The twelve girls on my shortlist for Miss Grand International 2015
Best Buddies (left-to-right): Shauny (partly hidden), Parul and Vartika can easily enter Top 5
No use beating around the bush. So I will let the sparks fly out in the open right away. Miss Grand International 2015 should be the battle between Miss India Vartika Singh and Miss Philippines Parul Shah – an Indian and a Filipino-Indian, respectively. These two ladies rightfully deserve to be the last two women standing in my opinion.
Of course, there are seventy-six (76) other contenders in the mix. So let me add three (3) more beauties in the Top 5, and they are Anea Garcia of the Dominican Republic, Ornella Mariam Gunesekere of Sri Lanka and Shauny Bult of the Netherlands. They would complete the ideal magic circle, if I had it my way, of course.
The five girls who should make up the magic circle in my opinion
Interestingly, three of my Top 5 ladies have become good friends in the competition – Vartika, Parul and Shauny – and seeing them claim the highest spots would make me very happy. But let me make life it clear that I would be very pleased with our very own Bb. Pilipinas taking it all the way. The chances of the host delegate joining them also looms in the horizon, with Ornella of Sri Lanka being the proverbial sacrificial lamb. But I can take that eventuality.
This is the year of the Asians in Miss Grand International. And if it ends up any other way, then the results will be subject to a number of doubts once more.
In a perfect world, Vartika and Parul should be the last two women standing
Let’s see what the final announcement will bear. For now, I am zeroing in on Vartika and Parul for the crown. If the latter clinches it, then it will augur well for the pageant owner – Nawat Itsaragrisil – in his future business relationship with Bb. Pilipinas. But then again, I don’t want to rub in that angle any further. 🙂
Miss Philippines Ann Colis during a charity event of Miss Globe 2015
Ann and Miss South Africa during Salsa Night
While the finals of Miss Grand International 2015 won’t be until October 25, the judgment night of Miss Globe 2015 will already take place at the Rose Theater this coming Thursday, October 8 (Friday early morning in Manila).
And some sources are saying that Miss Philippines Ann Colis is now the girl to beat, unless she gets upended by someone else. But all things being fair and equal, we might just get our first Miss Globe crown soon. Things are simply going her way, inspite of the small intrigues and rumors along the way.
As for Parul in Bangkok, she is just starting her trek. With Miss India Vartika Singh, she is already expected to closely bond with (photo below) just like with roomie Shauny Bult of Netherlands. The upcoming days will see them enjoying the sights of the Land of Smiles and neighboring provinces. I’d like to see how she will present herself on a daily basis.
Good luck to you, Ann and Parul! 😉
Left to right: Miss India Vartika Singh, Miss Philippines Parul Shah and Miss Netherlands Shauny Bult during their first morning in Bangkok
Miss Netherlands Shauny Bult (left) and Miss Philippines Parul Shah do a selfie before calling it a first night in Bangkok
Shauny and Parul upon arrival in Bangkok
There must really be something about Miss Grand Netherlands 2015 Shauny Bult that brings her close to our Bb. Pilipinas Queens as pageant roommates. Last year, she ended up sharing a room with Bb. Pilipinas International 2014 Bianca Guidotti during Miss International in Tokyo, Japan. And they’ve become so close that the former even spent one month of vacation here in Manila last August.
And now, she is rooming with another Filipina once more. This time around, she has been assigned with our Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2015 Parul Shah. And at the rate that I am sizing up both ladies, I feel that they will bond fast. I personally know Shauny to be a sensible and intelligent girl, just like our bet.
The picture above – taken just before removing their makeups – won’t be the first and last for sure. And in the days to come, they will become closer.
Last night, I finally had that long-scheduled, once-postponed dinner date with a lovely lady at The Bowery in Burgos Circle. They were supposed to be two – of course, everyone knows my “inaanak”of sorts Bb. Pilipinas International 2014 Bianca Guidotti who unfortunately got booked in a Manila Hotel appearance at the last minute – but her best buddy Shauny Bult – formerly the representative of Netherlands to both Miss Earth and Miss International – who is now her country’s bet to Miss Grand International 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand come October – was the perfect solo partner for the night.
With Bianca getting stuck in her engagement, there was nothing to worry about since I had Shauny all to myself for the entire evening and got to know this Dutch beauty even more.
As Miss Grand Netherlands 2015, Shauny Bult is filled with excitement for her upcoming pageant mission. But having learned her lessons from two previous stints here in Manila during Miss Earth 2012 and in Tokyo for Miss International 2014, she admits to feeling less pressure now. And she is not about to make any hard-to-break gameplan either. With Bangkok being one of her favorite Asian cities, she wants to experience and enjoy the place from the other side – that of a beauty queen being given the royal treatment – as opposed to her first trip around Thailand when she visited (with her boyfriend) as a backpacker and stayed mostly in hostels all around.
Shauny was vocal about her fondness with Miss Earth 2012 – both the winner (Tereza Fajksova) and the entire stay in the country. While she may not have won or placed, she has developed strong friendships among the ladies. She knew that she came to Manila relatively unprepared for the demands of the competition and didn’t expect much in terms of honors.
Japan was a different story altogether. She really did her homework to the fullest before landing in Tokyo and expected to at least achieve a better outcome. The preparations were all in place. But then again, she had to console herself with the fact that the Miss International title wasn’t meant for her. The deep bond she formed with Bb. Pilipinas International 2014 Bianca Guidotti, though, is something that she will always cherish. The two of them hit it off so well from Day 1 that they have gotten so close up to the day of departure and until now.
This intelligent 23 year-old, who still has six months to go before finally completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Built Management and Real Estate, plans to finish up after all her queenly duties are served. By then, she will have already attached the word ‘Engineer’ to her name – a unique academic credential that comes with her chosen field of specialization. And at the rate that her future career ideas are fluttering in her mind one after the other, I bet that her plans can only marinate better once she finally takes that fateful leap and go full blast with the same.
More pics with Shauny Bult before we called it a night
As I was walking Shauny home, our almost three hours of conversation over dinner didn’t seem enough to cover all bases. She regaled me with additional details about her Manila vacation so far. After photoshoots with Raymond Saldaña for her Miss Grand Netherlands 2015 images in Leo Almodal evening gown (photo above) and a well-deserved vacation in Cebu (at Shangri-la Mactan Resort), she told your blogger that her stay has been extended till August 7. Aside from celebrating her next birthday here in Manila on August 3, she is also scheduled for a 2nd pictorial – this time for her swimsuit shots – with the same team. She also has an upcoming 3-day pitstop in Tagaytay City and the judging of a gay beauty pageant both with Bianca, plus a still-being-planned break in Batangas City to just enjoy the beach with nothing to do but sunbathe.
And I’m still looking forward to having my 2nd date before her return to the Netherlands. 😉
Shauny is getting ready for Miss Grand International 2015 in Bangkok
As Miss Grand Netherlands 2015
Shauny Bult is another hardworking beauty queen for her country. She first represented Netherlands during Miss Earth 2012. Then two years later, she re-appeared in Tokyo, Japan for Miss International 2014 (where she got very close to our bet, Bb. Pilipinas International 2014 Bianca Guidotti – see photo below).
For 2015, the gorgeous Dutch beauty is back and she will be Bangkok-bound for Miss Grand International 2015 come October.
On top of that, she will be on a personal visit to Manila this month where she will reunite with Bianca, and possibly have dinner with your blogger!
I will keep you on the loop the minute my date with Shauny happens. 😉
Shauny (left) and Bianca Guidotti during Miss International 2014
The Miss International 2014 Contestants in their National Costumes
The ladies above are my Predicted Top 10 qualifiers for Miss International Beauty Pageant 2014
Who will Bea Rose Santiago crown on November 11?
I’m going out on a limb here and proclaim that my choice to win Miss International 2014 is Miss Philippines Bianca Guidotti. A back-to-back victory for the country! There, I’ve said it. Right off the bat.
Allow me now to look at the ladies who are likely to spoil things for our representative.
There’s the lady who, if only the prettiest is to be voted upon by the candidates will win hands down, Vianey del Rosario Vasquez Ramirez of Mexico.
There’s the best friend of Miss Philippines who will be equally happy if she or Bianca gets the title, Shauny Bult of the Netherlands.
There’s Osmel Sousa’s baby who, even if panned by many pageant followers, can still pull more than just a tennis elbow of a surprise given her 101% preparedness for the challenge – Michelle Bertolini.
There’s also the Thai beauty who shipped out of her commitments as Miss Water 2013 and faced up to the prospects of nailing a major crown to vindicate herself? Punika Kulsoontornroot could gift her country its first-ever Miss International win.
How about my 6th to 10th placers? Sri Lanka’s Tamara Makalanda and Rafaela Pardete can do rock-and-scissors to determine who is likely to steal a Top 5 spot from the aforementioned performers. But while they’re at it, it is very likely that Milla Romppanen of Finland could slip in and upend them for a sterling finish. Do keep in mind that Finnish stunners hold a soft spot among Japanese followers of the pageant.
And the Guyana girl? Ruqayyah is ready to do a Rocky (her nickname, incidentally) and outpunch fighters in her way. Either that, or Shani Hazan of Israel is given a clear shot to aim at one of the targets in the magic circle.
Since Miss International usually has 15 ladies being called on finals night, I decided to add five (5) more delegates as back-ups (or alternates).
And let’s not forget about the spoilers.
Others might think that Jhataleka Malhotra of India should be an easy Top 5 finisher. We’ll have to see about that. Her performance during the international forum was relatively underwhelming.
Also, let’s not forget about Aurianne Sinacola of France, Deise Benicio of Brazil and Victoria Charlotte Tooby of UK. These reps are also coming on strong – though running hot or cold at times.
Finally, the Zuleika of the group is a potential scene-stealer. But with her #15 ranking on my score sheet, the possibilities are not as confidently perceived as the ones higher than this Colombian’s cumulative output.
I am most ready to accept whatever the results will show on Tuesday night.
I have already written my piece.
In Kimono is my choice for Miss International 2014, Bianca Guidotti of the Philippines
If you feel like a back-to-back record for the Philippines in this beauty contest is the stuff that can only happen in dreams, then perhaps, it is time to wake up from deep slumber. Now, more than ever, is the time for Miss International to shine stronger in the global stage. With Bianca Guidotti possibly at the helm, she can create a visible platform that will definitely please more than make the organizers ill at ease.
And if only a runner-up placement is what’s in store for her, then I will accept the fate like a good sport. Because I’m pretty sure our bet – while she won’t fake the initial reaction to losing – can quickly move on with her head held high.
courtesy of isnaberongmacutelet
So in summary, my Top 5 will remain in this order: Philippines, Mexico, Netherlands, Venezuela and Thailand. 😉
Miss Philippines Bianca Guidotti pose with the therapists of Miss Paris
Miss Netherlands Shauny Bult pose with her therapist
Just before the start of the actual beauty battle on Tuesday, November 11, the contestants of Miss International 2014 were given spa and beauty salon time with one of the pageant sponsors, Miss Paris. And what better way for besties Miss Philippines Bianca Guidotti and Miss Netherlands Shauny Bult to extend their girl-bonding than to get a body massage and foot spa while talking about the competition and how they are sizing up their chances.
During my Facebook chat with Shauny, she mentioned that “I think Mary Ann is very deserving. I would actually be proud if she’d win it all. But I think the same counts if I win. She will also be proud.”
Go, Bianca and Shauny! I hope you girls will be the last two women standing up there on Tuesday. 😀
Gunning for Miss International 2014 is Shauny Bult of the Netherlands.
Shauny and Miss Philippines Shauny Bult
Last night, I was chatting with Miss Philippines Bianca Guidotti on FB when she was ‘invading’ the hotel room of her good friend Shauny Bult of the Netherlands. And it just so happened that I was really about to write a post about the Dutch fashion model from Boxtel. What a nice coincidence.
