#Postscript: I can’t stress enough how honored I am to have been assigned as Chairman of the Board of Judges during the Binibining Cebu 2018 Preliminaries last night at The Tent at Mandani Bay. It was such a meticulously-mounted pre-pageant production that the four other judges – Actor Richard Yap, Dr Cecilia Bernad, Miss Manila 2018 Kathleen Paton and Designer yberly Maitland-Smith – and I could not remove the smiles on our faces with the fast pace and the smooth transition of the two segments. We finished everything at exactly 10:30pm as promised!

Looking forward to the big Finals Night on October 19 at the Waterfront Cebu. With the same Creative Direction of Kenneth Cobonpue, I am certain that this will be another excellent staging.

#BinibiningCebu
#BinibiningCebu2018
#ShowYourLoveForCebu
Bigseed Public Relations & Events

Here are photos from both segments of the Pre-Pageant Competition:

The Long Gown Competition was presented first

The SOLTI Swimsuit Competition came next

Congratulations to the winners of the Miss Asia Pacific International 2018
Evening Gown Competition held at Alta D’ Tagaytay:

Winner: Miss Philippines, Sharifa Akeel
1st runner up: Miss Brazil, Gabriela D. Palma
2nd runner up: Miss Uruguay, Natalia Gurgel

Miss Philippines wore a gown created by Designer Jay-r Gamboa Flores.

#MissAsiaPacificIntl2018
#MAPI2018

Congratulations to the winning #Redvocates who topped REDvocates: The Search for 2018 HIV & AIDS Advocacy Ambassadors last night at the SMX Convention Center at MOA – Joseph Xavier Pili for the male, Patrixia Sherly Santos for the female and Stefania Lopez for the transgender.

As the new HIV/AIDS Advocacy Ambassadors of the Philippines, this troika will join hands with the Department of Health (Philippines) and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa in generating strong awareness about the #LHIVeFree campaign to eradicate the stigma surrounding HIV testing and prevention.

The hard work will follow but it will be full of purpose and a lot of fun as well.

Kudos as well to your respective courts: Kelvin Kai Angala, Jearu Ed Magbuhat, Shane Quintana Tormes, Precious Olay Neyra, Uly Galagnara and Brigitte Salvatore.

Photo credit: Jr Noses

When the new pictorial of Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 landed in my inbox (thanks to my dear friend Voltaire Tayag of Rappler), I immediately thought of using the popular phrase “…a rose by any other name…” from William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet as inspiration for this blog entry. This wonderful lady – who is always a joy to work with – decided to use Teresita as her public name right before, during and after her successful stint in Bolivia. But somehow, the showbiz affiliation is so strong that the popular nickname of “Win-Wyn” just could not be erased that easily from the minds of everyone.

Call her Teresita. Or call her Win-Wyn. She will always be our Reina Hispanoamericana 2017.

This latest photoshoot was a special one because our Queen herself had a say in every shot taken. The overall atmosphere, though, was fun and relaxed that everyone in the studio enjoyed doing all the layouts and did not mind the time at all.

Below are the other stills from the said shoot. Here are the credits first:

Photographer: Jose Dyowi Contreras
Make-up: Carissa Cielo Medved
Hair: Dave Grona
Creative director/styling: Voltaire Tayag
Black gown, Floral Dress and Top by: Rhett Eala
White gown: Mikee Andrei

Miss Universe Philippines 2012 and Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-Up Janine Tugonon gets the spotlight on the cover of the September 2018 issue of Salyse Magazine.

She keeps on slaying her shoots!

Love her!

Photo credit: Kristina McManus

Here are photos of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and boyfriend Marlon Stockinger during the ABS-CBN Ball 2018 tonight at Makati Shangri-La, Manila. What can you say about her look and styling in that Martin Bautista gown?

And below, Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Universe Philippines 2016 (& 65th Miss Universe Top 6 Finisher) Maxine Medina and Miss Universe Philippines 2013 (& Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner-Up) Ara Arida are shown during their respective red-carpet walks during the same event.

#ABSCBNBall2018

Exactly one Sunday from this date, the finals of Miss World Philippines 2018 will culminate in the much-anticipated finals that will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena. And more than knowing who the next winners will be, I am curious to find out what new title/s will be announced (if the organizers are already at liberty to make them known on nationwide TV and social media).

As for the reigning titleholders, they have only one more week before handing away their national titles. Check out the interview below where GMA Network conducted a casual interview with Laura Lehmann, Win-Wyn Marquez, Cynthia Thomalla and Sophia Seneron.

