EDITORIAL: BLISSFUL MAY

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! :)