Charmaine Elima: Miss Rizal 2012 could be wishing upon a Bb. Pilipinas star.
Last year, Miss Rizal 2011 Liezl Alcantara was a dark horse to win one of the titles. In fact, she was favored by the judges, up until the dreaded Q&A which she handled in a somewhat embarrassing manner (actually, it wasn’t as worse than what was seen by the live audience since a reshoot was made). This year, her successor – Charmaine Elima – could hopefully do better.
Maine, as fondly called by friends, is a winner of the Generation East 2012 competition at Sta. Lucia Mall. Her relative popularity in Rizal soared after that. She eventually joined and won Miss Rizal 2012. And now, she is being eyed as possible Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Official Candidate. How far will this 5’8″ Pinay carry her bid for a crown? Well, with this year’s anticipated line-up, the journey won’t be on smooth pavement. But regardless, the experience will always be worth the time spent. So there. 😉
WINNERS ALL (L-R) Annalie Forbes, 2nd RU; Nicole Schmitz, Bb. Pilipinas International; Janine Tugonon, Bb. Pilipinas Universe; Katrina Dimaranan, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism and Elaine Kay Moll, 1st RU (Photo credit: Jory Rivera/OPMB Worldwide)
After the dust settled last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, only three ladies could call themselves brand-new Beauty Queens from a strong field of 30 contenders for Bb. Pilipinas 2012. The whole process wasn’t the easiest and I tip my hat to the ones who soared (and scored) high and are now looking forward to life-changing journeys to more success in the global pageant arena. Here’s the Official Honor Roll:
2012 Bb. Pilipinas Universe Janine Tugonon (Photo credit: Jory Rivera)
…and the remaining placers in the Top 12: # 1 Karen Gallman
# 30 Sherlyn Gonzales
# 16 Liezl Alcantara
# 26 Angelee Claudett delos Reyes
# 9 Mary Jean Lastimosa
# 14 Gina Joy Howell
# 7 Patricia Lae Ejercitado
Special Awards:
Best in Swimsuit: #8 Nicole Schmitz
Best in Evening Gown: #26 Angelee Claudett delis Reyes
Best in National Costume: #8 Nicole Schmitz
Miss Photogenic: #1 Karen Gallman
Miss Talent: #13 Katrina Dimaranan
Miss Congeniality: #25 Chloe Zanardi
Miss Philippine Airlines: #9 Mary Jean Lastimosa
Miss Avon: #9 Mary Jean Lastimosa
Miss Manila Bulletin Readers’ Choice: #20 Roxanne Tadique
People’s Choice: #21 Giselle Angelica Munoz
The 3-hour program – hosted by actress Iza Calzado, upcoming matinee idol Xian Lim, 2010 Miss Universe 4th Runner-Up Venus Raj and commercial model/cable presenter Georgina Wilson – saw each of the ladies going through the traditional swimsuit and evening gown competitions before the cut to the Top 12 went underway. After the dozen finalists were announced, they were subjected to the Q&A round which gave the Board of Judges a better perception of their individual dispositions and/or quick-wittedness. From here, the winners were announced with no further trimming down to a Top 5 anymore, thereby lending more suspense to the proceedings.
The winners will now start preparing for their respective dates of international representation: Miss Universe 2012 on December (exact date and venue still unannounced), Miss International 2012 (China) on November 11, Miss Tourism Queen International (China) on September 28 and for one of the runners-up, the Miss Supranational 2012 (Poland) on September 15.
Before anything else, let me greet everyone a ‘Happy Easter’ and may you be productively spending the long break which continues until tomorrow.
For today, let’s continue with an interesting discussion about something that has been bugging not only myself, but most everyone else following Bb. Pilipinas 2012 – the matter of height reporting. Truth be told, the issue has been constantly floating in national pageant limbo for a number of years now. I do believe, however, that it needs to be clarified once and for all by the organizers – be it BPCI, Carousel, MWP or Mutya.
