Miss Bicolandia 2007: a preview
By Noel R. Volante
As I have been devoting my space to articles and features for the Peñafrancia Fiesta 2007, and as head writer of the region’s most prestigious and most awaited pageant, allow me to give you a preview of what’s to come and expect from this year’s Miss Bicolandia search.
Let me begin with the bidding process for which we participated in last August 3 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Hall (at the city hall) of Naga. There were four bidding groups: S Events and Style, Montage, Excite, and us, the Bicol Artistic Group. S Events and Style and us are both Bikol-based while Excite and Montage are both based in Manila. After determining the order of presentation based on the order of submission of sealed bids, each group was given an hour to present their concepts, including proposed host(s) and celebrities who would add color to the pageant. For our group, being the teacher (and also an event organizer and resident emcee/spokesperson of Nagaland E-Mall), I was tasked to do the presentation. Then it was followed by some clarificatory questions from the council members. We left after our turn and I heard the session ended up almost late in the afternoon with the committee having to deliberate on the merits of all the bidders and their presentations. The announcement was postponed until after Monday, August 6; with the help of the press.
I am with the team of Bikol region’s most seasoned pageant and production (show) organizer who is also a choreographer, director, talent coordinator and line producer, all rolled into one individual by the name of Macario “Macky” Barachina. When I was still in high school, (that’s not so long ago, hehe) Macky was my choreographer in folkdance, director of Miss United Nations search, etc. So you get an idea of how young “Tita Macky” is, as he is fondly called by friends and associates. Not to mention his stints in Cebu and Brunei, Macky has worked with almost every artist in Naga, Camarines Sur, and the entire Bikol region; from singers to dancers, to choirs and bands; to even organizing an entire contingent of street dancers from municipalities, cities and provinces as entries to various festivals. He has choreographed every kind of choir whose members vary from priests to policemen, to doctors and students of all ages. Even some top local entrepreneurs and heads of offices call him “Teacher Macky.”
Incidentally, at one time there was even a rumor spreading that the initials MB or Miss Bicolandia actually refers to Macky Barachina. But of course, not everybody is happy with this joke. Anyways, this year’s theme is Promoting Bikol Culture in Harmony with Nature, courtesy of the newly-organized (which is necessary after the May 2007 elections) Naga City Beauty Pageant Council headed by the newly-elected city councilor, the foremost Bikolana and environment advocate, wife of former Congressman Cho Roco, Mrs. Bernadette F. Roco. Before her election into public office, Ma’am Badette and her group were called the ladies in green. But after the congressman’s second failed bid for a seat in the house, he is now said to be the “man in green” as he attends to their farm in Pacol.
This year’s bidding committee was composed of Councilor Roco as Chair, Councilors Salvador Del Castillo and Nathan Sergio, Mr. Jun Mongoso of the Metro PESO, Bikolandia’s fashion guru Mr. Junn Roa, and Mr. Joe Perez, and one representative from the Naga City Peoples’ Council.
After hearing the news that we got the award as this year’s production outfit, Macky and I wasted no time in preparing and doing all the documents needed for the pageant, as well as assembling all the creative and technical people who could help us mount the production and pageant. We were then joined later by another local choreographer-director, my friend and batchmate in elementary, Rommel Sto. Domingo.
By the time this article would be printed, the news could already be out on who made it to the 20 Official candidates whose selection will be done in time for the deadline for this paper. And I cannot hold the printing until Saturday evening of August 26 because press work has already started. I promise in my next few columns, I will be giving you a feature of the 20 official candidates with their pictures. Let it also be a way of promoting this year’s pageant.
So for a preview, let me just tell you that for 2007, and as I have initially mentioned above, it will be a fusion of culture and nature. For our presentation, we put it as: festivals, flora, and fauna. As a way of creative treatment, expect music, dances, wardrobes, attires and costumes in festival flavors. There will also be some visuals and spiels about species that are endemic to Bikol region. Sets, backdrops, sceneries and props will also be in “culture meets nature” theme. Even in the talent competition, candidates and their talent scouts will be advised to pattern after or cater to Bikol culture and environment. The gown competition would come in two forms: one for the candidates’ carriage; and two, for the design observing the annual theme dictated by the organizers. This part of the pageant, which comes out with the Best Designer’s Award, is a most-awaited one for local designers and couturiers. It is to be noted that some of these creative people, especially the young and budding ones, would even collaborate to put up the best design and execution for a gown. Designers are advised to focus on the Filipiniana Terno but using indigenous materials that showcase and promote Bikol from the hardshell of pili, to the ragiwdiws and all.
