OF MYTHICAL CHARM AND GLAMOUR

By Jetset Alejandro

November 24, 2012 was a marked day. Four international pageants were being held this day, Miss Intercontinental, Mr. World, Mr. International and Miss Earth. It was very obvious we focused on the Miss Earth pageant because it was again held in home soil. It was initially reported that it will be held in Bali, Indonesia but the plans went kaput. Whatever reason they had, it did not matter because this the best Miss Earth Staging so far – quality of candidates, production values and quality of winners. Miss Earth 2012 has gone two notches higher than Miss World and took the second lead just following the footsteps of Miss Universe. Setting aside Miss Universe’ longer history, Miss Earth 2012 clearly showed that it had matured to a substantial extent. And what a maturity indeed!

THE VENUE AND THE STAGE:

The venue is at the Versailles Palace in Alabang, Muntilupa City. Akin to the Versailles Palace in France, the place is the entertainment area of a high end housing project nestled in the expensive enclave of the city. The entertainment area with an adjacent swimming pool was turned into a grand stage for the pageant. One would probably question the choice of the place for being it so small, lounge –like and sorely lacking. But I find the choice to be creative, masterful and artistic. It would have seemed to be created for the winner of the pageant but that is jumping into the highlights of the pageant so to speak.

The stage I have to admit does not show the grandiosity of other pageant presentations but with the interplay of lights and sleek presentations, this deficiency was wiped out as the pageant reached its culmination. 

THE PRODUCTION NUMBER AND THE PAGEANT HOSTS:

The candidates were set onstage. I was wondering how they will all occupy it but owing to its awesomeness, they all fitted right in. To the tune of J. Lo’s Dance Again, the Miss Earth Beauty pageant opened with a production number a-la Dances of the World since the candidates are in their national costumes. The energy is so high as everyone is revved up.

The pageant hosts were introduced thereafter in the person of Marc Nelson, Sandra Seifert and Ginger Conejeros. Well what I can say with Marc Nelson. He had been doing this hosting job for the nth time and he was adequately prepared to do this hosting. As for Sandra Seifert, I can only say, great job. She was always an inch as beauty queen despite her hosting chore. Ginger was her usual confident self in hosting pageants.

The palace ground was further shaken by the audience’ rapturous response to every favorite candidate that came to present themselves in their national costume. The loudest applauses were given to Misses Brazil, Czech Republic, Guam, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines. Misses South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, USA and Venezuela got their own raves when they came out to introduce themselves. I was of the impression that with the crowd impression alone, the Top 16 is in the bag for these favorite candidates. Well, let us see!

THE JUDGES:

The judges were as follows:

1.     Harris Morris – team leader of the Philippines Volcano football team

2.     Lawrence Pena – A prominent businessman and construction magnet

3.     Allen Roxas – Owner of Versailles Palace

4.  Mayenne Carmona – A journalist writer at the Philippine Star and Zee Lifestyle   Magazine

5.    Bobby Ray Parks – a well-known Professional Basketball Player

6.    Joseph Holtz –a well-known corporate accountant

7.    Nancy Yeoh - Stylo International President and Chief Officer 

8.    Edward Hagedorn –Mayor of Puerto Princesa (Chairman of the Board of Judges)

THE TOP 16:

The Top 16 candidates were announced as follows:

1.    Russia

2.    South Africa

3.    Germany

4.    Venezuela

5.    Korea

6.    Italy

7.    Mexico

8.    Nepal

9.    Scotland

10.Costa Rica

11.Poland

12.Japan

13.Philippines

14.Czech Republic

15.Brazil

16.USA

Misses Guam, Spain, Thailand and Turkey were crowd favorites that did not enter the Magic 16. It is such a pity because Thailand is a pre-pageant favorite to take it all but unfortunately, the stones were already turned and her name is not on the list. Someone opined that it is a curse if you are a pre-pageant favorite. Last year (2011), everyone predicted Miss Czech Republic to take on the crown but she was nowhere in the Magic 16 or semifinalist. Although this year, their representative was luckier as she eventually took on the crown.

THE SWIMSUIT COMPETITION:

The girls paraded in golden 2-piece swimsuits. Who made their marks? Well, based on the applause, Czech Republic and the Philippines were shoo-ins to the next round. Miss Brazil and Venezuela had bodies to die for. That makes it four. They were joined by South Africa, Nepal, Russia and the USA as they completed the Magic 8 that will make them compete for the next round which is the Long Gown Competition. It was also a time for wonderment when clearly from the audience somebody blurted out, “No Poland?”. Well, we can’t have everything. Poland was extra gorgeous during this segment but it seemed like she overdid it.

THE EVENING GOWN COMPETITION:

An upbeat performance by Billy Joe Crawford was presented before the evening gown competition and it was just rightly done to prepare for the next segment. This evening gown competition will forever be etched in the mind of the people watched the show either in the arena, TV or internet streaming. Miss Czech Republic glided onstage like a Goddess and everyone was awed with such performance. She exuded the mystical charm of a Goddess and despite the attempts of the other girls to shine this was her segment.

