Miss Global 2016

All posts tagged Miss Global 2016

The Strong Filipinas Of September

Posted by Norman on September 27, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

Miss United Continents 2016

Miss Global 2016

Miss Tourism Queen International 2016


What is the common denominator among the three (3) international beauty pageants which crowned its 2016 winners all in a matter of three days?

Miss Philippines, of course!

First, there is Miss United Continents 2016 in Guayaquil, Ecuador won by our very own Jeslyn Santos. In the process, she became the first Asian and Filipino to finish on top in the same.

And then there is Miss Global 2016 held at the PICC Plenary Hall last Saturday. Angela Bonilla of Ecuador may have clinched the title, but her 1st Runner-Up (and closest pursuer) is Miss Philippines Camille Hirro.

Thirdly, the Miss Tourism Queen International 2016 finals was held last night in Wenzhou, China. Anu Namshir (who also took part in Miss World 2015 in Sanya) was chosen as the winner. Miss Philippines Nancy Leonard made it to the Top 10 and was given the Best in Long Gown award afterwards.

These three results speak a lot about the strong participation of the country in the global pageant stage. And the titles are not even categorized in the big league.

Wait till you see what Jennifer Hammond, Nicole Cordoves and Kylie Verzosa will do this October. 😉

Miss Global 2016 Angela Bonilla of Ecuador

Posted by Norman on September 26, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

Shot by shot when Angela was proclaimed as Miss Global 2016 (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

Happy as she can ever be, Angela is


It was not the first time that a representative from Ecuador won an international beauty pageant in the Philippines. Back in 2011, Olga Alva was crowned Miss Earth here in Manila. But in the case of Angela Bonilla, the victorious circumstances could not have been sweeter. You see, she was already thinking that the highest placement she could reach in Miss Global 2016 was 1st Runner-Up as the challenge of host delegate Camille Hirro was so fierce that she was close to feeling content with not going back to her home country empty-handed.

But fate was on her side last Saturday night. And now, the 24 year-old from Urcuquí has vindicated herself after competing in Vienna for Miss Earth 2015 without an honor to brag about.

Hail to Miss Global 2016!

This is your time to shine! 🙂

Angela in Filipino Terno during the finals

Sunday Specials: Angela Bonilla of Ecuador takes Miss Global 2016

Posted by Norman on September 25, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

Jessica Peart (left) after crowning her successor Angela Bonilla of Ecuador

Left to right: Czech Republic (3rd RU), Australia (2nd RU), Ecuador (Miss Global 2016), Philippines (1st RU) and Norway (4th RU)


Just when everyone (including yours truly) thought that Miss Philippines Camille Hirro had the crown in the bag, Angela Bonilla of Ecuador edged her out and claimed the Miss Global 2016 crown in a finals that had the predominantly Filipino audience clamoring for a hometown decision after seeing the host delegate performed at her best in all areas of the competition.

The Top 5 Q&A must have been key. While Miss Philippines went about with a lengthy reply to the question about what makes Miss Global a unique pageant for women, Miss Ecuador answered in a short but sweet manner when asked to choose between a man and a woman on who the better beauty contest judge is. Camille almost maxed out her alloted time in heaping praises about the pageant’s empowerment mission and the uniqueness of allowing single mothers and older ladies (read 28-above) to participate. Angela, on the other hand, simply focused on the equality between man and woman and that no sex is better than the other in serving the panel and choosing the most deserving winner.

The winners blowing kisses to the audience


In the end, I reckon that it must have been tough for the organizers to green-light a hometown decision as there were some delegates who allegedly complained about Miss Philippines getting the lion’s share of special pre-pageant awards, hence, perceived favoritism in the works. It may not be the strongest opposition to cave in to, but there was a segment or two that many felt tilted in favor of our girl instead of someone more rightful for the side honor.

Regardless, I am just glad that the extra-long finals night gave the top prize to the Ecuadorian bet who was just in her best elements all throughout the proceedings.