In one of the council meetings, there was a discussion on the language to be used during the pageant’s various activities, including and most specially the final pageant and coronation night. Discussion centered on whether to use Bikol and English only, and no translation or use of Tagalog as a “fallback language”. This still has to be resolved as the pageant days draw near.
Tentatively, the schedule of activities are: Screening and selection of 20 Official Candidates – August 25, 4:00 pm at the Naga City Civic Center; Tree Planting – August 26, 5:00 pm at the Triangulo/CBD 2 area; Press and Media Presentation – September 8, 4:00 pm at Mariners’ Polytechnic College (Baras, Canaman, Camarines Sur); Charity Day – September 9, 10:00 am at LCC Mall; Talent Competition – September 10, 4:00 pm at LCC Mall; Motorcade with Manila-based Celebrities and Mall Tour at Nagaland E-Mall – September 12, 9:00 am; and the Final Pageant and Coronation Night – September 12, 9:00 pm at the University of Nueva Caceres Sports Palace. In the morning of September 13, the top five winners are expected to join the Civic Parade.
On a personal note, it is nice to be again behind one of the most awaited pageants in the region. The last time Macky and I were involved with this search was in 2002 and 2003.
Allow me to leave you with this first and let me just fill in the blanks in my succeeding articles. Enjoy the search and show for now. Have fun this fiesta.
Source: http://voxbikol.net/index.php?option=view_view&catid=&viewid=90
As I have been devoting my space to articles and features for the Peñafrancia Fiesta 2007, and as head writer of the region’s most prestigious and most awaited pageant, allow me to give you a preview of what’s to come and expect from this year’s Miss Bicolandia search.
Let me begin with the bidding process for which we participated in last August 3 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Hall (at the city hall) of Naga. There were four bidding groups: S Events and Style, Montage, Excite, and us, the Bicol Artistic Group. S Events and Style and us are both Bikol-based while Excite and Montage are both based in Manila. After determining the order of presentation based on the order of submission of sealed bids, each group was given an hour to present their concepts, including proposed host(s) and celebrities who would add color to the pageant. For our group, being the teacher (and also an event organizer and resident emcee/spokesperson of Nagaland E-Mall), I was tasked to do the presentation. Then it was followed by some clarificatory questions from the council members. We left after our turn and I heard the session ended up almost late in the afternoon with the committee having to deliberate on the merits of all the bidders and their presentations. The announcement was postponed until after Monday, August 6; with the help of the press.
I am with the team of Bikol region’s most seasoned pageant and production (show) organizer who is also a choreographer, director, talent coordinator and line producer, all rolled into one individual by the name of Macario “Macky” Barachina. When I was still in high school, (that’s not so long ago, hehe) Macky was my choreographer in folkdance, director of Miss United Nations search, etc. So you get an idea of how young “Tita Macky” is, as he is fondly called by friends and associates. Not to mention his stints in Cebu and Brunei, Macky has worked with almost every artist in Naga, Camarines Sur, and the entire Bikol region; from singers to dancers, to choirs and bands; to even organizing an entire contingent of street dancers from municipalities, cities and provinces as entries to various festivals. He has choreographed every kind of choir whose members vary from priests to policemen, to doctors and students of all ages. Even some top local entrepreneurs and heads of offices call him “Teacher Macky.”
Incidentally, at one time there was even a rumor spreading that the initials MB or Miss Bicolandia actually refers to Macky Barachina. But of course, not everybody is happy with this joke. Anyways, this year’s theme is Promoting Bikol Culture in Harmony with Nature, courtesy of the newly-organized (which is necessary after the May 2007 elections) Naga City Beauty Pageant Council headed by the newly-elected city councilor, the foremost Bikolana and environment advocate, wife of former Congressman Cho Roco, Mrs. Bernadette F. Roco. Before her election into public office, Ma’am Badette and her group were called the ladies in green. But after the congressman’s second failed bid for a seat in the house, he is now said to be the “man in green” as he attends to their farm in Pacol.
