Bb. Pilipinas 2019 Queens (left to right) Aya Abesamis, Patch Magtanong, Gazini Christiana Jordi Ganados, Emma Tiglao and Leren Mae M. Bautista are present during today’s top-off ceremony for Ibis Styles Hotel – the newest accomodation inside Araneta City that will be built attached to the new Gateway Mall.
#bbpilipinas
20 year-old (she will turn 21 in October 21) Nina Robertson will represent Australia in Miss Earth 2017. You will remember her as the sweet-looking ingenue who took part in Mutya ng Pilipinas 2015 and was crowned the fairest among the Overseas Community representatives.
This time, the beautiful Fil-Aussie from Melbourne has heavier weight on her shoulders as she battles it out with 89 other candidates for the environment-themed pageant. She admits to the pressure of doing well for her home country, but nothing that would give her second thoughts in bringing her A-game and hopefully make it as the very first Miss Earth winner from Down Under.
I had the pleasure of spending dinner and quality time with Nina in a get-together at Sumo Sam in Gateway Mall as organized by Dermcare and its’ CEO Zenaida Paulson where she is the Ambassadress.
Here are video clips from our light conversation:
Nina with Dermcare CEO Zenaida Palisoc where she is the endorser
Last Sunday afternoon, the Happy Grandparents’ Day event of Gateway Mall was held with the presence of Bb. Pilipinas International 2017 Mariel de Leon and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Elizabeth Clenci giving more excitement to the #LOLDAY for our special senior elders who took the spotlight.
The two queens shared their talent with Mariel rendering a song, accompanied by Liz on the guitar. Afterwards, they were gifted coffee paintings of their respective grandparents as tokens of appreciation.
Below are more photos from the activity as taken by Joy Arguil for normannorman.com.
This coming Saturday, all roads will lead to the Ali Mall Activity Area for the Bb. Pilipinas 2017 Talent Competition
This coming Saturday, April 8, thirteen (13) Binibinis will showcase their talents in singing, dancing, speed painting, and martial arts, among others. And it will all happen right at the Ali Mall Activity Area starting at 3pm.
In the meantime, here are archived photos from last year’s Talent Competition to align this feature with the Throwback Thursday theme. If you will recall, Vina Openiano (first photo below among the performing Binibinis from 2016)
Vina Openiano who was named Miss Talent
Maria Lina Prongoso
Edgelyn Gamboa
Sarah Bona
Jennyline Malpaya
Anjellica Lopez
Angela Gene Valdez
Kristine Estoque
Priscilla Kim dela Cruz
Apriel Smith
The six Binibinis who scored the highest for me in the Talent Competition
And among the performers, it’s quite easy to short-list the six (6) Best in Talent. Actually, I think that the #1 spot is practically a given for Binibini 24 Niza Sabrina Sophia Limjap who delivered a stirring rendition of “On My Own” from Les Miserables. If she does not win the Special Award come April 17, I would simply think that the judges favored one of the dancers. There were three who stood out in this department – Binibini 1 Janelle Olafson, Binibini 7 Angelique de Leon and Binibini 16 Vina Openiano in that order. My hunch is that the ultimate choice would be one of the four mentioned.
I would also like to cite the more than creditable performances of Binibini 12 Edjelyn Joy Gamboa in vocals and Binibini 22 Apriel Smith who did a bouncy Beyonce lip-sync complete with all the right moves.
All in all, I am happy that majority of those who participated in this event really showed talent and not just something rehearsed for exposure. Not bad collectively. Not bad at all. 😉
The best singer and the best dancer in my opinion – Niza Sabrina Limjap and Janelle Olafson, respectively (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)
The regular participants of the free Zumba classes at the Gateway Mall had the pleasant surprise of having the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Official Candidates as classmates for one day, Binibinis 1-20 to be exact. And it really gave them more motivation to give their hearts in doing all the taught moves as our beautiful ladies gamely danced, swayed and posed with everyone all throughout the session.
Binibinis 21-40 will also have their Zumba time, possibly with the crowds at Farmers Plaza. Watch out for them! 😀
The Forty Binibinis at the Gateway Gallery (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)
Sitting pretty, these Binibinis
Below are more photos from the said activity as photographed by my ever-reliable partner Joy Arguil.