Outside the two, Miss Australia Caitlynn Henry snagged 2nd Runner-Up, with Nikola Bechynova of Czech Republic and Britt Roselyn Rekkedal of Norway taking 3rd and 4th Runner-Up placements, respectively.

Congratulations to all the winners!

My photo op with MU2005 Natalie Glebova


P.S. Your blogger is happy to get a photo opportunity with Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova who served as one of the four hosts, along with Angelee delos Reyes, Bobby Yan and Derrick Monasterio.

Who will win Miss Global 2016?

Posted by Norman on September 23, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

My Top 10 for Miss Global 2016


In the ongoing Miss Global 2016 competition which will have its finals at the PICC Plenary Hall tomorrow night, it is kinda easy to predict who among the candidates will occupy the Top 3 positions. But that’s getting ahead of the story.

My Personal Top 10, in reverse order are:
10) Britt Relkedal of Norway
9) Valeriya Vergunova of Holland
8) Ester Haikola of Namibia
7) Katherine Saavedra of Chile
6) Malikeh Razavi of Iran

Now let’s go to my Top 5 with photos by JR Noses:

Buppha Nilsawat of Thailand could complete the magic circle for me


Miss Thailang Buppha Nilsawat has that regal bearing that can make her stand out even if placed in the middle of Caucasians and Latinas. And she has a charming personality too.

Linnea Johansson of Sweden is 3rd Runner-Up on my scoresheets


The sweet-looking Linnea Johansson who is one of the youngest at 20 does not really exude an aura normally associated with her age. She can be opinionated beneath that doll-like face while maitaining a disarming presence.

Angela Bonilla of Ecuador is a close 3rd in my rankings


Now Angela Bonilla of Ecuador is no newbie in pageants so she knows how to present herself well by now. And in my books, she makes up 1/3 of the Top 3 tentpoles in this batch. She could spoil things for my first and second in rank.

Caitlynn Henry of Australia is the closest pursuer of Miss Philippines (Photo credit: JR Noses)


The biggest hurdle for Caitlynn Henry of Australia is if she could pull off a back-to-back win given the fact that compatriot Jessica Peart is the reigning titleholder. But on her own merits, she is likely to be the one in an intense tug-o-war with the delegate to beat in my opinion.

My choice to win Miss Global 2016 is Camille Hirro of the Philippines (Photo credit: JR Noses)


Honestly, I am setting aside my biases here simply because Camille Hirro of the Philippines could really be the best spokesperson of empowered women globally (i.e., in the profile the Miss Global Organization is looking for in a winner. She is smart, very articulate and can express her views in a lot of subject matters without getting stumped or pressured. The short hair is actually working to her “empowered” advantage. Suffice it to say, the Miss Global 2016 crown is hers to lose.

As for potential ladies who could enter the Top 10 and replace one or two of the listed names above, I would not mind having Daryna Ilvovska of Ukraine and Eshani Diana of Sri Lanka as alternates.

Camille Hirro of the Philippines is my pick to win Miss Global 2016 (Photo credit: Melvin Sia)


So there. Barring any major blunder for the host delegate, I see Miss Philippines as the next Miss Global. 🙂

Miss Global Philippines is doing very well in Miss Global 2016

Posted by Norman on September 21, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .

Miss Philippines Camille Hirro has scooped three special awards so far

Camille Hirro in Bohol for the out-of-town for Miss Global 2016


Miss Global Philippines 2016 Camille Hirro – our country’s representative in the ongoing Miss Global 2016 – must be doing something right so far. She has already accumulated three (3) Special Awards – Darling of the Press, Best in Cultural Costume and just last night, Best in Long Gown. The momentum has definitely stood firm on her side going into the remaining competition days that will culminate in the Finals at the PICC Plenary Hall this coming September 24 (Saturday night).

CJ really wants to win the Miss Global 2016 crown – host delegate or not. She poured her efforts into this mission and is not about to let up when the goal is already becoming more reachable.