This year’s bidding committee was composed of Councilor Roco as Chair, Councilors Salvador Del Castillo and Nathan Sergio, Mr. Jun Mongoso of the Metro PESO, Bikolandia’s fashion guru Mr. Junn Roa, and Mr. Joe Perez, and one representative from the Naga City Peoples’ Council.
After hearing the news that we got the award as this year’s production outfit, Macky and I wasted no time in preparing and doing all the documents needed for the pageant, as well as assembling all the creative and technical people who could help us mount the production and pageant. We were then joined later by another local choreographer-director, my friend and batchmate in elementary, Rommel Sto. Domingo.
By the time this article would be printed, the news could already be out on who made it to the 20 Official candidates whose selection will be done in time for the deadline for this paper. And I cannot hold the printing until Saturday evening of August 26 because press work has already started. I promise in my next few columns, I will be giving you a feature of the 20 official candidates with their pictures. Let it also be a way of promoting this year’s pageant.
So for a preview, let me just tell you that for 2007, and as I have initially mentioned above, it will be a fusion of culture and nature. For our presentation, we put it as: festivals, flora, and fauna. As a way of creative treatment, expect music, dances, wardrobes, attires and costumes in festival flavors. There will also be some visuals and spiels about species that are endemic to Bikol region. Sets, backdrops, sceneries and props will also be in “culture meets nature” theme. Even in the talent competition, candidates and their talent scouts will be advised to pattern after or cater to Bikol culture and environment. The gown competition would come in two forms: one for the candidates’ carriage; and two, for the design observing the annual theme dictated by the organizers. This part of the pageant, which comes out with the Best Designer’s Award, is a most-awaited one for local designers and couturiers. It is to be noted that some of these creative people, especially the young and budding ones, would even collaborate to put up the best design and execution for a gown. Designers are advised to focus on the Filipiniana Terno but using indigenous materials that showcase and promote Bikol from the hardshell of pili, to the ragiwdiws and all.
In one of the council meetings, there was a discussion on the language to be used during the pageant’s various activities, including and most specially the final pageant and coronation night. Discussion centered on whether to use Bikol and English only, and no translation or use of Tagalog as a “fallback language”. This still has to be resolved as the pageant days draw near.
Tentatively, the schedule of activities are: Screening and selection of 20 Official Candidates – August 25, 4:00 pm at the Naga City Civic Center; Tree Planting – August 26, 5:00 pm at the Triangulo/CBD 2 area; Press and Media Presentation – September 8, 4:00 pm at Mariners’ Polytechnic College (Baras, Canaman, Camarines Sur); Charity Day – September 9, 10:00 am at LCC Mall; Talent Competition – September 10, 4:00 pm at LCC Mall; Motorcade with Manila-based Celebrities and Mall Tour at Nagaland E-Mall – September 12, 9:00 am; and the Final Pageant and Coronation Night – September 12, 9:00 pm at the University of Nueva Caceres Sports Palace. In the morning of September 13, the top five winners are expected to join the Civic Parade.
On a personal note, it is nice to be again behind one of the most awaited pageants in the region. The last time Macky and I were involved with this search was in 2002 and 2003.
Allow me to leave you with this first and let me just fill in the blanks in my succeeding articles. Enjoy the search and show for now. Have fun this fiesta.
Source: http://voxbikol.net/index.php?option=view_view&catid=&viewid=90
Labels: Miss Bicolandia 2007, Related news and articles
20 official candidates for Miss Bicolandia 2007 chosen
OF the 44 recruited by the Search Committee of the Naga City Beauty Pageant Council, 29 qualified of which number 20 were proclaimed official candidates in the Search for Miss Bicolandia 2007 in last Saturday’s screening at the poolside of the City Youth Center at 4:00 in the afternoon.Caption: Pretty ladies all in a row. The Naga City Pageant Council last August 25, 2007 presented the 20 official candidates who will vie for the crown during the Miss Bicolandia Beauty Pageant on September 12, 2007 at the UNC Sports Palace.
