Karen Ibasco

All posts tagged Karen Ibasco

Our International Beauty Queens for SEA Games 2019

Posted by Norman on November 30, 2019
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 5 Comments

Megan and Pia


If you missed the live broadcast of the Opening Ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Philippine Arena, eleven of our international beauty queens paraded with the eleven participating nations in the biennial regional sporting event that drew a full house in the gigantic venue.

Pia Wurtzbach, Megan Young, Precious Lara Quigaman, Karen Gallman, Jamie Herrell, Angelia Ong, Karen Ibasco, Cynthia Thomalla, Sharifa Akeel, Jannie Alipo-on and Sophia Senorom added World-Class Beauty to the proceedings when they led each of the SEA Games nations during the parade onstage.

Just in case you missed it, you can watch below:

Our Pride: The Muses of SEA Games 2019

Posted by Norman on November 28, 2019
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 13 Comments


Amidst all the controversies (and unforgiveable embarrasments) with the initial days of SEA Games hosting in the country, the Opening Ceremony this coming Saturday, November 30, should be a source of pride for Filipinos. Aside from the showcase of World-Class singing talents, the muses of the participating countries in the region’s biennial sporting event will be eleven (11) of our international beauty titleholders, namely:

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach for Team Philippines

Miss World 2013 Megan Young for Team Indonesia

Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman for Team Malaysia

Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell for Team Singapore

Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong for Team Thailand

Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco for Team Myanmar

Miss Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman for Team Brunei

Miss Eco International 2018 Cynthia Thomalla for Team Laos

Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 Sharifa Akeel for Team Vietnam

Miss Tourism International 2017 Jannie Alipo-on for Team East Timor
and
Miss Multinational 2017 Sophia Senoron for Team Cambodia

Let’s hope that things go on an upswing after the festive start.

Fingers tightly-crossed!

Karen “Braveheart” Ibasco: On the day she will crown her Miss Earth successor

Posted by Norman on November 3, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .


She stood up against the odds without flinching.

Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco is a braveheart – someone who was called (make that crowned) to action, who stepped out in courage, and who followed through to completion the task she has been called to do or become.

As Miss Earth 2017, she faced one of the most mud-slinged reigns in modern international pageant history. Blame it on the common perception of physical beauty by many fans, supporters and followers from other countries who could not accept her inclusion in their idea of a deserving winner. Heck, even some of her fellow Filipinos joined in the fray and threw their own bushels of tomatoes in dismay. It also didn’t help that the competition was held here in the Philippines where a hometown decision is sure to be met with more than quizzical looks.

And so, she was faced with ferocious resistance the night the crown was placed on top of her head. The most unpleasant shots spread like wildfire on social media, just like the hurtful memes that bruised her feelings like nonstop jabs from an unseen class of opponents.

But Karen is not one to be cowered by such below-the-belt attacks. She remained undaunted, and took the queenly path instead – keeping her cool/composure every step of the way.

And more than midway through her year of reign, the hits gradually grew silent and acceptance crept in a painfully slow manner. It didn’t matter. She continued to hold her head up high.

And now that she is about to crown her successor tonight, Karen can look back to all the painful moments she had surpassed. And give out a generous smile. Because true to her title, she is one of the most down-to-Earth Queens I have ever met. She fulfilled (and continues to fulfill) her responsibilities with clockwork precision, while preserving the pageant brand she was tasked to sustain and strengthen.


Karen “Braveheart” Ibasco. Move on with an even braver heart. Continue to be an inspiration to many. And keep up with the efforts in making our Earth a most environmentally safe place to live in.

Miss Earth 2018: normannorman.com’s Choices to Win

Posted by Norman on November 2, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .



I will do my Miss Earth 2018 Predictions in a top-to-bottom order for a change. Starting off with my big winner and elemental court, I can see two Latinas – Melissa Flores of Mexico and Diana Silva of Venezuela – fighting close to become the successor of Karen Ibasco. I am giving the edge to the Mexican beauty because she is the more consistent all-around. It also helps that the Miss Earth Mexico Organization that sent her has been making great efforts in sustaining and making the brand more popular in the Americas. Now if the final decision would come down to a Q&A answer, then it wouldn’t surprise me as well if the judges would lean on Melissa. But if she falters – even marginally along the way – then Diana is likely to benefit from the lapse and could give Venezuela its 3rd Miss Earth crown. I would be happier with the former finishing on top, though.

As for Water and Fire, it could be interchangeable between Priya Sigdel of Nepal and Telma Madeira of Portugal. Anyone among the two would be good choices for the elemental court. The Nepalese, however, has the upper hand should she ace the interview round. She could even spoil the two Latinas. But for now, I am sticking to the final lineup I made.

The Portuguese Telma would have made a refreshing Miss Earth winner. Her relative youth might be a concern when the going gets tough, though.

Hence, above is a photo grid of my Top 8, with the 5th to 8th places occupied by Danijela Burjan of Slovenia, Margaretha de Jong of Netherlands, Celeste Cortesi of the Philippines and Melanie Mader of Austria (the one who might benefit from an upper push if the organizers find it beneficial to have an elemental Queen whose attitude and work ethics they are already accustomed to after reigning as Miss Philippines Earth-Water back in 2016).


Just to complete a Top 16, my 9th to 16th Goddesses in ranking are: Phuong Khanh Nguyen of Vietnam, Yashvi Aware of the USA, Maristella Okpala of Nigeria, Antonia Figueroa of Chile, Nerada Chitsadapriyakun of Thailand, Lisa Hayet of Guatemala, Jessica Russo of Peru and Margo Faith Fargo of South Africa.

Let’s see how the actual results will compare tomorrow night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Four Miss Earth titleholders from the Philippines in One

Posted by Norman on November 1, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .



In anticipation of the Miss Earth 2018 Finals this coming Saturday, here are images from the photoshoot of the Philippines’ four (4) Miss Earth titleholders:

From 2008, Karla Henry
From 2014, Jamie Herrell
From 2015, Angelia Gabrena Ong
and from 2017, Karen Ibasco

HMUA Team headed by Angelo Tacadena
Photographer: Torrontegui Robert
Stylist: Rick Sotelo

High time to have a new Miss Earth winner from another country!

Miss Earth turns 18 in 2018

Posted by Norman on October 11, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .


Miss Earth celebrates 18 years of Beauties for a Cause
 
Another season of beauty and responsibility is underway as Miss Earth marks 18 years of promoting environmental awareness. 90 delegates from across the world have made their way to Manila, each one poised to WORK TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE LIVING.
 
The 18th edition of the premier beauty and environmental event promises to be another year of learning, sharing, PROMOTING THE BEAUTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES AND THEIR ADVOCACY’S.
 
Prior to the grand coronation night, the delegates are scheduled to visit various destinations in the Philippines promoting environmental awareness. They will also visit various schools in line with Miss Earth’s mission to educate the youth on the importance of taking care of the environment.
 
Also included in their hectic itinerary are the much talked-about preliminary judging in beauty and poise, figure, and intelligence and environmental awareness which will be streamed live on Miss Earth’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
 
“It is going to be another busy year for us,” says Carousel Executive Vice President Lorraine Schuck. “It is really quite tiring with all that traveling and pre-pageant activities, but we cannot sidestep the organization’s main focus, which is to educate and get the public involved in the global movement to save the planet.”
 
In addition to the environmental activities of the delegates, Carousel’s President, Ramon Monzon says, “Preparation is likewise in full swing for the goddess-themed finals night. Hall of Famer journalist James Deakin makes a comeback to do hosting chores, while Grammy nominated Brian McKnight will be the guest performer, THE FINAL STAGE WILL BE MORE OR LESS 80% BE MADE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS.
 
The two-hour grand coronation night is slated on Saturday, November 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena, telecast live on FOXlife at 8:00 PM and on TV networks of participating countries. It will also be streamed live via Miss Earth’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, and on gmanetwork.com. The local Philippine airing will be on Sunday, November 4, 10:30 PM on GMA-7.
 
Miss Earth 2018 is made possible with PARTNERS: Official Hotel Residences, Century Park Hotel, Diamond Hotel Philippines, Pan Pacific Manila, Viking Car Rental – the official bus transport, Gandang Ricky Reyes official stylists, KITTCO Travel & Tours, and the Miss Earth Foundation.

 
 

A Potpourri of Small Updates from our Queens

Posted by Norman on June 24, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , .

Bb. Pilipinas International 2017 Maria Angelica De Leon is looking forward to the month of July where something exciting awaits!

Watch out for our Queen Mariel soon!

Makeup: @jigsmayuga
Hair: @iammjrone @tokyoposh
Styling: @aldrin.ramos

Sharing with you photos of Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray and Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2018 Michele Gumabao when they hosted the PLDT Home | Fibr event held at the SM Lanang Premier in Davao City yesterday.

Thanks for the photo coverage, Patet Magalona Fermin!

Whatever shade of hair color, the beauty of her face remains in full bloom!

Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar for you, sporting a new shade for her shiny long tresses.

Sharing with you photos of the 1000 Trees Tree Planting Activity of Open Arms for Children Inc. together with Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco in Brgy. Batuan, Municipality of Balasan, Iloilo Province.

Thanks for the coverage photos, Al Destacamento!

#openarmsforchildreninc. #missearth2017 #missearth #treeplanting #ngo #balasan #Iloilo

Finally, above and below are photos of newly-crowned Miss Landscapes International 2018 Karen Grace Atienza and her court of runners-up from Ecuador, Peru and Thailand

Hope you all had a restful weekend, dear readers!