Sandra Inez Seifert Wins Miss Philippines Earth 2009: A Sweet Revenge

Sandra Inez Seifert wins the right to represent her country, the Philippines, at the 9th edition of Miss Earth, the third biggest beauty pageant in the world, sometime in October this year in Manila.

Seifert was crowned last Sunday night. May 10, as Miss Philippines-Earth 2009 in the Arena Entertainment and Recreational Center of the People in San Juan City and aired over ABS-CBN Channel 2. She represented the province of Negros Occidental.

The beauty queen, 24-year old Filipino-German nurse, bested more than 40 candidates.

This is definitely a big victory for Sandra after she was disqualified last month from the rival beauty pageant that selects Philippines' representatives to Misses Universe, International and World.

Just two days before the coronation night of Binibining Pilipinas 2009 (Miss Philippines 2009), Sandra was disqualified after she was discovered to have posed for a men's magazine. In fact, her pictures that appeared in Maxim (Philippine edition) are not scandalous. She was just wearing what beauty contestants definitely wear during swimsuit competitions. The pictures were just made controversial by the hypocrites of the Binibining Pilipinas.

Indeed, this victory is a sweet revenge for Sandra who is now aiming the title of Miss Earth 2009. Another Filipina beauty queen, Karla Paula Henry, is the current titleholder.

Going back to the result of the pageant, aside from Seifert, Grezilda Adelantar was named Miss Phillipines Eco Tourism; Miss Philippines Fire is Patricia Marie Tumulak from Quezon City; Miss Philippines Air is Michelle Martha Braun of Aklan and Miss Philippines Water is Catherin Loyola of Sydney, Australia.

Miss Philippines Earth is now claimed by many beauty fans as the biggest beauty pageant in the Philippines drawing around 40 candidates every year.

The semi-finalists who made to Top 10 are Alexis Go of Manila, Tessa Kruger of the Filipino community in Canada, Monique Teruelle Manuel of Bataan, Vanessa Johnson of Pampanga (She is also a semi-finalist of Binibining Pilipinas 2009) and Kirstie Joan Babor of Alegria.

Miss Earth-Philippines titleholders dedicate their year to promote environmental projects and to address issues concerning the environment. The winners also serve as the spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme and other environmental organizations.

Jaws drop at Bb. Pilipinas parade

MANILA, Philippines—“The most beautiful batch of ladies” was how Paolo Bediones described this year’s roster of Binibining Pilipinas candidates.

Paolo, who’s hosting the annual pageant with Iza Calzado, sounded very sincere — and not just because his girlfriend is rejoining the contest.

Jaws dropped as the ladies paraded in their red printed peek-a-boo Mossimo swimwear at the Sunset Pavilion of Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City last week. Pageant veterans, show biz figures and audacious newcomers are among this year’s contestants.

Paolo’s girlfriend, Abegail Cruz, was second runner up in 2007 and a GMA 7 talent. She is joined by Bianca Paz, who is Polo Ravales’ current flame. Also in the roster is Carisheila Kuijpers, Joross Gamboa’s rumored sweetheart and Estee Lauder Model Search winner in Malaysia.

Other returning candidates are former semifinalists Marie-Ann Umali and Jaysel Arrozal and Miss Philippines-Earth semifinalist and Mutya ng Pilipinas runner up April Love Jordan.

The following local beauty title holders have gotten into the fray: reigning Miss Bicolandia Melody Gersbach; Mutya ning Kapampangan 2007 and former Bb. Pilipinas contestant Keann Mallari; Miss Oriental Mindoro 2007 Diana Arevalo; Miss Cebu 2006 Stephanie Señires; Miss Makati 2006 Marie Lorraine de Guzman; Miss Cebu runner-up Priscilla Mae Honorio; and Quezon City queen Gizelle Rivamonte.

The competition could be made tougher by Regina Hahn, Miss Universe runner-up Chiqui Brosas-Hahn’s daughter, and Bianca Manalo, Miss World finalist Katherine Manalo’s sister and niece of Nini Licaros, the first woman to be crowned Bb. Pilipinas-International.

To make the judges’ job even more difficult are former “Walang Tulugan” host Sandra Seifert, “Starstruck” contestant Rich Asuncion (who’s using her real name Richell Angalot) and Miss Teen Philippines runner-up Priscilla Navidad, the hearing-impaired teen housemate in “Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition.”

Neophytes Barbara Salvador and Cheryl Oliveros, on the other hand, might stage upsets.

The pageant selects the country’s official representatives to the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International beauty contests.

The outgoing queens are hopeful that this year’s batch will produce winners abroad. Although they have their own bets, they all agree that the contestants are all beautiful and intelligent.

Miss International semifinalist Patricia Fernandez sees at least three contenders who could be short-listed for her title. “I noticed that judges in the Miss International focus on the eyes. They also do not want heavy or muscular women. They prefer cute and charming ladies,” Patricia told the Inquirer.

Danielle Castaño, who replaced Janina San Miguel as the country’s Miss World bet, thinks of four contestants who could inherit her title. “Miss World judges look for someone athletic, who could attract attention right away. She must also be humble, nice and a good role model for the youth,” said Danielle.

Jennifer Barrientos finds two ladies who fit the Miss Universe standards. “In Miss Universe, most of the ladies have modeling backgrounds. But they are not super thin. They are super sexy with a lot of character. They also embody the country they represent,” Jennifer said.

The coronation night is on March 7, 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum. GMA 7 airs the event at 10 on the same night. (inquirer.net)

New Colored Video of Miss Universe 1969

I would like to share you this video of the 1969 Miss Universe pageant won by Gloria Diaz of the Philippines. The reason I have been sharing this is because the video's not in black and white. This is a part of a documentary shown on TV. It is not clear where this was shown but the uploader on youtube looks like from Thailand. I saw Thai writings in the description along with the video.

This is the first win by the Philippines and the third win by an Asian. Japan's Akiko Kojima won in 1959 and in 1965, Apasra Hongsakula of Thailand won the title.

This is also the first pageant where question and answer was introduced.

One thing I have observed, the finalists are all blondes and towering in heights except for Japan and Philippines. But in the end, it was a triumph by the 5'5" exotic Gloria Diaz.

What made her win the pageant? Is it her witty answer to the final question. I admit she showed intellectual superiority and that could be the reason.