Before watching tonight’s Preliminary Q&A, check out these videos first when my friend and pageant colleague Voltaire Tayag of Rappler grilled the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 candidates with some tough questions. This was held just a couple of days before they departed for Baguio City last week.
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This was an episode mired with technical difficulties – more from my end because Globe chose the worst time to do all their repair and maintenance work this weekend which considerably slowed down my internet connection. Be that as it may, it did not prevent the panelists from engaging in a no-holds-barred free-wheeling discussion about Philippine Pageantry from the eyes of the pageant media.
My guests included Ameer Gamama of Missosology, Adam Genato of Sash Factor, Voltaire Tayag of Rappler, Tita Lavinia of Titas of Pageantry, Edge Tenoria of Pageanthology 101 and Tristan Francisco of my host site.
I may have spilled more beans that I should but please take everything in the spirit of fun. Besides, jokes are half-meant so a part of me is just being open and unapologetic about it.
Below is the interview made by Rappler with Miss Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman as conducted by my friend and colleague Voltaire Tayag.
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, 2019MANILA, 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.
I am reposting in full the article I made for Rappler in support for Miss Universe Philippines Rachel Peters in Miss Universe 2017.
As all of you know by now, I am a contributing entertainment writer for the said social media firm in the pageant beat.
Thank you to its Lifestyle and Entertainment Editor Patricia Barcelon for letting me share the following to their readers:
Right after the Miss Universe 2017 Preliminary Competition at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, the Philippines’ Rachel Peters was exhausted. The swimsuit and evening gown competitions are the most crucial pre-pageant events of the competition, and no doubt there was a lot of stress and preparation that went into it. After all, these two events – along with the closed door panel interviews – will determine whether she’ll make the first cut during the November 26 finals.
In her Instagram account, our representative posted this message of thanks: “Tonight was sooo much fun! Shoutout to all the Filipinos who were there for me. I seriously felt the love and have been all week. Thank you to all my kababayans around the world for your relentless support, votes, and prayers! I appreciate you all…”
But the support for Rachel doesn’t stop with yesterday’s exercise. In fact, there are 5 ways that you can continue showing your support until the coronation. Let’s start with the already-recommended ones:
1. Go to vote.missuniverse.com and look for Miss Philippines. Each unique Facebook and email account can vote up to 10 times a day.
2. Tweet and/or retweet the hashtags #MissUniverse #Philippines (note: manually spell Philippines instead of using a recommended hashtag, because erroneous/misspelled country names may invalidate your efforts).The pre-pageant votes will be counted on November 25, 1 pm ET.
Easy-peasy, right?
Now comes the part where you may need to dig a little deeper into your commitment to our representative, in order for her to sustain her drive to win the crown:
3. Give constructive comments and suggestions in all of Rachel’s social media posts. You’ll be surprised to know that she reads all of them – good and bad. But it all boils down to how you deliver your lines. Point out her shortcomings, but suggest areas for improvement where she can pick up a useful tip or two.
4. Drive out all the negative and senseless online attacks that are meant to hurt her self-confidence more than anything else. On her Instagram account bio, it says “negatrons will be blocked.” She means it, and in the most tactful and diplomatic way. Why send bad vibes if you can make both your days with encouragment instead? Believe me, Rachel is one of the easiest people to please. It doesn’t take a lot to make her smile and appreciate your kind words.
5. Lastly, and most importantly, go all-out for Rachel on November 26 (November 27 in Manila) during the actual broadcast of the finals, when live voting will be in progress the minute she makes it to the semifinals (and I am certain that she will). In each round of the competition, repeat items 1 and 2 above. The windows for voting will open and close – and with almost no delay – so you need to act fast during those critical moments of the pageant.
So tell me, is it hard to show your love for Miss Universe Philippines? Rachel is in it to win it. She is carrying the Philippines on her shoulders. And with our continuous help, she can fulfill the dreams of the entire Filipino nation for a 4th Miss Universe crown.