The 20: Haven Marie Angelique P. Yuboco, 20 years old, 5’5”, of Naga City, a BS Nursing graduate; Kristine Anne G. Brillante, 20 years old, 5’6 ½”, of Catanduanes, a BS Nursing graduate; Rachelle January M. Ayao, 21 years old, 5’4 ¾”, of Pamplona, Camarines Sur, a BS Nursing graduate; Hazel A. Perez, 17 years old, 5’ 4 ½”, of Naga City an AB Dev. Com student; Reisha O. Constantino, 20 years old, 5’ 4”, of Guinobatan, Albay, a 4th year BS Nursing student;
Windena Zaragoza, 20 years old, 5’ 8”, of Naga City, a B.S. Tourism graduate; Mary France D. Diaz, 21 years old, 5’ 6”, of Canaman, Camarines Sur, a BS Nursing graduate; Lovelle SM. Buenaventura, 19 years old, 5’ 4”, of Camaligan, Camarines Sur, a BSBA Banking and Finance student; Michelle Lanuza, 17 years old, 5’ 6”, of Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte, a B.S. Communication student; Glecy Mica Manlangit, 19 years old, 5’ 5”, of Masbate, a BS Nursing student;
Linda S. Bucklund, 17 years old, 5’ 6”, of Iriga City, a 4th year High School student; Lea S. Pillarda, 20 years old. 5’ 4 ½”, of Libon, Albay, a BSBA graduate; Arianne Natalie M. Lim, 21 years old, 5’ 5 ½”, of Canaman, Camarines Sur, a BSSEducation graduate; Aiza Miraflor, 19 years old, 5’ 4”, of Tabaco, Albay, a B.S. Biology student; Shecill Bhertie S. Bagaporo, 17 years old, 5’ 5”, of Iriga City, a B.S. Nursing student.
Tabetha Jo O. Frick, 17 years old, 5’ 10”, of Pasacao, Camarines Sur, a High School graduate; Maria Venus B. Raj, 19 years old, 5’ 9”, of Bato, Camarines Sur, a BCA Journalism student; Lorencia Mae Bueta, 19 years old, 5’ `11”, of Masbate City, a 3rd year BS Accountancy student; Princess D. Amarillos, 18 years old, of Nabua, Camarines Sur, a B.S. Nursing student; and Kristina V. Alpapara, 20 years old, 5’ 4 ½”, of Polangui, Albay, a B.S. Nursing graduate.
Whoever of these 20 will be chosen Miss Bicolandia 2007 will be crowned on September 12, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. after a talent competition presentation on September 10, 2007 and a closed-door and pre-judging of the candidates for the swimsuit and gown competitions on September 12, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.
The search this year has undertones of environmental care and local culture. A tree planting activity was held Sunday afternoon after an immersion session on the environment and on Bikol history. At stake are the titles: Miss Bicolandia 2007 (Burakan nin Bikol 2007); First Runner-Up (Enot na Dawani nin Bikol); Second Runner-UP (Ika-Duwang Dawani nin Bikol); Third Runner-Up (Ikatolong Dawani nin Bikol); Fourth Runner-Up (Ika-Apat na Dawani nin Bikol).
Special awards include: Miss Talent (Dawani nin Tadong); Miss Photogenic (Dawani nin Kaangayan); Miss Friendship (Dawani nin Katotod); Mutya ng Kalikasan (Dawani nin Kalidongan); Best in Gown (Orog Karahay sa Sayong); Best in Production Attire (Orog Karahay sa Paghablon); Best in Swimsuit (Orog Karahay sa Swimsuit); Best in Designer (Orog Karahay sa Paghowad).
Way back in the `30s the title was given to one who had raised the biggest number of votes. It was only in the last decade of this century that the title-holder of the search was one of beauty and talent. (tpna)
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2007/august30/mbicolandia.html
Labels: Miss Bicolandia 2007, Related news and articles
Identity Crisis
Barely had the ink dried in the score sheets of the Search for Miss Bicolandia that chose the 20 official candidates last Saturday afternoon, when protests as to the identity of those who qualified to be screened came up.
