Miss Universe Philippines

All posts tagged Miss Universe Philippines

Sunday “Breakout” Specials: And the Governor has spoken

Posted by Norman on January 13, 2019
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

I am reposting the article published by Rappler.com about the Miss Universe franchise in the Philippines.

Some messages from contacts in my inbox are asking if this is a case of “She said, He said” after Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta was quoted as saying (during the Karen Gallman sendoff) that the franchise is still with BPCI. Now, Governor Chavit Singson is claiming that the franchise is with him (check the Screenshot below of his interview with Philippine Star).

Well, until the official announcement from MUO gets published, I will not give my personal opinion. Yet.

Here now is the Rappler article:

Chavit Singson: Miss Universe Philippines franchise ‘already with me’

The former Ilocos Sur governor says a formal announcement will be made by the Miss Universe Organization soon

Rappler.com
Published 12:18 PM, January 13, 2019
Updated 12:30 PM, January 13, 2019

MANILA, Philippines – Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson said that he has acquired the Miss Universe Philippines franchise.

In an interview with the Philippine Star published Sunday, January 13, Singson told columnist Wilson Flores that the Philippine Miss Universe franchise is “already with [him].”

“True, the franchise is already with me, but it has not yet been announced. I think it shall be formally announced this January or February, when Catriona comes back again to the Philippines,” Singson said.

“Binibining Pilipinas Universe will be replaced with ‘Miss Universe Philippines.’ Noon pa binibigay sa akin ‘yan (It was being offered to me since before), because I’ve been helping them since 2016.”

Candidates for the Miss Universe pageant are selected by local franchise owners. These local franchises are owned by either an individual or an organization. The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc (BPCI), which runs the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, has had the Miss Universe franchise since 1964.

Let the discussion begin now.

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A Gathering of Miss Universe Philippines titleholders

Posted by Norman on December 9, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

Six of the Miss Universe Philippines titleholders were gathered together during the Charity Fashion Gala at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort and Casino last Thursday night. From the photo above, they are (left to right): MJ Lastimosa (2014), Maxine Medina (2016), Ara Arida (2013), Bianca Manalo (2009), Shamcey Supsup (2011) and Venus Raj (2010). If only Janine Tugonon (2012) was here in Manila, the ensemble would have been complete.

And in the photo below, the group got bigger when Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters joined them in a selfie taken by Maxine.

Thanks to Sein Gonatice for the topmost and upper left photos.

Bb. Pilipinas 2017: A (slightly) different ranking of titles?

Posted by Norman on March 25, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

Bb. Pilipinas (Official)’s poster announcing the April 30 Finals

When the FB page of Bb. Pilipinas (Official) uploaded their latest cover photo announcing the April 30 finals night of Bb. Pilipinas 2017, you will notice the strategic placement of the photos of the six (6) reigning titleholders. With that alone, anyone can surmise that the new ranking of the titles will be as follows:

1) Miss Universe Philippines
2) Bb. Pilipinas International
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3) Bb. Pilipinas Grand International
4) Bb. Pilipinas Supranational
5) Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental
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6) Miss Globe Philippines

This could only mean that Miss Grand International has already earned sufficient stripes to move up the ladder. Thanks in part to the commendable staging of the last edition in Las Vegas and the near-win of Nicole Cordoves in the same.

Of course, the old line that says all titles are of equal ranking no longer applies. Only the crowns of Maxine Medina and Kylie Verzosa are being equally classified on top. And this points to previous talks that the format of the finals will be so different that the last two women standing will literally pass through the eye of a needle before knowing who gets what pageant assignment for 2017.

