In the ongoing screenings for Century Tuna Superbods 2020 (which will have its Final Callback tomorrow), there are three interesting names and faces who joined in the auditions. And I bet that they are all shoo-ins to become Official Candidates:
1) Joanna Eden – the former Bb. Pilipinas Supranational
2) Kathleen Paton – the former Miss Teen International and Miss Manila who was being originally wooed to join Bb. Pilipinas 2020.
3) Samantha Lo – the resigned Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2019
Back in 2016, Riana Agatha Pangindian was still a 19 year-old pageant newbie who joined Bb. Pilipinas mainly for the experience. And what a journey she fondly relishes from that stint. An inclusion in the Top 15 was almost unexpected – given that she had to battle with the likes of Maxine Medina, Kylie Verzosa, Nicole Cordoves, Jennifer Hammond, Nichole Manalo and Joanna Eden who went home with the crowns. But she was actually part of that essential cut.
Instead of pushing herself into joining more beauty contests after that experience, Riana opted to finish her studies first. She graduated June of last year and took the board exams. She is now licensed to teach Biological Science. Her plan is to return to pageantry one more time before she finally focuses on becoming a full-time Educator. Her personal advocacy is actually inspired by her profession:
“I would like to focus on the importance of mentorship to the next generation. Growing up, I have been exposed to this process until I ventured to the field of education up to now that I am already a Professional Teacher. I learned that this is a key method to exponential wholistic growth of a person, whether young or old. So if we can invest on our current and future teachers – by supporting them emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually – it could help inspire and rekindle their joy and passion to teach with love and have respect for one another, moreso to the students they encounter.
This might be a huge undertaking, and I know I can’t do it on my own. So for now I’m starting small by mentoring younger women in my community which I believe is vital in their journey to adulthood. In all of these I know that I’m not alone because I have a God who is able to do far more than what I can think.”
I would really like to see the much-improved version of Riana in the coming months. And it’s looking like we can all see her return. As to which national pageant, let’s just wait and see.
Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2016 Joanna Eden just got back from Sydney, Australia where she spent two leisurely months with her family. And this week, she started a distance degree with an Australian university where she is taking up Philosophy.
“…So I can also study while staying in Manila and seeing where I can go – career-wise. But to make any big steps I have to wait for our Bb. Pilipinas contract to end. But I’m hoping to get into hosting etc. rather than just staying in the modeling field.”
Joanna during one of her workout days at the Ultra Sports Complex
Joanna wants to make sure that she spends her time productively while waiting for the right big projects to plunge into. And I wouldn’t be surprised if we see her getting more active in the social scene once more. 🙂
On a 0-100 scale, that is the final mark that I am giving to the collective performance of our six (6) Bb. Pilipinas 2016 titleholders. Using the grade point system of my alma mater – the University of Santo Tomas – the percentage is equivalent to 2.0 or Good. Not bad.
Their individual grades are as follows:
Maxine Medina – 93.02% for placing in the Top 6 of the 65th Miss Universe which had 86 candidates
Kylie Verzosa – 100% for winning Miss International 2016
Jennifer Hammond – 76.19% for placing in the Top 15 of Miss Intercontinental 2016 which had 63 candidates
Joanna Eden – 71.83% for placing in the Top 20 of Miss Supranational 2016 which had 71 candidates
Nicole Cordoves – 97.36% for placing 1st Runner-Up in Miss Grand International 2016 which had 76 candidates
Nichole Manalo – 92% for placing 3rd Runner-Up in The Miss Globe 2016 which had 50 candidates
Honestly, 88.401% won’t be a hard mark to surpass on my performance tally for the next batch of winners. And with the continuous strong showings of our delegates internationally, I am confident that it can be achieved. But that’s getting far ahead of what 2017 has in store for our new Queens.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Maxine, Kylie, Jennifer, Joanna, Nicole and Nichole for showing the best of the World-Class Filipinas in the global pageant stage. This is no major tribute but a simple way of showing my appreciation for all your efforts in solidifying the noteworthy performances of the Bb. Pilipinas titleholders.