Some questioned the qualifications of the candidates. Others asked, “Who is a Bikolano?”
These are valid and ringing questions that time and again hound the organizers of the search for Miss Bicolandia or any organization for that matter that sponsors a search for the best of the gentlemen or ladies of Bikolandia.
But not all beauty or brawn searches have the same criteria. One differs from the others. One may have a very strict definition of who a Bikolano is. Some others may have extended the definition to include some not included in other definitions. In joining a brawn or beauty search, the talent scouts must see to it that their candidates strictly meet the sought after qualifications. The criteria in any given search have been thought of and thought of again, discussed and discussed again until they are summed up in a statement that is passed on to the talent scouts.
In the Search for Miss Bicolandia 2007, the candidate must be a Bikolana by blood or by birth. A Bikolana by blood is defined as one whose “either of the parents or both parents are Bikolanos” even if at present the applicant-candidate is not a resident of the Bikol region. A Bikolana by birth is one whose “parents are not Bikolanos but the applicant-candidate was born in the Bikol region even if she is not a resident of the Bikol region.”
The Beauty Pageant Council of Naga City expected some objections or attempts to bend the rules, indeed, there were. But rules must be rules. They were not made to be broken if only to accommodate the most beautiful women in the universe, like Mona Lisa or Elizabeth Taylor or even Francine Prieto.
Even if one has resided in Naga City for years and years but both her parents are not Bikolanos and she was born outside the Bikol region — even if she has won a string of top beauty contest titles — even if she considers herself a Bikolana and takes pride in being called a Bikolana since she has learned to care for Bikol and so loved the language that she could speak it more fluently than any of the councilors of the Sanggunian Panlungsod of Naga —she has to be disqualified. Other beauty contest organizers may have included an applicant inclination or residence as basis for qualification, but the Beauty Pageant Council of Naga has its own set of criteria that makes it different from other beauty and talent searches.
One’s sense of belongingness or one’s preferences are not the ones at stake here. It is one’s birth or one’s bloodline.
The criteria set forth by the Beauty Pageant Council of Naga are not meant to spawn an identity crisis. They are meant to refine the standard of the beauty and talent search based on — as other nations would do in determining a person’s identity and citizenship — birth or blood.
Those whose expectations have not been met this year may make representations before the Beauty Pageant council of Naga and share with the Council a piece of their mind. Who knows their feedback may prompt the Council to explore other areas and discover gems of interest they have not as yet come across.
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2007/august30/editorial.html
Some questioned the qualifications of the candidates. Others asked, “Who is a Bikolano?”
These are valid and ringing questions that time and again hound the organizers of the search for Miss Bicolandia or any organization for that matter that sponsors a search for the best of the gentlemen or ladies of Bikolandia.
But not all beauty or brawn searches have the same criteria. One differs from the others. One may have a very strict definition of who a Bikolano is. Some others may have extended the definition to include some not included in other definitions. In joining a brawn or beauty search, the talent scouts must see to it that their candidates strictly meet the sought after qualifications. The criteria in any given search have been thought of and thought of again, discussed and discussed again until they are summed up in a statement that is passed on to the talent scouts.
In the Search for Miss Bicolandia 2007, the candidate must be a Bikolana by blood or by birth. A Bikolana by blood is defined as one whose “either of the parents or both parents are Bikolanos” even if at present the applicant-candidate is not a resident of the Bikol region. A Bikolana by birth is one whose “parents are not Bikolanos but the applicant-candidate was born in the Bikol region even if she is not a resident of the Bikol region.”
The Beauty Pageant Council of Naga City expected some objections or attempts to bend the rules, indeed, there were. But rules must be rules. They were not made to be broken if only to accommodate the most beautiful women in the universe, like Mona Lisa or Elizabeth Taylor or even Francine Prieto.
