Vina Openiano

All posts tagged Vina Openiano

Throwback Thursday: The Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Talent Competition 

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

This coming Saturday, all roads will lead to the Ali Mall Activity Area for the Bb. Pilipinas 2017 Talent Competition

This coming Saturday, April 8, thirteen (13) Binibinis will showcase their talents in singing, dancing, speed painting, and martial arts, among others. And it will all happen right at the Ali Mall Activity Area starting at 3pm.

In the meantime, here are archived photos from last year’s Talent Competition to align this feature with the Throwback Thursday theme. If you will recall, Vina Openiano (first photo below among the performing Binibinis from 2016)

Vina Openiano who was named Miss Talent

Maria Lina Prongoso

Edgelyn Gamboa

Sarah Bona

Jennyline Malpaya

Anjellica Lopez

Angela Gene Valdez

Kristine Estoque

Priscilla Kim dela Cruz

Apriel Smith

Photo Blog: Filipino Designers Galore in Bb. Pilipinas 2016

Posted by Norman on April 20, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

True to the promise of BPCI, Filipino designers were given the spotlight during the finals last Sunday night. And prior to that, the National Costume Competition also showcased their creativity. So allow me to feature a photo blog of fifteen of the evening gowns, including the new titleholders, runners-up and the rest of the Binibinis in the Top 15.
 

Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina in Rhett Eala

 
 

Bb. Pilipinas International 2016 Kylie Verzosa in Francis Libiran

 
 

Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2016 Joanna Eden in Mark Bumgarner

 
 

Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2016 Jennifer Hammond in Nat Manilag

 
 

Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2016 Nicole Cordoves in Edwin Tan

 
 

Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2016 Nichole Manalo in Leo Almodal

 
 

1st Runner-Up Angelica Alita in Hannah Kong

 
 

2nd Runner-Up Jehza Huelar in Xioti Chiu

 
 

Top 15 placer Vina Openiano in Chico Estiva

 
 

Top 15 placer Dindi Pajares in Edwin Tan

 
 

Top 15 placer Apriel Smith in Dino Lloren

 
 

Top 15 placer Riana Pangindian in Pablo Mendez

 
 

Top 15 placer Edjelyn Joy Gamboa in Bessie Besana

 
 

Top 15 placer Kimberle Mae Penchon in Louis Pangilinan

 
 

Top 15 placer Roshiela Tobias in Rex Nicdao

 
All images courtesy of Joy Arguil for normannorman.com

Aces & Queens: Exceeding all their expectations 

Posted by Norman on April 19, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

 

With four titleholders, two runners-up and seven Top 15 placers, Aces & Queens is definitely on a roll!

 
The beauty camp is definitely on a roll. And the members of Aces & Queens – headed by Jonas Gaffud – could not contain their excitement after surpassing all expectations during Bb. Pilipinas 2016.

Consider this. Four (4) titleholders – Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina, Bb. Pilipinas International Kylie Verzosa, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Jennifer Hammond and Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Nicole Cordoves. Two (2) Runners-Up – Angelica Alita and Jehza Huelar. Seven (7) Top 15 placers – Dindi Pajares, Apriel Smith, Riana Pangindian, Kimberle Mae Penchon, Roshiela Tobias, Edjelyn Joy Gamboa and Vina Openiano.

And among these ladies, several special and sponsor awards were bagged, such as Miss Photogenic, Jag “She’s Got the Look” & Manila Bulletin’s Readers Choice for Kylie Verzosa, Miss Philippine Airlines for Maxine Medina, Best in Long Gown for Jennifer Hammond, Miss Talent & Miss Friendship for Vina Openiano plus the Best in National Costume for Angela Lauren Fernando.

 

The four Bb. Pilipinas 2016 titleholders from Aces & Queens

 
This is truly a stellar year for Aces & Queens in the nationals!

