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.

OF PROBABILITIES AND POSSIBILITIES : A REJOINDER

by Arturo De La Paz

Up to now a lot of fans are not able to move on with the results of the Binibining Pilipinas 2012 Beauty Pageant. For them, there is something unimaginable that occurred when three of the finalists who made it to the winners' circle were not pageant favorites and that two of them did not do well in the question and answer portion. The answer of one of the winners was even labeled "pageant patty." What happened? Why is it that Miss Patricia Lae Ejercitado and Mary Jean Lastimosa were not included in the circle of winners? This writer does not want to sound and feel like a sour-graping fan but just to finally put closure on this topic that keeps on bewildering fans. Let us dissect the criteria of the slection and let us base it on probablities and possible outcomes.

Beauty of Face is 40 %. As to the beauty of face, both faces present the exotic Filipina features that are hits in the international pageant arena. Ejercitado had the expression and presentation of the beautiful brown Filipina. On the other hand, MJ is just the right mixture of Arab and Filipino genes. I highly rate them in this department.

I gave Patricia a score of 38 and MJ a score of 34.

As to beauty of body, these two girls have bodies to die for. Ejercitado has a whistle bait figure of 34-23-35. On the other hand, Lastimosa has an hour-glass figure of 34-22-34. So if I have to rate this two, Lastimosa would have a perfect score 30 and Ejercitado of 29.

Super vavavoom bodies

The personality department comprises 20% and is said to be judged during the evening gown competition. These two ladies are very personable and they are the most well-liked candidates. They are fans' favorites and thus I gave them perfect scores of 20.

Now people think that this criterion of Intelligence (10%) is the decisive factor. I believe this is not the case. However, it becomes only decisive if the scores are so close to each other and that the scores in this department will break ties or will eventually overhaul the small lead of presumed front-running candidates. If I were to rate Patricia's answer and apply the dictum of universality, she will just be given a passing score of 7.5. But in most cases, we have to admit, her answer has a "shock" value - culture and impact wise and if I were to rate her on this, I will give her a score of 9.9 which is an almost perfect score. As to MJ's answer, I find it very evasive. It talks about generalities and did not focus on the intent of the question. One may get overwhelmed with the scope of the question but a discerning person can easily limit its scale and make a more direct to the point answer. A school teacher will probably give her a score of 6.5 here.

The bone of contention here is that did these two girls showed adequate edge over the winning candidates to possibly be in the winners' circle? Let me illustrate using my rating for these girls. I will also include Angelee Claudette De Los Reyes (26) to demonstrate my points.

My personal scores for the candidates in question

So if we base our discussion on my rating for the candidates for illustration, Candidates 7, 29 and 9 will enter the Top 5. Candidate Number 7 will be the Binibining Pilipinas Tourism, Candidate Number 29 will be First Runner-Up and Candidate Number 9 will be Second Runner-up. Note that Candidate Number 29 was not able to answer the question and a failing grade score of 5 is given. I do not know if in the Binibini rules, there is a limit to the low scores. In this case for the Question and Answer Portion, the lowest score to be given is 5. So I gave 5 for candidate number 29 here. Or even she is given a "O" score here for faltering in the final stretch, she will still be a second runner-up in my scoring.

Now going further with our explanation, granting that the systematic error in the judging is (+/-) 4. Please don't ask me how I was able to derive this systematic error. It will take another article to write about getting into this topic. We will try to deduct 4 to the candidates that got the first 3 high scores in my list and the candidates with the lowest 4 scores in my list. Let us see how the possible winners will look like.

So in this scenario, Candidate 7 is still Bb. Pilipinas Tourism, Candidate 29 is First Runner-Up and Candidate Number 13 is second runner-up. In this situation, Candidate 9 will be eased out from the winner's circle. Now granted again that Candidate Number 7's answer will just get a passing score and the scores of Candidates 13 and 26 were given correction factors.

