THE PHILIPPINE PAGEANT CULTURE

By Jetset Alejandro

 (Editor’s Note: In our readings, I came across our old blog [essentialbeautiesphil.blogspot.com, March 4, 2006] which was dormant after so many years. There is an article written by yours truly in March 4, 2006 and found it still conforming to the present realities of beauty pageants. I am reposting this article with minor revisions to be more up-to-date.)

Beauty pageants galvanize the Filipinos and they troop to the pageant arena carrying their fanaticism that would literally cause pandemonium in the coliseum. The yearly pageant Binibining Pilipinas in search for the Philippines’ representative to the Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Tourism Beauty pageant is no different. At the homestretch pageant fans seem to be more in the know and heated brickbats appear on message boards sometimes becoming so irritatingly repetitious.

Beauty pageants have become ordinary and have practically become a way of life among Filipinos. Adding more color and pizzazz to the activity is the penchant of pageant fans of pitting one candidate to the other; of pitting one supporter against the other supporters. Filipino pageant fans never seem to acquire the innate objectivity of looking at beauty. They speculate. They gossip. They destroy others’ personalities. They denigrate the contest to a cockfighting mode. They scorn about the results of the pageant. They shout “lutong-macao” if they do not like the outcome of the judging. They concoct conspiracy theories. They mouth invective.  As you hear more, you admonish them but the more they say something more. Say it and you will find it in the Filipino pageant fan. Then they settle down.

When the international pageant comes to the fore, you will find them either lambasting their own candidate or yet quietly supporting them through text or internet votes. And when the candidate loses, it is a heyday of brickbats and criticisms. Yet when the candidate wins, even the biggest critic sings alleluias and praises hosanna to the candidate. Some others would still exhort their bitchy tongues and say the unkindest words. Just take Janine Tugonon’s first runner-up finish and sterling answer to the Question and Answer portion; she was still thrown the worst criticism: “They do not need a cum laude as Miss Universe, they needed a beauty and she is not!” But still you can’t argue with victory. For victory is sweet. Janine has proven that she is made of sterner and better stuff. She has proven the doubting Thomases that she has the qualities to make it to Miss Universe after all. She may not be the winner but she is part of the last two standing there. She is not a clapper after all. So the Filipino pageant fan retreats for awhile in silence, only to spring back with utter loudness and hue.

This phenomenon had become cultural. Nowhere probably in the world would you see this reaction except in the Philippines. Not even in the United States who had the recent Miss Universe gloated over their victory. Only in the Philippines this happens. Even a first runner-up enjoys the adulation of the crowd with matching motorcade and confetti to boot. She graced all most all TV shows. She made courtesy calls to different offices. She graced political gatherings. She was given Congressional Resolutions for making the country stand tall among all others. 

The Filipinos penchant for beauty pageants might have been ingrained on them when Miss Gloria A. Diaz, a 17 year-old petite lady was crowned the first Filipino Miss Universe in 1969. Since then, the people went gaga over beauty queens. Slowly, beauty pageants were institutionalized even in the smallest political sub-unit. Pageants have become an ordinary fare for every Filipino. There is a Mutya ng Palengke, Mutya ng Ngiti, Mutya ng Busilak, Mutya ng Niyog-Niyogan, Binibining Sapatero and many other variations. Then, they even start so young like the Little Miss Philippines, Little Miss Barangay and the like. Filipinos loved to be called beautiful. In the days of the Conjugal Dictatorship, only the Good and the Beautiful was espoused. And practically, the great days of beauty pageants were basically rooted in the philosophy that “To be beautiful is to be great.”

Beauty pageants are political statements so to speak. In all reality, the Filipinos would like to excel in the world of beauty because it is a very good cover-up for the rotten inside of what really is happening to the country. We may be beautiful outside but rotting in the inside. Truly, the brickbats and foul-mouthing are but symptoms of a greater problem in the country and is greatly rooted out in its malevolent culture.

Dissecting our thesis further, the dissolute gay culture in the country which had been tolerated and proliferated to no end has contributed a lot to this kind of status with regards to beauty pageants. Gays are gays. They are a creative lot. Their dreams of becoming beauty queens have come into realization in gay beauty pageants. But becoming beauty queens even just gay queens is not real. And always, the effect is subliminal and is always reflected on their work. They start grooming girls to become beauty queens. They create these girls in their perceived likeness and ergo they fight for these girls when they compete because it is in their feelings that they are the ones competing. I know of someone who had groomed so many in girls in beauty pageants and comes the Question and Answer portion, he imagines being the one grilled during this segment. Philippine beauty pageants have become life itself.