Even if one has resided in Naga City for years and years but both her parents are not Bikolanos and she was born outside the Bikol region — even if she has won a string of top beauty contest titles — even if she considers herself a Bikolana and takes pride in being called a Bikolana since she has learned to care for Bikol and so loved the language that she could speak it more fluently than any of the councilors of the Sanggunian Panlungsod of Naga —she has to be disqualified. Other beauty contest organizers may have included an applicant inclination or residence as basis for qualification, but the Beauty Pageant Council of Naga has its own set of criteria that makes it different from other beauty and talent searches.
One’s sense of belongingness or one’s preferences are not the ones at stake here. It is one’s birth or one’s bloodline.
The criteria set forth by the Beauty Pageant Council of Naga are not meant to spawn an identity crisis. They are meant to refine the standard of the beauty and talent search based on — as other nations would do in determining a person’s identity and citizenship — birth or blood.
Those whose expectations have not been met this year may make representations before the Beauty Pageant council of Naga and share with the Council a piece of their mind. Who knows their feedback may prompt the Council to explore other areas and discover gems of interest they have not as yet come across.
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2007/august30/editorial.html
Labels: Miss Bicolandia 2007, Related news and articles
Kings & queens in PBB
Did you know that before she won (P1-M, house and lot, a car, etc.) on the ABS-CBN reality-TV Pinoy Big Brother’s Season 2, Maria Beatriz “Bea” Saw finished second runner-up in the 2006 Mutya ng Ibalong pageant in Bicol?
She’s not the only “queen” — and “king” — who became a PBB housemate, according to Funfare’s “beauty experts” Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib.
Here are the others:
• Wendy Valdez, the “most hated” housemate also in Season 2, was 2000 Miss Navotas and 2005 Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism and first runner-up (to Precious Lara Quigaman who won Miss International that same year). Wendy now topbills the ABS-CBN soap Margarita.
• Bruce Quebral (Season 2), from UP, was Mr. 2002 Manhunt Philippines and represented the country in the Manhunt International Search that same year; he’s Wendy’s leading man on Margarita;
• Dionne Monsanto (Season 2) is a former Miss Cebu runner-up and she has been joining beauty contests since she was four years old;
• Jasmine Engracia (Season 2), a senior nursing student in Davao, was Miss Zamboanga a few years back;
• Tina Semolic came to Manila for the Big Brother swap between the Philippines and Slovenia. She was a pageant contestant in a national tilt in Slovenia.
• Say Alonzo (Season 1), a finalist during the 2003 Circle of Ten Search, was an NCAA courtside reporter;
• Cassandra Ponti, already a member of an all-girl band before she joined PBB, was a local beauty queen in her native Davao;
• Rico Barrera (Season 1) has joined other male “beauty” contests before he finished second runner-up in the search for Boracay Body;
• Keanna Reeves (Celebrity Edition big winner) competed in several beauty contests in Cebu before she entered showbiz and PBB;
• Gretchen Malalad (Celebrity Edition) won the special awards Miss Talent and Miss Red Bull Supreme Energy in the 2003 Bb. Pilipinas pageant;
• Zanjoe Marudo (Celebrity Edition) was a candidate in the 2001 Bodyshots Search.
• Roxanne Barcelo (Celebrity Edition) was a child beauty queen in the US;
• Angela Calina (Celebrity Edition), who’s with ABS-CBN Cebu, has won a few beauty titles in her hometown.
• Claire Cabiguin (Teen Edition), a veteran of local pageants in Bukidnon, was once Miss Sugarland; and
• Brenda Fox (Teen Edition) was a teen beauty queen in her native Olongapo.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=90263
She’s not the only “queen” — and “king” — who became a PBB housemate, according to Funfare’s “beauty experts” Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib.
Here are the others:
• Wendy Valdez, the “most hated” housemate also in Season 2, was 2000 Miss Navotas and 2005 Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism and first runner-up (to Precious Lara Quigaman who won Miss International that same year). Wendy now topbills the ABS-CBN soap Margarita.
