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.

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

EDITORIAL

NEW EARTH MAIDENS CROWNED

By Raphael Porciuncula

In a ceremony befitting pomp, glitz and glamour, Miss Philippines-Earth 2012 was crowned at the SM Mall of Asia Center Stage last April 27, 2012. Five lovely ladies of varying convictions and persuasions but they were united in their purpose of saving Mother Earth. They were crowned to represent the different elements of our planet and one that signifies the need for ecological balance in tourism. The Top 3 winners were known pageant participants in the past while the last two winners are neophytes in the national pageant scene.

Crowned Miss Philippines-Earth 2012 is Miss Quezon City, Stephany Dianne Stefanowitz, a 22-year old, model, designer and singer-host with Filipino-German heritage. She commands attention of everyone not only because of her fair skin and mestiza beauty but also because of height. She towers at around 5’10-1/2” Miss Stefanowitz, participated in the 2010 edition of the pageant wherein she represented Butuan City and managed to be among the Top 10 semi-finalists. She was not lucky though and this time, she represented Quezon City and she took the title this time with a Special Award of Best in Evening gown to boot. She believes that beauty queens should not only be epitome of beauty but also vanguards in the protection of the environment. As the chosen one, she is there to lead in educating and informing the populace in the preservation and protection of our environmental resources.

Miss Philippines-Air, 2012 is Glennifer Perido who represented the City of Tabuk, Kalinga. Glennifer’s mother is from Pinukpuk, Kalinga and her father is from San Pablo City, Laguna. Hence, if you look at the pageant biography of Glennifer, her titles which started in 2009 were Miss San Pablo City, Miss Laguna, and Flores de Laguna. She is also Miss STAWD (Southern Tagalog Association of Water Districts)  in the same year. In 2011, Glennifer tried her aces at the Binibining Pilipinas but with no luck. She joined the contest at Miss Casino Filipino  2011 and finished runner-up. She was also tapped to represent the country at the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International. This year, Glennifer topped the total score sheet of the challenges that the candidates of the Miss Philippines-Earth 2012 had. However, many felt that she is not up for the bigger challenge as they put her lower in rank. But she proved her detractors. She was able to ventilate her thoughts in the Question and Answer segment of the pageant and she almost did it. She was the Air Maiden in this year’s pageant edition.

Our Water Maiden is another alumna of the Binibining Pilipinas 2011 and Miss World Philippines 2011 – Miss Samantha Purvor of San Juan City. Samantha was chosen as Miss Friendship at the Binibining Pilipinas and one of the semifinalists at the Miss World Philippines. This time when she joined the Miss Philippines-Earth Beauty Pageant, she was a recipient of different special awards and thus was one of the early favorites to win the crown. Samantha is full of vigor and fluidity and thus she is a very appropriate winner for this title.

She breathes fire like that of a dragon but with gentility. Miss Puerto Princesa City, Thoreen Halvorsen was adjudged as the Fire Maiden of the year’s pageant. She was the surprise of the Top 5 as most pundits did not have her name in most listing. Thoreen’s name indicates to everyone that she has foreign blood running in her veins. A quick look to the Halvorsen name in the internet indicates that she is of Norwegian heritage?  Well, Thoreen advocates renewable energy and as a 19-year old tourism student she would like to exact a balance between touristic activities and preservation of the beauty of nature. She expounds her thoughts on this by saying what is there for tourism if the environment has been totally destroyed by man’s folly. This lady also wants to be a lawyer someday.

This year’s winner of the Miss Philippines-Earth Eco-Tourism is from the vintage city in the north, Vigan City and she is Miss Mary Candice Ramos, a 24-year old Tourism student of the University of the Philippines. Just recently, Candice was crowned as Saniata ti Ylocos Environment in Vigan, Ilocos in a pageant last February 13, 2012. (Saniata means Miss). This paved the way for Candice to represent Vigan City in the Miss Philippines-Earth Beauty Pageant and be crowned this time as the Miss Eco-Tourism. Candice advocates the use of social media for the furtherance of issues regarding sustainable energy. 

Stephany Dianne, the winner of this local search will represent the Philippines on October 18, 2012 in Jakarta, Indonesia for the Miss Earth Beauty Pageant. See you in Jakarta this October.

Photo Credits: Miss Philippines-Earth.com

MISS PHILIPPINES-EARTH 2012: A DÉJÀ VU?

by Jetset Alejandro

I have looked forward to the airing of Miss Philippines-Earth 2012 at TFC a day after the pageant was held as I am out of the country and cannot watch the live proceedings of the pageant. It feels like déjà vu watching it. To acquaint some of the readers about the meaning of déjà vu, it means “already seen” or having experienced it some other time. Well, it really seems it is. Why do I say it? The scoring system is patterned after the Miss World Contest that I have watched in recent times. The challenges are different and varied as seen in this pageant. And the winner, it seems like I have seen a similar winner in the Miss World Philippines pageant who eventually became First Princess in the Miss World 2011. And lastly, it was boring and to say the least, the Miss World Beauty Pageant bored me to death. However this pageant was just a notch higher as it bored me only to the brink of death.

