Miss Universe Philippines 2020

All posts tagged Miss Universe Philippines 2020

In Full Bloom

Posted by Norman on September 28, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

In full bloom. They say that queens blossom even more after their reign. That couldn’t be truer with the 2020 Miss Universe Philippines queens. Their ethereal beauties shine in their last photoshoot as the reigning queens.

Photography & Creative Direction: @sevenbarretto of @studio7manila
Set Design & Art Direction: @erwnbotin of @botinstudios
Photo Team: @claudevillahrmsa
@darielmiraflorphotography

Stylists: @mikeeandrei @sovndwvave
Assisted by @ignaciojerald

Designer @louispangilinan.ph

GLAM TEAM:
@rabiyamateo
Makeup @carissacielomedved
Hair @florenz_hair
Earrings @lunabydrakedustin

@bellaysmael
Makeup @theleiponce
Hair @valenzuelajericho
Earrings @christohermunar

@gumabaomichele
Makeup @japethmike_purog
Hair @johnmallarii
Earrings @christophermunar

@paulineamelinckx
Makeup @milagulfan
Hair @jonaxlucas
Earrings @christophermunar

@billie.hakenson
Makeup @jimryanros
Hair @valenzuelajericho
Earrings @christophermunar

Location Empire Studios, Uptown Mall

@themissuniverseph
@jonasempire.ph
@voltairetayag
@maynaldreyreyes
@darricckk
@seingonatice

Get your KTX Season Pass for the much-awaited Preliminaries and Pageant Finals! Click the link in my bio to subscribe.

#MissUniversePhilippines2021 #MUPHSisterhood #PhenomenalWoman #InspireYou

Rabiya Mateo: Ready to move on

Posted by Norman on September 28, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , .


“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.“ – Oprah Winfrey

In just two days from now, Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo will crown her successor. As she closes the chapter of her colorful reign as a #phenomenalwoman, may she continue to soar in her next adventures and endeavors.

Rabiya, you have already made your mark. Time to make them ineffaceable.

Photographed by @stephencapuchino
Makeup and Creative Direction @justinenavato
Art Direction @jobonacpil
Styling @styledbykennethr @diosokarl
Gown by @gl_garlatedesign
Hair @jayaquino_
Jewelry @lunabydrakedustin @ibaydrake
Nails @extraordinail @i_amveronica

#MissUniversePhilippines2021
#InspireYou
#phenomenalwomen

Rabiya Mateo: On the heels of entering showbiz

Posted by Norman on September 22, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo is patiently waiting for the crowning of her successor before finally moving on to new chapters of her life. Rumor has it that she is close to signing up with GMA-7. Another rumor linked to this is that the network is seriously considering her to be part of the cast of Book 2 of a highly-successful primetime teleserye. Regardless of what’s next, this blogger wishes her the best in her professional life after pageantry.

Below is her spotlight guesting on TBATS last Sunday night.

Welcome back, Rabiya!

Posted by Norman on July 14, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

On July 14, 2021, Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo was welcomed home by the Miss Universe Philippines Organization after an unforgettable 80 day journey in the US. She competed last May 16 at the Miss Universe 2020 pageant where she landed in the Top 20. Immediately after the competition, Mateo embarked on a travel experience visiting Filipino communities in 13 cities across the US.

The Miss Universe Philippines Organization went to great lengths in ensuring Mateo’s safety throughout her travels and strictly adhering to all of the quarantine requirements. The phenomenal queen comes home with a renewed spirit, a fulfilled heart and an even greater appreciation for Filipino pride. Since her coronation, she has continued to become an inspiration to so many Filipinos here and abroad. Her phenomenal efforts and effect on people have become the starting point of this year’s theme.

Miss Universe Philippines National Director, Shamcey Supsup Lee, announced the theme for the 2021 edition at the event. She said,
“I am very happy to announce that this year’s theme for the MUPh 2021 Pageant, our theme will be …. “INSPIRE YOU”. A Miss Universe Philippines is a phenomenal woman because she has the ability to inspire others. This year, the three pillars are Roots, Transformations and Charity.

Inspired by your Roots. The MUPh Associated Partners Program ensures that as many cities and provinces throughout our country are well represented. Join us as we take a deep dive into the interesting and moving parts of our culture revealed through the eyes of our contestants.
Inspiring Transformations. With the world-renowned experience of the key members of the Miss Universe Philippines board in bringing out the best in a Filipina, the goal is for them to find their unique best self that should also move other people to seek their best selves.
Lastly, inspiring charity. It doesn’t matter whether it is big or small. Doing something good that can be sustainable should also inspire other people to do the same.”


The Miss Universe Philippines 2021 screening format was also announced at the event. It is a fresh dynamic approach responsive to today’s needs. The MUPh decided on this format to allow greater participation from all over this Philippines. By doing virtual screenings at the beginning, the delegates do not have to be in Manila and incur lots of unnecessary travel expenses.

