Philippine Beauty In PageantsTidbits

MISS Earth Jessica Nicole Trisko (left), returned to Manila with reigning Miss Philippines-Earth Karla Paula Henry, posed for photographers during the press conference and launching of Miss Earth 2008 held at Traders Hotel Manila. PHOTO BY ROY DOMINGO

It’s Pageant Time
Written by C. Mendez Legaspi
for businessmirror.com

Danielle Castano is the complete antithesis of Janina San Miguel. When the beleaguered beauty queen resigned her Miss World title because of family duties, the Binibining Pilipinas first runner-up stepped into San Miguel’s high-heeled shoes. Pageant watchers rejoiced no end. At least, they reasoned, the country won’t be the subject of ridicule because our representative can’t speak English straight. Castano, raised abroad, has a commanding grasp of the language.

A proficiency in English can work wonders, of course. Ruffa Gutierrez and her Little Prince quote came close. Cara Subijano, despite her atrocious gown, cracked the top 10, and Mafae Yunon slipped into the top five thanks also to text votes. But at Miss World, intelligence is hardly a factor in winning. Even at Miss Universe. Have you ever witnessed a UP or Ateneo alumna getting crowned?

EARTH MOTHER

Meanwhile...Karla Paula Henry joined the Binibini contest this year. She cruised into the semis. That’s how far she got. So what’s a beautiful girl going to do? Sign up for the next prestigious pageant, of course! When she competed for the Miss Earth Philippines title, the perky Cebuana won. At a recent press call at Traders Hotel by Shangri-La, Henry was on hand to welcome her new “sister,” the reigning Miss Earth 2007, Jessica Trisko of Canada, who is half-Pinay. The Miss Earth pageant is in full swing as contestants from the four corners of the earth ensconce themselves in the hotel by the bay, which serves as their second home while in the country.

“Karla represents what’s really progressive about the Philippines,” Trisko says of her possible successor, who went with her as the Canadian visited some countries to attend to several ecological activities and environmental projects as part of her duties as Miss Earth. “She has a lot of surprises in store. If she wins, then it’s meant to be. All I can do is give her advice and see what she does with it.”

Miss Earth 2008, the eighth year of the fastest-growing pageant in the world, will be held on November 9 at the Clark Expo Amphitheater, Pampanga, and will be aired over ABS-CBN.

MUTYA IN MY MIND

After the Miss Earth girls complete their swimsuit competition in Puerto Princesa, another bevy of beauties will be in Palawan to lend their overwhelming presence. Contestants from the Ruby Year of Mutya ng Pilipinas will be on the island. It is the first time that the Mutya eliminations and finals night will be held on the same location, a development that delights Mayor Edward Hagedorn. “This is a special moment for Puerto Princesa. Everyone appreciates beauty and ours is a beautiful city. We are happy to host this pageant. This is a strong signal to grab our place in the world of destinations.”

Renee Salud, who has discovered and nurtured the finest beauty queens of our time, heads the screening committee of Mutya, which culminates on December 7, also the fiesta of the city. “I have been with Mutya for six years now. If not for the other pageants, I would not be here today,” the engaging “Mama Renee” said at the press conference to announce a call for contestants.

A wannabe must be a natural-born Pinay (no trannies, please), a high-school graduate, 18 to 25 years old, at least 5'5"—and for aspirants coming from overseas, at least with Pinoy blood (not blood transfusion from a Pinoy, please). “Speaking in Tagalog is not a big issue. Here, we encourage the girls to speak even in their own dialects, but it should not be colloquial or slang, as long as they can express themselves with sense and substance,” Salud emphasized.

A prospective candidate would be wise to visit www.mutyapilipinas.com for more information.

Danielle Castaño begins work on her way to win the country's first Miss World crown

Danielle Kirsten Muriel Castaño may well be defined above the average definition of beautiful, as she exudes confidence that complements an irresistible combination of substance and style. Danielle is the newly-appointed official representative to the Miss World 2008 pageant to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, this December.

"It is with great honor that I receive the appointment bestowed upon me by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. [BPCI] to become the official representative to the 2008 Miss World beauty pageant," she says. When asked about the new responsibility she is about to take on, Danielle expresses her excitement. "I am resolving to make the country proud as I continue the quest to win for the Philippines its first Miss World crown," she says, as she beams yet another confident smile.

One thing that Danielle is most proud of about herself is the fact that she knows that she is a very strong and responsible person, capable of pursuing her goals by being independent. This 19-year-old charmer was raised in the country's shoe capital, Marikina, but is currently residing in Quezon City.

The eldest of three sisters, Danielle also has a soft spot for children, particularly the sick and abused. According to her, she wants to campaign for their rights as part of her advocacy.