Let’s start by looking at the photo above and use #15 Elaine Kay Moll’s height of 5’10” for comparison. It would seem right to conclude that #14 Gina Joy Howell, #16 Liezl Alcantara and #17 Anna Czarinah Buenviaje stand 5’9″, while #18 Janine Tugonon looks approximately 5’8″ or close to it. Agree? So why does Janine’s candidate profile state 5’9″ instead? You see, an inch of difference from the actual cannot be taken lightly unless we’re all willing to turn a blind eye to the same.
In my more than three decades of pageant craziness, the rule of thumb has and will always be measuring one’s height from the tip of the skull to the sole of the bare feet planted firmly on the ground. If the measurer(s) is not eagle-eyed, then anyone can ever-so-slightly tiptoe to alter what’s real. Or it’s also possible that the same measurer(s) is fond of selectively rounding up numbers upwards like a 5’4 3/4″ becoming 5’5″ or worse, a 5’6 1/4″ ending up as 5’7″.
Suzette Hernandez, as shown on the Miss Universe Canada website being 5'9" instead of 5'6 1/2"
Am I making such a big deal out of something that is not peculiar to local beauty contests? Other countries can also be pointed at as practicing the same. Take for example the current Miss Universe Canada candidates. One of them, the 100% Pinay Miss Vancouver Suzette Hernandez – who took part in Mutya ng Pilipinas 2010 and Bb. Pilipinas 2011 – is reported in their website as 5’9″ when previous stats showed that she is at least two and a half inches shorter than that.
Anyways, tell me your thoughts about the whole deceiving subject of height reporting while I go egg-hunting (for real!) 🙂
FOR FULL EFFECT, PLEASE CLICK PLAY ON THE SIZZLING HOT MUSIC VIDEO OF J.LO’S NEW SINGLE “DANCE AGAIN” BEFORE SCROLLING DOWN. THIS IS THE THEME I AM VISUALIZING THE GIRLS PARADING WITH DURING THE OPENING NUMBER OF BB. PILIPINAS 2012. ENJOY AND DON’T GET SIDETRACKED BY THE VID AS I KNOW MOST OF YOU WILL. 😀
Courtesy of newurbanvideos
Let us all welcome the 30 Official Candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2012 in their glam shots as taken by Raymond Saldana…starting with Candidate #1 Karen Gallman…
Candidate #2 Romelin Roxanne de Castro…
Candidate #3 Nicole Marable…
Candidate #4 Jaine Hidalgo…
Candidate #5 Rose Ann Aguilar…
Candidate #6 Ma. Alicia Elena Ariosa…
Candidate #7 Patricia Lae Ejercitado…
Candidate #8 Nicole Schmitz…
Candidate #9 Mary Jean Lastimosa…
Candidate #10 Jillean Camille Orbina…
Candidate #11 Marie Virgenia Cecilie Peter…
Candidate #12 Ayelee Marie Dasalla…
Candidate #13 Katrina Jayne Dimaranan…
Candidate #14 Gina Joy Howell…
Candidate #15 Elaine Kay Moll…
Candidate #16 Liezl Alcantara…
Candidate #17 Anna Czarinah Buenviaje…
Candidate #18 Janine Mari Tugonon…
Candidate #19 Roxane Joy Jesalva…
Candidate #20 Roxanne Tadique…
Candidate #21 Giselle Angelica Munoz..
Candidate #22 Meiji Cruz…
Candidate #23 Goldy Baroa…
Candidate #24 Fer Mary Baliquig…
Candidate #25 Chloe Zanardi…
Candidate #26 Angelee Claudett delos Reyes…
Candidate #27 Golda Mae Soller…
Candidate #28 Marie Irisha Arcenas…
Candidate #29 Annalie Forbes…
And last but not the least…Candidate #30 Sherlyn Gonzales…
At this point, I am reposting J.Lo’s video so you can play while doing a quick second scroll of the ladies…
Courtesy of newurbanvideos
There they are…the 30 lovely candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2012 in their glam photoshoot with Raymond Saldana. Let’s all give them a big round of applause! 😀
Every year in Bb. Pilipinas, there is always at least one girl who comes out of nowhere to surprise everyone with an unanticipated placement in the finals, if not a fated victory. Last year, it was a relatively obscure Janine Tugonon who landed First Runner-Up. Before that, Czarina Gatbonton floored us all when she was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-World ahead of more well-regarded contenders. For 2012, could Liezl Alcantara be the one to do just that, i.e., reach a Top 5 finish?
Liezl is an Ivatan proudly representing the province of Batanes. A statuesque height of 5’9″ makes her easily stand out from the rest. And given a natural charm and spontaneous temperament, I see no reason why she would be ignored by pageant fans and followers. She may not have the hyped popularity of Mary Jean Lastimosa or Nicole Schmitz, but that doesn’t mean she won’t figure out well in the judges’ scorecards.
What say you, dear readers? Does she have what it takes to shoot to the top? Or do you have another girl in mind? 🙂
Last weekend, the 30 Official Candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2012 made another personal apperance at the New Ali Mall. This time, it was a purely casual activity which allowed the ladies to bond with their fans and supporters, have some photo opportunities, sign autographs and engage in small talk. Check out the pictures below taken by Melvin Sia for OPMB Worldwide.
Standing (L-R): Roxanne Tadique, Roxane Joy Jesalva, Elaine Kay Moll, Katrina Dimaranan, Marie Peter, Anna Czarinah Buenviaje; Seating (L-R): Ayelee Marie Dasalla, Gina Joy Howell, Janine Tugonon and Liezl Alcantara.
(L-R): Giselle Angelica Munoz, Meiji Cruz, Goldy Baroa, Mary Fer Baliquig and Chloe Zanardi.
(L-R) Janine Tugonon, Liezl Alcantara, Roxane Joy Jesalva and Elaine Jay Moll.
(L-R): Ayelee Marie Dasalla, Katrina Dimaranan and Gina Joy Howell.
Mary Jean Lastimosa (L) and Jill Orbina
Ma. Alicia Elena Ariosa
Annalie Forbes
Karen Gallman
Nicole Marable
Patricia Lae Ejercitado
Nicole Schmitz
Romelin Roxanne de Castro
Angelee Claudett delos Reyes
Jaine Hidalgo
Sherlyn Gonzales
What do you think about the some of the girls now? Have they improved much in your eyes?
The 30 Official Candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2012 in their black swimsuits
I know you want to see their individual photos instead of the above, but BPCI has been keeping the same. I don’t know why. Anyways, check out the back-breaking pose of Mia Arcenas (#28). Best poses for me come from Giselle Angelica Munoz (#21) and Golda Mae Soller (#27). 😉
Watch the Bb. Pilipinas 2012 Official Candidates during the Parade of Beauties at Araneta Center last Sunday, March 25. The videos are below courtesy of OPMB Worldwide (opmbvids).
I’m sure you’ll have a field day looking at those painfully #@%!<&?*% headdresses. LOL!
Here are more images (courtesy of OPMB Worldwide/PaoPao) of the Bb. Pilipinas 2012 Parade of Beauties held yesterday afternoon around the Araneta Center. The headdresses really need to go. They do not only distract the attention from the candidates’ faces, but also cheapen their total presentation (Bella and the Bellestars, anyone?). There must be something more tasteful to dress up their heads, like a sole orchid tucked behind their right ear maybe? Anyways, enjoy the photos.
Annalie Forbes
Ayelee Marie Dasalla
Chloe Zanardi
Gina Joy Howell
Giselle Angelica Munoz
Janine Tugonon
Liezl Alcantara
Marie Virgenia Peter
Mary Fer Baliquig
Roxane Joy Jesalva
Katrina Dimaranan and Ayelee Marie Dasalla
Anna Czarinah Buenviaje
Nicole Schmitz
Now, aren’t these ladies the best troupers ever? If I were a candidate, I would ceaselessly cringe at the thought of parading around the commercial area wearing those eyesore of headdresses. Okay, enough with the bashing of fake flowers and peacock-colored feathers. 😉
Raymond Saldana photographed the 30 Official Candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2012 and above are the headshots for your consideration. This should add more meat to the scorecards of armchair judges.
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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