How the reigning winners were positioned onstage last year (Photo credit: Joy Arguil)

Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina | The Send-Off

Posted by Norman on January 10, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Maxine Medina sees no reason why a back-to-back is out of reach

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Earlier during a rainy send-off hosted by Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. at the Versailles Tent of the Novotel Manila Araneta Center, Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina was showered with all the warm wishes and positive thoughts that will set her up for the 65th Miss Universe on the right note. Our Queen is brimming with beauty and confidence that one can’t help but think that – indeed – a back-to-back win is not at all impossible. When asked to name at least two contestants who could be thorns in her path to victory, she simply answered “no one” because she is visualizing herself as the successor of Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach come January 30. You might think that she may have gone overconfident. But no, she delivered her answer in such a tempered manner that you can feel the sincerity stemming from within.

Maxine with her Bb. Pilipinas sisters and BPCI Chair Stella Marquez de Araneta

Designer Rhett Eala will do the EG and NC of Maxine

Maxine shared that her training has been comprehensive and the only thing she asks for are prayers from all Filipinos to guide and see her through each step of the way. There is no doubt that she will forge ahead and prove to all and sundry that the host delegate deserves to be the next. She has done her homework and would not want nothing more than to give the Filipinos the gift of victory right before our very eyes.

Here is Miss International Kylie Verzosa’s message to Maxine.

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Now here is Maxine’s younger sister Ferica with the heartfelt message she is sending to her “Ate“.

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And here is boyfriend Marx Topacio with his message for Maxine.

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Shots taken by my Asst Photographer Joseph Gerard Jose


From all of us here at normannorman.com, achieve the back-to-back dream Maxine! You can do this one #ForThePhilippines!

Pre-Sendoff Excitement for Miss Universe Philippines 

Posted by Norman on January 10, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

This afternoon, Maxine will have her sendoff to the 65th Miss Universe


Maxine by Raymond Saldaña

This afternoon at the Versailles Tent of the Novotel Manila Araneta Center, Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina will have her formal sendoff to the 65th Miss Universe hosted by Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI). And I can’t hide the excitement for our bet. I have already prepared questions to ask her during the open mic. And I am also looking forward to the quick bonding with her parents and siblings who I adore so dearly.

Watch out for my coverage of the sendoff!

For now, let me share quick vids of her TV interview on ABS-CBN’s Tonight With Boy Abunda.

Maxine with Boy Abunda

All videos courtesy of ABSCBN

Final Training Day | Maxine Medina is ready for the Universe!

Posted by Norman on January 9, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Jonas Gaffud shared this photo of Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina during her final training day

Maxine with Nad Bronce (middle) and Arnold Mercado

Yesterday, Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina (in a red Christian Moya gown) underwent her final training day/rehearsals as the country’s bet and host delegate for the 65th Miss Universe. All bases were neatly covered. And the three pillars of Aces & Queens – Jonas Gaffud, Arnold Mercado and Atty Nad Bronce – saw to it that our Queen is more than 100% in-the-zone and on target for a back-to-back victory. The pressure is extremely high that it can cut like a knife if something goes amiss. So at this point, we can say with certainty that Miss Philippines is well-prepared, polished with confidence and ready for the Universe. I daresay that her preparations are even more meticulous than that of Queen P’s.

Get ready for #4M4MU (the hashtag cheer for Maxine Medina). She is ready to welcome all the delegates with a big smile and wide open arms.

Mabuhay! 😀

The pillars of Aces &a Queens (Arnold, Jonas and Nad) who supervised Maxine’s training

Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina and the Surprise Presscon 

Posted by Norman on January 3, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

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Maxine during the Presscon

Maxine with parents Max & Marife behind her and niece Liofel on her lap

Maxine and her beloved Aces & Queens family

Maxine with her family members


It was a surprise Presscon for Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina tonight in Baler, Roosevelt, QC. Everyone was in the know except her. And the plan worked. She was really wide-eyed in reaction after seeing all the guests when she thought it was just an intimate dinner with family and friends.

And Maxine was emotional in a very happy way. This will just be one of her few big send-offs of sorts. All for the 65th Miss Universe.

Here is a brief interview with Nicole Cordoves about her best friend Maxine.

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More Joy Arguil photos to follow soon!