You’ve waited long for this!
The search is finally on for Bb. Pilipinas 2019 – Universe, International, Intercontinental, Supranational, Globe and Grand International.
Download the application form at http://www.bbpilipinas.com
Deadline for submission: March 15, 2019
Pageant Finals: June, 2019
The four winning pillars of pageantry in 2018:
Catriona Gray – Miss Universe
Vanessa Ponce de León – Miss World
Mariem Claret Velazco – Miss International
Nguyễn Phương Khánh – Miss Earth
Indeed, this is the year split between Asians and Latinas in international beauty competitions. If you consider the rest of the other pageants like Miss Supranational (Puerto Rico), Miss Grand International(Paraguay), Miss Tourism International (Indonesia), Miss Asia Pacific International (Philippines), Miss Eco International (Philippines), The Miss Globe (China), Reina Hispanoamericana (Venezuela), Miss United Continents (México) and more, you’ll see what I mean.
As 2018 comes to a close, let us look forward to an even more exciting 2019 with the opening salvo being the 47th Miss Intercontinental next month.
Happy New Year to all of you, my dear readers!
Could this be the last complete photo of Bb. Pilipinas winners?
While gut-feel already made me sense that something big is going to happen in the Philippines with the inclusion of Richelle Singson-Michael in the all-female panel of judges that selected Catriona Gray as the successor of Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, I was initially anticipating more of another Philippine hosting in the works. But no, it is turning out to be so much more of a shocker than anything else.
With Miss Universe Philippines as the lead title at stake for Bb. Pilipinas, its pending removal from the roster is going to give a mighty blow to the organization. I simply can’t imagine our favorite national pageant without the honor. What’s even more disconcerting is the (serious) buzz that the Philippine franchise for Miss International is also being negotiated with a potential new owner and National Director. This one is going to hammer another painful realization to BPCI that when big businesses reel its interest on a particular matter, then all they can do is to either match/better the offer or give up completely even if its going to badly hurt where it matters most. For one, Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta is the very first Miss International.
Are they all jumping ship before the end of 2018 or early 2019?
Sadly, it doesn’t stop there. Negotiations for the Philippine franchise of Miss Supranational is also being privately discussed. I will not name names anymore so as not to spoil the Holiday Spirit brought about by Catriona’s victory in Bangkok. And just today, I was also sounded off that the Miss Intercontinental franchise for the Philippines is being offered for a possible changing of guards. You all know that the 47th Edition of the said pageant will be hosted here in Manila next month. You try to connect the dots for now.
So let me repeat the title of this entry. Can you imagine a near-future without Bb. Pilipinas? I can clearly remember the statement I gave to ABS-CBN News field reporter Ganiel Krishnan when she interviewed me about what will be the implication of Catriona winning Miss Universe. Without any knowledge whatsoever then of the new developments happening in the national pageant scene today, I told her that it will establish a new order in Philippine pageantry. I was coming from an angle where independents will now be more confident of vying for Bb. Pilipinas without the support of either A&Q and KF. I didn’t think it would be this big, though.
Dear readers, please share your thoughts after watching the nostalgia-inducing videos below.
Once more, our three (3) World-Class beauties were gathered together for a cover shoot that stamps the class of our Queens both regionally and around the globe. Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World Megan Young and Miss International Kylie Verzosa were shot by my photographer-friend Filbert D. Kung for Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam.
Pong Niu, Gery Penaso and Anton Patdu did the make-up, with the ladies wearing Bea Valdes.
Credits go to the owners of the cartoon-themed art illustrations of beauty queens above
I have long wanted to sit down and do this article ever since my TV guesting on the “Winning the Crown” series of CNN Philippines early last month. However, the busy schedule of activities for the 65th Miss Universe kept me from focusing on the subject matter until the night of Valentine’s Day when I had enough free time in my hands to do so.I remember telling host Pinky Webb then that the Filipino pageants fans, followers and critics are gradually transforming into the “spoiled brats” of pageantry – both national and international. Blame it on the succession of achievements since 2013 – a third Miss Universe win, our very first Miss World victory, two Miss International titles and two Miss Earth crowns in less than three years, the very first Asians and Filipinas claiming Miss Supranational and Miss Globe plus more – that have pushed a lot of us to get used to winning or high placements that defeat or clapping is no longer acceptable (or an invalid justification for bullying and the like).
Don’t get me wrong, dear readers. I am all for high standards, and keeping it that way. With the Philippines already classifed as a pageant powerhouse, being #1 means the only other ranks we can go to would be a slide down to 2nd or 3rd or even worse. And that would be a bitter pill to swallow for most because we have performed so incredibly well globally that any stumbling blocks along the way will be avoided like landmines or booby traps.