Good luck in the coming days, my dear! 😉

Miss Global 2016 | My Early Favorites 

Posted by Norman on September 14, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Below are the forty (40) Official Candidates of Miss Global 2016 in shots taken by Joy Arguil during the Press Presentation yesterday.

From Armenia to Iran

From Israel to Vietnam

Now if the finals will take place two days from now, then below is my selection of the Top 14 (I intentionally chose that number just to give way to a potential surprise qualifier who is outside my radar at the moment), ranked according to impressions gathered from their presentation and my table-hopping among the ladies afterwards. I decided to go into quick small talks to get clearer gut-feels of each one – either in a group huddle or dedicated chat.

My Top 5 right now

6th to 14th places in my opinion for now


The way I sized them up so far, Caitlynn Henry of Australia and Camille Hirro of the Philippines could be locking horns from now till the finals. But that could be considered premature by some. Still, I see them as the strongest so far. Britt Rekkedal of Norway (who is part-Filipino) will perform well, and could go for a three-way tie for top place if she executes her game plan accordingly. I just feel that – among the three – Miss Philippines is miles ahead in terms of public speaking and interview skills.

Completing my early Top 5 are Angela Bonilla of Ecuador and Linnea Johansson of Sweden. I won’t be surprised if there will be scene-stealers in the making among my 6th-14th placers. From those remainders, I am putting my bets on Ukraine, Thailand and Kenya. They each have their unique personalities that could work for the needs of the organization. We’ll see.

So that’s a wrap for now! 😉

Miss Global 2016 | The Press Presentation 

Posted by Norman on September 13, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

Former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova and former Miss America Nina Davuluri will be part of the finals

The Official Candidates of Miss Global 2016 in their opening number (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

Altogether now, the 40 lovelies of Miss Global 2016


Make no mistake.

Miss Global is here to stay. And in its fourth year, the stakes are even higher in terms of the quality of candidates. Yes, this batch is fewer than the last at just 40. But boy oh boy, there are a lot of smart and good-looking ladies vying for the 2016 crown.

In the Press Presentation expertly hosted by Angelee delos Reyes held earlier at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom in Ortigas earlier, I immediately realized how strong the contenders are after finding it difficult to cast my vote for Darlings of the Press (one main winner, 2 runners-up). Just when I thought I had my mind made up from among the A-M countries, along comes another set of excellent representatives from N-V who would make me change my choices.

From left: 2nd RU Linnea Johansson of Sweden, Darling of the Press Camille Hirro of the Philippines and 1st Runner-Up Caitlynn Henry of Australia (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)


After all ballots have been casted, host delegate Camille Hirro still emerged as Darling of the Press, followed by the uber gorgeous duo of Caitlynn Henry of Australia and Linnea Johansson of Sweden.

Four of the several early favorites: Philippines, Australia, Czech Republic and Ecuador


Anyways, I made an early shortlist of easy favorites. And aside from the Philippines, Australia and Sweden, top marks should also be given to Angela Bonilla of Ecuador, Nikola Bechynova of the Czech Republic, Sonam Patel of India, Ester Haikola of Namibia, Daryna Ilvovska of Ukraine, Tima Keilah of Kenya, Britt Rekkedal of Norway (remember her from a previous edition of Mutya ng Pilipinas?), Marina Shameeva of Russia, Elhem Ben Aicha of Tunisia, Malikeh Razavi of Iran and Buppha Nilsawat of Thailand.

Miss Global 2016 will have its Coronation Night on September 24 at the PICC Plenary Hall. But before that, a number of pre-pageant activities will be held in the days and week to come, the most exciting of which will be the Fashion Show and Evening Gown Competition on September 20 in collaboration with One Global FDAP.

Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova will host the finals with actor Derrick Monasterio where former Miss America Nina Davuluri and Senator Manny Pacquiao will be two of the judges.

Your blogger’s photo with the Darling of the Press winners


More updates on our coverage of Miss Global 2016 soon!