones? Or will the latter push hard for the ones they believe will excel internationally? 😉

Ina Dominica Guerrero: an exotic MPE for a change?

Posted by Norman on May 8, 2012
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .

Ina Dominica Guerrero - Miss Mun. of Daraga, Albay in Miss Philippines Earth 2012

Among the 48 Official Candidates of Miss Philippines Earth 2012, one lady easily stands out because of her beauty, styling and long curly tresses. Her name is Ina Dominica Guerrero, representing the Municipality of Daraga, Albay. The Management junior at Bicol University is another clear proof how beautiful and diverse the Bicolana women can be.

That said, do you guys think Carousel Productions is ready for a more exotic Miss Philippines Earth? We’ve already seen a number of mixed-racial winners (e.g. Karla Henry, Sandra Seifert, Tamera Marie Szijarto, Jeanne Harn and Laura Marie Dunlap) and fair-skinned ones (e.g. April Ross Perez, Carlene Aguilar and Psyche Resus), but never a darker beauty in the mold of Ina Dominica Guerrero above.

I, for one, would be happy having someone like her represent us in Miss Earth. But that would mean ignoring the fact the she is facing heavy competition from the more hyped and more environmentally articulate contenders in the batch. Let’s see if she can hold up her own when judgment time gets tough.

Krystle Ann Grant: one beauty pageant is not enough for Miss Philippines Air 2007

Posted by Norman on February 14, 2011
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, Bb. Pilipinas 2011 Blog Bites. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

Bb. Pilipinas 2011 Official Candidate Krystle Ann Grant (aka Krystle Ann Dizon)

Krystle Ann when she won Miss Philippines Air 2007 as Krystle Ann Dizon

Krystle Ann Grant
5’ 7″ , 23
120 lbs.
St.Jude College
Special Talent/Sports/Hobbies –
Reading , swimming , dancing
Interesting Information –
2007 Ms. Philippines Air –1st Runner Up
Miss Philippines in Miss Tourism Queen International 2008

Fil-Am Krystle Ann Grant (she’s from the Bay Area) has had her share of beauty pageant fame, albeit lackluster. In 2007, she joined Miss Philippines Earth and was named Miss Philippines Air (or 1st Runner-Up). As a result, she was sent to Zheng Zhou, China as the Philippine representative to the Miss Tourism Queen International 2008. She did not bring home the bacon, but probably realized that she wants to join a bigger national pageant that is the Binibining Pilipinas. She is now an Official Candidate and is hopeful that her track record will help in achieving a more newsworthy victory in the finals.

This girl – who has a striking semblance to erstwhile sexy actress Joyce Jimenez – is classy and articulate. But in order to transform herself to a potential winner, she will need to up her ante even more, evolve into a fiercer competitor and train her darndest best to eclipse the onslaught of stronger co-candidates who are just as hungry – if not hungrier – for a crown. If only to pep up her chances, crossover candidates from the Miss Philippines Earth (Venus Raj, Carlene Aguilar and Nadia Lee Cien Shami to name a few) have done extremely well in Binibining Pilipinas so she might just be the next one to do so. Good luck, Krystle! 😉

Miss World 2010 Alexandria Mills will arrive in the Philippines come January 25

Posted by Norman on January 22, 2011
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , .

Miss World 2010 Alexandria Mills


Next Tuesday, January 25, Miss World 2010 Alexandria Mills will set foot in the Philippines together with MWO (Miss World Organization) Head Julia Morley to attend the formal contract signing with Cory Quirino – the new Philippine franchise holder of the biggest global beauty pageant. It will be remembered that BPCI (Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.) took charge of sending local representatives to the Miss World from 1992-2010 and can be credited for a number of respectable placements in the competition such as 2nd Princess in 1993 (Ruffa Gutierrez); Top 5 in 2003 (Mafae Yunon) & 2004 (Karla Bautista); Top 10 in 2002 (Kate Manalo) & 1994 (Cara Subijano); and Top 15 in 2005 (Carlene Aguilar).

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Cory Quirino’s Fusion Excel group can eclipse BPCI’s performance and finally produce the Philippines’ first Miss World titleholder. 😉

Bb. Pilipinas 2010 Focus: The repeater and the crossovers

Posted by Norman on February 9, 2010
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Time and time again, ladies who failed to win a Binibining Pilipinas crown in their first attempt would join again in a year or two or three to try their luck and see if their fate would improve. Perfect examples would be Desiree Verdadero who was part of the 1982 group but came out victorious two years later and Maricar Balagtas who made a double attempt before finally bringing into fruition her objective in 2004.

In the same light, contestants and/or winners from other competitor beauty contests would enlist as candidates in the hopes of nailing a crown that is obviously more prestigious, not to mention high profile. Carlene Aguilar was the very first Miss Philippines-Earth in 2001. She took the big risk when she joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2005 and was not disappointed. She walked away with the title that earned her the ticket to Miss World.

