FEBRUARY 2012 EDITORIAL: RED ON A ROLL

This is our February issue and we call this issue, RED ON A ROLL. The color red is the strongest color among the basic colors. It conjures different feelings and emotions. It can either mean love or war. It could either mean cupid or the devil. It means hot...It is flaming. It stimulates and sometimes seethes a person into anger. Red symbolizes excitement, energy, speed, strength, danger, passion, and aggression.

For this issue, we will talk all about red. Our front cover is Eva Ekvall a Venezuelan beauty queen that aroused the feelings of everyone in the pageant world in relation to her fight against the dreaded big “C” – that of breast cancer. Although October is supposed to be the Breast Cancer Month, we have included in our issue the topic on Breast Self-Examination in relation to our article about Eva. We have raised the RED ALARM S AND ALERTS against breast cancer in this article.

Our resident fashion reviewer will talk about ladies who competed in red gowns in their international beauty pageants and she has lots to say about them. Another contributor will talk about men in his article Brawn and Beauty and a lot more.

February is not just a heart month. It is a hot, fiery and exciting month. I hope we grabbed your attention and take you into action in our aim for excellence.

FASHION REVIEW

BEAUTY QUEENS IN RED
By Lavinia Otilla

The color red is strongly linked with two major emotions – that of love, romance and sensuality  and that of aggression, rage and anger. It is the color that radiates different characteristics. In this outing, we are going to review some of the pageant candidates who wore red during their competitions. Apart from the two major emotions that red stands for, it  conjures  different characteristics such  as ambivalence, attention grabbing, composure, confidence, decisiveness, energy, fierceness, liveliness, passion, purity, joy , sensuality and celebration. In my research of twelve girls, I will try to show how these characteristics emanated from the candidate herself and how the constructed gown highlighted her or not. The discussion is arranged alphabetically according to the adjective that the red stood for.

The ambivalence of the color red emanates from the emotions that it stands for. It may stand for love but may be aggressive also in the end. It may stand for victory or it may stand also for failure. It could be seen as victory when the radiance of red is exemplified. It may stand as a failure when lots of blood is expended because of war, hence  the  ambivalence  of  the  color.  One  candidate that showed such characteristic is Anna Teresa Licaros, the Philippine candidate in the Miss Universe contest in 2007. Anna Teresa was using a bustier type of dress made of lace and a red train. The gown seemed ill-fitting and does not do her justice. Bustier type of gowns highlights the greatness of one’s bosom but alas she is wanting in this aspect. The gown’s design and made is so dated that she looked old and tired in it.  She may not love her gown after all because in her preliminary performance, she feels ill at ease while walking.

Red as an Attention-grabber. Red is a color that attracts the eyes of everyone into it. Mihilanie Texeira’s red gown won the World Designer award in the Miss World 2010. Because of the gown’s  design,  it  will  call  your   attention  to  the  candidate. Many candidates’ attributes are highlighted with a good or bad gown design. And in this French Polynesia’s candidate in the Miss World 2010 was exceptionally appreciated because of a beautiful gown. The gown was culturally distinct and yet it is fashion-forward. Mihilanie was simply radiant in this gown.

Stefania Fernandez Miss Universe 2009 was in red. It was a bouffant gown with all the feather contraptions at the skirt. When Stefania made the twirl, everyone was mesmerized by it.  It was simply red meaning  purity,  joy  and celebration. She  was a delight to watch and behold. She is the girl. She is elegance personified.

Who would not forget Lara Dutta’s countenance in the Miss Universe 2000 beauty pageant? She was simply resplendent in that Venus-cut red gown. She was composed, serene and yet she exuded sophistication. She was simply radiant exuding confidence and natural charisma in her performance .

Ximena Navarette, Miss Universe 2010 is a representation of confidence. She is a depiction of an angel in red that passed by. Although some pundits say that her performance in the gown segment is a bit dull, uninspired and dud, I would say something differently. Ximena was practically full of grace and demeanor. There were no excesses in her glide. She was simply overpowering in red. The problem with red is that it may overpower the wearer but with Ximena, she has radiated in red gown. And red for her is definitely confidence.

