I can vividly remember the very first event when I was formally introduced and spent time with Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco Jr. during the selection of Official Candidates for Mr & Ms Hannah’s Ecotourism Philippines 2017 at Market! Market! We were seated alongside each other on the judges’ table back then.
I never expected that first encounter to reel off my regular visits to Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center whenever they would host preliminaries of different national pageants. I’ve always considered Pagudpud to be such a far and remote place to go to. But after just two consecutive invitations to head up north, I got so used to the trip – be it by plane or by bus. The #CrownJewelOfTheNorth became like a second home, having spent six (6) workcation weekends there last year.
With that, I have grown much closer to the Proprietor himself – Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco Jr. – a down-to-earth man who has placed his unwavering faith in my talents and capabilities. And no event by Hannah’s went by without my presence (and coverage).
Up to this year when I got significantly involved in the nationwide Go-Sees, Grand Callback and Actual Competition for Mr and Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines 2018 up to preparations for Miss Hannah’s World Tourism, he was always there checking on us – always the hands-on superior whose fatherly presence I regularly look up to with such endearment.
Now that Gov (as we fondly call him) has sadly moved on to be with his Creator, I feel a sense of great loss. Last night, I could not find the right words to say to his loved ones who are left behind. But this morning, I finally gathered the strength to face up to the reality of his untimely passing.
#TeamHannahs with Col. Nolasco (center)
Mahal na mahal ka namin, Sir! Hinding hindi kita malilimutan. Ikaw ang inspirasyon na laging gumagabay sa akin at sa amin. At sana’y tuloy-tuloy mo pa rin kaming bantayan.
Here are the winners of last night’s big event at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila:
Nicole will now represent the country in the inaugural edition of Miss Hannah’s World Tourism which will be held come September, while George will also get the chance to do an international male competition to be announced soon and which should take place in the first quarter of 2019.
Welcoming back Miss Thailand Earth 2017 Paweensuda “Fahsai” Drouin gave a most refreshing touch to our hectic days and nights preparing for the Grand Coronation Night of Mr and Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines 2018 tomorrow at the Resorts World Manila. The minute she stepped out of the arrival area at NAIA Terminal 2, we hugged and talked to each other like old friends all the way to dinner where the big group enjoyed her beautiful queenly presence. Here is a clip of her interview with ABS-CBN’s Mario Dumaual, alongside Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco Jr of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center. Here, she answered the question about the possibility of re-joining Miss Thailand Universe.
Today, Fahsai and her Road Manager Natee will be toured around Tagaytay City and Taal Volcano. She is looking forward to this tour which she missed doing during her first visit last year. And tomorrow night, she is excited about meeting Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray for the second time. Their first encounter was when the latter sat as one of the judges during her selection as Miss Earth Hannah’s 2017.
The organizers (including your blogger) kept the identity of the Grand National Callback aspirants under wraps before the big reveal yesterday afternoon at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura. And as hoped for, the judges and members of the media were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the candidates who vied for the spots as Official Candidates. On the panel were Miss Grand International 2016 1st Runner-Up Nicole Cordoves, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2009 Bianca Manalo, Bb. Pilipinas 2018 Top 15 Finisher Sandra Lemonon, Bb. Pilipinas 2018 Top 25 Finisher Sigrid Grace Flores, Bb. Pilipinas 2018 Official Candidate Sarah Margarette Joson, model Clint Bondad, Michelle Encarnacion of Belmere’, Domz Ramos of DR Swim, Randy Nolasco and Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., Proprietornof Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center. At the end of eliminations, the Top 20 Male and Top 20 Female placers were announced as this year’s Official Candidates, as follows, with their official numbers:
Last night, a Victory Dinner was hosted by Hannah’s Beach Resort & Convention Center and AMWSLAI in honor of their favorite Queen – Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray – at Romulo Cafe in Quezon City. Close friends and associates attended the gathering where she thanked everyone who supported her bid during Bb. Pilipinas 2018. Present were Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr. and daughter Hannah, Ton Lao, Jojo Bragais, Clint Bondad, Nicole Cordoves, Tessera Jewelry owners and more.
Indulge me, dear readers, with another blog entry about Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray. We saw each other at Club Mwah! Sunday night during the 91st Birthday Celebration of Mrs. Josefa Llanos Nolasco (right photo below), mother of Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., Proprietor of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center. She was all glowing and appreciating the cheers and requests for photo ops from all directions.
The first question Cat asked me during our short time together was “Where were you seated at the Araneta during the Finals, Tito Norman?”. And I said, “I was just a section below the large group of Catrionians cheering for you!”. And she let out her usual charming smile and hugged me. “You really supported me all the way, Tito. Love you!”
Last Sunday night, your blogger spent some personal talk time with the beautiful Catriona Gray when we were seated beside each other during the birthday celebration of Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr PAF (Ret) of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center at Forum 1 of Solaire Resort and Casino.
Cat was visibly surprised and worried about all the spreading talks and rumors about transferring beauty camps which she simply dismissed as small talks from different people which got bigger but totally untrue. If at any, she is more concerned on whether she should really take the risk of joining Bb. Pilipinas. If a yes, there is even uncertainty on whether she would take part in the 2018 or 2019 edition. At 23, she still has the luxury of waiting it out for another year or two. After all, there will only be one – and only one – title she would be interested in pursuing.
normannorman.com 