It’s no secret by now that Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-Up Janine Tugonon will be coming home to the Philippines. The last time she visited was back in 2018. And according to the IG account of Aces & Queens, she will be watching the finals of the national pageant in person. Well, it doesn’t take a genius to conclude that she will possibly be one of the judges because there are no spectators allowed in the event except for the candidates, the organization, the production team, the judges and perhaps, a small representation from the host city. So where does she classify among those groups?
Anyway, I would really love to see an all-Filipina lineup of phenomenal judges for the finals – namely, Venus Raj, Janine Tugonon, Ara Arida, Maxine Medina and Pia Wurtzbach as Chairman of the Board. And why don’t we include National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee for good measure? It will even be a show of unity if Bianca Manalo, MJ Lastimosa and Rachel Peters are to be invited. But I guess that would be asking too much.
Sharing with you the 9th episode of Pageantry Norms titled “From Pageantry to Showbiz” with my guests Maxine Medina, Ara Arida, Aya Fernandez, Alec Calderon and Argel Saycon.
On the #9thEpisode of my Sunday show, the guests will be individuals who took the pageantry route as major stepping stones to getting more popularly known. And now, they have successfully crossed over to the wonderful world of show business:
1) Miss Universe Philippines 2013 and Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner-Up turned TV Host/Actress Ara Arida
2) Miss Universe Philippines 2016 and 65th Miss Universe Top 6 turned TV actress Maxine Medina
3) Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International 2018 turned MYX VJ Aya Fernandez
4) Mr Grand Philippines and Mr Tourism Ambassador World 2018 turned Kapuso actor Alec Calderon
and
5) Mr Teen International PH 2017 turned PBB Housemate-turned-Kapamilya actor Argel Saycon
Join in the interactive discussion this coming Sunday, August 23, 4pm on TPP TV via The Philippine Pageantry.
Season 1 is nearing its finale. Time to plan something a little bit different for Season 2 which will start mid-September.
You must have already heard about the I-Want Original Series titled “Beauty Queens” which starred Gloria Diaz, Maxine Medina, WinWyn Marquez and Maris Racal. It already started airing last month.
But just to give you a taste of the entire project, below is Episode 1 in full. Enjoy!
For the past several weeks now, your blogger has been constantly “nagging” Teresita Ssen “Win Wyn” Marquez whether she has plans of joining Miss Universe Philippines 2020 or not. And her lone “cryptic” reply was ”Naku, Tito, if only 💜”.
Not much of an answer for me to move on really.
But honestly, I took it as something that could only muddle-up her present showbiz projects and related plans. I know for a fact that she is all set to be part of the series “Beauty Queens” (right photo below) which will soon be seen over the streaming platform of ABS-CBN, iWant. In this program, she will be starring with Gloria Diáz, Maxine Medina and more.
I know this former Reina Hispanoamericana titleholder to give her 101% in any endeavor she commits herself into. Now if returning to national pageantry is going to entail sacrifices that will compromise matters she has already signed up for in recent months, then I reckon that she will not be too keen about the possibility – unless some twist of fate happens between now and the end of the month to pave the way.
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.
Eight of the Philippines’ finest in Miss Universe during last night’s Tribute Concert. No wonder the country is the envy of every pageant-loving country in the Universe:
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach
Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner-Up Ara Arida
Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runner-Up Shamcey Supsup-Lee
Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner-Up Venus Raj
Miss Universe 2016 Top 6 Maxine Medina
Miss Universe 2017 Top 10 Rachel Peters and
Miss Universe 2014 Top 10 MJ Lastimosa
How I wish Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-Up Janine Tugonon flew in from the US to join the eight others.
Here are photos of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and boyfriend Marlon Stockinger during the ABS-CBN Ball 2018 tonight at Makati Shangri-La, Manila. What can you say about her look and styling in that Martin Bautista gown?
And below, Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Universe Philippines 2016 (& 65th Miss Universe Top 6 Finisher) Maxine Medina and Miss Universe Philippines 2013 (& Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner-Up) Ara Arida are shown during their respective red-carpet walks during the same event.
Here now are Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina, Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray and commercial model Kelly Misa in their shoot for the Imprint book of Creations by Lourd Ramos.
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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