A fresh young ingenue from Sultan Kudarat was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International and will now head straight tomorrow to officially represent the Philippines in Miss Asia-Pacific International 2018 which will have its Press Presentation on Tuesday afternoon. Sharifa Akeel got her wish of getting the top title amd is game enough to forego the post-coronation rest. She will have her photoshoot in the daytime and get herself acquainted with the almost 50 other international delegates.

Aya Fernandez, younger sister of former Bb. Pilipinas International Patricia Fernandez was crowned Mutya Tourism International and will compete in Malaysia this coming December.

Two Visayans complete the new titleholders as Keshapornam Ramachandran of Iloilo and Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol were adjudged Mutya- Tourism Queen of the Year International and Mutya-Global Beauty Queen. They will compete in their respective international missions later this year in China and May of 2019 in Korea, respectively.

1st Runner-Up is Mary Justine Teng of Muntinlupa City and 2nd Runner-Up is Kristine Malicsi of Navotas.

Jade Roberts of Australia was honored with the title of Mutya-Overseas Communities.

Conratulations to all the Golden eidtion winners of Mutya ng Pilipinas!

It doesn’t usually happen to a national beauty pageant winner to be given just twelve hours or so to prepare for her international mission.

That is what’s exactly happening to newly-crowned Mutya Ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International Sharifa Akeel of Sultan Kudarat who is plunging right away for the Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 pre-pageant activities. Actually, the other delegates have already jump started things ahead of her (with the Welcome dinner last Saturday night and a photoshoot in Rockwell yesterday).

I am confident, however, that this lady will level up for her mission. She is ready for this!

See you in tomorrow’s Press Presentation!

Photo credit: Lito Sy

Mind you, she is dead-set on winning the Miss World Philippines 2018 crown no less. And she knows what it takes to be the deserving recipient of that honor.

Check out my quick one-on-one with her mother Almira Muhlach who is super supportive of her daughter’s bid in pageantry.

Best of luck in the journey, Yssa!

As is traditional, the Darling of the Press was voted upon and crowd favorite (and host delegate) Sharifa Akeel of the Philippines was named recipient of the award. She was followed by 1st Runner-Up Madeline Ferrara of Germany and 2nd Runner-Up Gabriela Palma of Brazil.

There are many beautiful delegates in this batch. Aside from the Philippines, Germany and Brazil, worth mentioning are the entries of Venezuela, Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Peru and Mongolia.

The National Costume Competition will be held this coming Thursday night, also at the Conrad Manila. Swimsuit and Evening Gown Preliminaries will be conducted in Vigan and Tagaytay, with the Talent Competition at the Loft in Rockwell. Finals will be on October 4 at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre in Resorts World Manila.

Below are the photos of the early favorites among the fifty.

Above are the official headshots of the fifty (50) Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 Official Candidates as photographed by Gelbert Aplal.

And below are my sixteen (16) early favorites to do well in the competition that will culminate in the Coronation Night on October 4. They stood out in my opinion during their respective turns onstage and when they started mingling with members of the media afterwards. In alphabetical order now:
#Brazil Gabriela Palma
#Colombia Melissa Rios
#CostaRica Melania Gonzales Monge
#Germany Madeline Ferrara
#Italy Kim Ashly Vito
#Kazakhstan Didar Atmaja
#Malaysia Crystal Tung Lu Yie
#Nigeria Stephanie Omogun

#Peru Karen Isabel Rojas
#Philippines Sharifa Akeel
#Russia Olga Plyusnina
#Thailand Sirakan Chaiprasit
#Uruguay Natalia Gurgel
#USA Mckenzie Lawrence
#Venezuela Mariani Nataly Chacon
#Vietnam Huynh Thuy Vi

Your thoughts, dear readers?

At the Novotel Manila Araneta Center Monet Ballroom earlier, the Official Sendoff for Bb. Pilipinas 2018 Queens Eva Patalinjug and Michele Gumabao was held with invited members of the media. The two lovelies’ spotlight event was graced with the presence of their “sisters” Catriona Gray, Ahtisa Manalo, Jehza Huelar and Karen Gallman who gave words of encouragement and endearment to the first duo in their group to start with their respective pageant missions abroad.