MISS UNIVERSE 2012 IS MISS USA, OLIVIA CULPO

by Raphael Porciuncula

Queentessence’ candidate of no consequence romped off the title of Miss Universe 2012 and stole the thunder from Miss Philippines 2012 in a glittering presentation of beauty, body and wit. Labeled by this blogspot as a Trump Card, she did in a way as she seemed to act as such. She seemed to be the Ace that was used at an opportune moment to defeat the enemy card. My thought as a writer is that she would just be included in the Top 16 and from there; she would be eliminated going into the evening gown competition. But she did not; she held her ground and eventually won the competition. I therefore take my hats off for her.

Of the candidates that entered the winning circle, it was Miss USA that I placed with the less chance of winning the crown. I was wrong; she came triumphant in the end. Miss USA’s victory is a big victory for small but pretty and cerebral women. Miss Universe in the recent past has evolved into a competition of tall, lithe and beautiful women but now, that phenomenon may have come to pass when she was crowned as the new Miss Universe.

Our new Miss Universe is from Rhode Island. Once she was crowned Miss USA, she was already hyped to become the new Miss Universe. But how can people be shortsighted. When the Miss Universe competition was underway, they have targeted their eyes on Miss Croatia and Miss Puerto Rico. But luck was on her side despite a lackluster answer, the crown was awarded to her.

Coming into the heels of Miss USA is Miss Philippines. She was once a much-maligned winner of her country’s national pageant but now look where her critics are? They are now praising hosanna’s to her excellent performance during the preliminaries and the finals.

Miss Venezuela was predicted to be the candidate that had all the trimmings of another Venezuelan beauty factory. But she bungled her chance during the question and answer portion. And still what a surprise, she ranked higher than Australia who gave a very good and a decent answer to her question.

Miss Australia came in fourth in the ranking. She is such a strong and charming candidate from the Land Down Under. She has the magic and magnetism onstage and yet she still came out wanting despite a commendable answer to the question thrown at her.

And lastly, Miss Brazil wounded up 5^th in rank. A lot of pundits were questioning how Miss Brazil was highly rated by us. Well, during the preliminaries, she really excelled in the swimsuit and evening gown segments. She was even ranked by us as number 1 in the evening gown. We believe that she might just look old because of her styling because if you look at her pictures in the national costume presentation, she was very pretty and engaging.  I felt that she had what it takes to be Miss Universe and we were not wrong with her.

MISS PHILIPPINES’ JANINE TUGONON ALMOST MADE IT

by Jetset Alejandro

Our Philippine representative to the Miss Universe 2012 almost made it as the new Miss Universe but she was denied by Miss USA Olivia Culpo in a glittering pageant ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada. Janine was clearly a standout from the beginning into the end and it seemed like, she was going to be the 3^rd Miss Universe for the Philippines and the 2^nd with an Aringay, La Union heritage. Miss Gloria Diaz was the first Philippine Miss Universe and her father Jaime Diaz hails from the town. Janine could have followed the streak as her father Jose Mari Tugonon comes from the entrenched Dulay-Ysip clan of Aringay.  It would have been a rapturous occurrence for the Aringayenos as this would have underscored the fact that the fabled story of the town may have a grain of truth after all -  the beautiful maiden “Aring” as its origin.

It is really very difficult to predict who will be the Miss Universe’ panel’s choice would be as year after year, the question and answer portion has become to be not the basis of the final choice of the winner. Let us try a rundown of the winners in the last 6 years. In 2007 in Mexico City, Riyo Mori of Japan won over Natalia Guimares of Brazil. It was a classic case of a not so beautiful but fashionable girl over just a beautiful girl. In 2008, however, Miss Venezuela eclipsed Miss Colombia who was the clear front-runner because she buckled in her answer.  In 2009, the year when Stefania Fernandez won the crown in Bahamas, Miss Australia Rachel Flinch gave the best answer to the question but she ended up as third runner-up with Kosovo eclipsing her for the second runner-up position. In 2010 where the pageant was held again in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ximena Navarette  of Mexico stole the thunder from Yendi Phillips of Jamaica although Jesinta Campbell of Australia gave the best answer to the questions thrown by the judges whom they have picked. In 2011, the more superior answer of Shamcey Supsup over the other candidates landed her the 3^rd runner-up position. It was all the same this year.  Janine gave the best and most qualified answer compared to Miss USA who had to give herself some moments to think about her answer and to rattle the judges with her round and round in circles answer.

With Janine’s feat, she would again be the epitome of young girls’ dream. Janine joined the Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant in 2011 and she wounded up as First Runner-Up. With her first runner-up win, many rambunctious pageant aficionados questioned her runner-up finish. When she rejoined the pageant the year after that, the more rumblings occurred but in all fairness, there was not a word of dismay that came from her. She just came out exemplary, stunning and roaring during the finals night and she was everyone’s winner. And truly, she was every inch a queen but was denied the final outcome by the judges’ or the Miss Universe organization.

