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.

MISS EARTH CROWNS ITS 2012 WINNERS

by Rolando Rafael

Last year, pageant pundits did it all wrong. They predicted a Miss Czech Republic to win Miss Earth 2011 but an Ecuadorian young woman took the honors. Miss Czech Republic did not even matter in the selection of the Top 16. The pundits might have been prophesying for the Miss Earth 2012 because a Goddess went down to earth and intermingled with the mortals.  And the result was awesome, a Goddess was chosen to keep and was watch over the earth for a year long duration. Miss Czech Republic 2012, Teresa Fajksova was crowned as Miss Earth 2012 amidst pomp and pageantry last November 24 at the Versailles Palace, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. 

Tereza is a 23 year-old young lady from Ivancice, Czech Republic and endowed with a long flowing blond hair with a towering height of 5 feet 10 -1/2 inches tall. Our new queen is not new to pageants. She previously represented her country in the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International in 2010 and placed second runner-up.  She placed Top 24 in the Miss Bikini International Pageant. All of these pageants honed her to be in competitive form and thus when she represented her country in the Philippines, she was ready to take the lead in all fronts.

Coming into the heels of Miss Czech Republic is Stefany Stephanowitz from the Philippines. She was adjudged as Miss Earth-Air.  Stephany is a 23-year old model who was crowned Miss Philippines-Earth 2012 in her second try. After a very impassioned answer, everyone thought she would clinch the crown but Miss Czech Republic cannot be denied her claim, so she was just adjudged Miss Earth-Air, equivalent to first runner-up.

Miss Earth-Water is Venezuela’s Osmariel Villalobos. Osmariel is said to be the favorite to win the crown as during the preliminaries, she almost had all the special awards to make her break into the semifinalists circle. She gave a very sincere answer to the question given but alas, she is not the judges’ favorite on pageant night and she just did clinch the 3^rd highest position.

Miss Brazil Camila Brandt was adjudged as Miss Earth-Fire. Camila is from Minas, Gerais and she exuded radiance and charm during the swimsuit and evening gown presentation. She could have been the winner with her excellent performance but her answer to the final question was way off the mark, hence the last slot for the Top 4 was given to her.

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MISS INTERNATIONAL 2012 - A RE-ASSESSMENT

by Owen Navarra

NICOLE SCHMITZ – A WINNER BUT NOT REALLY….

Pageant observers say that Nicole is one of the Philippine representatives that is most ready to conquer the Miss International arena. By the time she arrived in Japan, she was followed by photographers, one of the many indications that she was one of the most appreciated candidates. Come pageant night, she gave out one of the most convincing speech that any level-headed panel of jurors would hard put in not choosing her to be the winner. But she did not. How did this happen?

Throughout all the pageant activities, Nicole was a latina personified. Her German ancestry plus her Australian upbringing and probably her training under personal mentor all pointed out to a latina vibe and projection. However, a lot of people were surprised that on pageant night itself, the night that would have mattered most, Nicole despite her projection donned attire with very conservative colors and a hairdo that is reminiscent of the 80’s. Her styling was horrendous so to speak. The color of gown does not suit her. She is more resplendent with red or green colors. That probably spelled her doom despite the very excellent delivery of her speech.

MISS JAPAN AS MISS INTERNATIONAL – WHY NOT?

The Miss International Beauty Pageant is already 52 years in existence and it is only now that they crowned a Miss International from their own country. For the past 51 years, people were witnesses to many Japanese candidates who were really beautiful but did not make it as the winner. When the contest were done in Chinese soil in the previous years that could have been the chance that the Japanese could have crowned a compatriot but they did not. They opted for this year since they had a candidate that excellently delivered a meaningful speech. Although it was probably a difficult decision since it took the Japanese judges quite a time to deliberate on the winner. More so, coming from the heels of the questionable choice of Miss China as the new Miss World 2012 which was done also in home soil, the complex decision is like hara-kiri to the Japanese. 