Mafae Yunon, Philippine representative to the Miss World Beauty Pageant in 2003 wore a red gown that made her exude glowing energy and dynamism. She is full of vibrancy. Her deportment was exceedingly superb and that she was appreciated because of a well-rounded personality.

Miss China Universe 2011, Luo Zilin is fierce in red. She donned a Scherri Hill evening gown with lace brocade on the bodice and a bouffant skirt. Miss China’s supermodel demeanor is a plus factor on her side. She has height. She has the poise. She is screamingly saying I am the “one” with her moves and projection.

Carlene Aguilar,  Miss Philippines World 2005 in this profile picture simply screams sultriness, sexiness and sensuality. Her body curves are highlighted in the gown and her personality radiates immensely. Too bad despite the number rating of pollster for her she just managed a semifinal encounter at the Miss World competition.

Karen Agustin, Miss Universe Philippines 2002, used a red gown with a modified Venus-cut design. Some finds it stylish and flattering. Some finds it rubbish. Some finds it passé.  But when worn by Karen, I find sweet, cute and exudes passion; cute because it turned Karen into a doll and passionate because Karen exuded lovely charms despite her being imperfectly facially beautiful.

Johanna Solano, Miss Costa Rica Universe 2011, paraded a red gown when she was called to the Top 10. She used a red gown with a raspberry dipped in chocolate theme. Some pageant critics say that it just did not work on her although it accentuated her exquisite torso and show off her legs.  Another critic said that it was one of the worst gown performances in the recent years. The gown is unconventional and risky. And for that alone, the lingering meaning of red here emanates.

Truly, red connotes a lot of meaning.

VALENTINE'S DAY TRIVIA

Valentine's Day is the day on which love is celebrated throughout the world. Be it your partner, parents, siblings or friends, you can express your love to anyone close to you, on this day. Celebrated on 14th February every year, Valentine's Day sees people giving gifts to those who are special to them, with their romantic interest being on the top of the list. There are many interesting facts associated with the day, such as it was in 1840s that the first batch of Valentine Day cards was made commercially, given the name of trivia. In the following lines, we have provided fun trivia associated with Valentine's Day.

Interesting Facts & Information on Valentine’s Day 

• Valentine's Day is named after the Patron Saint - Saint Valentine.

• Around 15% of U.S. women are believed to send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day.

• Valentine's Day is believed to have its roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia.

• It was around 496 that Pope Gelasius I renamed Lupercalia festival as Valentine's Day and moved its date to from February 15th to 14th.

• It has been estimated that as many as one billion cards are sent world-wide each year, on Valentine's Day.

• Shakespeare made a reference to Valentine's Day in his play 'Hamlet', (Act 4, Scene 5)

• It has been estimated, by Greeting Card Association, that of all the people who purchase cards on Valentine's Day, around 85 percent are women.

• NECCO has been making heart-shaped valentine candies, with sweet sayings printed on them, since 1902.

• It was only in the 1980s that the diamond industry began to promote Valentine's Day as occasion for gifting diamond jewelry.

• Elton John-Renate Blauel, Meg Ryan-Dennis Quaid, Pamela Anderson-Tommy Lee and Sharon Stone-Phil Bronstein are amongst the couples who got married on 14th February.

• Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone on 14th February i.e. Valentine's Day, in 1876.

• St. Valentine's Day was declared an official holiday in 1537, by England's King Henry VIII.

• It is believed that it was on February 14th, that St. Valentine was put to death. Before dying, he wrote a note for his love - the jailer's daughter, signed "From Your Valentine".

• A heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged cupid are amongst the most popular Valentine's Day symbols.

• Two out of every three Valentine's Day cards are accompanied by a gift.

• In the Middle Ages, men and women used to draw names from a bowl to see who their valentine would be.

• In Victorian times, if you got a card on Valentine's Day, it meant bad luck.

• Sweden is the only country that does not celebrate Valentine's Day.

• The launch of penicillin was announced on Valentine's Day.

• Flowers are the most popular Valentine's Day gift.