Janine’s answer to the question given her by Nigel Barker was quintessential. It opened a gate of discussions to the very much talked about topic of Philippine candidates speaking using their national tongue during the Question and Answer portion of the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. Pageant fans are always saying that the Philippines is at a disadvantaged since other countries use interpreters during the portion and it gives them the time to think and compose their answers in their language and the interpreters help them by giving them a better translation of their answers. Nigel Barker’s question was asked in this way:  "As an international ambassador, do you believe that speaking English be a prerequisite for being Miss Universe? Why or why not?"

And Janine answered in a very relaxed and intelligent manner, a scene that was repeated all over the world as she gave that most famous answer : “The Miss Universe title is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language. It is about being able to influence and inspire other people. If you have a heart to serve and a strong mind to show people, then you can be Miss Universe!”

Indeed, with her answer, despite being first runner-up, she has eclipsed the victory of Miss USA and became the Miss Universe of so many people of all walks of life.

Photo Courtesy: missuniverse.com

CHANCES ARE……

By Jetset Alejandro

Now that the Miss World Philippines has crowned its winner, the quartet has been formed and that we will now await the results of their participation to their international pageants. Let us therefore try to dissect the chances of our candidates.

Even after the Binibining Pilipinas Beauty pageant has been done three months thereafter, pageant fans are still so rabid in throwing their brickbats against the Philippine representative to the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. Year after year, pageant fans lament about the unsuitability of the choices that were sent to Miss Universe. They would have a litany of reasons why a certain candidate is not appropriate to represent us to the pageant. At deep thought, the fans have every reason to bewail. Most of our representatives are not the best among the lot and thus, we failed miserably in our quest for the title. Only recently in the last two years that our candidates fared well and that they snatched at least a position in the Top 5.

It is also interesting to note that the winners of the recent pageants are veterans in the ramp one way or another. They are either repeaters or cross-over candidates. Take the example of the Philippine candidate to the Miss Universe, she joined last year and ended-up as first runner-up and then rejoined this year. On the other hand, the Philippine candidate to the Miss International Beauty Pageant is also a repeated. She joined the pageant in 2007 where she is semi-finalist and this year she copped the second plum. As for Miss Earth, she is also a repeater. She represented Butuan City in 2010 and ended up as a semi-finalist and for this year, she won the title. And lastly the winner in the Miss World Philippines is called a cross-over candidate. She was seen shashaying in the ramp for the Binibining Pilipinas 2010 title but ended only as a semifinalist. As everybody knows she is now the recently crowned representative to the Miss World. 

Janine Mari Tugonon

Now what about Janine Mari Tugonon’s chances? In 2011, only a few pageant fans took a close look at her. I posted my comments in a very popular pageant forum that the girl is pretty, fresh and had a classic Filipina vibe but I got oft remarks and I never ventured to further my discussion about this girl. And when she made it to a first runner-up position, I told myself, the judges saw what I saw. And what is this that I saw? The Janine that I saw in last year’s competition has the natural charms and exotic Filipina appeal. She may not be totally dusky but her charisma was overwhelming and that she attracts others to her because of this. Added to this, she has an inherent intelligence that would make her recite lines to a question even with her eyes closed. However, I lamented that she was packaged so differently for this years’ pageant. She underwent tanning. She was styled and made up like Morticia. They used those darkened eye shadow techniques that does not flatter her face. She was dressed with the unconventional dresses that do not suit her. With that kind of packaging, expect the rabid fan to say his/her thoughts and they are also not flattering. There were those that defend her and such defense got lost with the cacophony of voices against her. What is my say about her chances then?

The first question to answer that question is that, does Janine has what it takes to be noticed? If Gloria was noticed because of her unconventional beauty with wit, intelligence and demeanor and on the other hand, Margie was noticed again for her unconventional beauty and regal deportment, what could easily be noticed with this girl? Ok, let me go back to the initial question, did she possess something to get noticed easily? My answer is NO and YES.  NO if she persists to use the present packaging that she has now. YES if she goes back previous character. If you would notice the last two years’ choices, they were natural, fresh looking and exotic. Janine has the height. She can improve her body in the next 6 months and she can improve her ability to give direct, meaningful and sincere answers. I know Janine can dish out good answers to a question but they come out rather memorized or scripted. But knowing her academic credentials, she does give superior answers to a question. Again, however, she should tone down her answers and avoid giving a religious flavor to them and instead learn to give universal appeal to questions thrown at her.