Personally, as a pageant observer, the Japanese prototype for their Miss International was really far from their choice this year. They have veered away from the doll-like choices they had in the past. Is the Japanese taste changing? Or has the Japanese organizers learned from their counterpart countries wherein they do not have qualms of choosing a compatriot to win in their native soil. Beats me, but from the looks of it, Miss Japan would be a very good Miss International for all intents and purposes. 

MISS SUPRANATIONAL IN PASSING REVIEW

Miss Philippines wins a princess crown

 by Jetset Alejandro

BELARUS LORDS IT OVER AT SUPRANATIONAL PAGEANT: Elaine Kay Moll, Binibining Pilipinas 2012 First Runner-Up charmed the jury at the Miss Supranational Competition in Poland last September 14, 2012 by bagging the 3^rd runner-up crown. Elaine was poise and beauty personified as she sashayed her beauty wares in Warsaw, Poland. With a towering height of 5’11”, she was already a force to reckon with in that pageant where Miss Belarus Katsyariana Buraya took the crown from around 52 other candidates all over the world.

Although it was still an Eastern European country that was crowned during the pageant, it was endearing to note that two Southeast Asian beauties entered the Final 5. Miss Thailand Nanthawan Wannachutha was first runner-up.

THE CONTINENTAL QUEENS: Looking back at the winners of the pageant, it was quite a deviation to see continental queens not from the winning list. I was expecting the Continental Queen for Asia should be Miss Thailand because she is the highest ranking candidate from Asia. However, it was Miss Vietnam who was given the accolade. Vietnam was not part of the Top 20 but we can surmise that she is the highest ranking Asian candidate after Miss Philippines. It is thus understandable that the highest ranking candidate from the continents apart from the Top 5 are assigned the titles of the Continental Queens.

THE MISS INTERNET AWARD: In the Miss Internet award competition, Miss Thailand romped off with the award. It is such a juicy bit of news since Filipinos, Vietnamese, Puerto Ricans and Indians have very rabid internet fans who will turn all stones to make their candidates lead the pack in this contest. It seems like the Filipino fans lost the zest in supporting their kind as Miss Philippines ranked 9 also in the tally. Or have they learned their lessons since they note that get losing candidates if they win in the internet popularity poll?  I do not however wonder about Miss Thailand because in the recent Miss World Competition, Thailand was doing well in the internet tally until Miss India toppled her for the top spot. On the other hand, Miss India’s second placement reflects votes in other contests.

THE JUDGES: The circle of judges is predominantly Polish and previous Miss Supranational winners. The judges are as follows: Slawomir Stopczyk, Angelika Ogryzek, Miss Poland 2011, Marek Nowotny, Weronika Marczuk, Carsten Mohr, Henrique Fontes of Global Beauties, Karina Pinilla, Miss Supranational 2010, Piotr Walczak ,Monika Lewczuk, Miss Supranational 2011 and lastly Gerhard Parzutka von Lipinski.

MISS PHILIPPINES: Elaine is so happy for this placement. She is happy to give honor to the country as it has been her dream to be competing in a national arena where the sash of the Philippines hangs in front of her. She is so proud about being a Filipino and thus she really worked hard for this and endured very strenuous trainings and cold weather in Poland. The results are not only astonishing but a great honor for her country. 

ONE PAGEANT’S LOSER, ANOTHER PAGEANT’S WINNER

By Raphael Porciuncula

The pageant hullaballoo and musical chair in the Philippines has become dizzying. But it comes with a rationale. Overlooked beauties are crowned in another beauty pageant. I can go enumerating on and on from the past just to underscore my contention but let us see just the results of the recent Mutya ng Pilipinas Beauty Pageant.

This year’s Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific 2012 Winner is Camille Guevarra, a 19-year old, 5’7” Kapampangan beauty. She was a former candidate in the body summit Cycle 4 in Pampanga.