• On 14th February 1962, Jackie Kennedy hosted the first televised tour

of the White House.

• It was believed that 14th February is the day when birds and fowls select

their mates.

• Duke of Orleans sent the first Valentine's Day card, after being captured in 1415.

Source: http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/valentines-day-trivia-3847.html

COVER STORY: EVA EKVALL

BEAUTY AND BEYOND
By Raphael Porciuncula

"One thing about my past . . . Well, definitely, I would not choose anything at all because I'm very happy the way I have lived my life up to now.  And because the person that I am now is what the past has done to me.  So, I would be completely different and I wouldn't be proud of who I am." - Eva Ekvall

The answer “I joined this pageant because I want to become a role model for everyone” has become a cliché but in truth, it strikes a blow of reality. Every pageant candidate has a story to tell. And every winner stands out and becomes the paragon of every budding young girl aspiring to be one.

This is the story of Eva Ekvall who at first showed hesitance in joining the Miss Venezuela 2000 pageant. She has felt that she was not meant for it although she has the height; she was a chubby girl at that time. But convinced further, Eva trained and worked hard on her physique until she achieved every Venezuelan girls’ dream, to become Miss Venezuela-Universe 2000.

Left: Eva representing the state of Apure. Right: Eva as Miss Venezuela Universe 2000.

Eva was an epitome of grace and beauty. Although she just clinched 3rd runner-up in the Miss Universe 2001 pageant where Denise Quinones was crowned, she was in everyone’s list. She performed so well. She was great. She has the body.   She  certainly  knows  how  to  navigate  the  stairs. She was a queen in her own right that night despite not getting the crown.

Top: Eva at the rightmost during the announcement of the Top 10 semi-finalists at Miss Universe 2001 pageant. Bottom: Eva at the 2nd from left during the swimsuit competition.

Top: Eva during the swimsuit and long gown competition at Miss Universe 2001 pageant. Bottom: Eva as one of the Top 5 finalists and eventually placed 3rd runner-up.

She later on became a newscaster and met her husband. She got married and had a child. After childbirth, she had her breast lumped examined and removed and it turned out to be breast cancer in the advance stage. She would later on undergo treatment and for two years she battled the big C and eventually succumbed at an early age of 28.

Eva became a role model of a lot of young women when she came out of a book showing her in her most unglamorous self. The book is entitled “Fuera de Foco” and it means “Out of Focus. It is a collection of pictures of Eva during her treatment. It is entitled as such because it is a very great departure from the life of glamour and glitz that Eva used to have. During her ordeal with cancer, she realized that Venezuela being a country that is so attached with the beauty culture should wake up to the reality that the body that is beautified can get sick too. And that the breast being a body  part  that  becomes  part  of  beauty  can  become ugly too because of cancer. As such when the book came out, galvanized a lot of concerns and it had increased awareness among the Venezuelan populace for breast cancer screening. (Please see related article about breast cancer screening)

Even when her death was known to the world, there is a continuous outpouring of grief and sympathy to this woman. From news magazines, blogs, TV news, forums, Facebook pages and the like, many extolled her bravery and courage to face the dreaded C. She did not sulk. She did put down her guards. She staunchly came out so that the public may know more of the disease and its consequences – that this disease does not select anyone; everyone is at risk.

I am reminded by the answer of Eva Ekvall in the finals of the Miss Universe 2001 Beauty Pageant when asked of the question: “If you have to change one thing about your past, what would it be?” And she answered:” Well, definitely, I would not choose anything at all because I’m very happy the way I have lived my life up to now. And because the person that I am now is what the past has done to me. So I would be completely different and I wouldn’t be proud of who I am.” Would she answer differently if she survived breast cancer and she would be asked again this question? I believe not so because, Eva as beauty queen lived up to being a role model. And even in her ordeal during her disease, she had lived up fully to the title. What more if she survived the disease?  She  will  forever be that beauty  that lived her life and took the lead against this dreaded disease.

MR. INTERNATIONAL 2011, CESAR CURTI

BRAWN AND BEAUTY
By David Natanawan

In the past two issues of this magazine we have featured women and pageants related to women. This time we will feature a male personality. What a better way to start our Valentine’s issue as we feature the new Mr. International 2011 Cesar Augusto Curti from Brazil.