Both Eva and Michele will be departing for Yangon, Myanmar (host city & country for Miss Grand International 2018) and Tirana, Albania (host city and country for The Miss Globe 2018) by the end of September, respectively.

Our warm wishes of good luck to the two of you. Do the Philippines proud!

Two months ago, the Department of Health (DOH) launched the search for ambassadors that will serve as the face and voice of their continuing efforts to stop the increasing numbers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the country—in addition to getting existing patients to continue their treatment.

Named LHIVE FREE, the search comes in the form of a three-way pageant (open to male, female and transwomen). Fast forward to today, the agency announces the top 30 finalists (10 from each category) who are in the running to win the said competition.

Chosen as Press Favorites during the Presentation are Jearu Ed Magbuhat among the males, Patrixia Sherly Santos among the females and popular Matmat Centino among the transgender women.

The Male Finalists

The Female Finalists

The Transgender Women Finalists

“Although personality and looks are major considerations for choosing the finalists, we focused also on their commitment to the campaign. At the end of the day, what we are trying to do here is bring the conversation about HIV and AIDS in the mainstream media; sort of putting it front and center, so that people who are at risk or already have the virus will not be afraid to seek for help,” says says Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.

In total, the agency received hundreds of entries for the search.

“Whoever will win this search will dedicate a significant amount of their time in helping spread awareness and debunk myths about HIV and AIDS, as well as promote safe sex. And we are looking for people who will put the movement high in their priority list,” he adds.

LHIVE FREE’s final pageant night will be held on September 28, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia Complex. During which, the campaign’s current face, Miss International 2016, Kylie Verzosa, will personally crown the winners who will join her and the DOH in a series of promotional activities that will dispel wrong information and negative stigma associated with the virus, as well as bring help to individuals who are infected by it.

The Beach Beauty Competition of Miss World Philippines 2018 in El Nido, Palawan was successfully held last night at the El Nido Municipal Court. Prior to the night event, the ladies spent two wonderful days at the Lio Beach Resort where they took advantage of the natural beauty of the place where they had their video and photo shoots.

And during the culminating activity, all forty candidates took to the spotlight and showed their best in the swimsuit competition.

After the dust settled, I now present to you the contenders who made it to the Top 7 Finalists of the Beach Beauty Competition of Miss World Philippines 2018. The winner will be fast-tracked to the semis on October 7.

Left to right: Chanel M Morales, Kylah Sanchez, Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez, Pearl Hung, Katarina Rodriguez, Maureen Montagne and Angelica Estrevillo

Congratulations!

During the Homecoming Victory Lunch at Vikings Makati for newly-crowned Miss Tourism Worldwide 2018 Zara Carbonell, she was filled with happiness and gratitude for achieving an international victory that would serve as the peak of her colorful pageant career. She invited selected members of the Press to share in her celebration. And along with parents Cris and Zharine plus the entire clan, she hosted a fun-filled get-together where everyone took part in the activities while recalling both the pressure-laden and exciting parts of her successful stint in Singapore and Indonesia for the competition.

Zara with father Cris

Fully aware that there are so many “Tourism”-themed international pageants around the world, Zara plans to make her reign significant by spreading more awareness about the brand that she carries. She also endeavors to make an extra influential impact both in social media and actual practice by starting causes aligned with her self-awareness advocacy, as well as holding talks that would touch on mental health and the all-important Tourism-thrust of Miss Tourism Worldwide in general.

From all of us here at normannorman.com, Congratulations once more on a well-earned victory. May you bring to fruition all your useful and doable plans in the coming months.

With the crowning of Kiara Liz Ortega as Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2018, pageant fans everywhere are saying that Catriona Gray has a new thorn to deal with on the road to Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. This 24 year-old from Rincon is a solid Latina performer who gives that modern vibe that would bring the big competition up ahead to more challenging heights.

Watch her Preliminary swimsuit and evening gown performance now:

Your thoughts about Kiara, dear readers?

Cebuano Designs to Headline Binibining Cebu Swimwear and Long Gown Competition

There is one thing constant about Cebu: it always has more to offer. Besides its natural resources, Cebu has its people, rich in beauty and talent.