Among the notables in this batch of Mutya winners were Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism 2012 winner, Rizzini Alexis Gomez. Rizzini is a candidate to be at the Binibining Pilipinas and failed to make the cut among the official candidates this year which is a very big question. Then she screened for the Miss World Philippines in Cebu and she was the only candidate that showed up during the official screening. She made it as an official candidate in the Miss World Philippines. I was batting for her inclusion for the Top 10 but unfortunately she did not advance to the semifinalist portion. Then I saw this participation. Initially I had negative feelings about her participation as might get the snub again just like the previous pageants. But fortunately, the judges saw in her the winning glitters. 

The first runner-up is Emma Tiglao, a former Superstar Models Asia Winner and another favorite of mine is Larah Grace Lacap, Miss Lions International winner, who also did not make it to the Top 10 of the recently concluded Miss World Philippines. She etched a second runner-up finish in this contest.

It is touted that the winner will participate in the soon to be revived Miss Asia Pacific International Pageant which will be held in a European Country. This pageant should be delineated from the much maligned Miss Asia Pacific World which is based in Korea and has churned 2 seasons already and has always created a big controversial buzz in terms of its staging the pageant. Mutya ng Pilipinas, Inc. used to hold the franchise of Miss Intercontinental. I am at a loss now as one organization, Beyond Filipinas is said to be holding a pageant of its own and one of its title will be a Miss Intercontinental Philippines. Said organization is said to be the franchise holder of Miss Supranational Philippines and yet recently, Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc., announced the participation of Miss Elaine Moll, first runner-up to the Miss Supranational Beauty Pageant to be held in Sopot, Poland.

On the other hand, Rizzini Alexis Gomez will participate in the Miss Tourism International Pageant based in Malaysia. It is hoped that she will do well as there will be no tinges of political color as compared to the Tourism based pageants in China. 

A SECOND LOOK AT MISS ELAINE MOLL: PHILIPPINES’ REPRESENTATIVE TO MISS SUPRANATIONAL 2012

By Dominador Agbayani

The buzz prior to the selection of the winners of the Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant 2012 is that there is a 4^th crown which is the Miss Supranational Philippine title. As the pageant night is nearing the buzz is becoming a great noise until it has evaporated into thin air. Only three titles were announced with corresponding winners crowned. But I have this feeling that there is still an ongoing negotiation in acquiring the franchise because another organization is said to have been awarded the franchise and that they have also announced that they are in the process of selecting their representative as they did in the previous year.

But further, I have also inkling that the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. had already acquired the franchise. They have not included title among major titles because, eventually, the first runner-up can eventually come back and compete for the major titles at stake. Giving Ms. Elaine Moll a major crown during the pageant will eventually disqualify her to contend for the major title of Miss Universe Philippines or Binibining Pilipinas International, titles that every Filipina beauty queen wannabe wants to have in her head if the Supranational title has the same equivalence with the two titles.

With this scenario therefore, does this mean that Ms. Elaine Moll is being groomed by the organization to be crowned with a major title probably in 2014? An example of a previous candidate that went through this route is Maricar Balagtas. She competed in the Miss Globe International and won during her attempt and then she came back and participated again in the Binibini to finally clinch the Miss Universe Philippines title.

It seems that Miss Moll is going through this route. She will have the Supranational Pageant as her test case – training ground. As we all know, Miss Moll seems to have lost focus at times in her competition and that she gets muddled also during the Question and Answer portion. However, no one can object to the fact that with her height, beauty and proper styling, she will stand out among others. These characteristics may have been the reason why the organization is nurturing this beauty. We are hoping therefore for the best for Miss Moll in the Miss Supranational Beauty Pageant. The Miss Supranational Beauty Pageant activities have started in Sopot, Poland and Miss Moll arrived with the signature look of the Binibining Pilipinas. When most of the candidates are seen as going out of the box, our very own Miss Elaine Moll arrived in her so prim and proper persona. Will this strategy work for her? Let us see as the pageant draws near on September 18.