• Bruce Quebral (Season 2), from UP, was Mr. 2002 Manhunt Philippines and represented the country in the Manhunt International Search that same year; he’s Wendy’s leading man on Margarita;
• Dionne Monsanto (Season 2) is a former Miss Cebu runner-up and she has been joining beauty contests since she was four years old;
• Jasmine Engracia (Season 2), a senior nursing student in Davao, was Miss Zamboanga a few years back;
• Tina Semolic came to Manila for the Big Brother swap between the Philippines and Slovenia. She was a pageant contestant in a national tilt in Slovenia.
• Say Alonzo (Season 1), a finalist during the 2003 Circle of Ten Search, was an NCAA courtside reporter;
• Cassandra Ponti, already a member of an all-girl band before she joined PBB, was a local beauty queen in her native Davao;
• Rico Barrera (Season 1) has joined other male “beauty” contests before he finished second runner-up in the search for Boracay Body;
• Keanna Reeves (Celebrity Edition big winner) competed in several beauty contests in Cebu before she entered showbiz and PBB;
• Gretchen Malalad (Celebrity Edition) won the special awards Miss Talent and Miss Red Bull Supreme Energy in the 2003 Bb. Pilipinas pageant;
• Zanjoe Marudo (Celebrity Edition) was a candidate in the 2001 Bodyshots Search.
• Roxanne Barcelo (Celebrity Edition) was a child beauty queen in the US;
• Angela Calina (Celebrity Edition), who’s with ABS-CBN Cebu, has won a few beauty titles in her hometown.
• Claire Cabiguin (Teen Edition), a veteran of local pageants in Bukidnon, was once Miss Sugarland; and
• Brenda Fox (Teen Edition) was a teen beauty queen in her native Olongapo.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=90263
Labels: Mutya ng Ibalong 2006, Related news and articles
Naga City bags coveted Ms. Kaogma '07 crown
CADLAN, Pili—The lively, colorful and much-awaited Ms. Kaogma ‘07 Beauty Search nearly missed its schedule when a sudden downpour delayed the anticipated event by several minutes last May 23, 2007 at the floodlit Kaogma stage here.
After much suspense, the huge crowd was eventually treated to an eye feast as 20 candidates paraded their beautiful faces and well-toned bodies before a distinguished panel of judges chaired by Mr. Eric Pe Benito, an ABS-CBN creative consultant.
Other members of the Board of Judges were Ms. Margarita Araneta Flores, a well-known chef and restaurateur, Ms. Gwendolyn Cu, an interior designer and creative director of Avenue Square, Dr. Mary Jane Guazon-Uy, a dermatologist and skin and body specialist, Ms. Aleta Naz General, former Miss Naga City ‘77, Ms. Sol Guysayko, boutique owner and noted entrepreneur. Mr. Russel Santiago, events planner and creative director and Bianca Salonga, features editor of Mega magazine and grandaughter of nationalist senator, Jovito Salonga.
Newly re-elected Governor LRay Villafuerte, his beauteous wife, Lara, with Vice Gov. Sal Fortuno, along with their entourage arrived just in time as the pageant was starting and were duly acknowledged by Patrick Monroe who was the host for the night.
Out of the 20 candidates, the top ten were already chosen in a pre-pageant judging a day before the pageant proper where a different set of judges met with each candidate. After the standard Q & A portion, the magic five were finally selected and ranked.
When the winners were announced, 18-year old BS Tourism student Janine Arianne Leal easily bagged the coveted crown as the new Ms. Kaogma. The Mariner’s Polytechnic Colleges Foundation 5’5 talled coed was also awarded as Best in Evening Gown while 16-year old Linda Bucklund of Iriga City with her doll-like features was named Ms. Camarines Sur. Ma. Venus Raj, the 18-year old Indian mestiza and proverbial crowd favorite, settled for the title Ms. Kaogma Tourism with 17-year old statusque 5’10 1/2 Fil-Am beauty, Tabetha Frick, adjudged as First Runner-up and leggy Ms. Honelyn Maninang, 17 years old and an International Hospitality Management student from the University of Northeastern Philippines rounded up the winning circle as Second Runner-up. Tall and dusky Ms. Raj, exudign an exotic allure is an Arts and Letters major at Bicol University was also chosen as Best in Swimsuit while Ms. Frick, although a high school graduate, was very articulate despite her youth and dreams of becoming a magazine writer in a high-end magazine someday. Ma. Kristela Marquez, a 21-year old former flight stewardess was voted as Ms. Congeniality and Shara Jane Cervantes, 18 years old, was chosen as Ms. Photogenic.