In case you missed the TV telecast of Miss Philippines Earth 2017 on ABS-CBN at 9:45am earlier, here is a compilation of the important segments of the finals during the live streaming of Rappler last night.
Just click on the different videos below so you can watch the progress leading to the crowning of Karen Ibasco as the new Miss Philippines Earth and our representative to Miss Earth 2017 on November 4.
Bb Pilipinas International 2016 Kylie Verzosa
Have you watched and heard Bb. Pilipinas International 2016 Kylie Verzosa read poems? And in deep Filipino at that? Well, Rappler has commissioned our Queen to do a reading of one of the works of poet Joi Barrios – “Kasalo” – for Buwan ng Wika or the annual month-long observance of the Filipino language.
Watch now and tell me if she gave justice to the same. 🙂
courtesy of Rappler
Angelia being interviewed by media after her crowning as MPE2015 (Photo credit: Collin Yap)
courtesy of John Arida
A grid of sample replies to Angelia’s Q&A last night
MPE2015 Angelia Ong by Collin Yap
There were those who questioned how the question about same-sex marriage should have been worded to elicit the right answer. And there were also the ones who poked fun at how Angelia mentioned “sex marriage” instead of “same-sex marriage” in her answer (keep in mind how the tension during the segment was extra palpable). But more glaring are the commenters who started spewing biblical quotes and religious beliefs after Angelia gave an affirmative response on the subject matter. It was a heady mix of exchange that effortlessly revealed how these people simply love their quick transformations to fault-finders extraordinaire.
I have no intentions of playing lawyer to Angelia’s defense. And I have long learned to ignore the proliferation of the grammar enforcers among us. But for the extremely religious, there is always a right time and place to air such fundamental thoughts. I like the way how a poster on writingforums.org named “Chicken Freak” stated the following on being preachy.
“…Don’t twist the story to serve the message. If the story can’t stand on its own just as a good yarn, it’s going to be a poor vehicle for carrying a message.
Similar, but not quite identical, don’t twist the characters to serve the message. The character who has the Wrong Views doesn’t also need to be mean, ugly, unlikable, and miserable. The one with the Right Views doesn’t need to be handsome, likable, and accomplished. Don’t act like you’re God, doling out just punishments and rewards to your characters.”
The example I quoted above may not serve the most effective argument (since the forum is primarily meant for aspiring writers), but it does make sense without taking things out of context or getting too sidelined by doctrined morality and the like.
How about you, dear readers?
I’d like to hear your inputs on the matter. 
courtesy of Rappler
Tune in to Rappler for the entire night as they cover Miss Earth 2014 LIVE!
The Miss Earth 2014 stage (Photo credit: Pinay Beauty Queens)
Live Streaming will begin at 7:00PM. 😉
The ladies of Miss Earth 2014 during final rehearsals (Photo credit: Fatima Rabago)
This one's happening tonight at the UP Theatre in Diliman, QC
Who will Alyz give up her crown to?
Will reigning winner Alyz Henrich be transferring her title to fellow Venezuelan Maira Alexandra Rodriguez and complete the pageant’s first back-to-back win? Or will the new Earth Ambassador be one of the other more popular candidates being pointed to as her possible successor? Or could she be a surprise performer who will take the spotlight and edge out the favorites?
You need to watch the finals at UP Theatre to find out.
Will Alyz (left) and Maira Alexandra complete a back-to-back win tonight? (Photo credit: Joselito Caleon)
As for the TV telecast, ABS-CBN will air the finals on a delayed schedule, i.e., November 30 (Sunday) at 10am. And contrary to previous announcements for cable subscribers that Star World will show the finals live, it has already specified that their airing will also be delayed, i.e., November 30 (Sunday) at 8:55am.
But if you want to get reliable real-time web updates, go to Rappler.com where the coronation night will be covered.
P.S. If you still want to take a chance in getting tickets for the finals later, call 724-1810/724-1820/ 724-1830 😉
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