Earlier this year, Rose Marie Murphy tried her luck in Bb. Pilipinas 2018 and was fortunate enough to make it as one of the Official Candidates – #Binibini5 – in the competition. It was a rewarding experience for this beautiful Butuanon who stepped out of her shell and mustered the confidence to put forth her biggest appearance on the national pageant stage.

This time, Rose is in the midst of the beehive of pre-pageant activities for Miss World Philippines 2018 as Candidate No. 30. So far, she has made it as finalist in the Talent Challenge and will perform during next week’s Charity Gala Night. Check out my exclusive online one-on-one with her:

1. What sets you apart from the 39 other candidates of MWP?

“I believe that the qualities that really set me apart from my co-candidates are my life experiences. My father is an American and my mother is Filipina. I grew up in the province of Agusan del Norte and learned deep Filipino values. I witnessed the hardships that our fellow citizens face, and has first-hand experience living in a rural community. But even during the tough times, you can always see the smile on their faces. I believe that this kind of values plus resilience – to keep on fighting and fighting – are the most important lessons that I learned in my life. Though the color of my skin might be different, my heart will always be as a Filipino.”

2. Your profession may be nursing but your talent is dancing (reason why you made top 7 in talent). How has this helped form the character in becoming the person that you are right now?

“As a nurse, every day is a challenge. There are a variety of situations where you will encounter difficult scenarios, and there are times that it will test your limits. You are a caring hand to the people in need, yet you are also prone to different kinds of disease. Through my experiences as a nurse, I learned to be patient, disciplined in every instance, determined in every step and understanding of other people. Being a nurse helped me to be a better person. My performance showcases tribal dancing in Agusan del Norte, and with every step in every move, it portraits the very lessons I learned in being a nurse.“

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

“I used to be a very shy and skinny young girl with low self-esteem until the day came when I have learned to embrace the beauty that I have in me and started to join and win local beauty pageants which paved the way for me to join the most prestigious beauty pageants in our country today. And this is precisely why there is the Miss World Philippines – to showcase the beauty and advocacy of women who embrace not only their outer but inner beauty as well, who have become women of substance through the years of experience, women who pursue advocacy in the fields they set their sights in and – modesty aside – I strongly believe that I am that woman who deserves to earn the title of Miss World Philippines 2018.“

Credits for the evening gown pictorial of Rose –
Hair & Make Up | Paolo Adrian Mondejar Castillon
Designers | Kim & King Creatives (Kim Amora & King Aranchado), Rhoey Gulde Bernat
Wardrobe Assistant | Mychal John Ceniza
Stylist | Clubby Aggy
Photography | Yul N. Jimenez
Studio | Terra Nostra

“Successful women are called exceptional because there WAS an idea that they did not have what it takes to get there. I envision a society where this exception is the new standard.” – Jerelleen Rodriguez

No one should be put down just because of their gender. Let us continue to lead and push forward in this direction. Together, let us break away from stereotypes and stand for inclusivity, equality, and diversity.

To say that Miss World Philippines 2018 Candidate No. 19 Jerelleen Rodriguez is an achiever would be an understatement. She continues to fluorish in three (3) different disciplines – teaching, accountancy and law. And she fulfills the demands of each with the grace and humility of a true Professional.

Read my online Q&A with the “Profesora” below:

1. What sets you apart from the 39 other candidates of MWP?

“I’ve only entered the world of pageantry this year and I can say that the best experience I had was having to meet ladies from different walks of life, all equally amazing in different ways. I would sometimes stare at awe and just start [low-key] fangirling on my co-candidates. But in the sea of beautiful, intelligent, and powerful ladies, what sets me apart is how deeply rooted I am in the service to my country as a way of giving back for what it has given me. I have been giving back by way of teaching to students from every region of the country who take my classes in UP, with the hope that they will excel, replicate or even exceed my accomplishments and hopefully, give back to their respective communities. As a beauty queen, representing my community, and hopefully, the Philippines, is going as far as I can go in espousing the values of honor and excellence, and to give back every accomplishment to the Filipino people as they are the reason (as an iskolar ng bayan) for getting where I am today.”

2. You are into several disciplines from the academe to the fields of Accountancy and Law. How have these specializations helped form the character in becoming the person that you are right now?

“The greatest lesson I learned from getting my degree and pursuing more in the academe is discipline and commitment. I spent hours reviewing and practicing exercises for my exams. I answer any exam booklet I could get my hands on. Once I finished everything, I’ll do it again. This time, with a different approach. So that no matter how the examiners phrase the problem, I will be able to answer it. This is the same discipline I’ve been applying now. The discipline of continuously practicing and the commitment to achieving my goal is what keeps me focused. I once thought of Accountancy as something that is not for me. I failed some of my major exams even if I thought I did all I could. But then i started thinking that what if it is really for me and I just didn’t do enough. So I committed myself into always giving my all. Until the system actually kicks me out, I will stay, I will fight, I will win.”

