Recently, I have featured in my blog (READ HERE: Miss Philippines Universe 2013, Ara Arida, Hits the Gym) about Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ariella “Ara” Arida’s gym workouts as she prepares to conquer the Miss Universe crown last won by a Filipina 39 years ago in the person of Margarita “Margie” Moran in 1973 in Athens, Greece. I have a strong belief that Ara Arida is having an intensive training since the crown is long overdue for a nation which has the best and most loyal fans and supporters of this pageant.
The Philippines is very promising in this year's pageantry because the annual search for the representatives of this country to international pageants has attracted tall and modelesque ladies who are really can walk the walk. Binibining Pilipinas 2010 is the strongest batch I have seen so far. I admit it's very hard to pick the best choices for Misses Universe, World and International.
To give you an idea about the catwalk skills of the girls, here are videos (courtesy of mabuhaybeauties.com)of the fashion show which was held the other day in Gatewall Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.
In the first picture is Mariella while on the second one is Gionna during the 2005 Miss Universe.
Venus Raj is in the first picture while Miss Universe 2005 winner Natalie Glebova of Canada is in the second photo.
Fans are asking if these were the same swimsuits Gionna wore during the Miss Universe pageant. Or are these another swimsuits separately bought by Stella Marquez Araneta, the head of BPCI?
If these are the same swimwears which was used by Gionna, they are supposed to keep them as souvenirs. How come BPCI are keeping it instead of the delegate, then recycle?
A bigger problem of recycling these swimsuits is health reason. It is gross and disgusting of letting the girls wear panties which have been overused.
It's the first quarter of the year and it's the season of beauty pageants as most countries are busy with their national selections of their representatives to the four grandlsam pageants - Miss Universe, Miss Earth, Miss World and Miss International.
The Philippines, one of the pageant-crazy countries, has started its annual Binibining Pilipinas for 2010. The final selection of the 24 official candidates took place last week of January. They were not presented to the media yet but activities like TV guestings and photoshoots have already started. The Talent competition where only 9 ladies had participated is finished also last week.
This time, Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated, looks like serious in sending the right girl to the 3 known international competitions such as Misses Unvierse, World and International. I said so because there are some changes we have heard from the fans.
Philippines scored nil in Miss Universe this decade. No Miss Philippines made the cut. This is probably the reason why Stella Araneta, owner of the pageant and the other BPCI staffs are alarmed. They need to do miracle this time around or else they will face the anger of the Filipino fans.
For the first time in the history of Binibini, a pre-pageant is scheduled on February 28 where the candidates have to be judged in evening gowns and swimwears. The winners pf this activity will comprise the Top 10 in the finals where the winners will come from.
For our initial report on Binibining Pilipinas 2010, here are the 24 ladies in their official photos. Just click on the pictures for larger viewing.
I was browsing video clips of Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam when I took notice an odd similarity on the gowns of Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza, who eventually won the title, and Miss Philippines Jennifer Barrientos, who didn't make the semi-final.
I am expecting you will disagree with me since most of us are very critical when it comes to the dresses and wardrobes of any Miss Philippines titleholders. Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated (BPCI)has the reputation of providing mediocre or outdated long gowns to their girls. I still remember the comments of fans on Jennifer's gown during the pageant - the gown was a mess and 80-ish.
Miss Venezuela Organization, on the other hand, under the leadership of pageant guru, Osmel Sousa, is known with its stylish and fashion-forward long gowns. The organization gives their girls only the best wardrobes in the pageant.
So, you might probably think that comparing the gown of a Miss Philippines to a Miss Venezuela is an insult because it is like putting a diamond side by side with a stone. But try to see the video clips after the pictures.
This is the yellow gown of Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza.
This is the Alfredo Barraza gown of Miss Philippines, Jennifer Barrientos. It is very obvious, this gown is much inferior with that of Dayana.
Now look on their evening gown presentations during the preliminary competitions.
Here is Jennifer with her evening gown in motion.
Here is Dayana with her evening gown in motion.
So, what have you seen? The gowns are identical onstage except for the colors. The effects or the amount of lights on the stage could also be the reason. Jennifer carried the gown well. She had a fantastic presentation although the gown was a trash. But definitely, Dayana had a better performance in a better gown.
While Jennifer was trying to be regal and sophisticated in her moves, Dayana opted to be more fluid with her flirty walks. She was like dancing the way she swayed her hips and her shoulders. She also gave emphasis on the slits of her gowns with her twirl and the position of her legs when she paused.
Miss Earth Philippines 2009 and also Miss Earth 2009 1st runner-up, Sandra Inez Seifert is looking gorgeous and hot. With this latest photo (above) of her, the Filipino-German beauty queen has just proven she deserves the Best in Swimsuit award she got at the Miss Earth 2009 preliminary.
She is screaming Miss Universe but sad to say she was rejected by Binibining Pilipinas (BPCI), the body responsible for selecting a Filipina delegate to the Donald Trump-owned Miss Universe pageant. She is a lost of BPCI - really for sure.
But look on the photo again. This time just focus your eyes on the horse. A naughty friend suggested that Sandra is no doubt looking so hot that even the horse got aroused. Hilarious!