Why the correction factors? Well, pageant pundits say that Candidate 26 should get the highest score for personality since she was adjudged as the Best in Evening Gown and this is where the scores came in. On the other hand, Candidate 13 they said is very personable so we have to increase her scores too. Let us see the new configuration.

In this scenario again, we still have the same results as above. But if we use the corrective factor, and the margin of error, the eventual winner for the Binibining Pilipinas Tourism would be Candidate Number 26 and the first runner-up is Candidate Number 13 and second runner-up would be Candidate Number 7.

Things like these happen because the pageant does not explain their rating system to the pageant followers. These followers are thinking individuals too and that they will not just accept things as they are. Add to this is the growing patronage system where the winner of the top plum is coming from one camp only. This pageant edition alone showed three candidates going into the Magic circle from this camp.

It is very clear therefore that for these girls, it is anybody's ballgame. There are 12 judges and they may have their own personal choices. The illustration is based on my personal choices. Therefore, given that there are 12 judges, the margin of error will play a great role in the choices of the winners. The case in point here is that "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." Each judge do not see the candidate in the same light. They may argue about their choices but in the end, they make the choices.

Here are some of of the suggestions I can advance and if organizers are out there and can make a note or two:

1.) Transparent rating system - The criteria should be announced so that the viewers will have at a basis of how the winners are selected. If this had been announced I am sure the viewers will have a mental note how the scores will come out. It is therefore important that in this highly technical world, the Binibini is still doing the manual scoring and computer input and then computation mode. The judges' rating should be computerized and flashed onscreen. Develop also a mechanism that will not make the judges score very low or very high for certain candidates. In the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, there used to be a rule that the highest score and lowest score given to a candidate is eliminated in the computation. It will give a level playing field for all candidates.

2.) Since the organization is the franchise holder for sending the Philippine representative to the Miss Universe, then it would be appropriate that they follow the selection system of the Miss Universe Contest. They have a preliminary competition to select the Top 15 and 1 girl to join the selected candidates chosen by the voting public. Then the candidates parade and compete in their swimsuits. The Top 10 advances to the evening/long gown competition. Then the Top 5 advances to the Question and Answer portion where the BEST OF THE BESTS gets the plum prize.

3.) I don't believe in prototype candidates for a particular contest. No prototyping please. But what I believe is that we live in an ever-changing world where particular tastes can be changed or even molded through the years. It is practically hypocrisy to say that the three titles the organization is awarding have equal rankings. We all know that the Miss Universe Philippines title is the most coveted because the winner participates in the pageant of all pageants, the Miss Universe contest. They only say that these titles have equal ranks because it gives them a leeway to discuss the prototype issue and jumble the rankings of the Top 3 girls. As a further note, the present selection is prone to favoritism, manipulation and alteration.

4.) The candidates should compete using the gown of their own choices. In this case, the creativity and the ingenuity of the Filipino designer will be highlighted and underscored. The Filipino, time and again had shown that his creative designs are world class. This apparent snub to them should stop and let the word Pilipinas ring a bell true to form.

5.) If the suggestion above will be taken into consideration, it would be nice to see another contest after the pageant among fashion designers. A contest similar to Project Runway can be done and it would be entitled "DRESS YOUR QUEEN CONTEST." It will be a competition for creating the gown and the national costume for our representatives. Then our designers will have something to look forward to.

 

Note: Mr. Arturo de la Paz sent this article to our mail as part of his contribution to the continuing and never-ending debate on the results of the recently concluded Binibining Pilipinas 2012 beauty pageant. The views and opinions expressed in this article are purely his. As for other readers, we would also appreciate your contributing articles as long as it fits the editorial intent of our blog.

Photo Credits: Paul Cortes, RL Lacanienta, BPCI

THE PUZZLE CONTINUES

by Arden D. Bautista

The results of the Binibining Pilipinas 2012 baffled me until now. I believe there were only two candidates that were clearly deserving of the Top Award. I also stand by my thesis in my previous write-up that the one that really topped the pageant was candidate Number 8. She was really was shining through that night. She should have been the Miss PAL’s Sunniest Personality. But I agree with my editor that due to the requirements of the two international pageants, the winners in the Top 2 contest were interchanged so as to make the better chances of the organization to win in them.