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

“The best thing that the Miss World Philippines Organization has done for me is that I learned to accept myself. I learned to know that I am strong without any titles; that if you strip off the profesora, the CPA, the beauty queen, I will still be strong and beautiful as Jerelleen Alix Rodriguez. And this is what I want to share with everyone else. Right now, I know I can stand up for my self, but with a crown, it gives me the power to stand up for others. Miss World Philippines Organization will be able to get a testament of how they changed one girl’s life, and transformed her into a queen.“

Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray poses for photographer Dookie Ducay in impromptu shots at the Mezzanine Loft of Makati Shangri-La, Manila during Saturday night’s ABS-CBN Ball 2018.

Gown by Mak Tumang
Styling by Ton Lao
Heels by Jojo Bragais
MUA Memay Francisco
Hair Brent Sales
Nails Mimi Q. Reyes

Photos from the BYS Avant Garde Holiday Presentation featuring the Miss World Philippines 2018 Official Candidates held last night at the Atrium of Resorts World Manila.

This event will serve as the Fashion Challenge of the competition.

Photos by Edmund Ong Chua #missworldphilippines2018

Tomorrow, one of the beautiful Marine Ambassadors below will take it one big notch higher. She will be crowned as the worthiest to be titled Miss Scuba Philippines 2018 and become the country’s representative in Miss Scuba International 2018 to be held in Malaysia.

Who will the most precious one be?

Below are my Top 5 Favorites going into the Finals:

Find out during the Coronation Night at Chaos Manila. Show starts at 7pm.

See you there!

#SavingOceansThroughBeauty
#MissScubaPhilippines2018
#msp2018

Photo credit: Allen Cabs

Atty Coeli Fiel of Econest WMC

Time to meet – and know the individual names – of the 18 Official Candidates of Miss Econest 2018 in their identical mint green one-piece swimsuits provided by DR SWIM. They were introduced during the Press Presentation presided over by President/CEO/COO Atty. Beulah Coeli Fiel for Econest WMC at the Quezon City Sports Club last night.

1. Daniella Santillan – Catanduanes
2. Sheena Zaldivar – Dapitan City
3. KC P. Fajardo – Manila
4. Pamela Bianca Villacorte – Caloocan City
5. Almina Marie Lazaro Gange – Palawan
6. Mary Ann Joy Ariola – Zambales

7. Christine Juliane Opiaza – Olongapo City
8. Judylyn Clores Andal – Batangas
9. Andrea Sulangi – Bataan
10. Crisly Kate David Cristobal – Bataan
11. Jean Landicho – Bataan
12. Nicole Miñano – Romblon

13. Chryzia Nicdao Cantalejo – Olongapo City
14. Leandrea Batingan – Bulacan
15. Kath Cayabyab (Kathleen Nicole Dreyfus Cayabyab) – Malabon City
16. Melissa Rae Araneta – Zambales
17. KP Flormata (Kristine) – Zambales
18. Mecelle Clarice Silva – Las Piñas City

These eighteen (18) ladies will be extensively trained on the main thrust of the competition which is to imbue the #BeautyForSustainability platform of the organization. The eventual winner will become the face and voice in spreading more awareness and adherence to the Solid Waste Management Act for the environmentally proactive company which operates the Hermosa Sanitary Landfill Facility in Bataan.

More about the pre-pageant activities of the ladies before the Coronation Night on October 27 at the Subic Bay Convention Center.

Photos by Joy Arguil

#BeautyForSustainability #MissEconest2018

My Top 16 according the alphabetical order of their respective countries represented

After reviewing the fifty (50) Official Candidates of Miss Asia Pacific International 2018, I have decided on sharing with you the sixteen (16) ladies who – in my observations and analysis – would make the first cut during tomorrow night’s Coronation at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre inside Resorts World Manila. In alphabetical order according to the respective countries represented, they are:

Gabriela Palma of Brazil
Melissa Lopez Rios of Colombia
Jessica Melania Gonzalez Monge of Costa Rica
Madeline Ferrara of Germany
Didar Atmadja of Kazakhstan
Misheelt Narmandakh of Mongolia
Stephanie Omogun of Nigeria
Kilmara Nayubel Carvajal Salcedo of Panama
Karen Isabel Rojas of Peru
Sharifa Akeel of the Philippines
Kimberly Crespo Faria of Puerto Rico
Olga Pliusnina of Russia
Sirakan Chaiprasit of Thailand
Natalia Gurgel of Uruguay
Mariani Nataly Chacon Angarita of Venezuela
Huynh Thuy Vi of Vietnam

Up to this point, it was just a matter of completing a Semifinal lineup because cutting down the field to a more manageable nine (9) Finalists would be less stressful as these are the ones who I perceive to be consistent and well-appreciated by everyone – from the organizers, judges and members of the media all the way to the production people and the backstage personnel.