Do you remember Kurara Chibana, first runner-up at Miss Universe 2006 in Los Angeles? She is actually the first one who always comes to my mind every time I see Miss Philippines Pamela Bianca Manalo in this hairstyle. I've already noticed this resemblance when Binbibining Pilipinas released Bianca's photos at her send-off party for Colombia.
Will Pamela Bianca duplicates the fate of Kurara? Will she become the second most beautiful lady in the universe for 2009? What do you think?
Miss Philippines Universe 2009 Pamela Bianca Manalo's official evening gown is now out in the internet. It was shared to us by certain Gerardito Jr for Missosology.
While the long gown is definitely far better than the gowns worn by the previous Misses Philippines Universe, I still feel there is missing on it. I guess it does not emphasize the long legs Bianca has. Or is it because she has also a longer torso? Or the slit of the gown is a little bit lower? Or the gown should be a little longer? I don't know since I am not good in designing gowns. Maybe you can help me figure it out.
But we have to commend the effort of Binibining Pilipinas and Alfredo Barraza, who this time, listened a little to the clamour of many Filipino pageant lovers of having a decent dresses for Miss Philippines. Though it is not yet maximized, the effort is there and why only now?
In these pictures of Bianca, I can say she is kinda prepared for the pageant. I also can see three past Miss Philippines Universe in her. She has the Geraldine Asis (Miss Universe 1987 semi-finalist) vibe. She has the poise of Miriam Quiambao (Miss universe 1999 first runner-up) and the vibrancy of Maricar Balagtas, Miss Philippines Universe 2004.
Pamela poses like Miriam with her long arms. She is trying to make her shoulder broader to highlight the curves of her body. Nice work Pamela and hope you will improve more.
By the way, is she arriving in Bahamas with this cool summer outfit?
Miss Philippines Universe 2009 Pamela Bianca Manalo is the most bashed delegate in this year's Miss Universe pageant. But look at her determination to rock Bahamas on August 23rd. She's proving her detractors she really can make it. That means she didn't deserved all the nasty things thrown at her.
The Filipina beauty queen definitely made her homework. All fans who have been supporting this girl are so happy now with the transformation she had. The changes were all seen from her new pictures that were released by Binibining Pilipinas Organization - pictures that kept her basher so silent as of now.
She is every inch stunning in her latest photos. I must say Bianca definitely won my heart. Now, I am predicting she'll gonna make the cut IF politics won't get in the way.
Third Miss Universe crown of the Philippines is highly possible this year.
Maybe the ambiance of 1969 will be relived in 2009. Years ending in 9 are lucky years for the Philippines. Have you observed this?
Philippines got their first Miss Universe crown in 1969 through Gloria Diaz. In 1979, the Philippines got their third Miss International crown (thought not at Miss Universe) through Mimilanie "Melanie"Marquez. Also in 1999, Miriam Quiambao almost ran away with their third Miss U crown when she settled for the First Runner-up.
But don't expect too much since there are tons of equally deserving candidates just like Bianca.
Now that Miss Philippines Universe 1964 Myrna Sese Panlilio died of cardiac arrest the other day, the incident involving her fellow Miss Philippines Universe (Binibining Pilipinas) alumna, Ma. Isabel Lopez, at the last edition of Binibining Pilipinas is once again a hot discussion.
Ma. Isabel, who represented Philippines at the Miss Universe 1982, lashed out at the beauty contest organizer last March 2009 when she received mistreatment from them. It was reported that Ma. Isabel was forced to leave the pageant for attending it without an invitation. And who did it?
It was Myrna Panlilio who told her to leave the venue and who apparently called the security guards to escort her to the exit door. The reason why Ma. Isabel was barred was apparently because of her sexy image during the 1980's.
But with the death of Myrna, Ma. Isabel said in an interview that she had already forgiven the dead beauty queen.
Speaking sadly, Ma. Isabel said that "she respected and understood what she had to do at that time".
"I pray for her soul. I am sure she's happy now with the Lord."
Another Philippine representative to the Miss Universe died after Miss Philippines Universe 1980 Rosario "Chat" Silayan died of colon cancer on April 23, 2006.
Myrna Sese Panlilio Borromeo who represented Philippines at the 1964 Miss Universe in Miami Beach, Florida died of a cardiac arrest last July 16th at the Makati Medical Centre at around 2 o'clock in the morning.
Myrna is the first ever Binibining Pilipinas Universe winner but she is not the first Philippine representative to the Miss Universe pageant. Teresita Sanchez first represented the Philippines at the first edition of Miss Universe in 1952.
When Stella Marquez Araneta, first ever Miss International winner from Colombia, got the franchise of Miss Universe and started Binibining Pilipinas to select the Philippine representative to Misses Universe and International, Myrna was the first winner in 1964.
At the 1964 Miss Universe, Myrna did not make to the quarter-finals. The winner that year was Corinna Tsopie of Greece.
Some reports are also saying that Myrna died of gall bladder disease. So some are still confused on the cause of her death.
Myrna had a young daughter named Patricia Borromeo who died of cancer last 2003.
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.
