Pia Wurtzbach

All posts tagged Pia Wurtzbach

State of the (Miss) Universe: How is Iris Mittenaere doing so far?

Posted by Norman on August 26, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , . 54 Comments

Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere

Truly, Pia Wurtzbach is a tough act to follow, reign-wise. And Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere is carrying the heavy weight on her shoulders. Every move or activity (or the lack of it) she makes is being regularly scrutinized by pageant fans, such that a relatively long lull of absence on Facebook or Instagram is already cause for netizens to ask what significance is she really doing for the brand. We all know that her predecessor hugged social media like a warm cuddly teddy bear regardless of the scattered issues here and there. And the importance of being always present and on the go – whether online or off – is something that a Miss Universe is expected to deliver in multiple doses for sustainability (or visibility if you will).

Except for her two latest videos below, are you feeling the impact?


courtesy of Miss Universe

I seem to be missing something here or I have not followed Iris diligently enough to see if she is indeed an effective Miss Universe. I don’t think the Miss Universe Organization – or WME/IMG for that matter – would be amiss in utilizing their reigning titleholder to the max in insuring that her impact is ever-present.

Or are their efforts not being lapped up by Iris every chance she is being given to make her presence felt?

At the end of the day, this title is a job, a 24/7 responsibility even because people around the Universe view her activities regardless of different time zones. And I dearly want her to make good on the promise (last January 30 during her post-coronation Press Conference at the 65th Miss Universe Media Tent) of making the brand popular in Europe regardless of the obstacles and/or resistance. That will be the share of legacy in her reign. The clock is ticking for the 66th edition – be it in Phoenix, NYC, LA or Vegas.

Iris in Sherri Hill with the crown and photographed by Fadil Berisha

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Photo-Blog: A 2nd (and more Queen-studded) Book Launch for “The Crown” 

Posted by Norman on August 21, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 13 Comments


It was a more glittery 2nd book launch for “The Crown” by Jonas Gaffud at the Hello Kitty Cafe in Uptown Mall BGC with the presence of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa along with Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Mariel de Leon, Chanel Olive Thomas, Maxine Medina, Christi McGarry, Katarina Rodriguez, Valerie Weigmann, Marie-Ann Umali and Angelica Alita. Mercator talents and managers also showed up plus Queen P’s special someone Marlon Stockinger.

And it was a more casual and fun event altogether as everyone participated in the pageant trivia contest where delightful Hello Kitty (Sanrio) items were given away.

Here are more photos as taken by Joy Arguil for normannorman.com.

“The Crown”, or how to get an Aces & Queens crash course in one book 

Posted by Norman on August 18, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , . 31 Comments

On the throne: Beauty Queen maker Jonas Gaffud during the launch

JONAS GAFFUD LAUNCHES “THE CROWN: YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO BECOMING A BEAUTY QUEEN” MANUAL

Jonas Gaffud, the trainer who has produced a Miss World, a Miss International, and a Miss Universe for the Philippines, shares the secrets to winning beauty pageants and spills inside stories of the most celebrated beauty royalties in recent years in his first book under ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. entitled “The Crown: Your Essential Guide to Becoming a Beauty Queen.”

With more than 30 certified beauty titlists under his belt, Jonas is undeniably the country’s premier beauty queen maker. Known as Mama J in the industry, his list of mentees includes winners in international beauty contests such as Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza, and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach who all joined their trainer in “The Crown” book cover.

Together with his beauty pageant training squad, Aces & Queens, the new author has become a key player in the Philippines’ pageantry success for 16 years now.

“It’s all about Aces & Queens’ journey, how we trained beautiful ladies all these years (and their stories as well), how we created our group, and how we evolved,” shared Jonas on what the book is all about.   

“The Crown” will prove essential to both pageant aspirants and keen spectators, with its discussions on competitions’ crucial matters such as dealing with the height problem, question and answer tricks, and sashaying in heels 101. It also provides the Aces and Queens checklist and tons of tips on preparing for the big event.