My nine ladies in the second cut are (in this order): Philippines, Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Kazakhstan, Panama, Peru, Costa Rica and Mongolia.

I have already taken the liberty of ranking them as such because – the way I see it – the battle for the top spot is fierce among Sharifa Akeel of the Philippines, Gabriela Palma of Brazil and Natalia Gurgel of Uruguay. It won’t take a genius to determine that. Either the host country will win its first Miss Asia Pacific International under the Miss Asia and Miss Asia Pacific brand or a back-to-back victory for Brazil is in the offing. Uruguay is the likeliest spoiler and not a surprise titlist if ever. Just complete a usual Top 5, I would put in the half-Pinay Madeline Ferrara of Germany and the adorable bet of Kazakhstan – Didar Atmadja – in the mix. They will complete my magic circle.

Kilmara Nayubel Carvajal Salcedo of Panama and Karen Isabel Rojas of Peru are dark horses, but I don’t see them strongly zooming that far ahead. I wouldn’t mind if they do, however.

So the prophetic photo below during the Evening Gown Competition could also be the eventual composition of the Top 3 in the end.

A prophetic photo of the Top 3 come Coronation Night? Left to right: Brazil, Philippines and Uruguay

I will go out on a limb and predict that Sharifa Akeel of the Philippines will be the next Miss Asia Pacific International.

Above is the video clip of the announcement of Noelle Fuentes Uy-Tuazon as Miss Scuba Philippines 2018.

She will represent the Philippines in Miss Scuba International 2018 this coming November.

Below is the complete list of winners:

Miss Scuba Philippines 2018
Noelle Fuentes Uy-Tuazon

1st Marine Ambassador
Erica Laciste

2nd Marine Ambassador
Yana Ibnohajil

Runners-Up
Micren Jewel Andres and Berna Saavedra

Congratulations!

#SavingOceansThroughBeauty
#MissScubaPhilippines2018

Candidate No. 18 in Miss World Philippines 2018 is Kathryn Jade G. Cudiamat, 26 years old from the Province of Rizal

KJ is an only child whose father passed away when she was just 6. It helped her to become the person she is today. Her mom remarried, and is now the eldest of three. She also lived in the US for 6 years where she learned so much diversity.

After graduating Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Our Lady of Fatima University- Antipolo Campus, she got work as Staff Nurse at Rizal Provincial Hospital. She enjoys working with children who bring so much joy to her. A self-confessed dog-lover, she has 2 labradors and a golden retriever. She loves singing, dancing, playing volleyball, swimming, and hiking.

Read my exclusive online Q&A with Kathryn Jade:

1) What sets you apart from the 39 other candidates of MWP?

“I can say that I am an underdog in pageantry. But I am an underdog who is willing to learn and go through the process no matter how difficult it will be. What sets me apart from others is my own story. And everyone’s story needs to be heard because somewhere and somehow, someone needs to hear it.”

2) How has your advocacy in the competition helped form the character in becoming the person that you are right now?

“I am a health advocate. I am a nurse. And it’s a wonderful thing that my core values meet the career I have. Its always been in my heart serving other people. My advocacy focuses on health, especially mental health. Our mind is the most powerful thing that we have and we should feed it right. I want to empower individuals and redefine themselves for the better. And this made me more confident to take charge and trust myself in my own capabilities that could help others.”

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

“In our society today, one sensitive issue is mental health awareness. Many are suffering from anxiety and depression. Even I have experienced it before. I have close ones and even young patients who’ve tried to take away their lives. And this is very alarming for me and I want to take action on it. If I win one of the titles, one thing I will promise is that I will give my 110% in everything that I need to do, and to serve. I will keep my good intentions with me and I will empower many individuals, locally and hopefully globally.”

Photography | Ahleks Fusilero
Styling | Omar Sali
Make-Up| Ray Bien
Hair | Justin Alcazar Gonzaga Maglonzo
Designer| Ray Bien Maglonzo

The Philippine hosting of the 47th Miss Intercontinental has been formally launched at the Taft Ballroom of Conrad Manila earlier. Present in the said event are Miss Intercontinental Organization CEO Detlef Tursies, Miss Intercontinental 2017 Veronica Salas Vallejo, Miss Intercontinental Japan Organization CEO Joanna Leonisa Gimena Miyamae and COO Kumi Miyamae, Miss Intercontinental Japan 2018 Akari Maeda and Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman.