"I want to be remembered by people as someone who did something socially significant, and not just become another pretty face," she admits. She adds that she wants to carry across a message of hope for underprivileged children around the world, should she be lucky to take home the first Miss World crown for the Philippines.

Danielle was the crowd favorite in the Binibining Pilipinas 2008 pageant, bagging five special awards from the major sponsors.

Known as the country's most prestigious pageant with four decades of glorious existence, Binibining Pilipinas is responsible for sending the official Philippine representatives to the three different international pageants recognizing excellence beyond beauty worldwide.

Danielle is currently undergoing a series of rigorous training in catwalk skills and personality development with topnotch experts, but is definitely ready to make the country proud as she competes against 180 official representatives in the Miss World 2008 pageant to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Miss Philippines-World 2008 Passes Her Crown

What is the real deal?

This is the deeper question to the reported backing out of Janina San Miguel, Philippine representative to the Miss World 2008 pageant to be held in South Africa later this year.

Janina became a household name when she humbled herself during her national pageant, Binibining Pilipinas, for "murdering the English language" at the final question and answer portion. She buckled and totally gave in to the unadaptive audience. It was probably the lowest point of her life but she managed to stand up.

You can watch the video by clicking this link on youtube.

Janina won the top honor by grabbing the top crown in the pageant, the Bibinibing Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) - World in March 2008. She was supposed to compete in South Africa this September but yesterday, it was announced she quit the title. The reason is because of the death of her grandfather.

The first runner up, Danielle Castano, will replace Janina.

This could have been the best opportunity for Janina to redeem herself during the Miss World pageant. By watching her videos and photos, this girl has what it takes to become a winner. Her beauty is exotic and with proper training she could have nailed down the competition.

What makes me sick is the reality that her people was never supportive of her instead they lambasted the poor girl 24/7. No doubt, the experience was a traumatic for Janina. The criticism is too much too handle for a 17 year old lady. Instead of helping her, she is figuratively pulled down by torturing her mentally, spiritually and psychologically.

I strongly believe Janina could have thought of using the opportunity to strike revenge by proving to the Filipino people she can deliver. At one time she was determined but the constant name calling from abusive beauty pageants fans put her down. She was beaten up - psychologically. She gave up. She succumbed under pressure. She got something that will forever haunt her - an incident that demoralized not only her but also her whole family.

I don't understand why the Filipino people put emphasis too much on the English language. Speaking the language fluently is a not a basis of intelligence. Janina is a Filipino who does speak not English but her mother tongue. So what is the big deal of requiring her to speak in English if she speaks Tagalog?

I feel for Janina. I fully understand her but I will not understand people who see putting a pinch of salt in an open wound something funny. May I ask the detractors of Janina. Can you speak Japanese or German or French or Afrikaans? Most of you don't but the world is not laughing at you. The world understands you. Why can't you give the same respect to a 17 year lady who does not speak English?

But what is the real deal here? Did Janina really quit or she was forced to resign. Did Janina really give in to pressure or is it the organizer who gave in to the pressure?

Whatever the real score is, something is clear here. There is a deeper reason other than the loss of a grandfather.

I am including a news on this which I copied from this link.

Bb. Pilipinas-World 2008 Janina San Miguel has decided to quit as the Philippines' representative to the Miss World 2008 beauty pageant that will be held on December 14 at Johannesburg, South Africa.

In a statement sent to the press by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) earlier tonight, September 29, San Miguel cited the recent death of her grandfather as the reason of her decision to back out from the competition.

The statement read: "The untimely demise of her grandfather, among other personal reasons, has caused her undue stress, thus hindering her from fulfilling her duties for the said title... BPCI wishes to express its gratitude to Ms. San Miguel for this act of graciousness and concern for the country. They also wish her well in her future endeavors."

As per the rules and regulations of the BPCI, Binibining Pilipinas 2008 first runner-up Danielle Castaño will take over Janina's duties as the country's representative to the Miss World 2008.

Janina made the headlines earlier this year during the Bb. Pilipinas competition when she fumbled in the question-and-answer portion. The critics lambasted her for "murdering the English language" while some found enjoyment watching the video of that particular moment in YouTube. But in the end, she still went home with the Bb. Pilipinas-World crown.

The Philippines has yet to win the Miss World crown. The closest we got to the crown was when Evangeline Pascual placed 1^st runner-up in 1973. Actress Ruffa Gutierrez became 2^nd runner-up in 1993.

Binibining Pilipinas First Runner up, Danielle Castano, replaces Janina San Miguel as Philippine representative to the Miss World 2008 pageant.