If Cupid has grown up into a mature man, he can be trapped into the body of Cesar Curti. And this would definitely not only give a woman the desire to love Cupid who has grown up into a man that is Cesar Curti. Cesar was born on March 19th, 1987 in Ribeirao, Preto, Brazil. Since childhood he has always showed a natural talent in the acting, musical and sports arena. With his skills he excelled in school in acting and writing for theater. He had also made an indelible mark in the field of music both in voice and guitar. He has also excelled in different kinds of sports most especially in the martial arts. He has encompassed a holistic approach to life indeed.

Aside from venturing into music and acting, Cesar is a model who travels the world in search of new achievements in the publicity and advertising industries. He has participated in many publicity campaigns for important brands such as: Nokia, Nivea, Gudang Garam, Nestle and Head and Shoulders. He has also participated in fashion shows for well known brands such as: Giorgio Armani, Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gautier, Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton and more. His versatility allows him to excel in both commercial and authentic fashion.

Cesar who has a Japanese blood (her mom is Japanese) making him one of those successful Brazilian/Japanese who has ventured into modeling, acting and music. His strongest attributes are discipline and willpower, which enable him to be unique and a determined professional. As if venturing into these fields is not enough, he joined the Mr. Brasil 2011 pageant and ended up second runner-up to eventual winner Lucas Malvacini. Being a second runner-up, he was sent to represent Brazil at Mr. International pageant last December 2011 held in Bangkok, Thailand. He was one of the favorites aside from Mr. Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, Indonesia and Mexico. And eventually, Cesar won the coveted Mr. International 2011 title making him the second Brazilian after Alan Martini who won in 2007.

Cesar Curti during the Mister Brasil 2011 pageant where he ended up 2nd runner-up.

Cesar Curti during the Mister International 2011 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand where he won Brazil’s second Mr. International title.

With this success from different fields, Cesar has remained to be humble and his feet always planted on the ground. Being the first male personality to be featured in this magazine it is but proper as he has been the epitome of true success and living his dreams to become a musician, actor, model and international pageant king. Making him not only brawn but has beauty in his heart.

Measurements: 

Height: 1.87m. | Weight: 80kg. | Chest: 101cm. (40in) | Waist: 81cm. (32in) | Hips:  97cm. (37in) | Hair color:   Dark Brown | Eye color:  Brown | Ethnicity:   Pan-Asian (Brazilian/Japanese) | Shoe size:  43

Special skills: Football, Singing, Dancing salsa and Hip hop, Playing guitar, Martial arts, Volleyball, Handball, Stunts, Swimming and Playing percussion.

Hobbies: Traveling, Reading, Music, Movies, Sports, Hiking, Photography and Writing.

RED ALARMS AND ALERTS AFTER SELF-EXAMINATION OF THE BREAST

By Jetset Alejandro

What is cancer? Cancer refers to any abnormal, unregulated growth of cells that can ultimately spread to different parts of the body. It can happen in any part of our body. In the case of Eva Ekvall, her cancer originated from the breast.

Cancer of the breast is the second most cause of cancer among women, cervical cancer being the first. It has been found out that the lifetime risk (to age 85) of a woman developing breast cancer in 1940 was 5% or 1 in 20. The  risk  now is 13.4% or almost one in 8.  In 2009, it was estimated that 192,370 new cases of breast cancer was diagnosed and 40,170 died of the disease. Women who undergo breast cancer screening programs have demonstrated significantly reduced deaths from the disease. However, the effectiveness of screening will depend on how often women are screened, compliance with screening recommendations and the quality of the screening.

There have been reports that the value in self-breast examination has been denigrated in the screening for breast cancer, however, it remains to be simplest method that would alert a woman that something is going wrong with her breast.