Jonas also opened up about his biggest triumphs in his book. He said, “training beauty queens gave me front row, and most recently, mosh pit, to the exhilarating world of pageants. Seeing the ladies we trained showcase their unique beauty, walk and personality on stage never fails to give me a natural high. A definite milestone in my career is being able to help make Miss Universe happen in the Philippines.”

The handy manual provides inspiration from the stories of his group’s roster of beauty queens who all remained gracious through victory and defeat. The author also revealed other interesting details like his first-ever buena manocandidate, his Aces & Queens team members and their training forte, and his learnings when pageants wrap up.

“The best and most fulfilling part of all is being vessels for these young girls to be better individuals, thinking individuals, who reach their dreams and do something that make our nation proud,” wrote the beauty queen trainer who also heads Mercator Artist and Model Management.

Jonas launched the book together with the other Aces & Queens pillars Arnold “Mama Ruffa” Mercado and Nad Bronce, and their beauty queen alumni Pia, Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj, actor Daniel Matsunaga, model Marc Nash, and other special guests at a ceremony held in Marco Polo Ortigas Manila.

Pia shared her excitement about the beauty queen manual. She said, “the book gives me a lot of flashbacks when I was just starting. They (Aces & Queens) found potential in me at a time when I didn’t see it yet.”

“The Crown: Your Essential Guide to Becoming a Beauty Queen” will soon be available in leading newsstands and bookstores nationwide for only P295

Next Attraction: The Book Launch of “The Crown” by Jonas Gaffud 

Posted by Norman on August 17, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , . 40 Comments

normannorman.com’s e-invite to the book launch


Today, August 17, is going to be quite the hectic coverage schedule for normannorman.com. Starting at 1pm, there will be the Miss World Philippines 2017 Sports Challenge scheduled at the Victoria Sports Tower in QC where the fittest and the strongest among the candidates will stand out in a fast-track segment that mimics the same portion of the bigger Miss World. At 7pm tonight, the big launch of Mr & Ms BPO will be held at the Discovery Primea with the exciting unveiling of this year’s most exciting mixed search among the best and brightest in the call center industry.

And sandwiched by the two events is the much-awaited book launch of “The Crown” by Jonas Gaffud with his three (3) muses – Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World Megan Young and Miss International Kylie Verzosa – leading the way into the activity.

In line with this, let me inject a throwback of sorts to a year-old interview Jonas Gaffud gave to PEP.ph which mirrors some of the content of the said book. Watch the videos by PEP now.



Pia Wurtzbach in Bangkok

Posted by Norman on August 3, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , . 31 Comments

Miss Universe paying her respects to the Reclining Buddha


Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is currently on a visit to the Land of Smiles for a project coinciding with International Women’s Month and the launch of Women’s Journey Thailand which aims to give more perks and privileges to female travelers visiting Thailand. She is in Bangkok along with manager Jonas Gaffud, Tim Yap plus her road manager.

Pia was also able to meet Miss Universe Thailand 2017 Mareeya Poonlertlarp during a presscon (watch video below).

courtesy of Avid Fan

From Showbiz to Pageantry: Will Ria Atayde cross over?

Posted by Norman on July 26, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , . 9 Comments


Now here’s another showbiz personality who is being talked about as joining Miss World Philippines 2017. An ABS-CBN talent, Ria Atayde is the daughter of character actress Sylvia Sanchez and sister of the relatively more familiar Arjo Atayde (who recently played Rocky Gathercole on MMK). It has already been told before that this beautiful lass is keen on setting foot in the world of pageantry where she can establish her own mark more clearly, as well as getting a national crown that would hopefully line her up with the likes of Pia Wurtzbach and company.

Here is Ria during her guesting on TWBA with Boy Abunda:

Your thoughts on Ria Atayde, dear readers?

Sunday Specials: Pia Wurtzbach for Century Tuna

Posted by Norman on July 16, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , . 7 Comments


The TVC was already uploaded on Facebook today, and soon, you will see the latest endorsement of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach for Century Tuna where her whistle-bait figure is put to full visual use as it really adds up to the effectiveness of the campaign for the lite version of the tuna brand. 

The hashtag is #QueenoftheCentury and #PiaforCenturyTuna.