Contrary to what other pageant followers might think, it was Miss Intercontinental Japan Organization that brought the hosting here as the group holds the franchise for the 2018 hosting. Hence, our very own Karen won’t technically be the host delegate as Akari Maeda will assume that role.

Check out the interview below with Miss Intercontinental Organization CEO Detlef Tursies and Miss Intercontinental 2017 Veronica Salas Vallejo:

Around 85 delegates are expected to participate in the 47th Miss Intercontinental (or Miss Intercontinental 2018 if you will), with the finals night set for January 26, 2019 at the Mall of Asia Arena. To date, Calatagan, Batangas is one of the confirmed provincial hosts and several other places in the country are being finalized for the caravan of the participating candidates.

Watch out for my blog entry about Karen Gallman and how she is looking at her chances of winning the very first Miss Intercontinental crown for the country in her own backyard.

Watch out for more updates!

#MissIntercontinental2018

The Philippines comes out on top in Miss Asia Pacific International! And she won two big crowns in less than a month’s time!

Congratulations to Mutya ng Pilipinas 2018 Sharifa Areef Mohammed Omar Akeel for winning the bigger title tonight and succeeding last year’s Francielly Ouriques.

1st Runner-up: Brazil – Gabriela Palma
2nd Runner-up: Costa Rica – Melania Gonzales
3rd Runner-up: Mongolia – Misheelt Narmandakh
4th Runner-up: Venezuela – Mariani Nataly Chacon Angarita

It was really neck-to-neck between Sharifa and Gabriela of Brazil, just as I forecasted. Our home girl was preferred by the judges in the end.

#MissAsiaPacific2018
#MAPI2018

Miss World Philippines 2018 Candidate No. 34 Denielle Joie Nuñez Magno is 25 years old and is representing the Province of Pangasinan.

An experienced Flight Attendant, she is also an entrepreneur, after opening a cafe in the province where all the proceeds of the hot chocolate will go directly to Haven for Women-DSWD Regional Center. It is a shelter for abused women and children in Dagupan city

Denj has won several titles such as Miss Bayambang 2010, Bb. Zambales 2011, Miss Dagupan 2011, Miss Galicayo-Camilliana 2012 and Limgas na Pangasinan 2016 1st RU. She was also the Philippine delegate for Miss ASEAN Friendship 2017 in Vietnam.

Read my exclusive Q&A with her below:

1) What sets you apart from the 39 other candidates of MWP?

“I’d like to believe that being morena sets me apart from the rest. I always get compliments about my skin tone and how very Filipina my features are. They always recall me as ‘the morena girl’ and I’d like to take that as my advantage. I am so happy that people are starting to appreciate the true skin color of Filipinos and I’ll always be proud to showcase it to everybody.”

2) How has your advocacy in the competition helped form the character in becoming the person that you are right now?

“Actually, I was able to find my greater purpose through my advocacy. I am thrusting on an awareness campaign against Sexual Harassment back home. Being able to share a piece of me with everybody made me feel more significant in this world and I put myself responsible in this campaign that I’m pushing. I aim to educate everyone, most especially the youth that Sexual Harassment is never right and will never be okay.”

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

“Miss World Philippines Organization will have nothing to worry about if I will get one of the crowns on Oct. 7. At the age of 18, I have already shared responsibilities with my mom by raising our family. I was able to sent my sisters to school even though I was still studying back then. At the age of 22, I worked as an OFW in Doha, Qatar. At the age of 25, I already established one of my goals in life and that is to put up a business of my own. I know how it feels to have nothing, I know how to work hard towards the accomplishment of my goals and I wouldn’t waste a single minute if the World would be given to me.”

Yesterday’s return of Miss World Organization (MWO) President Julia Morley to the country shows how important an ally the Philippines and Miss World Philippines Organization is to her group. Along with Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhilar and Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle, they met with members of the media in a Press Conference held at Impressions Restaurant of Maxims Hotel in RW Manila earlier. The two beautiful titleholders will serve as judges during the Miss World Philippines 2018 Finals this coming Sunday, with their “boss” overseeing the progress of her BWAP projects with the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center and the Milk Bank Program started by Laura Lehmann plus her other charity causes here.

The three gamely (and extensively) answered all the questions fielded in by the attending invitees. They will be staying for a few more days before going back to London.

Meanwhile, Manushi and Stephanie will conduct personal interviews with the MWP candidates to see who among them deserve to be considered as the country’s representative to Miss World 2018 in Sanya, China.