Here are simple guidelines for self-examination of the breast:

What should alert a woman upon doing self-examination of her breasts? The following should serve as the RED ALARM for breast cancer:

1. Lump that has not been evaluated

2. Change in the consistency and size of the breast lump

3. Red, swollen or flaky skin around the areola of the nipple

4. Nipple that is painful and becomes inverted

5. Any fluid that is leaking from the nipples if not breastfeeding

6. Skin dimpling

7. Lump or changes in skin under the armpit

The patient undergoing this self-examination should be more on RED ALERT if she had the any of the following risk factors such as genetic factors, having first degree relatives with breast cancer, early menarche, late pregnancy, nulliparity, delayed menopause, hormone replacement therapies and breast biopsies. Increasing age, race, obesity, radiation exposure and alcohol consumption have been found out to increase the risk of the disease. 

Breast Self-examination affords the women a sense of control over their health and they become more comfortable with their breasts.  It is a non-invasive procedure and it makes the women more aware of her breast changes. 

Sources of Information:  www.cancer.org

                                              www.healthatoz.com

                                              www.mayoclinic.com/health

                                              www.cancer.gov

                                              www.nccn.org

INSIGHTS: BEAUTY FROM WITHIN

By Dominador Agbayani

It is such a surprise to hear a lot candidates during the Question and Answer portion when egged to answer to the question, “what edge do you have over other candidates for you to win this contest?” The candidates often answer, “I have beauty from within” without even trying to expound on their answers.

As one of the greatest philosophers of all time, Confucius has said: “Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.” We have different standards of beauty and it is not only based on physical characteristics and but something insightful and much deeper. In other words, the likeability of a person is shaped by our experiences, perceptions and the dictates of our upbringing. To quote further what Ruffa Gutierrez, Miss Philippines-World 1993 when she was asked how would she tell a girl suffering from low self-esteem to feel good about herself? She answered: "I would tell her to believe in herself because it is not only physical beauty that is important but also inner beauty. Just like what the Little Prince said, 'the essential things are invisible to the naked eye.' Definitely, character and personality are more important than physical beauty."

Miss Philippines World 1993, Ruffa Gutierrez during the final question and answer portion at Miss World 1993.

Definitely, everyone would want to become physically attractive. And definitely, the first basis in getting attracted to someone is through physical attraction. But eventually, in somebody’s search for someone really beautiful, they are gauged on their personality and reactions to certain situations to eventually ferret out the candidates’ beauty from within. Thus in the final analysis, the lady or woman who has the most beautiful face does not end up winning the plum because she was measured less in terms of her beauty from within.

Take for example, the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, the girls are initially judged according to their beauty and physical attributes. They are measured according to their ability to carry themselves in bikini or in  bathing suits  as well as show elan in their evening gowns. But further, they are trimmed to the semi-finalists in their ability to respond to questions that would bring out how personable they are. They are not really judged based on how intelligent they are but how ready and witty they acquit themselves in bringing out the best in them during the interviews. In the recent Miss World Competition, the candidates participated in different events and they were rated based on their performances in those events. The candidates’ capability to espouse the agenda of the organization had the most bearing on who should win it all. On the other hand the Miss Earth Beauty Pageant is in search of someone who is not only beautiful but someone who can champion the cause of environmental preservation and protection.

Left to right: Miss Universe 1973 from the Philippines, Margarita Moran; Miss Universe 1994 from India, Sushmita Sen and Miss Universe 2002 from Russia, Oxana Fedorova (dethroned).

In the recent years, we notice that pageants go through a cycle. In the past, organizations look for pretty, intelligent and witty women. The 1990’s is the era where distortion of what is beautiful came about. The term “enhanced beauty” came to fore and many nations resorted to advances in cosmetic surgery and dermatology just to achieve the perfect beauty. Venezuela topped the list in creating such beauty and many nations followed suit. But if you notice the recent choices in most international pageants, the fresh, the seemingly untouched and natural beauties are beginning to be noticed again in the international arena. There is not steadfast rule therefore of what perfect beauty should be.

A beauty in one era may not be a beauty in someone else’s time. Beauty contests are still relevant and we cannot avoid it, physical attributes of a participant would still be the primary criterion in choosing the winner. The so-called beauty from within still remains to be the method in segregating the chaff from the grains.