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
Jennifer, Nicole and Kylie compete this October
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! 🙂
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
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
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
Miss Earth's move to Austria as host is doing the pageant a lot of good
Even Miss International is doing their winners a lot of good
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.
The return of Miss World to Sanya is not that bad a news for pageant fans anymore
Photo credit: Critical Beauty
“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. 
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