Waving the banner for local artistry and the creative industry, 54 candidates are set to don local designs during the Binibining Cebu Swimwear and Long Gown Competition on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, 6:00 p.m. in The Tent at Mandani Bay.

“We are thrilled to be tying up with the young designers of FACETs as well as Kym Maitland-Smith who advocates sustainable fashion and are privileged to provide a platform that will further put the spotlight on the different faces, places and creative talents of Cebu,” shares Binibining Cebu pageant chairperson and world-renowned master couturier Cary Santiago.

Eighteen designers from the Fashion Association of Cebu’s Elite Talents (FACETs) will be creating the long gowns, inspired by the festive spirit of the Cebuano people. The 18 designers are Pearl Arandia, John Arellano, Roxanne Barroquillo, Nino Benito, Celine Borromeo, JP Cabigon, Carol Escasinas, Lian Lacandalo, Clieza Mayol, Hannah Noel, Eyla Orais, Jeph Polancos, Shayne Remoreras, Paco Serafica, Matthia Tangoan, Jan Tiong, Stef Tirado, and Diane Ty.

Founded by Dr. Mary Felma Auza-Aliño, the Fashion Design Coordinator of the University of San Carlos, FACETs was created with the purpose of improving the local fashion industry with the end goal of establishing an annual Cebu Fashion Week. FACETs also aims to encourage local and international suppliers to consider Cebu as a fashion design hub for exhibits while also being able to pursue research for the improvement of the fashion design community in Cebu.

Following the Long Gown Competition, the candidates will be heating up the runway in fashionable swimwear. For the second year in a row, Binibining Cebu is partnering with Kymberly Maitland-Smith’s SOLTI Activewear as the pageants official swimwear.

SOLTI Activewear pieces are made by Cebuanos and carefully cut and sewn by hand. The designs are about feeling confident with your body type and feeling beautiful no matter what skin you are in. To help preserve the environment and advocate environmental conservation, the fabrics used in their swimwear are upcycled from discarded textiles.

Both the Long Gown and Swimsuit Competition each comprise 30 percent of the pre-pageant scores which will determine the Top 20 Finalists during the Coronation Night on October 19, 2018, Friday, at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.

For more information, visit Binibining Cebu’s website at http://www.binibiningcebu.com. Stay updated by following them on http://www.fb.com/BinibiningCebu or @BinibiningCebu on Instagram and Twitter.

Ahtisa Manalo as photographed by Dookie Ducay

Bb. Pilipinas International 2018 Ma. Ahtisa Manalo should be next in line for her sendoff after Eva Patalinjug and Michele Gumabao last Wednesday afternoon.

In this blog entry, you can see her latest shot (above) taken by Dookie Ducay. The close-up images are courtesy of Makeup Guru Albert Kurniawan after their latest session.

What’s your vibe about Ahtisa, dear readers?

I am reserving the BIGGEST SHOUTOUT to Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach who now holds the honor of being the first Filipino to have her wax figure made in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong:

#HappyBirthday!

May you continue to shine and be showered with blessings!

You are truly a Pride of the entire Filipino nation!

Top 3 in Swimsuit Competition: Philippines (2nd), Brazil (1st) and Uruguay.

Gabriela D. Palma of Brazil
Sharifa Akeel of the Philippines and
Natalia Gurgel of Uruguay

It was a tough fight for the Top placements.

But I am now adding twelve (12) ladies who I feel are making the contest even more hotter with their swimsuit presence:

Melissa Rios of Colombia
Melania Gonzales of Costa Rica
Madeline Ferrara of Germany
Didar Atmaja of Kazakhstan
Misheelt Narmandakh of Mongolia
Raquel van Gool of Netherlands
Stephanie Omogun of Nigeria
Kilmara Nayubel Carvajal of Panama
Karen Isabel Rojas of Peru
Sirakan Chaiprasit of Thailand
Mariani Nataly Chacon of Venezuela
Huynh Thuy Vi of Vietnam

The Latinas are really strong in the batch this year!

