You know that something is official when the Miss Universe Organization makes an official announcement about it. So the entry of Mouawad as the designer and maker of the next Miss Universe crown to replace the Mikimoto is already set in stone with the first of three creations debuting in the next 68th Miss Universe Pageant. The second and third head adornments will be unveiled during Miss USA 2020 and Miss Teen USA 2020.
Just a brief backgrounder on Mouawad:
Mouawad is a privately held Swiss and Emirati luxury goods, vertically integrated company that makes High Jewelry, and retail company that sources diamonds and gemstones, designs, manufacturers, and sells jewelry collections, objects of art, and luxury watches. The firm has headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, with a Middle East headquarters at Jumeirah Lakes Towers in Dubai. Founded in 1891 in Beirut, Lebanon by David Mouawad, the firm is now led by 4th generation co-guardians Fred Mouawad, Alain Mouawad and Pascal Mouawad. The firm’s jewelry and watch design and manufacturing divisions are located in Switzerland and Asia Pacific.
So I’m pretty sure Miss Universe Catriona Gray will drop by the Dubai HQs of Mouawad during her visit to the UAE this week, and on that specific day when her itinerary was not made public.
I am no statistics whiz, but this is how I computed the average performance average of our Bb. Pilipinas 2018 titleholders based on placements/non-placement during their respective pageant missions:
1) Winning the crown in their assignments is equivalent to 100% so we have both Miss Universe Catriona Gray and Miss Intercontinental Karen Gallman contributing perfect scores in the final tally.
2) Placing 1st Runner-Up in Miss International is equivalent to a percentage of 97.5% – that is 2 (the rank) divide it by the number of candidates (77) resulting to 0.025 and converted accordingly to the said percent. This is the contribution of Ahtisa Manalo.
3) As for Jehza Huelar and Michele Gumabao, they placed Top 10 and Top 15 respectively. Using the formula in #2 and the number of candidates for Miss Supranational (72) and The Miss Globe (45), we arrive at converted percentages. Jehza added 86% to the tally, while Michele came up with 67%.
4) Lastly, Eva Patalinjug was unplaced in Miss Grand International. I definitely cannot give her a zero because she participated in the competition from Day 1. Since the first cut of was set at Top 20, I pegged her default placement at 30 (assuming that she is in the next ten candidates from 21-30). Using the same formula as above, she has a share of 61% based on a total number of 76 ladies who participated in the entire pageant.
If we are to assign a letter grade to the overall performance of our 2018 titleholders, they would collectively get an “A”. Our winning performances in both Miss Universe and Miss Intercontinental – plus a 1st Runner-Up placement in Miss International – are responsible for pulling up the final average to this level. Of course, we all want an “A+”. That would be a tall order for the next batch of winners – but not an impossible objective, nonetheless.
In closing, allow me to give my heartfelt thanks to Catriona, Karen, Ahtisa, Jehza, Michele and Eva for the accomplishments during their reign. We are proud of you!
Pageant fans and followers are anticipating that Miss Universe Catriona Gray will be wearing a Mak Tumang when she turns over the Miss Universe Philippines crown tomorrow night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. What’s more, the image above had been “leaked” as the possible gown that she will use – a bluer version of the now popular lava gown.
This is not officially confirmed as expected, but expect Queen Cat to be at her dazzling best during the Grand Coronation itself.
Miss Universe Catriona Gray is the face of the new Smart Signature Plans
Catriona Gray’s journey to the Miss Universe crown is an inspiring story of a woman who has reimagined herself to win the most coveted beauty pageant title, bringing pride and honor to our country.
Make no mistake about it, Catriona could have simply rested on her laurels with her Top 5 finish in Miss World 2016, plus a flourishing career as a commercial model. But, fueled by the support of family and friends, the now 25-year old beauty queen decided to embark on a much bigger dream that revealed the goal slayer in her – someone who is confident with her vision, and put every ounce of her energy to realize it. The rest, as they say, is history.
“Catriona’s inspiring story and her disposition as the ultimate goal slayer makes her the perfect ambassador for Smart Signature, a new mobile experience that prioritizes customers,” said Oscar A. Reyes, Jr., PLDT-Smart SVP and Consumer Business Market Development Head.
“Designed to cater to a new generation of goal slayers like Catriona, Smart Signature keeps up with the fast-paced digital lifestyle of our customers and empowers them as they tick off more milestones in their career or life,” he added.
“I’m very goal-oriented, and once I’ve set my mind on something, I put my heart and soul to it, and make sure I have all the tools to make it happen,” said Catriona, whose dedication showed in her hands-on approach to preparing for an international title: from putting together her own team or designers, trainers and creatives to displaying her proud Filipino heritage in her captivating national costume and now iconic gowns.
“This is why I am thrilled to represent Smart Signature, which empowers everyone with the digital experience they need to achieve more and realize a much better version of themselves. With Smart Signature, we have one less thing to worry about while pursuing our goals and making a difference.”
Tech-savvy beauty queen
Catriona uses digital platforms not only to connect with family, friends, and fans, but as an effective way to get her voice out there as an advocate for educating the youth and raising HIV/AIDS awareness.
But what else does the most beautiful woman in the world do when she’s online? For starters, she listens to music. “I never like it when it’s quiet. So, I stream music all the time,” she shared. She also enjoys watching videos, especially during her downtime. Here’s a fun fact: She likes watching beauty and make-up videos online, and even trained to do her own make-up as part of her preparation for the MISS UNIVERSE® competition.
As an only child who lives away from her parents, and with a hectic travel schedule, she also heavily relies on mobile apps to constantly keep in touch with family and friends.
Always a go-getter, Catriona is ready to embark on her new role as endorser for Smart Signature. It’s going to be a hectic reign, but it’s a journey that she has prepared for all her life, and one that she hopes will inspire more Filipinos.
“I would love to share to people that my story is not an overnight success, and there were years that I really struggled. But I never gave up,” she revealed. “I always play to my own strengths. You need to find a circle of people that believe in what your goals are. And in this digital age, you need a mobile partner that will always prioritize your needs.”
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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.
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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You know that something is official when the Miss Universe Organization makes an official announcement about it. So the entry of Mouawad as the designer and maker of the next Miss Universe crown to replace the Mikimoto is already set in stone with the first of three creations debuting in the next 68th Miss Universe Pageant. The second and third head adornments will be unveiled during Miss USA 2020 and Miss Teen USA 2020.
I am no statistics whiz, but this is how I computed the average performance average of our Bb. Pilipinas 2018 titleholders based on placements/non-placement during their respective pageant missions:
If we are to assign a letter grade to the overall performance of our 2018 titleholders, they would collectively get an “A”. Our winning performances in both Miss Universe and Miss Intercontinental – plus a 1st Runner-Up placement in Miss International – are responsible for pulling up the final average to this level. Of course, we all want an “A+”. That would be a tall order for the next batch of winners – but not an impossible objective, nonetheless.
Miss Universe Catriona Gray is the face of the new Smart Signature Plans
