Miss International

All posts tagged Miss International

Have Filipinos turned into Pageantry Spoiled Brats?

Posted by Norman on February 17, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , . 72 Comments

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)

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This is not an Official Announcement but the Search will be ON soon!

Posted by Norman on February 1, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 86 Comments

The Search will definitely be starting soon!

This is neither an official announcement nor the official poster

So since today is already the first day of February, allow me to start the ball rolling or fan the flames of excitement for the upcoming search that will officially unreel soon. This. Is. Binibining Pilipinas. 2017.

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. 😉

A Trifecta of Crowns for Aces & Queens 

Posted by Norman on October 29, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 42 Comments

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

The group has come a long way from its humble beginnings. And it is only fitting that we continue to acknowledge the labor of love that each of the members selflessly offer to mold and prepare promising Filipinas into world-class symbols of beauty and class.

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


I salute you, Aces & Queens!

An October to Remember | Jennifer, Nicole and Kylie

Posted by Norman on September 17, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , . 32 Comments

Jennifer, Nicole and Kylie compete this October


October 16, 25 and 27 are extra-special dates for Bb. Pilipinas 2016 titleholders and Aces & Queens beauties Jennifer Hammond, Nicole Cordoves and Kylie Verzosa. All armed, dangerous and beautiful!

Jennifer wages battle in Colombo, Sri Lanka first for Miss Intercontinental 2016 on October 16. More than a week after, Nicole will blaze through Sin City strip when she competes in the finals of Miss Grand International 2016 happening in Las Vegas, Nevada. And two days after, Kylie will do her absolute best to nail our 6th Miss International crown in Tokyo, Japan.

This will definitely be an October to remember! 🙂

Sunday Specials: They will relinquish their crowns soon

Posted by Norman on September 11, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , . 5 Comments

Miss Intercontinental 2016 on October 16

Miss Grand International 2016 on October 25

Miss International 2016 on October 27

Miss Earth 2016 on October 29


It will be a merry month of pageantry starting the 2nd half of next month. Four major beauty pageants will have their Grand Finals in almost quick successions.

October 16 will see Valentina Rasulova of Russia handing over the Miss Intercontinental crown to her successor at the Stein Studios in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Jennifer Hammond will be our bet.

And then on October 25, Claire Parker of Australia will be next in line to relinquish hers at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino during the lavish climax of Miss Grand International 2016. Nicole Cordoves will seal our fate in this one.

Two days later, or on October 27, all roads will lead to Tokyo Dome City Hall in the Japanese capital for the elegant affair that is Miss International 2016 where Edymar Martinez will find out who’s next. This is Kylie Verzosa’s date with destiny.

And finally on October 29, Angelia Ong will see if a back-to-back-to-back is even possible with Imelda Schweighart representing the Philippines in Miss Earth 2016 which will culminate in the Coronation Night at the SM MOA Arena.

Whew!

And if these details are not enough, a big male pageant will have its big event in Surabaya, Indonesia for Mister Universal Ambassador 2016 – not next month but on September 30 – just over 15 days from now! Gentlemen of the Philippines – Universal Ambassador 2016 Andrea Biondo will try to win our first in this Indonesia-based advocacy-oriented male contest.

Mister Universal Ambassador 2016 will have its finals on September 30

Indeed, international pageant days will be loaded very soon! 😀

PS. I have not even included Miss Global and Miss Asia Pacific International yet! The first will be beld September 24 and MAPI next month

Goodwill for some, Badwill for one

Posted by Norman on July 2, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , . 9 Comments

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Miss Earth's move to Austria as host is doing the pageant a lot of good

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Even Miss International is doing their winners a lot of good

All the public and business backlash the Miss Universe Organization is suffering these days is making the other pageants in the Big 4 shine even more positively.

For starters, Miss Earth is earning a bagful of brownie points with the finalization of Vienna, Austria as host city and country this year. If it was listed in the stock market, then its share price would have already tripled by now. And the good tidings don’t seem to be running out anytime soon. Its franchise holders are doubly excited of this year’s edition and can’t wait to herald their respective bets alongside those who were already announced.

Even the usually low-profile Miss International has done its share of goodwill hunting after the organizers flew back to Tokyo not just Valerie Hernandez Matias but her four (4) runners-up as well for mid-reign promotional appearances – not a common practice every year – around the Japanese capital.

As for Miss World, the return to Sanya, China is no longer news. But the manner by which Julia Morley has been quietly and effectively planning out this year’s edition is something that the more popular Miss Universe can learn a thing or two from. It only goes to show how the MWO (Miss World Organization) has learned from mistakes in the past and continues to move forward and evolve with clockwork precision. Heck, there won’t even be a swimsuit segment for 2015 and yet, it continues to be looked up to by everyone.

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The return of Miss World to Sanya is not that bad a news for pageant fans anymore

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Photo credit: Critical Beauty

Meanwhile, back in New York, Paula Shugart must be racking her brains out trying to find the best solution to stop the bleeding being suffered by her organization. The daily blows keep piling up. Aside from the pull-out of Mexico, Guatemala has followed suit. Major sponsors have terminated their support. Macy’s has dropped Donald Trump as its spokesperson. Performers for the finals have banded together to alienate the show. And two of the judges for Miss USA 2015 have already begged off their supposed duties for July 12. If it’s any small consolation, co-host and commentator Jeannie Mai is still there (for now), but only for the sake of the candidates who must’ve pleaded her into staying on.