Above are my Top 20 Binibinis of Bb. Pilipinas 2017 before I let go of Dane Felisse, Maria Benjieleen, Ruffa and Sammie Anne to trim down the choices to a manageable field of 16
Late last month, it finally dawned on me how the Philippine pageant sphere has sharply polarized into several competing combinations for the new Bb. Pilipinas 2017 titleholders. Just when I thought that I have assembled an almost perfect batch of titleholders and runners-up, small but significant factors topple what I have already set my mind into using as the strong foundation for my fearless forecast. Thing is, whoever I put on top and in succeeding placements will not necessarily jibe with the differing ideas and opinions of the reading public. So in order to lessen the load of stress bogging down my mind of late, I covered my ears, focused on my personal notes/assessments and came up with what I believe could be my best possible final winning configuration.
Your blogger with independent Binibinis (left to right): Arah, Camille, Clarice and Istie
One factor that I uniquely enjoy as your blogger is the friendship I have established with all of the Binibinis – something that is neither deep nor superficial but enough to give me precious hints as to which six contenders deserve to be glorified in the end. At first, camp affiliations threatened to sway me back and forth. Believe it or not, I consciously distanced myself from both so as to keep my eyes transfixed on the personal merits of each one of them and not be influenced by who handles who or whose clout could be more widespread than the other. I also moved away from the “independent” angle because it only tends to muddle the whole process.
Dear readers, it took me a long time to build the Binibinis included in the first cut of my predictions. Here now are my Top 16 (I couldn’t go lower than this number anymore) for Bb. Pilipinas 2017 arranged according to their assigned numbers first:
My Top 16 in their National Costumes
#Binibini2 Arienne Louise Calingo
#Binibini10 Jehza Huelar
#Binibini12 Angelique Celine de Leon
#Binibini13 Sirene Sutton
#Binibini15 Maria Angelica de Leon
#Binibini17 Maria Camille Manalo
#Binibini18 Nelda Ibe
#Binibini19 Rachel Peters
#Binibini20 Christagale Borja
#Binibini21 Jamaica Elysse Ambal
#Binibini22 Chanel Olive Thomas
#Binibini24 Dindi Pajares
#Binibini31 Katarina Rodriguez
#Binibini32 Charmaine Elima
#Binibini38 Ana Patricia Asturias
#Binibini39 Elizabeth Clenci
You know too well that nobody can make instant guesses on who are guaranteed to ace the Q&A. But if your main basis is the ABS-CBN Primer shown last Sunday night (watch sample videos below), then it would be safe to speculate that a good majority of the sixteen Binibinis above will acquit themselves very well; unless, the unexpected happens and those deemed to easily deliver will buckle under extreme pressure. videos courtesy of Pageanthologist Network
There is that one crucial minute where anything can happen. It may depend on which judge will ask the question or what question will be asked of a particular candidate. However at this juncture, the favored ones are already starting to shape up as the eventual winners and they simply need to give a decent job of answering. One or two may surprise the judges and the audience, but if they don’t belong to the “initially chosen” (keep in mind that the closed door panel interviews conducted yesterday were of utmost importance), then the anticipated judges’ deliberations (in the presence of key BPCI Officials) afterwards seal (or unseal) whatever their placements will be once and for all.
Before moving on, let me make mention of the 9th and 10th placers on my list who nearly entered the winners’ circle but were still edged out due to the high level of competitiveness and consistency in this batch. They are Katarina Rodriguez and Arienne Louise Calingo, respectively.
My Top 8 in reverse order I placed Sirene Sutton and Dindi Pajares as my 1st and 2nd Runners-Up, respectively. I need not explain the importance of these two positions. With no titles – save for the status of being ladies-in-waiting – to show off, they can immediately rejoin the following year and capitalize on their inclusion in the winners’ circle for around 10 months. Both ladies are crown-worthy, but given the company of Binibinis they are stuck with in this edition, I wouldn’t mind seeing them compete again in 2018. Sirene still needs to comfortably get out of the professional model look and mold that sticks to her skin like an ultra-adhesive glue. Dindi, on the other hand, has stayed the same way as last year – brightly competitive but still missing that one note to fully break into the game of crowns.