Congratulations! 😀

#GetThatJagLook: Challenging the Binibinis 

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

 

normannorman.com was able to cover two groups of Binibinis at Festival Mall Alabang and Robinsons Place Manila

 
The Binibinis were divided into four groups of ten to be scattered in four different shopping malls around Metro Manila. I only had myself and my partner-in-pageantry Joy Arguil for normannorman.com so we decided to split ourselves between Festival Mall Alabang (which was closer to where I live) and Robinsons Place Manila (more convenient for Joy coming from Makati). As a result, we had to skip SM North EDSA and Farmers Plaza Cubao. But it was still worth it.

I had Maria Gigante, Maxine Medina, Kylie Verzosa, Apriel Smith, Vina Openiano, Paula Rich Bartolome, Edjelyn Joy Gamboa, Angela Fernando, Ria Rabajante and Gail Ventic. Joy had Nicole Cordoves, Kristine Estoque, Sheena Dalo, Jehza Huelar, Niza Limjap, Mariella Castillo, Candy del Castillo, Maria Lina Prongoso, Crescent Samaco and Kimberle Mae Penchon.

The challenge was simple. Whichever group can raise the highest amount of total sales for a prescribed hour (by being the actual sales associates) will win a generous shopping voucher for each member of the best performing team.

Early feedbacks that reached my end stated that the ladies at Farmers Plaza Cubao got the highest so far, but I still need confirmation.

All in all, though, it was an enjoyable, albeit tiring, day for all the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Official Candidates. 🙂

 

More shots alternating from two different shopping malls in Alabang and Manila

 
Next stop, food tripping day!

I enjoy knowing the Binibinis on a more personal level 

Posted by Norman on March 19, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

 

The Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Official Candidates diring their visit to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center

 
Imagine my pleasant surprise when the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Official Candidates visited the Philippine Children’s Medical Center yesterday after lunch. As soon as they alighted the bus and made the beeline towards the program area, they immediately saw me, complete with acknowledgment and a light buss on the cheek from more than half of them. I can safely say that they are my new “nieces” now. The automatic call of “Tito Norman” to your blogger gives me a sense of fulfillment in that I have somehow gotten their trust. They know my diligent efforts in covering almost all the pre-pageant activities and making the corresponding articles about the same. Additionally, I go out of my way to feature each one of them as best as I could. I know that there are still those who have escaped my grasp. But we still have a long way to go till April 17 so the spotlight will definitely reach all forty (40) of them before the judgment day.

And this brings me to the heart of this post: knowing each of the Binibinis on a more personal level. I never rely on just pictures anymore. I can see through their individual personalities and see their beauty inside and out. Face to face, I can tell the ones who really stand out, as compared to those who shine bright and could command the same intensity once fielded in international competitions. The only thing left that I could not lay my hand on is the element of good luck surrounding each one of them. And this is where surprises may tend to spoil the expectations (or predictions if you will).

Be that as it may, I can give you a quick idea of what’s ruminating inside my head. I have started some “inner trending” on more than a few.

I am definitely loving Binibinis 22 Apriel Smith, 31 Kylie Verzosa, 36 Maria Gigante, 29 Maxine Medina, 7 Angelique de Leon and 28 Nichole Manalo. If the finals will be held tonight, I am putting my bets on these six ladies. Why? Because they are the ones I can see being ready for more global pageant exposure at this juncture.

But I am not giving predictions because the Press Presentation on March 29 has not even happened yet. And after that, there will still be a little more than three weeks to prepare hard. I can never discount the possibility of seeing any one or a few among the likes of Binibinis 21 Jessica Gonzales, 38 Angelica Alita, 11 Nicole Cordoves, 14 Paula Rich Bartolome, 37 Jehza Huelar, 3 Angela Lauren Fernando,  16 Vina Openiano, 27 Dindi Pajares, 4 Kimberle Mae Penchon and 18 Sheena Dalo soaring just as well and becoming strong contenders.

 

A sneak into the headshots of the 2016 Binibinis as photographed by Joseph delos Santos

 
So I will certainly do my homework more extensively in the upcoming weeks. Once my final forecast appears on April 15, my personal analysis will be more concrete. 😉

The Talented Binibinis of Bb. Pilipinas 2016

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

 

The fifteen Binibinis who did the talent auditions

 
The routines varied – from singing to dancing to monologues to more singing and dancing – but the one thing that any screening panelist can say is that we always have talented Binibinis around.