“I can’t abandon these women“, stated Jeannie in an online article for People.com.

But can MUO still hang on tight? The rope is wearing out fast. :-/

The 2014 that was in Pageantry

Posted by Norman on December 31, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 35 Comments

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The year's news-worthy winners in pageantry

logos21 While the 63rd Miss Universe Pageant left us hanging on a balance for results coming in for the year, the rest of the international beauty competitions gave us reasons to smile, laugh, sneer, frown or simply nonchalant.

Miss World 2014 gave us results that led to a mix of joy and disappointment. Joy because Rolene Strauss of South Africa is a perfect winner in the eyes of most everyone. Disappointment on our part because the back-to-back objective of Miss World Philippines Valerie Weigmann was cut short when she failed to advance to the Top 10. But most of you may want to admit it that this was already half-expected considering the signs that were thrown our way days before the finals.

Miss International 2014 was a different story. Almost all feeds from Tokyo gave thumbs up for the running performance of Bb. Pilipinas-International Bianca Guidotti. It was such an increasing high that the likelihood of a back-to-back with MI2013 Bea Rose Santiago was getting clearer by the day. Alas, the finals night underwhelmed most when our bet stepped out in a ball gown that could have pulled down her chances to even reach the Top 10. But from my vantage point, I had clarity a few hours before the coronation night started. I got word from a reliable source that, indeed, the Japanese are not and will never be open to giving the win to the same country two times in a row. It could happen light years away, but not in the short-term. And if that’s not enough, the very surprising come-from-behind victory of Puerto Rico’s Valerie Hernandez Matias got everyone raising their eyebrows. It’s not that she isn’t deserving at all. She simply did not register well during pre-pageant and most of the ladies looked at her as not the most seriously eager in getting the Mikimoto diadem.

Now going to Miss Earth 2014, the momentum of the host delegate gifting the Philippines with its 2nd crown never wavered. Jamie, despite falling sick somewhere in the middle of pre-pageant run, always propelled herself back to the top just when someone else is threatening to steal the spotlight away from her. And when finals night came, it was just a matter of ranking the three other elements in their proper places. The top spot was already in the bag even before the hosts made the announcement.

Miss Supranational 2014 in Poland, on the other hand, had a lot of intriguing back stories that went hand-in-hand with the explosive outcome of Miss Intercontinental 2014 in Germany. I prefer not to dissect these controversies anymore so as not to put down the two competitions which were somehow intertwined by a common individual. It’s unfortunate that the finals in Magdeburg took place a day ahead of the grand event in Krynica-Zdrój. I would have been consoled with Parapadsorn Disdamrong getting the Miss Supranational crown and either Kris Tiffany Janson or Jeslie Margal of Cuba ruling Miss Intercontinental instead of Patraporn Wang who did not sit well with a lot of followers. Oh well…

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Relatively new or relatively small or relatively obscure, these competitions contributed to the color of 2014 in pageantry

While not as big a pageant as the others, Miss Heritage 2014 gifted the Philippines a crown via Odessa Mae Tadaya (seated on throne)

While not as big a pageant as the others, Miss Heritage 2014 gifted the Philippines a crown via Odessa Mae Tadaya (seated on throne)

Now, as far as the other competitions are concerned, it’s either we cared or not. At any rate, we still awaited their respective denouements with fair anticipation.

Daryanne Lees Garcia of Cuba won the 2nd edition of Miss Grand International. A heavily-favored doll beauty of a married woman named Marina Alexeychik of Belarus outlasted her fellow candidates in Mrs. World. India made a back-to-back in Miss Asia-Pacific Supertalent. Ela Mino won as Miss Global 2014 while aboard a Crown Princess Cruise from L.A. to Mexico, while Tomomi Kondo of Japan won Miss Tourism World in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

May Myat Noe, the controversial winner of Miss Asia Pacific World 2014

May Myat Noe, the controversial winner of Miss Asia Pacific World 2014

In the smaller Miss Diversity Culture International, Anjelica Whitelaw of Australia upended the comers, while in the controversy-ridden Miss Asia-Pacific World, May Myat Noe of Myanmar contributed a highly controversial win when she was asked by the organizers to return the crown after a series of heated “he says, she says” exchanges erupted for all the international to watch and read.

And in far away Johannesburg, South Africa, Odessa Mae Tadaya of the Philippines was proclaimed Miss Heritage 2014, much to the delight of her countrymen.

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Male winners clockwise from top left: Nicklas Perdersen, Victor Zanetta, JM Sunglao and Stuart Hatton Jr.

How about the men? Well there were more than a few worth adding to the mix. Nicklas Pedersen of Denmark was voted Mr. World 2014 in a hotly-contested affair. Victor Zanetta representing Fernando de Noronha was given the title of Mister Model International 2014. Our very own JM Sunglao gave a sweet surprise of a win as Starz Hunk International 2014 and the UK’s Stuart Hatton Jr. won Mr. Gay World in Italy.

I’m sure I still must have missed on one or two, but you can fill in some of the other still unmentioned names. I’m currently on a brief Hong Kong vacation and my mind is.really.divided. I need this break.

Anyways, Happy New Year sa lahat! 😀