For the six titles, I have narrowed down the selection to an equal number – Maria Angelica de Leon, Charmaine Elima, Rachel Peters, Nelda Ibe, Chanel Olive Thomas and Jehza Huelar.
I can see #Binibini10 getting the Miss Globe Philippines crown from Nichole Manalo. Jehza Huelar has proven that – inspite of having such a strong lineup to deal with – she can still rise to the occasion and pocket a victory. She has really leveled up from 2016. I may have pinned her to the least aspired sash among the most victorious, but it is an achievement that will stay in her credentials forever. What’s more, her easy-to-work-with attitude is a trait that needs no further proof to the organization.
Chanel Olive Thomas is my pick for Grand International. This one is the result of a very close tussle between her and Arienne Louise Calingo (whose fluency in Thai is an edge nobody else can claim to. It is her biggest ace to get on the good side of Nawatt Itsaragrisil in the bigger mission up ahead). But Chanel has a playful charm and cheerful disposition that she can use to her advantage. Given that both ladies can express themselves better than most, this is what the Fil-Aussie displayed to nose out the multi-lingual Kapampangan.
Supranational-wise, Nelda Ibe is the lady I can see taking the spot soon-to-be-vacated by Joanna Eden. It’s no secret among some near-insiders that this gorgeous natural beauty (she can proudly state her enhancement-free status if need be) is one of those wearing a halo (since Day 1 almost) of admiration from those who matter. She could easily upset the stronger favorites if getting into auto-pilot mode (pun intended) can be avoided. I can honestly see her making waves in Poland or any other European country where Miss Supranational 2017 will be hosted. She has always mesmerized me during our encounters, and relying only on photographs to size up her chances will be doing a great disservice to what she is capable of delivering up close and personal.
I have placed Rachel Peters for the Intercontinental assignment for more than two weeks now. The competition abroad remains unpredictable in terms of their choice for a big winner. And I still believe that Jennifer Hammond was unfairly upended in Sri Lanka last year. So sending your #Binibini19 to whichever part of the globe the next edition of Miss Intercontinental will take place in should be a good risk to take since she has the qualities that could make the organizers sit up and take notice, the same way they did when Christi McGarry competed and placed 1st Runner-Up. Who knows, she could just really be what the Doctor ordered in the game – a woman of racial mix with the right amount of saucy allure.
And now we’re down to the two highest titles of the Bb. Pilipinas season – Universe and International. Two beautiful ladies stand before me, each with their distinct pluses to make it as the last two Binibinis standing – Maria Angelica de Leon and Charmaine Elima. Anyone of the two would make an excellent representative to the 66th Miss Universe, the same way that either one of them can go fast and furious for a still impossible back-to-back win in Japan for Miss International. So who stays longer and be kept in suspense as to where Iris Mittenaere will crown her successor? And who goes with Kylie Verzosa to Tokyo and be constantly pressured in competing for a title that her compatriot is currently holding?
Maxine Medina moves forward and stops on the side of your #Binibini15 and leaves Charmaine Elima in the arms of Miss International 2016. Except for the unstinting focus and dedication to win, Maine is like the antithesis of Kylie Verzosa in more ways than one. And I’m all for taking the risk of sending a safe opposite of the reigning winner to Japan.
Photo credit: Erwin Totanes Oning
Maria Angelica de Leon, you are the new Miss Universe Philippines for me! It is you who I can see being dramatically transformed for the Universe. That is where I am pulling out all my defense in your favor. And the achievable vision is starting to excite me. This much I can say – your detractors ain’t seen nothing yet.