Swimsuits by Sony Boy Mindo

#MAPI2018

The entire Blue Team won and each member made it as Finalists for the Sports Challenge

Katarina Rodriguez
Marianne Marquez
Neesha Murjani
Kim De Guzman
Crissia Del Atienza
Cleopatra Jones
Jerelleen Rodriguez
Rose Murphy
Inna Penales
Kimi Mugford

Kudos to you, girls!

May the best sportswoman win the fast-track slot for this challenge!

#MissWorldPhilippines2018

So you might ask how these ladies perform such physically strenuous tasks during the Miss World Philippines 2018 #SportsChallenge and still look beautiful?

The answer is simple. When you’re aspiring to become a Beauty Queen (or are already titleholders like Katarina Rodriguez and Kim De Guzman), you can’t afford to look less than one in any public activity.

Now it’s down to the task of the assigned photographer to make sure that he/she makes those perfect shots in motion.

In shots taken by Mark Neto Diaz with Creative Direction and Styling by Vhee Co plus swimwear by Bench Body, here are the 40 Beach Beauties of Miss World Philippines 2018.

By the way, they did their own makeups using BYS Cosmetics PH.

Be vertically challenged now with Official Candidates 1-40. Then share your personal favorites below:

Candidates 1-10

Candidates 11-20

Candidates 21-30

Candidates 31-40

As it is right now, the raging battle in Miss World Philippines is shaping up to be a toss between the flag-bearers of the two beauty camps – Katarina Rodriguez for Aces & Queens and Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez for Kagandahang Flores.

Both ladies are strongly stepping it up in the competition. They performed excellently during the Beach Beauty/Swimsuit Competition in El Nido, Palawan where they made it to the Top 7 Finalists in the challenge. And where the singer in Alyssa proved mightier in Talent (she is one of the 7 Finalists), Katarina scored it even by making it to the Sports Challenge activity.

Alyssa and Katarina (3rd and 5th from left) during the announcement of the Swimsuit Competition Top 7

The entire Blue Team won and each member made it as Finalists for the Sports Challenge

Both Katarina and Alyssa are dead serious in winning the highest crown. But only one will prevail in the end, and the other with a title that won’t be as prestigious as the one for Miss World.

What’s your take on the two, dear readers?

This is an important pre-pageant event for the biggest regional beauty competition in the Philippines as it will determine 2/3 of the scores that will bring twenty (20) of the Official Candidates closer (much like Miss Universe) to the first cut that will be announced on Finals Night come October 19 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino Cebu City.

Here are the ladies vying for the five (5) crowns at stake:

Miss Econest 2018 is a nationwide search for the most beautiful and intelligent women who will serve as the ambassador for promoting environmental awareness, particularly in the area of proper solid waste management.

This event is organized and promoted by Econest Waste Management Corporation in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bataan. Econest is the private partner of the Local Government Unit of Hermosa, Bataan, for the rehabilitation, operation and expansion of the Hermosa Sanitary Landfill Facility. Part of its advocacy is to promote awareness on proper solid waste management as an entry point for Sustainable Development.

During one of the screenings for Miss Econest 2018

The event, which will be directed by Mutya ng Pilipinas Pageant Director Concon Siñel, will focus on “Sustainable Fashion” as a tool to elevate the use of recycled or upcycled materials as the new status symbol for the elite. The pageant is thus slated to be the first in the world to be using only recycled and upcycled materials in every segment thereof.

The Pageant’s Design and Fashion Director, renowned fashion designer and environment activist, Estien Quijano, leads the country’s top fashion and accessory designers, as well as the Institute of Creative Entrepreneurship students in making the evening gowns and the cover up for the swimwear from sanitized fabric, leather trimmings, and accoutrements recovered from the Hermosa Sanitary Landfill Facility.

On the other hand, the candidates’ swimwear will be made by Bb. Pilipinas’ official swimsuit provider, Mr. Domz Ramos, while the crown and scepter will be created by Dr. Jerome Navarro, a physician by profession who is also a jeweler and officer of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines. Accessories will be created by top accessories designer and stylist, Christopher Munar, while the official footwear will be provided by the country’s emerging top shoe designer, Tish Sevilla.

Part of the proceeds of this event will go to the proposed Ecoguardians Foundation, which will be a non-stock non-profit organization of volunteers from different sectors including, but not limited to: senior citizens, youths, solo parents, persons with disabilities, barangay health workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and the like, who have been effective partners of the local government units implement proper solid waste management practices within their respective territories.