You might remember Shauny from Miss Earth 2012 here in Manila. For a while, she even scored a few modeling gigs with Carousel Productions. But this year, you will definitely keep her in mind even more. As Miss International Netherlands 2014, she is planning to perform much better in Tokyo, and has actually upped her game from the time she arrived in Japan. She may be chummy with a lot of contestants, but her gameplan remains focused on the crown. And our bet knows that she has one fierce challenger in her.
Shauny (foreground) taking a selfie with her assigned group in Miss International 2014.
While I initially tagged Shauny as a potential sleeper in the competition (and a definite part of my Top 15 so far), gut feel tells me now that she could be one serious contender. There is a far more relaxed vibe in her disposition compared to two years ago.
With that said, I will keep a more watchful eye on this one. 😉
Watch Shauny’s brief intro vid for Miss International 2014 below.
courtesy of Shauny Bult
P.S. I was told that Shauny checks out my blog from time to time. If you’re reading this right now, thank you! 😀
With the confusion in the medal tally last Nov. 7, organizers of the Miss Earth 2012 Challenges changed the presentation of the scorecards. This time around, the points coming from medal-earning performances and dutiful participation in each activity have been presented on a per-group manner, whereby the ladies have been divided equally and made to vie for their respective winners of Golds, Silvers, and Bronzes:
Group 1 Scoresheet
Group 2 Scoresheet
Group 3 Scoresheet
If we are to consolidate all the scores above, here are the current Top 10 leaders, bunched into just the Top 5 rankings because of ties:
1. Turkey – Ilknur Melis Durasi (62 points)
2. South Africa – Tamerin Jardine (56 points)
3. Paraguay – Alexandra Fretes (50 points) tied with
Wales – Zoe Kinsella (50 points)
Nonstop. That’s the best word to describe the hectic schedule of the Miss Earth 2012 ladies. And I’d like to think that they’re all having fun despite the little rest they had to go through. Anyways, next week should be exciting as their next stop will be Palawan where they will bask in the beaches of Puerto Princesa and enjoy a grand tour of the world-renowned Underground River.
Osmariel Villalobos of Venezuela continues to stamp her class above the rest of Group 2 after she was awarded Gold in the Swimsuit Competition at Golden Sunset Resort in Calatagan, Batangas. Coming in at 2nd is USA's Siria Bojorquez, good enough for Silver. Sara Kim of Korea got the Bronze. A non-medal earning award was given to Nathalia Moreira of Spain who was selected Gandang Ricky Reyes.
During the Resort Wear Competition held at Hotel Pontefino in Batangas City, the Gold Medal was won by Osmariel Villalobos of Venezuela, with Ilknur Melus Durasi of Turkey and Fabiana Granados of Costa Rica copping Silver and Bronze, respectively. Meanwhile, a non-medal earning award was handed to Shauny Bult of the Netherlands as Miss Earth Pontefino.
During the Walk With ME held at SM Mall of Asia this time, three ladies stood out as the People's Choices and were awarded medals as follows: Gold - Rocio Castellanos of Dominican Republic, Silver - Nathalia Moreira of Spain and Bronze - Natalia Pereverzeva of Russia.
During the Green Bag Challenge, three winners were awarded for each placement since this was a group activity. Gold was given to Australia, Belize and Belgium. Silver went to Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana and Austria. Bronze was co-shared by Singapore, South Africa and Slovak Republic.
A group of Miss Earth delegates did the 'I Love My Planet Earth School Tour' in Makati City led by Tamerin Jardine of South Africa. One lady who had a good time teaching the schoolchildren was Lea Sara Wittwer of Switzerland.
Gold Medalist as 'Fastest Learner' during the Liter of Light Project in San Juan was Darli Pacheco of Puerto Rico (Center, Top Photo), with Silver Medalist Gloria Ofa Blake of New Zealand and Bronze taker Lorraine Ditsebe of Botswana.
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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