Putting it all together, my winners for Bb. Pilipinas 2017
P.S. This is such a long narrative of predictions. If only I possessed the power of reading minds, I would immediately look at Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta and make this exercise short and sweet. But thank you for staying up with me. The finals this Sunday will definitely be a nail-biter. After all, media is not allowed to post any kind of live updates in whatever form in deference to the exclusive rights of ABS-CBN to broadcast the finals on TV. If at any, it will give your blogger the chance to watch without constantly grabbing the iPhone or tablet to post sashay-by-sashay happenings inside the Araneta Coliseum. First report on the winners should be posted by 2am of May 1 the earliest. 🙂
Want to get up close and personal with the Binibinis of Bb. Pilipinas 2017? Then head on over to the Jag Store at Ayala Market!Market! in BGC tomorrow afternoon from 2pm-6pm to catch them do Live Style and Beauty Sessions while showing off the latest cool denims in the Jag Long Legs Collection of the popular brand. Reigning titleholders Nicole Cordoves, Joanna Eden and Nichole Manalo will be around to lead the group.
Photo ops will surely be had. It will be a fun activity, I promise! See you there!
This is neither an official announcement nor the official poster
So since today is already the first day of February, allow me to start the ball rolling or fan the flames of excitement for the upcoming search that will officially unreel soon. This. Is. Binibining Pilipinas. 2017.
The 65th Miss Universe is now over. The fond memories are starting to creep back inside my head, but pageant life goes on. And this year’s screenings for the national successors of Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2016 Jennifer Hammond, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2016 Joanna Eden, Miss Grand International 1st Runner-Up Nicole Cordoves and The Miss Globe 2016 3rd Runner-Up Nichole Manalo will be tougher than all previous editions combined. Why? Because right from the get-go (or scheduled screening dates if you will), a grill-worthy Q&A will be conducted in order to add a more in-depth assessment of interested ladies who will sign up.
So you think you can become the next Bb. Pilipinas? Watch out for the formal announcement soon. And get into your beauty-and-brains mode faster than you can say “Binibini!” 🙂
PS. Early talks are saying that the repeaters and crossovers will lord it over this year. We’ll see about that. 😉
India celebrated its 2nd victory in Miss Supranational when Srinidhi Ramesh Shetty was crowned the successor of Stephania Stegman during the 2016 finals held in Krynica-Zdroj, Poland. 2014 winner Asha Bhat was around to share the proud moment with her compatriot. Her court includes 1st Runner-Up Valeria Vespoli of Venezuela, 2nd Runner-Up Jaleesa Pigot of Suriname, 3rd Runner-Up Ornella Mariam Jayasiri Gunesekere and 4th Runner-Up Korinna Kocsis of Hungary.
India, Venezuela, Hungary and Mauritius were also awarded as Continental winners.
Miss Philippines Joanna Eden made it to the Top 25, but no longer advanced after the first cut.
Click to go to the Miss Supranational Facebook Page
The organizers of Miss Supranational are simplifying the webcast of its 2016 Finals. Just visit its Facebook page at 8:00PM CET (Central European Time) of December 2 or exactly 3:00AM of December 3 here in Manila where they will do Facebook Live of the proceedings straight from Hotel Krynica in Krynica-Zdrój, Poland.
I know that, inspite of the sleeping hours in the Philippines, most of us will be awake to catch the show and see who will succeed Stephania Stegman of Paraguay. Hopefully, it will be our very own Joanna Eden.
I must admit. I was quite underwhelmed by the photos released by the Miss Supranational 2016 organizers for the Miss Supranational Internet Popularity Voting. This is the only collection of similarly-themed images where all seventy-two candidates are present. I couldn’t find one album where they were properly photographed individually for, say, the swimsuit or evening gown portraits. It’s like some ladies were called by lensman Igor Drozdowski at random and were rewarded with a studio-like pictorial, while missing out on the rest. Was it really so difficult to gather all of them in one go?
Anyways, I am being suprarational about my Top 15 picks for the crown. My decision to present less than a Top 25 (which will be the first cut this year) also contributed to such. I am going beyond mere coverage reason or facial attributes because there are also un-classified factors that affect the actual results. I may not be in either Slovakia or Krynica-Zdroj, but the news bits reach me in a variety of ways.