This year’s batch has at least four contenders who belong to the aforementioned categories. One is a repeater and three are crossovers. Let’s look at them individually:

Candidate #8 Ana Marie Morelos (Photo credit: Gelbert Aplal)

Candidate #8 Ana Marie Morelos was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas 2007 and eventually placed 4th Runner-Up in the Miss Tourism International Contest in Malaysia. This beauteous 5’7″ lass – a nurse by profession – knows how to play the game. She was still this innocent-looking girl when she joined her first beauty pageant, but had all the luck in her favor given her exotic looks and graceful charm. As an official candidate of Binibining Pilipinas 2010, she has considerably upped her ante. She looks fiercer and more confident. Will she win one of the crowns? Possibly. Some pundits would rate her a longshot, but I personally feel that she can easily enter the semis and perhaps, squeeze herself into the Top 5.

Candidate #15 Jam Charisa Libatog

Candidate #15 Jam Charisa Libatog is another crossover. She won the title of Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism Puerto Princesa 2008 and went on to compete at the Miss Tourism International 2008 in Malaysia, just like Ana Marie above. Honestly, I cannot give her an outright thumbs-up to win the Binibining Pilipinas this year because of the stiff competition. But who really knows? She just might surprise everyone, but gut-feel tells me that she won’t. A semi-final slot is the best I can see her reaching.

Candidate #10 Maria Venus Raj during her stint at Miss Philippines-Earth 2008.

Maria Venus Raj, Candidate #10, was crowned Miss Philippines-Eco Tourism 2008 when Karla Paula Henry won. This year, she is entering Binibining Pilipinas as one of the favorites to win come March 6. Her statuesque height (5’10”) and very exotic looks are likely to score high on the judges (especially among foreign members of the panel) and will make a breath-of-fresh-air representative to an international pageant instead of the usual mestizas and chinitas. This brown-skinned beauty is counting on that.

Candidate #16 Toni Alyessa Hipolito

The repeater in the batch is Candidate #16 Toni Alyessa Hipolito who first joined the Bb. Pilipinas fray back in 2008 when Jennifer Barrientos, Patricia Fernandez and Janina San Miguel (eventually replaced by Danielle Castano) were declared winners. If you ask me, nothing much has changed in Toni compared to how she looked two years ago. If any, her level of self-confidence must have significantly jumped and this somehow prompted a second try for one of the 2010 crowns. I wish her luck because this 5’5 1/2″ candidate has some mighty glamazons (Gwendoline Ruais, Maria Venus Raj, Mary Ann Misa) crossing her way.

Let’s wish these ladies the best of luck! 😉

Bb. Pilipinas 2010 Focus: The Showbiz Edge

Posted by Norman on February 5, 2010
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Beauty pageants are typically used by contestants and its winners as springboards to brighter career opportunities. For some, entering showbiz has become an inevitable proposition – much like previous Binibining Pilipinas winners like Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman, Maria Isabel Lopez, Joanne Santos (Quintas), Miriam Quiambao, Dindi Gallardo, Nina Ricci Alagao, Carlene Aguilar etc. So it doesn’t come very often when the reverse happens, i.e., someone already from showbiz joining the Binibining Pilipinas and winning a title (or placing in the Top 5) and then going back to the klieg lights of both TV and movies. Perhaps, it can be quite a risky move but not for the likes of Ruffa Gutierrez, Maggie Wilson, Rich Asuncion and even Sandra Seifert (who used to be a TV host before joining and backing out of Binibining Pilipinas and then rejoining the Miss Philippines-Earth and winning the same).

This year, one candidate stands out because of her very familiar face. Candidate #11, Krissa Mae Arietta Kleiner is already a permanent fixture in her home studio, GMA-7. She was initially the ‘Gobingo‘ girl of Arnel Ignacio when she started in the biz a couple of years back. From there, she went on to guest in several TV shows and regularly performed on Sunday’s SOP before landing full support roles in primetime shows like “Darna” and “Gagambino.” Following her fellow network colleague Rich Asuncion who joined and placed 1st Runner-Up in last year’s Binibining Pilipinas, she was groomed by the GMA Artist Center to be their bet this year. And for a good reason at that – Krissa Mae has excellent chances of actually bagging one of the crowns come March 6.

Krissa Mae Kleiner during the Bb. Pilipinas 2010 Talent Competition (Photo Credit: Bong Tan)

Although Krissa Mae is currently being tagged as the girlfirend of R&B Singer Jay-R, she continues to shine on her own given the fact that she has already paid a good chunk of her dues as a showbiz upstart. The 5’8″ Fil-American is serious about becoming a beauty queen. She believes that representing the Philippines in the international pageant arena is one way of paying homage and/or giving honor to one’s motherland.

Gorgeous Krissa Mae Kleiner (Photo credit: Felix Manuel)

I believe this girl has a lot to offer. In the talent competition of the pageant alone, she surprised everyone with her martial arts-themed song-and-dance number that might just net her the Miss Talent award. But more than this, Krissa Mae Kleiner has what it takes to join the troika of Binibining Pilipinas winners this year – not just because of her showbiz edge, but owing to the fact that she is beautiful, articulate, ever-smiling and more than ready to be one of the shining symbols of Filipina beauty in the global stage for 2010.

Good luck, Krissa Mae!