Through this Foundation, Econest also plans to set up a Shelter for Abused Women and Children within the premises of the Hermosa Sanitary Landfill Facility, with skills training on recycling and upcycling waste materials as an entry point for rehabilitation and therapy for victims of domestic abuse, bullying and human trafficking.

Econest’s objective for the Pageant is not only to find beauty and brains among the millions of Filipinas who are eligible for any beauty contest, but someone with a big heart for environmental protection and humanity as a whole.

During the Press Launch of Miss Econest 2018

Econest seeks to inspire its stakeholders with the Pageant winner as the face for promoting proper solid waste management; to speak to the audience for and on behalf of humanity about sustainable development through proper solid waste management.

It is not easy pinning down the Miss World Philippines 2018 Official Candidates for an online interview because of their busy schedules. So it warms my heart that #10 Paulina Labayo was able to indulge me with substantial answers on a few questions.

This lady is one of the underdogs in the competition this year. She does not have the popularity of a Katarina Rodriguez or the huge fan base of Pearl Hung. But on a stand-alone basis, she knows how to make herself stand out – both in words and in actions.

1) What sets you apart from the 39 other candidates of MWP?
“I have great respect to all of the candidates since most of them are more achieved and experience than i am at this point, so I just want to express how much I’m grateful to be competing with them! I consider myself a newbie and a total underdog in this game which i think is an advantage more than a disadvantage for me. My ‘innocence’ in pageantry keeps me charged and excited all the time! Everything just seems to amaze me so it’s automatic to stay attentive and positive in all situations, good or bad. Also, I get to discover a lot of new interests and capabilities about myself which is exciting for me as well. I think what sets me apart is the way I perceive this competition. I treat this pageant as a test of resilience and character of oneself. I never base my performance on my co-candidates or draw any comparisons because I believe in self-actualization being an effective empowerment for your benefit and for others as well. Because of that, I am naturally gentle and friendly. I can’t exactly say that I am fearlessly aggressive in competing because of my approach, but I believe that it’s the key in being able to do your best in this pageant and enjoy while you’re at it!”

2) Your talent is ballet dancing. How has this helped form the character in becoming the person that you are right now?

“From flexibility, poise, stage presence and even some quick stage make-up skills, ballet had taught me a lot. But I think the most important thing that I’ve learned is how to be gracious and graceful. My sister and I are lucky enough to be supported by our family in our passion. It is not very simple as it entails consistency, extra effort and expense. I’ve seen how hands-on my dad was when he would tirelessly bring us to every class and fix our ballet bun even though he had no clue how to at first. His efforts and determination are the ones that inspired me to try to be as persevering as he is. I am truly grateful for the wonderful experiences and opportunities born out of dancing. My ballet teachers and friends, who are like sisters to me, are also a big part of forming who I am today. Growing up together and helping each other on stage and off stage really builds a bond that is irreplaceable. Ultimately, ballet has been my source of happiness and fulfillment, an outlet that keeps me optimistic and passionate in my perspectives in life. I learned how to be graceful not just in the aspect of dance but also in character. I am able to apply this grace by treating other people with humility and respect. Today, ballet is now an avenue for me to earn, help, develop, and even advocate through teaching children. Without all those exoerience, I wouldn’t be confident enough to tell myself that I am equipped to be Miss World.”

3) What good will it do the Miss World Philippines Organization if you win one of the titles on October 7?

“As I’ve said, Miss World is a test of resilience and character. Anyone who will win, possesses that strength and is capable of bringing light and life to the vision of the organization. I am working hard towards being able to be that person the organization can depend on. In the event that I am chosen as the winner of one of the titles, I would magnify the organization’s true goal of promoting one’s purpose in her own special way. I am a person who is more focused on the intention rather than the presentation because I believe that who you are inside will reflect no matter what you do. I am hopeful that I am worthy of shining light on to others and be a blessing. I believe that through that, beauty is truly manifested. I am looking forward in being able to represent such noble organization and be that leader and image of hope and kindness not just through my advocacy but by also helping the advocacy of others.”