Full smile mode for the Binibinis (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)
A photo grid of images from Bb. Pilipinas screenings during the last few years
Best foot forward all the time!
Day 1: Along with pre-assigned numbers, all the ladies who filed their applications, passed an initial review of submitted documents and received a call or message will converge at the assigned location and face the panel in groups of seven or eight depending on how many the actual screenees are. This can take a long while to finish, but at the end of an extensive review, the first cut will be made and the remaining qualifiers will be asked to return for the next round of judging.
Day 2: The next callback usually takes place after a one- or two-day skip. The next level gets tougher with the still-standing comers – minus more or less 1/4 of the initial number – getting scored for a second time. The eyes of the judges become more keen and their questions harder. By now, more than half of the Official Candidate slots have already been filled in their minds so there is more focus now on the ones who are still tagged as “middling” or “undecided” on the scoresheets. This is where the cut is likely to be the smallest as most everyone remaining will be given all the chance to prove their worth up until the crucial day of selection.
Day 3: This is the most difficult part because all the ones left are almost shoo-ins to become Official Candidates. The last day of screening will have approximately half of the original applicants and where the difference between getting in or not can be truly heartbreaking depending on what number is on target to be filled – 30, 35, 40 or more. Day 3 is the longest. There were even years when the final day of screening would reach close to midnight and all.
Height is also looked at more microscopically, and some background check findings forwarded to make it easy to say “thank you but no thanks” to those who might have potential problems in their bid due to an assortment of reasons (like existing endorsement contracts, citizenship issues, residency concerns, questions on previously-published photos etc) that come into significant play.
More images from past Bb. Pilipinas screenings and callbacks
So there. That wasn’t very hard, right? Just kidding. The Bb. Pilipinas screening is truly a challenge. Making it gives a sense of fulfillment that cannot be easily matched.
So who do you think will be the final selection for Bb. Pilipinas 2016? You will find out soon enough, dear readers. 😉
Bb. Pilipinas International 2015 Janicel Lubina and your blogger (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)
Janicel (leftmost) with three of her Bb. Pilipinas 2015 sisters Pia, Rogelie and Christi
The four faces of Bb. Pilipinas International 2015 Janicel Lubina while answering questions from the Press during her send-off
But enough of the small drama. Janicel also displayed her learned phrases and statements in Nihongo. She wants to show the Japanese locals her efforts at communicating in their language even if she might flub a pronunciation or two in the process. The innate charm is always intact. And I reckon that she will get into the hearts sooner than anyone can say “Arigato gozaimasu!”
You can do us proud, Janicel! Go get that crown! 😀
Best of luck in Tokyo, Janicel Lubina! (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)
Bb. Pilipinas International 2015 Janicel Lubina
Janicel with her sisters Pia, Rogelie and Christi
Earlier in the afternoon at the Activity Center of Gateway Mall, Bb. Pilipinas International 2015 Janicel Lubina was given her send-off to Miss International 2015. The choice of the venue was an interesting one, as compared to the usual Gloriamaris or Balay. In fact, this activity had the look and feel of a public event to herald the upcoming departure of our Queen for the Land of the Rising Sun on Saturday, October 17. And the openness of the area actually allowed more people to witness the whole thing.
Janicel was at her most radiant when she finally stepped out to take her spot onstage. Motivated by the recent win of Ann Colis as Miss Globe 2015 and the ongoing fight of Parul Shah for Miss Grand International 2015 in Thailand, she is all pumped up and ready to face her opponents for the Mikimoto crown. And by all counts, she is dead set on claiming our 6th.
While our Queen knows that she has been hyped by the Japanese Press several months back, Janicel knows that she can never rely on old publicity. Instead, she wants to show them her fully-transformed self and face up to the challenge with her beautiful game face on.
From all of us here at normannorman.com, we wish you safe travels, Janicel! Give it your best and bring on your A-game every single day of the pageant duration. 😀
Tearful ladies giving their words of encouragement for Janicel
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