MJ Lastimosa

All posts tagged MJ Lastimosa

The Philippines’ Finest in Miss Universe

Posted by Norman on February 25, 2019
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .


Eight of the Philippines’ finest in Miss Universe during last night’s Tribute Concert. No wonder the country is the envy of every pageant-loving country in the Universe:

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach

Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner-Up Ara Arida

Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runner-Up Shamcey Supsup-Lee

Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner-Up Venus Raj

Miss Universe 2016 Top 6 Maxine Medina

Miss Universe 2017 Top 10 Rachel Peters and

Miss Universe 2014 Top 10 MJ Lastimosa

How I wish Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-Up Janine Tugonon flew in from the US to join the eight others. :-/

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Miss Universe 2014 Reunion in Panglao

Posted by Norman on August 22, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

Here are photos of the reuniting Miss Universe 2014 beauties when they stayed at the vacation-worthy paradise in Panglao, Alona Tropical Beach Resort. The ladies were extended the warmest welcome and hospitality led by its ever-reliable Deo Guden who really prepared for their much-anticipated visit.

#WishIWasThere

Photo credit: TJ Medrana Photography

Coming Soon: A Reunion of the Miss Universe 2014 Candidates in the Philippines

Posted by Norman on July 23, 2018
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .


The strong friendship started during Miss Universe 2014 held in Doral, Florida, U.S.A. when a large group of candidates forged a sisterhood that has stood the test of time even if we are just talking of an edition held more than three years ago. They’ve had reunions held in recent years, the last one being in Costa Rica around this time last year.

This year, and based on the latest IG post of Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa, thirty (30) of the ladies who participated in the Doral edition will be coming over to the country for their annual reunion around middle of next month. MJ, obviously, will be hosting them.

And with the fresh confirmation I received today from a good friend, Bohol Province will be one of the several pit stops in their vacation along with Cebu, Palawan and more. According to him, the visiting beauties will be accomodated at Alona Beach Resort, Amorita, Henann and Bellevue from August 19-21. The other details outside of Bohol are still unconfirmed, but the 3D/2N stay in Panglao alone is a guarantee of their arrival.

So expect ladies like Nia Sanchez of the U.S.A., Migbelis Castellanos of Venezuela and Kaci Fennell of Jamaica to be Philippine-bound soon!

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.

Miss Universe Charity Fashion Gala | Hope for Change Foundation

Posted by Norman on December 8, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Last night at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort and Casino, the Miss Universe Charity Fashion Gala was held in cooperation with Frontrow Cares and Hope for Change Foundation. Our visiting Miss Universe titleholders Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters and Iris Mittenaere – along with our very own Pia Wurtzbach walked the runway for a good cause. Wearing creations by our top designers like Francis Libiran and Rajo Laurel, they were joined by the Miss Universe 2017 national winners who also displayed their taste and elegance in gowns made by the likes of Mark Bumgarner, Frederick Peralta, Edwin Uy, Val Taguba, Rocky Gathercole, Cherry Samuya Veric, Ofelia Simpao and more.

What added special glitter to the event was the presence of six of our Miss Universe Philippines winners – Bianca Manalo, Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Ara Arida, MJ Lastimosa and Maxine Medina – who also participated in the fashion show and presented onstage in chronological order of their years in competition.

Six of our Miss Universe Philippines titleholders from Bianca Manalo to Maxine Medina

Here are some video clips from the show itself.

Rodgil Flores turns Golden

Posted by Norman on February 6, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

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Rodgil Flores (center) and his KF team

Rodgil and his family members

Last night, I was the only member of the recognizable pageant media ​​who attended the surprise 50th Birthday Bash of Rodgil Flores – the well-loved man behind Kagandahang Flores – which was held at Club One 690 in Quezon City. There was a visible outpouring of love from everyone who became part of his life as a beauty queen-maker, friend and loved one. The core team behind the event – led by Georgette Garrido, Kristine Caballero-Aplal, Gelbert Aplal and David Isaac Buenaventura – made sure that everything was kept in utmost secrecy up until the final reveal when the celebrant showed up at the venue unaware of what he will witness upon arrival (he was made to know that it was an important client meeting instead). He could not hold back the tears especially when an emotionally-made three-part video (which included Janicel Lubina who is currently in Brisbane for a project and Karen Agustin-Ostrea who is tied up with commitments as well) was shown detailing some of the individuals who have benefitted from his love, generosity and unconditional care.

Beauty queens spotted last night included Bea Rose Santiago, Angelia Ong, MJ Lastimosa, Parul Shah, Maggie Wilson-Consunji, Angelee Delos Reyes, Patricia Fernandez, Precious Lara Quigaman, Karla Henry, Kris Tiffany Janson, Athena Imperial, Camille Hirro, Janela Joy Cuaton, Ganiel Krishnan, Jaya San Jose, Mia Howell, Rachel Peters, Julian Flores, Abigail Cruz, Alexandra Faith Garcia, Gail Ventic, Kristine Estoque, Karen Ibasco, Brenna Gamboa and more. Mr. Gay World Philippines Organization Head Wilbert Tolentino (who was there with John Raspado and Bench Ortiz) was his usually generous self as he added a big amount to the already raised funds (whole-heartedly contributed upon by all previous titleholders and sponsors) for the future training of all KF beauty queen-aspirants. I won’t mention the exact amounts anymore but it’s definitely worth a lot.

Here are more photos from the event.

Your blogger (2nd from right standing) with the other guests and Mutya ng Pilipinas people

With Janela Cuaton, Jaya San Jose, Ganiel Krishnan, CJ Hirro and Angelo Mendez

From all of us here at normannorman.com, may you have more fruitful and love-filled years to come, Rodgil Flores!

Keep on helping and training and loving our beautiful Filipinas! You are really well-loved by everyone.

Cheers! 😀

Photo Blog: The Gakuya by Kim Gan/Seishun Fashion Show

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

It was a successful fashion event last night at B Hotel in Quezon City when Designer Kim Gan unveiled her latest collection of Gakuya/Seishun which is very Japanese-inspired but filled with a lot of unique touches only she can come up with.

Beauty Queens/Kings and Professional Models walked the ramp, including Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa, Bb. Pilipinas International 2014 and 2015 Bianca Guidotti & Janicel Lubina, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2014 and 2015 Yvethe Santiago & Rogelie Catacutan, Mister World Philippines 2015 Sam Ajdani, Miss World Philippines 1st Runner-Up Cassandra Naidas, Kim Ross delos Santos, Alaiza Malinao and more.

With shoes by Jojo Bragais, take a look at the photos taken by my partner-in-coverage Joy Arguil:

MJ Lastimosa

Rogelie Catacutan

Janicel Lubina

Bianca Guidotti

Cassandra Naidas

Kim Ross delos Santos

Alaiza Malinao


Sam Ajdani

Kim Ross delos Santos

Yvethe Santiago

Cassandra Naidas

Designer Kim Gan (left) and shoemaker Jojo Bragais

Jojo Bragais made the shoes for Kim Gan