And based on the girls’ performance in the evening gown portion, Czech Republic, Brazil, Philippines and Venezuela entered the Magic 4. In my personal opinion, I was rooting for Miss South Africa to enter the Magic 4. But in my list, Brazil is within the winning column by a hairbreadth. So in essence, her inclusion to the Top 4 is justifiable.

THE QUESTION AND ANSWER PORTION

The one question that was asked of for the Top 4 candidates is: “What would you consider as your defining moment as a woman?”

1.  Miss Brazil answered about sustainable energy and the protection of Mother Earth.

2.    Miss Venezuela emphasized that her defining moment is when she would reach her goals by working hard for it and fulfilling every responsibilities as woman.

3.    Miss Philippines says that her defining moment is when she would become a woman of the Earth in fighting for the preservation and protection of Mother Earth. She also said that she is advocating the use of renewable energy.

4.    Miss Czech Republic admiringly said, she did not understand the question but she has a message to everyone that is caring, preserving and protecting Mother Earth.

From the looks of it, it would seem to be a sell-out already with Miss Philippines taking the crown as she ably answered the question with conviction.

  

THE FAREWELL WALK

Outgoing Miss Earth 2011 Olga Alava was very resplendent as she made her final walk. As everyone took their place in the stage prior to the shoot, one could see that Olga is well-loved with all those well-wishers. Finally the shoot went on and Olga’s final step as Miss Earth has come to an end.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS:

The announcement was quick and they are as follows:

1.    Miss Fire – Brazil

2.    Miss Water – Venezuela

3.    Miss Air – Philippines

4.    Miss Earth 2012 – Czech Republic

NOTES:

1.    The production number as it is being watched during the proceedings was seen as bubbly and exciting. The presentation of the candidates was also brisk. However, when I watched it at TFC, there is to be a disjunction of the presentation process and it was disconcerting to watch. I also felt why a pageant of this international caliber should not be held in an open space. The sound seems to be muffled and thus the impact is not that great.

2.  My personal Top 4 were Czech Republic, Venezuela, Philippines and South Africa. If there was a slot for a 5^th finalist, then it would be Brazil. Some faulted Miss Philippines to be unprepared but she came in just in time when it mattered most. The pre-finals and the finals night.  I have a lingering feeling that Miss South Africa will not make it to the Top 4. I have always seen in previous pageants that the leading contender does not become the title holder. History bears this out in whatever pageant in the world.

The choice of Miss Czech Republic was both expected and surprising at the same time. When she did not understand the question given to her, she honestly said what is in her mind and that charmed the audience more. Of course, the judges saw that, so she was given the title and no one protested such choice.

On a personal note, if I am one of the judges, I would have really chosen Miss Venezuela. She gave a very emphatic answer to the question which was right for the question. However, what probably went against her when she said that she is working hard for herself. Hence, if you analyze, she is self-centered.

It was quite awful to hear Miss Czech Republic to say that she did not understand the question and then muttered motherhood statements about our environment. She probably got the sympathy of the judges because of this.

Miss Philippines in contrast seems like she is joining an oratorical contest, something that I have taken note of in her national competition. I think Miss Philippines was left to her wares as I did not see any change in her tack from her national competition till this international sojourn.

I understand why Miss Brazil is a favorite. She has a very beautiful face and with that 22 inches waistline. She is really a top favorite from the start.

Another favorite that did not make it to the Top 4 is Miss Russia. She is one candidate that pictures do not give justice to her beautiful face. She is very much like Brazil who has a very refreshing and beautiful face. What probably did Miss Russia is her choice of gown for the evening gown competition. It was not appropriate for the runway. She was ill at ease during her walk. Although there was a side slit at the side, it did not help her any. You compare this  to the other candidates who had long flowing gowns, she is far behind.

Many pageant pundits feel that Miss South Africa should be there. Well, she should be. But whom will she dislodge? Philippines? Well, this will be a long debate and the judges have decided and case closed.

3.  When I said that my enthusiasm ebbed down when I heard the 4 candidates answer the question, that was because I was expecting someone of the four to rise up to the challenge of the question and no one did. All the candidates’ answers revolved around Mother Earth and that practically defeated the essence of the question. Even Venezuela who underwent the rigors of training physically as well as mentally did not level up to the question because she did not give a universally appealing answer. She hit the question to the hilt except for the self-centeredness in the last sentence. If probably the interpreter did not say that, then she would have been the winner. Although many thought she will romped off of the title.  Judges can be so cruel. They did not forgive her for her self-centered answer but they were all forgiving to Miss Czech Republic even though she did not give a very correct answer. All I may say is that these things happen, ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES.

4.    Miss Earth 2012 despite the simplicity of the pageant proceedings showed class and affluence this time. Thank you to their sponsors. It would be different altogether had the pageant been held in Bali. But this years’ caliber of candidates surely did increase the competitiveness that we saw from the candidates and it is an amazing sight to see such. Pageant pundits would say that as of the present, no other winning candidate in other pageants can equal the refreshing and mythical beauty of Miss Czech Republic, the new Miss Earth 2012 ,Tereza Fajksova. Hail to this stunning beauty.