Let me painstakingly make a run down of what the pageant was all about:

THE VENUE AND THE STAGE:

The venue is at the SM Mall of Asia Center Stage. It is the latest offering of SM for its entertainment arm. Considered the top of the entertainment areas at present, we were in awe how grand and spacious the stage was. There was not much stage design seen but I surmised the interplay of the lights was supposed to take over the grandeur but it did not.

THE PRODUCTION NUMBER:

We were introduced to a dazzling jazz number by selected dancers (probably ABS-CBN dancers) when we saw the entrance of the first set of candidates with similar outfits and with a blue shoulder shawl. Then they were followed by other candidates with similarly colored outfits but this time with no shoulder shawls. The candidates gyrated onstage and swayed their hands and simply, there was not much variation or excitement created by the production number. I just felt that the production number should be an imprimatur to the big bang ahead but nay, it just created a ripple. Add to this is the camera panning which lacks focus and clarity and of course, the lighting which makes us difficult to discern what is happening onstage. I have this complaint about lighting during the Miss Earth 2011 and Binibining Pilipinas 2012 production and yet ABS-CBN does not seem to listen to gripes from spectators on TV like us. They should up their ante concerning this in order to satisfy their viewing customers. In any way, it should always be the dictum, “the customer is always right.”

THE HOSTS:

We were introduced to the hosts of the pageant in the person of Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez and Ginger Conejero. Marc seemed detached and uninspired. Rovilson upped his vigor but he rubs the audience and Ginger tried very much to put the proceeding to a higher level and sometimes succeeds but just so-so most of the time. Further, Rovilson irks me more when he was introducing the members of the Board of Judges when he makes side-remarks after formally introducing them. Hosting decorum please for Rovilson.

THE JUDGES:

1.      Mr. Frederick Alegre –ADBOARD

2.      Gen. Lina Sarmiento –PNP Chief Superintendent

3.      Ms. Christine Cunanan – Travel life Executive Officer

4.      Mr. Joey Mendoza – Executive Officer for SM Supermarkets

5.      Miss Empress Schuck – Artist,Actress, Model Philippines

6.      Mr. Bryan McClelland – Fil-Am Socio-Ecological Entrepreneur

7.      Mr. Raffy Chico- Best Western Premier Manager

8.      Ms. Shalani Soledad-Romulo –Valenzuela City Councilor

9.      Hon. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel – Senator, Republic of the Philippines

10.   Ms. Rachel Grant –Actress, TV Model Host

11.   Ambassador Extraordinaire of Indonesia to the Philippines – H.E. Kristiato Llegogo

THE SWIMSUIT ROUND

All the candidates paraded in their swimsuits. It seemed like eternity seeing all the 47 candidates parading in front of the audience. Since all the candidates needed to be presented in their swimwear, there is no clear focusing on the particular candidates. The lighting and panning are again very wanting. After the swimsuit round, the first set of finalists was announced and they are as follows:

1.      Miss San Juan City – Samantha Purvor

2.      Miss Negros Oriental – Glenna Duch

3.      Miss San Francisco, Cebu – Princess Leiza Manzon

4.      Miss Tabuk City – Glennifer Perido

5.      Miss Puerto Princesa City – Thoreen Halvorsen

THE EVENING GOWN COMPETITION

The girls again paraded in their evening gowns. As the girls are sashaying in their evening gowns, the group of 4 ABS-CBN talents (Boys are Boys) performed. I really don’t understand why they have to allow this travesty. At the outset, the boys came out flat on their song and they never recovered till the end. It is disaster at my end and again, it irked me just like having Rovilson as one of the hosts for the pageant. After the evening gown parade, the next set of 5 was announced as follows:

6.      Miss Quezon City – Stephany Dianne Stefanowitz

7.      Miss Fil-Belgium – Roxanne Corluy

8.      Miss Muntinlupa City – Kathleen Subijano

9.      Miss Indang Cavite – Jaydielou Dilidli

10.   Miss Vigan City –Mary Candice Ramos

THE QUESTION AND ANSWER PORTION

We saw all the candidates in Tan Gan’s gowns which were pretty beautiful and elegant. Let us have a run down again of how the girls answered:

1. Samantha Purvor was asked how fun was San Juan City? She answered that people in San Juan City are warm, loving and compassionate. She went further by trying to beat around the bush. Oh oh. Hmmmm….Seems like the crown is not for her.
2. Glenna Duch of Negros Oriental was asked what the causes of climate change are. Well she gave an answer and went further how we can overcome climate changes. She was eloquent though but I don’t know how the judges would find her answer.
3. Princess Leiza Mazon of San Francisco, Cebu was asked what type of renewable energy she recommends the country would use. She answered it should be solar energy because as a tropical country we are blessed with the sun all year round. She wanted to say more but because she heard the bell, it seems like she would like to expand her answer more. But in reality, she had nailed the answer only that she gave an uncertain look after she answered.
4. Glennifer Perido was asked about the environment suffering from the results of economic development. What can she say about it? She said, a country needs to be developed for the betterment of the people but it should not be at the expense of the environment. The pros and cons of a project should be discussed and that its effects in the environment should be tackled. She said that if we lose the environment, the future will not be good.
5. Thoreen Halvorsen of Puerto Princesa was asked about a question about the Underground River’s being adjudged as one of the New 7 wonders of the world. What does she think be done to protect the place so that future generations can enjoy the place? She said the government in Puerto Princesa is doing everything to make the place sustainable and that only 500 tourists per day will be allowed to see the place.
6. Stephany Dianne Stefanowitz of Quezon City was asked if she had any super powers what would it be and how will this super power help preserve Mother Earth. She answered that she would like to have a super power to clean the environment so that the future generation can have a clean place to live in.
7. Fil-Belgium’s representation, Roxanne Colruy said she will push forward environmental concerns as part of her projects when asked what she can do as a winner of the pageant. She said other things but I was not able to pick it up since most the candidates seem to rush their answers because of the 30 seconds limit to answer the question.
8. Kathleen Subijano of Muntinlupa City was asked how will she teach the children about environmental preservation and she quipped that it is really important to start with the children and she has a niece for whom she can start teaching the ways of protecting the environment.
9. Miss Indang in the person of Jaydielou Dilidli was asked what she had learned about joining the pageant. She remarked that she learned about the concept of sustainability. And that we should look at sustainable and renewable sources of energy.
10. Lastly, Miss Vigan City Mary Candice Ramos was asked about the biggest environmental problem and what she thinks is the answer to this problem. She answered about sustainability and she enumerated a barrage of answers and made it difficult for me to follow her trend of thought but she seemed so confident of her answers and quite eloquent.

THE FAREWELL WALK

Outgoing Athena Imperial made her last walk as Miss Philippines-Earth and she did it in the Tagalog language. She was followed by her court after. It was supposed to be a touching gesture but it seemed like a put on to me. I wonder though.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS:

The announcement was quick. After the 10 finalists answered the questions, the 5 winners were announced from them. In previous selections, a Top 5 was called and they were asked same question from where the eventual winners are crowned. The following are the winners:

            Miss Philippines-Eco-Tourism : Miss Vigan City

            Miss Philippines-Fire: Miss Puerto Princesa City

            Miss Philippines-Water: Miss San Juan City

            Miss Philippines-Air: Miss Tabuk City

            Miss Philippines- Earth: Miss Quezon City

TIDBITS:

1. My personal Top 5 were Vigan City, Pagadian City, San Juan City, Tabuk City and Quezon City. I correctly predicted 4 in the Top 5 with almost the same ranking except Pagadian City. I don’t know why Puerto Princesa was out of my radar. The reason probably is that her pictures do not do her justice. One of our writers even questioned her inclusion as one of the finalists in the evening gown competition. But come to think about it, watching her last night at TFC I must admit I overlooked her qualities. Note that the winning Top 5 came from the cities.
2. As to the Top 10, I correctly predicted 8 out of 10. As told earlier, Pagadian City is one of my favorites. I see in her a diva from her looks alone. Can this be the reason why she was eased out of the Top 10? Another personal favorite is Miss Cabugao. Miss San Francisco, Cebu placed in the Top 10 instead.
3. I don’t know if the reason of announcing the first five of semi-finalists after the swimsuit round is just for novelty. I don’t see any other reason. Then the other five is after the evening gown round. Is it to underscore the fact that Miss San Juan City topped the swimsuit round and then the evening gown was topped by Miss Quezon City? Well, for one, I find the process so disjointed and it did not appeal to me. I would have preferred that the ten girls were announced after the production number and they compete for the swimsuit and evening gown rounds. Then a casual interview is done to select the Top 5 and from where they are asked a final question.
4. Every year, there are innovations into the Miss Philippines-Earth Beauty pageant and since there is no consistency, pageant observers do not know what to expect. This is good in a sense since everyone is kept on guessing what it would be for a particular year. But these innovations sometimes put the organization in question because of their penchant for change. Take for example last year where only 10 candidates mattered during the final pageant and thus, eventually crowning someone that pageant fans dislike.  In fairness though, the organization was transparent about their scoring system for the challenges that would constitute preliminary scores plus their scores with the pre-judging panel. However, they should have placed a percentage of how much will come from the challenge scores and how much will come from the pre-judging interview and personality scores. I am saying this because a lot are questioning Miss Mandaluyong’s inclusion in the Top 10 because she only garnered a score of 74 in the challenges and there were quite a number that had a higher score than her.
5. The Miss Philippines-Earth season just came after the heels of the Binibining Pilipinas Beauty pageant and that after the Binibini season, it zaps out pageant fans energy and enthusiasm. Truth to tell, our interest with Miss Philippines-Earth has dampened not only a bit but to some extent. The town/province representation should be more strengthened but candidates which are of better and of international caliber should be chosen. I still prefer the regional representations. The candidates are better chosen in the regionals.

Photo Credits: Miss Philippines-Earth.com, ABS-CBN