Fifteen (15) of the forty Bb. Pilipinas Official Candidates showed what they got during the Talent Auditions held recently. The actual competition as to who will eventually win Miss Talent has been scheduled this coming Saturday.

One of the following – Janelle Olafson, Angelique de Leon, Vina Openiano, Karen Ibasco, Edjelyn Gamboa, Jeslyn Santos, Alexandra Faith Garcia, Maria Lina Prongoso, Apriel Smith, Paula Rich Bartolome, Kristine Angeli Estoque, Jennyline Carla Malpaya, Maria Gigante, Niza Sabrina Limjap and Anjellica Lopez – will prove to be the Most Talented.

Let us see who will prevail. 🙂

Laguna’s Best Bets for Bb. Pilipinas 2016

Posted by Norman on February 27, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

 

Paula, Vina and Jennifer stand up for Laguna in Bb. Pilipinas 2016

 
Sta. Cruz, Sta. Rosa and San Pedro. I am not enumerating names of saints, but the towns/city in the Province of Laguna that are proudly bannered in Bb. Pilipinas 2016. And it is a true honor to have not just one or two, but three powerhouse entries in the country’s premier beauty pageant.

Binibini 14 Paula Rich Bartolome is fighting for Sta. Cruz, while Binibini 16 Vina Openiano and Binibini 26 Jennifer Hammond are listed for Sta. Rosa and San Pedro, respectively.

Methinks there will be at least one solid performer in the trio. It will, of course, be premature to single out one for now this early in the running. Let us give them time to show what they’ve got.

Who are you liking the most in this group, dear readers? 😉

Our 40 brand-new Binibinis: Will they remain intact till the end?

Posted by Norman on February 15, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Remember the 40 names and faces of our Official Candidates for Bb. Pilipinas 2016 now because you can never tell if each one of them will stay in the game till the day of the Finals come April 17. You see, previous editions have seen one, two or three (hopefully not more) backing out or getting disqualified and replaced posthaste. The reasons vary – from conflicts with endorsement contracts to prior commitments that could no longer be avoided to questions about submitted documents to citizenship issues or, quite simply, not being able to take in all the demands and pressures that come with being a Binibini.

Daily behavior – and that includes lack of punctuality, frequent absences, innate laziness, irritating tantrums and stubbornness habitual in nature – are given premium demerits by the people in charge of supervising their pageant-related affairs.

True. It ain’t easy getting in. And even more true. It ain’t easy keeping up with the pre-pageant stress. So by the time the new winners get to be crowned, the deserving ladies take their spots because they have earned their stripes the hard way.

Consider Bb. Pilipinas a boot camp stricter than the pageant trainers prior to joining. It will strive to weed out the undesirables and zero in on the most deserving to represent the Philippines internationally.

After all, other countries are not looking up to us for nothing. We know how to play the game well. And the organizers are fiercely equipped with the right kind of whips to shape up a Binibini into a full-pledged Binibining Pilipinas. 🙂

Look at them now.

 

Consecutively by numbers now: Aniger, Riana, Daziella, Leonalyn, Loren and Angel


 

Consecutively by numbers now: Angela V., Marlanne, Tatiana, Jennyline, Crescent and Nichole

 
 

Consecutively by numbers now: Roshiela, Jehza, Angela F., Angelique, Edjelyn and Sheena

 
 

Consecutively by numbers now: Vina, Kimberle Mae, Priscilla, Kim Ross, Maxine and Apriel

 
 

Consecutively by numbers now: Dindi, Kylie, Mariella, Jeslyn, Nicole and Jennifer

 
  
 

Consecutively by numbers now: Joanna, Anjellica, Kristine and Janel

 

Sunday Specials: 19 for Aces & Queens in Bb. Pilipinas 2016

Posted by Norman on February 14, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Left to right: Marlan Flores, Angela Lauren Fernando, Riana Pangindian, Sheena Seinne Bolaños Dalo, Jennifer Hammond, Kylie Verzosa, Vina Openiano, Apriel Smith, Kim Ross Delos Santos, Nicole Cordoves, Dindi Pajares, Edjelyn Joy Gamboa, Maxine Medina, Jezha Huelar, Angel Tripp, Kimberle Penchon, Loren Artajos and Tatiana Maher