From the hundreds of applicanats, the Top 100 Delegates will be revealed on July 19, 2021. They become official MUPh delegates who will undergo a series of virtual challenges in the following weeks.

Through online voting through the MUPh App and the judges, field will be narrowed to to a Top 75 and then a Top 50. These Top 50 delegates will then go to Manila for a live Interview Challenge with the Miss Universe Philippines board of judges. Ultimately, a Top 30 will be chosen and announced on August 31,2021.

Also present at the live press conference held at the Hilton Manila, Resorts World Manila were MUPh Creative Director Jonas Gaffud and MUPh Design Council Head Albert Andrada. The event was hosted by MUPh Director of Communications Voltaire Tayag. Sponsors at the event were Frontrow, Cetaphil, Creamsilk, Dr. Coco and Gary Dacanay Weddings and Events.

The Miss Universe Philippines Live Coronation night will be on September 25, 2021.

#TurningPhenomenal Series No. 4

Posted by Norman on May 28, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

#TurningPhenomenal Series No. 3

To be or not to be a #PhenomenalWoman again, that is the question…

In a play of words from a famous line in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the next lady in our series has that thought playing in her mind – be it of her own volition or the encouragement of others.

Bella Ysmael is #AmbassadorForArtsAndCulture and last year’s Miss Universe Philippines 1st Runner-Up. If only the tides are not turning in favor of holding a 2021 edition, then she could ascend the throne by virtue of her (somewhat) ‘Virreina’ placement. That would have been the most convenient route to the ‘Filipina’ crown if the next Miss Universe is scheduled too soon this year.

Otherwise, it’s all about going through the motions for a second time, but with an entirely new dedication in place. And that could be tougher. For a strong-willed individual, though, that is called a challenge.

And Bella can do insane numbers of pirouettes or fouettes if that is what it takes to savor a #1 finish.

Notable crossovers to Miss Philippines Earth 2021

Posted by Norman on May 22, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

For the past two weeks and a half now, the organizers of Miss Philippines Earth have been live-streaming the initial interviews of their short-listed applicants to become Official Candidates this year. Your blogger was even part of the panel during the first batch. By next week, they will most likely announce the official lineup that will become this year’s Earth Warriors.

Among them is a quartet of ladies who are crossovers from other national pageants.


Last year’s phenomenal woman of Oriental Mindoro in Miss Universe Philippines will now be the Earth Warrior of San Pablo, Laguna for MPE2021. Dr. Adee Hitomi Akiyama is more confident that she can do this competition given the combination of medical and environmental advocacies she is pushing for.


Louise Theunis was initially an Official Candidate of Miss World Philippines last 2018 before she joined Miss Bikini Philippines 2019 – a title she won just before the global pandemic took its toll on everyone. She is now ready to represent Carrascal, Surigao del Sur in MPE2021 and is certain that taking the risk of vying for another crown is worth it. Keep in mind that she was also National Director of Miss FIT Philippines.


Angelie Aubrey Asuncion was Binibini 40 during the Bb. Pilipinas 2018 batch. She is also a very good acoustic singer who did well during the Talent Competition that time. After keeping it low-key for the past two years, she is back with a more refreshing look and styling – something that will make her stand out in MPE2021.

On the other hand, Gail Ventic was Binibini 1 during Bb. Pilipinas 2016. Like Angelie above, she was fielded in the competition by Kagandahang Flores. Right after her first national pageant experience, she returned to her job as Flight Attendant of Air Asia. She is bringing back maturity this year. And MPE2021 is the right pageant to be part of her return.

How successful will the four ladies above do in Miss Philippines Earth 2021? I am positive they will do well. I know that there are also a lot of promising ladies from the rest of the aspirants who are still relative unknowns. But I trust that the best will shine in due time to become the successor of Roxie Baeyens.

Pool Hair, Don’t Care!

Posted by Norman on May 13, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

When you have the whole pool to yourself, enjoy and pose. After all, the photographer will definitely take your shots – for fun, for exposure and for us.

Pool hair, don’t care!

Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo in pictures taken when she fell and got wet in the pool at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

#RabiyaMateo #69thMissUniverse #MissUniversePhilippines

Rabiya Mateo in Sherri Hill

Posted by Norman on May 9, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .


This is the look of Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo for the 69th Miss Universe shoot wearing blue Sherri Hill.

Looking really gorgeous here!

What do you think, dear readers?

#RabiyaMateo #69thmissuniverse #sherrihill

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Exclusive Interview with Manny Halasan on the National Costume of Rabiya Mateo

Posted by Norman on May 8, 2021
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

Watch my exclusive interview with Fashion Designer and Jewelry Maker Manny Halasan where he carefully talks about his contribution to Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo’s (Rocky Gathercole) National Costume for the 69th Miss Universe.

I can already envision the final ensemble to be out-of-this-Universe! Knowing Rocky’s aesthetics, it should be. And with the inputs of Manny, it will provide the pageant side of the design I reckon.