Let me discuss therefore why are these candidates IN and OUT? 

1.)  Katrina Dimaranan (13) – I must give the pageant fans the benefit of the doubt. They like her. There are two probable reasons why this girl was chosen to win. First, she has that exotic appeal. She had this ersatz and sophistication that rub on the people’s senses. Second, Katrina is a good conversationalist. She can talk and she can expound her views on any questions thrown at her.

Then why do I say she must be OUT? Well, for all intents and purposes, the face of Katrina is not the kind of face that would launch a thousand ships in the Miss Tourism Queen International. Second, her movements are too exaggerated and they do not show finesse. And thirdly, her answer is so pageant patty and you could see that she tried to go around the bush just impress to the judges about this.

2.)  Elaine Kay Moll (15) -Why is she in? The girl has height and because of this she commands attention. She has a decent face and on the final night she did a remarkable appearance in the evening gown competition.

Then why do I say she is supposed to be OUT? Well, Elaine has a bland personality. She walks the runway with seeming disinterest. And because of her height and athleticism, her movements are quite mannish. And lastly she choked and crumbled on the final answer although she came out of a decent thought for the question.

3.) Analie Forbes (29) – I have no doubts that she should be in the Top 5. Our surveys showed it. She is beautiful. She is charming and talented. However, by standards of decency, dignity and integrity as one contestant puts in her answer during the question and answer portion, she should be out for greatly flubbing during the Question and Answer portion. The organization’s gesture of repeating the question for her during the pageant night and making a more sanitized presentation on TV showed favoritism. And this is the real reason why she is IN despite obviously being OUT.

WHO SHOULD BE IN BUT WENT OUT:

1.) Angelee De Los Reyes (26) – She is the effusive candidate. It is no wonder because she is a Nursing Instructor and thus can elaborate on any topic that is asked of her. She had the body. She had the complete qualities that should catapult her to the Top 5. The question is, why was she dumped in favor of Candidate Number 29 when during the Question and Answer portion, she was clearly 5 notches higher.

2.) MJ Lastimosa (9) –She is the brightest star that night. She was radiant and she has the sensuality that other candidates can equal. My big question is, did she do anything wrong to merit a snub in the winner’s circle? Did she fall out of grace from the organizers? She may not have given the best answer to the question but again my standard of comparison is Candidate Number 29 who fumbled and mumbled a collection of memorized answers to the question given her.

3.)  Patricia Lae Ejercitado (7) – there seems to be nothing going wrong with Candidate Number 7. She was exemplary in the swimsuit segment. Her twist and turn during the swimsuit round were clearly applauded. Her lady demeanor was very much appreciated. Where could have she gone wrong? Height? Or could it be her answer to the Question and answer portion? She delivered an impassioned answer that the greatest challenge that she faced is she almost lost faith in God. Answers like this may cause division among the judges as it is not only controversial but the height of maturity in terms of religious freedom and respect exceedingly differ among people. Many however appreciated her answer and yet she still came out wanting.

4.)   Sherilyn Gonzales (30) was all beauty and poise during the final night. She aced her interview in a very professional manner. How come she did not get into the Top 5 when we see uninspired answers coming from candidates 15 and 29?

The general comments about the candidates are that Candidates Number 30, 7, 26, 13, 18, 8 aced their interviews and yet this seemed not to have an impact on the final choices. These should be the candidates that should be considered for the Top 5. The only thing that I can think of is that the Top 12 are only there for a show. I feel that there is already a pre-determined list of winners and that they are the ones that were only considered for judging and deliberations. In this case, the pageant mechanics should follow the mechanics of the Miss Universe to avoid such disparity. A Top 15 is called and they parade in swimsuit and the lowest 5 is eliminated. The Top 10 goes to the evening gown competition and another 5 is eliminated and the remaining Top 5 is left to answer the questions. It would leave little space for disgust. It would also leave a little space for bickering among pageant fans.