Left to right: Marlan Flores, Angela Lauren Fernando, Riana Pangindian, Sheena Seinne Bolaños Dalo, Jennifer Hammond, Kylie Verzosa, Vina Openiano, Apriel Smith, Kim Ross Delos Santos, Nicole Cordoves, Dindi Pajares, Edjelyn Joy Gamboa, Maxene Medina, Jezha Huelar, Angel Tripp, Kimberle Penchon, Loren Artajos and Tatiana Maher

Priscilla Kim dela Cruz is the 19th girl of Aces & Queens

Priscilla Kim dela Cruz is the 19th girl of Aces & Queens

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the nineteen (19) girls of Aces & Queens for Bb. Pilipinas 2016 could be a record number in terms of ladies successfully fielded by a beauty camp as Official Candidates. Actually, the group has eighteen (18) girls (from more than 20) called up to become part of this year’s roster, and they are:

Marlan Flores, Angela Lauren Fernando, Riana Pangindian, Sheena Seinne Bolaños Dalo, Jennifer Hammond, Kylie Verzosa, Vina Openiano, Apriel Smith, Kim Ross Delos Santos, Nichole Nicole Cordoves, Dindi Pajares, Edjelyn Joy Gamboa, Maxine Medina, Jezzeh Huelar, Angel Alita, Kimberle Mae Penchon, Loren Artajos, Tatiana Maher

But soon after the excitement of the announcement settled down, the list grew to nineteen (19) with the inclusion of Priscilla Kim dela Cruz to the fold. I know that she used to be with KF, but don’t ask me the reason/s behind the move anymore as it could be a tad too personal for the Olongapo-hailing beauty.

So there, with 19 bets for 2016, Aces & Queens is on a roll. But much as I want to select my personal favorites among them right away, it would still be premature. Yes, the likes of Kylie Verzosa and Kim Ross delos Santos seem to be flag-bearers at this point. May I interest you, however, to also keep an eye on Jehza Huelar, Tatiana Maher, Sheena Dalo, Edjelyn Joy Gamboa and Nicole Cordoves first (aside from the rest)? These five contenders are underrated for now. But it will only take more public appearances and online interest to see through their potential winning merits.

I also suggest that you review the other entries in the big group. There are real gems, for sure. You just need to give them the chance to prove themselves. 😉

Happy Hearts Day to all!

Happy Hearts Day to all!

Match the names and faces of the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Official Candidates 

Posted by Norman on February 13, 2016
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

The Forty (40) Official Candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2016 in group shots taken by Bruce Casanova.

Front row (left to right): Anjellica Lopez, Paula Rich Bartolome, Maria Lina Anil Prongoso, Jessica Gonzales, Marlan Flores, Angela Ritter Valdez, Priscilla Kim Dela Cruz, Vina Openiano, Daziella Gange, Angelique de Leon, Leonalyn Dela Cruz, Jeslyn Santos, Christianne Ysh Ramos, Jennyline Carla Malpaya, Janelle Olafson, Jehza Huelar, Jennifer Hammond, Crescent Anne F. Samaco, Kimberle Mae Penchon and Aniger Wiji C. Cruz.

Back row (left to right): Mariella Castillo, Kristine Angeli Estoque, Nichole Manalo, Joanna Louise Eden, Alexandra Faith Garcia, Maria Gigante, Apriel Smith, Nicole Cordoves, Kim Ross delos Santos, Maria Mika Maxine Medina, Kylie Verzosa, Sheena Seinne Bolaños Dalo, Dindi Pajares, Edjelyn Joy Gamboa, Angela Lauren Fernando, Loren Artajos, Angelita Angel Tripp Alita, Riana Pangindian, Tatiana Maher and Roshiela Navarro Tobias.

Congratulations, Binibinis!

Here is another group shot of the ladies from Bruce Casanova: