With the Bb. Pilipinas 2018 Talent Competition scheduled to take place at the Farmers Plaza Activity Area this coming Saturday – February 10 – I thought it would be appropriate to take a look-back at last year’s version where the more memorable presentations were placed in a video grid above. Included are the opera number of Mariel de Leon, the ballet performance of Arienne Calingo, the Taekwondo exhibition of Ma. Camille Manalo, the interpretative dance of Gillian Colcol and the bass guitar skills of Elizabeth Clenci.
Now if you want to get relatively up close and personal with this year’s Binibinis, then the above-mentioned upcoming event will be your best bet for some sort of a limited meet-and-greet.
I was told that around fifteen or so ladies will display their talents that are mostly in the song, dance and song-and-dance formats, with one doing a rhythmic gymnastics exhibition.
See you there!
Below are some shots taken from 2017 by Joseph Gerard V. Jose for normannorman.com.
Now here is another Kagandahang Flores (KF) entry for Bb. Pilipinas 2018. And she is a familiar face (and person) to your blogger. After all, she is one of the endorsers of Belmeré Skin Care Centre and we have had more than a few face-to-face encounters in the recent past.
Patrizia Mariah L. Garcia – or Pat for short – is a De La Salle University graduate who now works as an Account Manager for Globe Telecoms. She stands 5’7” and is actually a morena-like beauty who can make heads turn quite easily. She has prepared long and hard for the chance to become a Binibini. And if she does qualify and starts competing, I reckon that she could be someone like last year’s 2nd Runner-Up Kristel Guelos – a surprise performer in the nationals.
Let’s see how Pat will strike you once the screenings get underway.
Bb. Pilipinas 2017 1st Runner-Up Charmaine Elima promoting Skinny Juicery PH on her IG account
Ever since Charmaine Elima was named Bb. Pilipinas 2017 1st Runner-Up last April and got temporarily stressed days after when the whole controversy behind Katarina Rodriguez allegedly dilly-dallying with her commitment to the Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental crown dragged on for a bit with her name being tagged as potential alternate, the next time she became “slightly” visible was when she had her long tresses cut off. Since then, it was only last night when she uploaded two new photos on her IG account promoting The Skinny Juicery PH.
Now I am not one to pry into private details about Maine’s current whereabouts. If she wants to keep her personal life from a safe distance, then I respect that choice. It’s just that she has not yet joined the titleholders in any of our covered public appearances and inquisitive individuals never stopped asking me. It’s good that 2nd Runner-Up Kristel Guelos already did during the victory lunch hosted by David’s Salon. But I am really missing her a lot.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that she accompanies the Queens during the scheduled visit to the wounded soldiers from the Marawi City crisis this week. That would be a good opportunity to show up – short hair and all – for everyone at BPCI so that the cast will be complete. 🙂
I was really glad when Bb. Pilipinas 2017 2nd Runner-Up Kristel Nones Guelos was able to come with the titleholders during yesterday’s lunch with David Charlton and the rest of David’s Salon staff and managers at Union Jack Tavern in Makati. You see, I have never had the chance to spend even just a brief time with this lovely Batangueña ever since she made it to the winning circle of the nationals.
We already know that Kristel is a licensed dental practitioner running her own clinic in Tanauan. But I just learned that she also holds clinic somewhere in Bicutan (Taguig) during specific days of the week. This makes her working week full most of the time, aside from fitting in the intermittent personal appearance requirements of BPCI as one of two runners-up.
Kristel holds clinic in both Batangas and Manila
Kristel is enjoying the time that she spends with the titleholders. She may not have anything on the plate in terms of future pageant representation, but plans to make the most out of the responsibility in sustaining continued public interest in her, and hopefully, her profession as well.
A hearty lunch with the beautiful Queens earlier today
With David Charlton of David’s Salon
Just hours earlier, your blogger was invited to an exclusive coverage of the lunch and sponsor visit for David’s Salon held at the Union Jack Tavern in Legaspi Village, Makati. Actually, it was a victory lunch of sorts which the hair salon brand has been giving to the winning Binibinis every year. Present were Miss Universe Philippines Rachel Peters, Bb. Pilipinas International Mariel de Leon, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Chanel Olive Thomas, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Elizabeth Clenci, Bb. Pilipinas Globe Nelda Ibe and 2nd Runner-Up Kristel Guelos. Due to a previous commitment, 1st Runner-Up Charmaine Elima could not make it. Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Katarina Rodriguez, on the other hand, is currently on vacation in the Netherlands.
With Lotte Villarosa-Agraviador (center) of David’s Salon
A group photo with the ladies
It was a very light and joy-filled meal as the ladies were also reunited with their respective Hair and Make-Up Artists during the competition. And the big man (no pun intended) himself – David Charlton – was such a perfect host as he attended to all the ladies, especially Elizabeth who needed to have a specific meal prepared for her being a strict vegan. Everyone else feasted on delish British and Brit-Indian fares such as fish & chips, chicken masala, beef quesodillas, Sriracha chicken wings and more.
Photo ops followed with everyone as loot bags (courtesy of David’s Salon and Union Jack Tavern) were also given away as take-home gifts.
Here are more photos from the special lunch activity covered exclusively by normannorman.com.
David Charlton was the perfect host for the special lunch
The ladies showing off their Union Jack Tavern loot bags
A group shot of the ladies with David Charlton
My partner Joy Arguil (back to the camera) taking shots of the Queens
Call her Doctor. Or call her a Dentist. Kristel Guelos from Batangas has added a new item in her credentials. She is your Bb. Pilipinas 2017 2nd Runner-Up – the one Binibini who surpassed the expectations of a whole lot and went up to take her podium finish in the nationals last Sunday night. In fact, she never did figure out well in the forecasts, but proved to everyone that she can outsmart the predictions and come out with a good placement.
Kristel is lucky to be part of the winning circle. Aside from winning a P250,000.00 management contract from BPCI, she will also join the six titleholders and 1st Runner-Up in most of their appearances plus pageant trainings in the coming months. These will definitely shape her up more competitively even if there is no pageant representation in store for being 2nd Runner-Up. What’s more, the province of Batangas will celebrate her placement. After all, it’s not easy getting as far as she did.
Welcome to your new world, Kristel and make the most out of the earned achievement! 🙂
The winners of Bb. Pilipinas 2017 after they were crowned at half past 1am earlier
We now have the winners of Bb. Pilipinas 2017 who were crowned at exactly half past 1am earlier. And everyone is still talking about the results which came out agreeable to a whole lot of pageant watchers and followers. All in all, it was a production that turned out better than the last, save for some minor details that dragged the procceedings inside the Big Dome (like the audience having to watch the entire primer all over again while the deliberations were ongoing and – more importantly – in order to hook up the live announcement of winners to the TV telecast which started more than 30 minutes late from the original 10pm start of airing).
All the six new titleholders deserved their crowns. Rachel Peters was in her finest elements all throughout that when she was named Best in Swimsuit, she was practically on the right track for the Miss Universe Philippines title. She handled her Q&A very well and that sealed the deal.
courtest of WhatsUp Pinoys
Maria Angelica de Leon was neck-to-neck with Rachel. And the flag-bearers of the two beauty camps really proved their pole positions prior to the finals. She also acquitted herself more than satisfactorily during the Q&A. It must have been during the judges’ deliberations when the proper assignments fell into place. Age factor must have been a consideration in terms of the specifications of both Miss Universe and Miss International, but that is not an issue anymore.
courtesy of WhatsUpPinoys
And when was the last time a Miss Friendship actually won a Bb. Pilipinas crown? I am so pleased seeing Chanel Olive Thomas getting the Supranational sash. She has this very easy and spontaneous vibe that was clearly appreciated by the judges. She is no cookie cutter beauty as shown by how she handled both her swimsuit and evening gown presentations.
Elizabeth Clenci was a dark horse. Her inclusion in the Top 15 was no longer a surprise, especially after coming out in one of the most resplendent evening gowns of the night. And during the Q&A, she was just being herself, relaxed and thinking on her feet. Nawatt Itsaragrisil (who was in the audience) must have given his thumbs up to this lady from Mandaue.
Katarina Rodriguez proved that a beautiful face can always go along with innate smarts. A title was already in store for her right after giving a convincing reply to the question asked of her by the judge. She may still need more polishing, but that’s something that can be managed within the next 4-5 months.
courtedy of Hot Picks
Truthfully, Nelda Ibe was destined for a title higher than Globe. She is really a favorite by both BPCI and ABS-CBN. But nerves prevented her from fluidly expressing thoughts during the Q&A. She was able to cross over though. But that served to pave the way for both Clenci and Rodriguez to catch up and nose her out in the final rankings.
Charmaine Elima’s 1st Runner-Up placement did not sit well with her supporters. But the Q&A was proof that she can still go for a third try in the nationals by further improving on the way she expresses herself to the public. I bet she will do just that after processing her entire performance last night.
Lastly, the surprise performer of the night – Kristel Guelos – may not have figured out on most everyone’s list. But it clearly appears that she was also favored by BPCI. I believe that her 2nd Runner-Up position could have been given to Christa Borja who was so good during the Q&A, but that’s how the panel of judges see it fit to pan out in the end.
Congratulations to our new Queens! May you have the most wonderful and success-filled reigns! 🙂
David Charlton of David’s Salon posed with the Binibinis and their precious loot bags
Team normannorman.com was all accounted for!
The whole of Monday was literally spent by team normannorman.com at the David’s Salon Academy in Makati City where Joy Arguil, Joseph Gerard Jose and I bonded and took photos with the Binibinis of Bb. Pilipinas 2017 upon the exclusive invitation of Marketing Manager Lotte Villarosa-Agraviador. The event started with a short lecture on the role of the salon company in the nationals, followed by delightful games that were gleefully participated in by the ladies and the stylists. Right about lunchtime, everyone was treated to a simple but yummy buffet before the pampering sessions started. Everyone was treated to relaxing back massages, mani/pedi and foot spas that were accompanied by cool loot bags that contained products that will help them maintain healthy hair and nails.
Hair and Make-Up consultations were also made with the assigned stylists for each Binibini and were given experimental approaches as to what facial applications best suit them. And to cap everything off, David’s Salon owner David Charlton dropped by to have group photos with the ladies and even brought them easter egg chocolates which came all the way from London.
The Binibinis had HMU consultations with their assigned stylists
There were also fun games that set the mood right for the day
The Binibinis were also given pampering back massages, foot spas and mani/pedi
It was fun all throughout, especially for your blogger who really took the opportunity to spend quality time talking to almost everyone. I can now safely say that this is a 99% cool batch of ladies who have the right attitude and personalities to compete for the crowns at stake. Why did I say 99%? Well, you do the math. No batch is uber perfect since there will always be an odd one out in terms of chemistry with everyone. I won’t name a name anymore since she is just one different apple in terms of character and disposition. Who knows, she might still improve her ways and turn out good in less than two weeks’ time.
Allow me also to point out the quality bonding I spent with random Binibinis. I say random because I caught them by their lonesome at given moments and the initial pleasantries turned into more meaningful chats in the process. Big shoutout to #Binibini2 Arienne Calingo, #Binibini19 Rachel Peters, #Binibini20 Christa Borja, #Binibini21 Jamaica Ambal, #Binibini23 Arah Salientes, #Binibini31 Katarina Rodriguez, #Binibini32 Charmaine Elima, #Binibini33 Istie Cequeña, #Binibini37 Sammie Anne Legaspi and #Binibini39 Elizabeth Clenci. I loved practically all of them, though!
David Charlton with the Binibinis and the stylists assigned to the ladies
The Dentist is in! And she is your Binibini 40 Kristel Nones Guelos
Time now to take a closer look at your Binibini 40 Kristel Nones Guelos. This pretty young Dentist is such an inspiring sight, whether you are a patient undergoing root canal sessions or a pageant watcher following the scheduled activities of the Bb. Pilipinas 2017 Official Candidates. Trained by Kagandahang Flores for the nationals, she is visibly more confident and sure of herself now, compared to previous pageant turns in Miss Manila and Miss Philippines Earth.
Let’s listen to her now.
“I am Kristel Guelos, 24, from Tanauan City, Batangas. I am a graduate of Centro Escolar University Manila and a Dentist by profession. I own my small dental clinic located in our province, Tanauan City. I’ve been practicing the same for almost 2 years now. I finished my 1 year training program in orthodontics just last year and planning to enroll at the Philippine Association of Aesthetic Dentistry (unless I win Binibini, of course!). In line with my profession, I want to focus more on cosmetic dentistry and oral surgery as well. Joining pageants has always been my passion. I’ve been into pageants since I was 19. My best finish to date was being crowned Miss Manila 2016 3rd Runner-Up. Becoming a Binibini of Bb Pilipinas means a thousand words. For me, it is a sense of fulfillment and a achievement. It is also a platform to inspire people to make better versions of themselves and take the lead to share the love and compassion to serve others.”
courtesy of Beauty Pageant Updates
Good luck in Bb. Pilipinas 2017, Kristel!
Kristel may be a Dentist first and foremost. But becoming a beauty queen is one thing that she wants to realize and not just dream about. The field of competition is tough. But she is ready to give it everything she’s got.
Cristelle Tolentino (center) was crowned Miss Manila 2016 (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)
You will remember Cristelle Tolentino as an Official Candidate of last year’s Miss Republic of the Philippines when her best efforts were rewarded with only a semifinal spot. This year, she went full steam ahead and swept the Miss Manila 2016 competitions by nailing her Top 5 Q&A and becoming the successor of Kaycie Lynn Fajardo. She edged out top favorite Mercegrace Raquel who took home 1st Runner-Up honors. Crowd pick Ganiel Krishnan placed 2nd Runner-Up with Kristel Guelos and Joanna Rabe filling in as 3rd and 4th Runners-Up, respectively.
Congratulations, Cristelle! You may not be the tallest, but you have proven yourself to be the mightiest. Your wish for a crown has now been fulfilled! 🙂
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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With the Bb. Pilipinas 2018 Talent Competition scheduled to take place at the Farmers Plaza Activity Area this coming Saturday – February 10 – I thought it would be appropriate to take a look-back at last year’s version where the more memorable presentations were placed in a video grid above. Included are the opera number of Mariel de Leon, the ballet performance of Arienne Calingo, the Taekwondo exhibition of Ma. Camille Manalo, the interpretative dance of Gillian Colcol and the bass guitar skills of Elizabeth Clenci.
Now here is another Kagandahang Flores (KF) entry for Bb. Pilipinas 2018. And she is a familiar face (and person) to your blogger. After all, she is one of the endorsers of Belmeré Skin Care Centre and we have had more than a few face-to-face encounters in the recent past. 
normannorman.com 