But let me get into the heart of this post – the criticisms. There are constructive words and suggestions on the right, while smart-ass punchlines and (at times) hurtful comments are stacked on the left. We live in a free world. But we must also be responsible with the things we say/share about our national pageant aspirants. Believe it or not, they read and follow my blogs especially if the topic revolves around their individual bids. Not all of them have iron-clad emotions yet (soon they will learn how to deal with the harsh opinions). But even if they eventually firm up themselves for the mudslingings and cruel banters, there will always be moments of weakness. Let us try to temper ourselves as much as possible when the lure of putting in a short below-the-belt quip is much too hard to resist. Explaining your less-than-pleasant impression on a potential candidate is better than leaving a curt phrase or statement that makes you sound more like a lazy poster who cannot detail your opposition beyond negative thoughts based on photos and the like.
I love a good exchange of ideas. Instead of putting down a person, let us make known our individual “hugots” more clearly than leaving her with feelings of irrevocable rejection. Even the slightest hint of positivity amidst a concerned-comment-disguised-as-an-insult will do. 🙂
A throwback photo taken during the Bb. Pilipinas 2015 Press Presentation at Sofitel Manila (Photo credit: Edmund Chua for Fabmanilaph)
The Search will definitely be starting soon!
This is neither an official announcement nor the official poster
The 65th Miss Universe is now over. The fond memories are starting to creep back inside my head, but pageant life goes on. And this year’s screenings for the national successors of Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2016 Jennifer Hammond, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2016 Joanna Eden, Miss Grand International 1st Runner-Up Nicole Cordoves and The Miss Globe 2016 3rd Runner-Up Nichole Manalo will be tougher than all previous editions combined. Why? Because right from the get-go (or scheduled screening dates if you will), a grill-worthy Q&A will be conducted in order to add a more in-depth assessment of interested ladies who will sign up.
So you think you can become the next Bb. Pilipinas? Watch out for the formal announcement soon. And get into your beauty-and-brains mode faster than you can say “Binibini!” 🙂
PS. Early talks are saying that the repeaters and crossovers will lord it over this year. We’ll see about that. 😉
The World, the Universe and International for Aces & Queens
Thursday night was when the original dream of beauty camp Aces & Queens came to fruition – a trifecta of the biggest, oldest and most prestigious crowns. 2013 was when they got Miss World via Megan Young. 2015 soon came and Miss Universe was added to the list with the help of Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. And now, Miss International makes it 3-for-3 courtesy of Kylie Verzosa.
Quoting A&Q Head Jonas Gaffud in his FB status update:
“I have been interested in beauty pageants ever since I was a kid. The three major pageants in the world are Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International. These contests have enjoyed a long tradition (MW- since 1951, MU- since 1952, MI- since 1960) of loyal following, have always featured winners of national contests and have commanded a consistently good number of live and tv audience. I’m glad we send girls to other pageants, and they are quite interesting. Years from now, hopefully these pageants would blossom into excellent productions. So for now, let us enjoy our triumph at Miss International, completing the original quest of Aces and Queens to achieve the three major titles” 😍
Megan, Pia and Kylie
Atty. Nad Bronce, who handles the Q&A trainings for A&Q has this to say in his FB status update:
“I’ve always told Mama J @jonasofmercator that his answer to the question, “What is the limit of perseverance?” is worth pondering about. According to him, the limit of perseverance is “when your heart tells you to stop.” I am reminded of this answer, again, after @kylieverzosa won Miss International. Since our group @aces_and_queens was put up, we’ve always focused on bringing out the best in our girls, and helping them win titles, particularly Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International (not necessarily in order of importance, hehe) for the country. Winning these three titles was our ultimate goal. In fact, the indefatigable Mama Ruffa @maruffa_beauty and I have thought of retiring from this exhausting “hobby” called pageant training once the group captures the three titles. And now that Kylie won Miss International, that thought occurs to us once again. So do we retire? Hehe. Our hearts tell us to go on, that there are still contests to be won, that there are still crowns to be seized. So we will continue to persevere- to work hard, to give our best, to continue training our girls with much passion and love. We cannot simply dismiss what we love and believe in. And certainly, we cannot simply dismiss the exciting possibilities waiting to be realized. One such possibility (God-willing!), unprecedented at that, is that the three incumbent titleholders are all Filipinas. So, on to the next stop: Miss World on December 18, 2016 in Washington, DC.” #forthephilippines #acesandqueens #iloveyouaces
Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa in swimsuit by Mikee Andrei and gown by Francis Libiran
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