Here is a list of my Top 15 arranged alphabetically according to country names:
Ecuador 🇪🇨 Maria Isabel Pineyro
Hungary 🇭🇺 Korinna Kocsis
Indonesia 🇮🇩 Intan Aletrino
Mexico 🇲🇽 Cynthia dela Vega
Myanmar 🇲🇲 Swe Zin Htet
Philippines 🇵🇭 Joanna Eden
Poland 🇵🇱 Ewa Mielnicka
Slovak Republic 🇸🇰 Lenka Tekeljakova
South Africa 🇿🇦 Talitha Bothma
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 Ornella M.J. Gunesekere
Suriname 🇸🇷 Jaleesa Pigot
Thailand 🇹🇭 Chatchadaporn Kimakorn
Turkey 🇹🇷 Damla Figan
USA 🇺🇸 Alexis Sherrill
Venezuela 🇻🇪 Valeria Vespoli
My Miss Supranational 2016 Top 10
Cutting down the fifteen (15) to just ten (10) gives rise to more than a few questions inside my head:
1. Will the organizers crown another Latina following last year’s Stephania Stegman of Paraguay? If yes, then it’s a toss between Valeria Vespoli of Venezuela and Cynthia dela Vega of Mexico.
2. Will the crown land on the head of a European, effectively returning the victory to the continental birthplace of the pageant? If yes, then either Korinna Kocsis of Hungary or Lenka Tekeljakova of Slovak Republic will do.
3. Will an Asian rule for the 3rd time? Truthfully, my Top 15 has five (5) in this group. And if the favor will go their way, Joanna Eden of the Philippines and Intan Aletrino of Indonesia could be in a tug-o-war to see who will be stronger and more deserving.
4. Or interestingly enough, will the people behind Miss Supranational go for their first titleholder who is a woman of color? If lady luck stays with Miss Suriname, then Jaleesa Pigot could be the one for that honor. Well, unless Alexis Sherrill of the USA upends her efforts.
Damla Figan of Turkey
Miss Supranational may have become predictable. But that doesn’t mean the absence of a potential surprise winner. If this is the case, I am sticking to the relative peg they are known for (a beautiful face). I am going out on a limb for one delegate who might pull it off in the end. And she is Damla Figan of Turkey.
I am putting my bets on Damla as my first choice for Miss Supranational 2016. And just to build a Top 5 and rank them according to who my next choices will be for the crown, Valeria Vespoli of Venezuela will be my 2nd pick, followed by Joanna Eden of the Philippines. 4th in line would be Jaleesa Pigot of Suriname, with Korinna Kocsis of Hungary closing the quintet.
My Top 5 for Miss Supranational 2016 arranged according to personal ranking
The finals of Miss Supranational 2016 will be live streamed from Krynica-Zdroj, Poland. Watch our for my post regarding the link/s where you can enjoy the whole proceedings. 🙂
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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In the ongoing screenings for Century Tuna Superbods 2020 (which will have its Final Callback tomorrow), there are three interesting names and faces who joined in the auditions. And I bet that they are all shoo-ins to become Official Candidates:
Back in 2016, Riana Agatha Pangindian was still a 19 year-old pageant newbie who joined Bb. Pilipinas mainly for the experience. And what a journey she fondly relishes from that stint. An inclusion in the Top 15 was almost unexpected – given that she had to battle with the likes of Maxine Medina, Kylie Verzosa, Nicole Cordoves, Jennifer Hammond, Nichole Manalo and Joanna Eden who went home with the crowns. But she was actually part of that essential cut. 
Instead of pushing herself into joining more beauty contests after that experience, Riana opted to finish her studies first. She graduated June of last year and took the board exams. She is now licensed to teach Biological Science. Her plan is to return to pageantry one more time before she finally focuses on becoming a full-time Educator. Her personal advocacy is actually inspired by her profession:
normannorman.com 