Janine may not be every pageant fans’ choice for Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2012 to represent the country. She maybe predicted to be a long shot to the Miss Universe title but long shots can also hit the dots and it is the long shot that are remembered most often. Given my preconditions, I believe Janine has a 60-70% of making it to the Miss Universe crown. 

Nicole Schmitz

Nicole because of her fair-mestiza looks is very much favored to win at the Binibining Pilipinas. We cannot deny the fact that most pageant fans still prefer the fair-skinned mestiza and she is a hit amongst them. She personifies confidence and is a very good conversationalist. The Miss International Beauty Pageant favors doll-like candidates and she fits this prototype. In my previous write-ups, I have always criticized the way they doll-up Nicole. She is not her when she is given too heavy make-up. She is more natural and attractive when she has less make-up. For this girl, less is beautiful. I am happy to see her latest pictures and she has an uncanny resemblance with Miss Margarita Moran, former Miss Universe 1973 at some angles. Pageant fans put too much pressure in her because for them she has all what it takes to be the Philippines’ 5^th Miss International beauty titlist. If we try to dissect the capability of Nicole barring any unforeseen circumstances she is a  95% shoo-in to the Top 12 and it would not be surprise to see her being crowned as the title holder.

Stephany Stefanowitz

Stephany was not a personal favorite. But I predicted that she will win. She has the height; she has the runway skills and the ability to push forward her thoughts. The one thing that gets in the way for her is that she seems to be a clone of the Miss World First Princess 2011. I don’t have anything against being a look alike but her facial features seems to come out to strong and that she should need to use facial makeovers that soften those features. Added to that, she speaks in a heavy tone and thus makes everyone have a difficulty of liking her.

In the 11 years of Miss Earth Beauty Pageant we do not see a certain prototype among their winners. Their second winner is a diva who was later on dethroned because of her divanesque attitude. She was replaced by a sweet and dedicated candidate from Kenya. In the way I see things for this years’ pageant, Stephany would be able to enter the semifinalists and we will see from there if she got what it takes. 

Queenierich Rehman

Queenierich is my favorite to take the plum for this years’ MWP. She has the facial beauty that is coupled with good body symmetry. She is exuberant and engaging in the runway and thus there is no question why she won the crown handily.  She is a perfect candidate for any international pageant for the country.

Although she is my choice for the crown, one pageant observer says that Miss World does not only fulfill the criterion for physical beauty but also must possess a beautiful mind, beautiful thoughts and deeds. She must be a substantial woman with an identity to stand out and tall. True, I saw most of these qualities in Queenierich. But does she possess the beautiful deeds that Miss World is looking for? When we talk of beautiful deeds, we talk about the woman that possesses with a beauty for a purpose? Has Queenierich embarked on a program to highlight this criterion that the Miss World Organization is looking for? By this time, Queenierich might be cramming as she is to fly to Ordos, Inner Mongolia to compete for the Miss World Beauty Pageant by mid-July. Her preparation is so short that she might not be able to psyche herself competing among more than 100 candidates.

Well, we will see in her the mark of readiness when she performs competitively against all other beautiful women around the world and make herself the best beauty with a purpose. I have high hopes for her. 

After carefully assessing them, I am again reminded by what the first Miss Universe of our country, Miss Gloria Diaz has said. Competing in an international beauty pageant is 99% luck and thus, it would still be lady luck that would determine our candidates’ chances. You may be most prepared and most beautiful candidate to grace the pageant and yet luck is not on your side. So basing from this, why do I get this feeling that only one will come out triumphant among these 4 beauties, and she is not even amongst my favorites to win her national crown. Such gut feel. 

Photo Credits: philstar.com, crunchyroll.com, mwp.com, quotednews.com

MISS UNIVERSE 2012 DELEGATES FROM ASIA

Korea has been sending representatives to Miss Universe pageant since 1954 but has yet to win their first Miss Universe crown. The highest placement they got was in 1988 with a first runner-up placement. Their representative to this year's pageant in Miami, Florida, USA is Lee Seong-Hye, 22 years old and stands at 5 feet and 7 inches tall. Will she bring back Korea to the semi-finalists circle this year?

The Philippines has so far produced two Miss Universe winners, in 1969 with Gloria Diaz and 1973 with Margarita Moran. They also have seven runner-ups with the recent back to back runner-ups of Maria Venus Raj (4th Runner-up) in 2010 and Shamcey Supsup (3rd Runner-up) in 2011. Their representative to the Miss Universe pageant this year is the 22 years old Janine Mari Tugonon who stands at 5 feet and 8 inches tall. Will Janine continue the streak of the Philippines to the Top 5 finalists this year?