Photos courtesy by: Paul Cortes

KNOW YOUR BB. PILIPINAS 2012 CANDIDATES (#13 to #18)

Candidate no. 13 is Katrina Jayne Rivera Dimaranan. Katrina is 18 years old and was born in San Juan City , Metro Manila. She stands at 5 feet and 9 inches tall. Katrina is a talented singer (could be one of the winner for the Best in Talent as she wowed the audience during the Bb. Pilipinas Talent Competition held at Ali Mall in Cubao, Quezon City) and she is a former Miss Philippines USA and will try her luck to win one of the Bb. Pilipinas titles this year.

Photo credits: BPCI and Pilipinas Beauties. Thanks! :)

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Candidate no. 14 is Gina Joy Gasmen Howell. Gina is 20 years old and was born in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan but lives in Angeles City, Pampanga. She stands at 5 feet and 9 inches tall and a graduate of the Angeles University Foundation with a degree in Computer Science. Gina's interests are playing volleyball and the piano. She played the piano during the Talent Competition of the Bb. Pilipinas at the Ali Mall in Cubao, Quezon City. Gina also joined pageants in her school and her hometown. She was 2nd runner-up at the Mr. and Ms. University 2007 of the Angeles University Foundation, 3rd runner-up at Mutya Ning Angeles 2011 and first runner-up at Bb. Pamantasan which was held at UP Diliman.

Photo credits: BPCI, CriticalBeauty.com and Pilipinas Beauties. Thanks! :)

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Candidate no. 15 is Elaine Kay Tancio Moll. Elaine is 20 years old and was born on September 20, 1991 in Buhi, Camarines Sur, she's representing the province of Northern Samar at this year's Bb. Pilipinas. Elaine is the tallest candidate at this year's pageant with her height of 5 feet and 10 inches and her vital stats are 32-26-36. Elaine was one of the semifinalists at the first ever Miss World Philippines which was held last year. Elaine studied college at the National University in Manila and she played basketball for the NU Bulldogs Women's team at the UAAP Season 74.

Photo credits: BPCI, Missosology.org and Pilipinas Beauties. Thanks! :)

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Candidate no. 16 is Liezl Cano Alcantara. The long haired Liezl is 19 years old and was born and raised in Basco, Batanes. She stands at 5 feet and 9 inches tall. Liezl is studying college at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina. She was Miss Rizal 2011, in between her studies she does some modeling for some designers and doing intern work at Intercontinental Hotel groups and loves playing volleyball.

Photo credits: BPCI, CriticalBeauty.com and Missosology,org. Thanks! :)

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Candidate no. 17 is Anna Czarina Regalado Buenviaje. Yna as she is called by her family and friends is 19 years old and was born on July 22, 1992 in Malinao, Albay. She stands at 5 feet and 8 1/2 inches tall and a Mass Communications student at Bicol University. Yna was the first runner-up of Diane Necio (Bb. Pilipinas-International 2011) at Mutya ng Tabak 2009 and won Miss Photogenic at Mutya ng Ibalong 2009.

Photo credits: BPCI, CriticalBeauty.com and Missosology.org. Thanks! :)

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Candidate no. 18 is Janine Mari Raymundo Tugonon. Janine is 22 years old and was born and raised in Balanga City, Bataan. She stands at 5 feet and 8 inches tall and weighs 121 lbs. Janine graduated Cum Laude at the University of Sto. Tomas with a degree in Pharmacy. She was Miss Pharmacy 2010 and won the Miss Ideal Thomasian Personality on the same year. Janine is also the first runner-up at last year's Bb. Pilipinas. Will she be lucky this time to win one of the titles at Bb. Pilipinas? Lets find out on April 15 for the coronation night to be held at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Photo credits: BPCI, CriticalBeauty.com and Pilipinas Beauties. Thanks! :)