Earlier in the evening, the 20 finalists were serenaded by hunky actor and matinee idol Piolo Pascual with three Pilipino love songs to the shrieking delight of the adoring fans and admiring audience.
All special award were given a sash, bouquet, trophy and P3,000.00 cash each. Ms. Kaogma, like the rest of the title holders got a sash, crown bouquet, trophy and P100,000.00 cash. P50,000.00 cash for Ms. Camarines Sur, P40,000.00 cash for Ms. Kaogma Tourism, P30,000.00 cash for the First Runner-up, and P20,000.00 cash for the Second runner-up winner.
Criteria for judging were Beauty of Face, 40%, Beauty of Figure, 30% and Poise and Personality, 15%, and Intelligence, 15% for a total of 100%.
Prior to the turning over their crowns, last year’s winners, Ivy Tan of Naga City, Ms. Camarines Sur ‘06 and Amanda Powell of Albay, Ms. Kaogma ‘06 both did their traditional farewell walks.
Outgoing and re-elected provincial board members served as award presentors that evening.
Ms. Kaogma Beauty Pageant is a major event of the Kaogma Festival in celebration of the 428th foundation anniversary of the province of Camarines Sur. - JMTSantelices-
Source: http://atenista84.net/sb/Archives/27May07/people/people5.html
After much suspense, the huge crowd was eventually treated to an eye feast as 20 candidates paraded their beautiful faces and well-toned bodies before a distinguished panel of judges chaired by Mr. Eric Pe Benito, an ABS-CBN creative consultant.
Other members of the Board of Judges were Ms. Margarita Araneta Flores, a well-known chef and restaurateur, Ms. Gwendolyn Cu, an interior designer and creative director of Avenue Square, Dr. Mary Jane Guazon-Uy, a dermatologist and skin and body specialist, Ms. Aleta Naz General, former Miss Naga City ‘77, Ms. Sol Guysayko, boutique owner and noted entrepreneur. Mr. Russel Santiago, events planner and creative director and Bianca Salonga, features editor of Mega magazine and grandaughter of nationalist senator, Jovito Salonga.
Newly re-elected Governor LRay Villafuerte, his beauteous wife, Lara, with Vice Gov. Sal Fortuno, along with their entourage arrived just in time as the pageant was starting and were duly acknowledged by Patrick Monroe who was the host for the night.
Out of the 20 candidates, the top ten were already chosen in a pre-pageant judging a day before the pageant proper where a different set of judges met with each candidate. After the standard Q & A portion, the magic five were finally selected and ranked.
When the winners were announced, 18-year old BS Tourism student Janine Arianne Leal easily bagged the coveted crown as the new Ms. Kaogma. The Mariner’s Polytechnic Colleges Foundation 5’5 talled coed was also awarded as Best in Evening Gown while 16-year old Linda Bucklund of Iriga City with her doll-like features was named Ms. Camarines Sur. Ma. Venus Raj, the 18-year old Indian mestiza and proverbial crowd favorite, settled for the title Ms. Kaogma Tourism with 17-year old statusque 5’10 1/2 Fil-Am beauty, Tabetha Frick, adjudged as First Runner-up and leggy Ms. Honelyn Maninang, 17 years old and an International Hospitality Management student from the University of Northeastern Philippines rounded up the winning circle as Second Runner-up. Tall and dusky Ms. Raj, exudign an exotic allure is an Arts and Letters major at Bicol University was also chosen as Best in Swimsuit while Ms. Frick, although a high school graduate, was very articulate despite her youth and dreams of becoming a magazine writer in a high-end magazine someday. Ma. Kristela Marquez, a 21-year old former flight stewardess was voted as Ms. Congeniality and Shara Jane Cervantes, 18 years old, was chosen as Ms. Photogenic.
Earlier in the evening, the 20 finalists were serenaded by hunky actor and matinee idol Piolo Pascual with three Pilipino love songs to the shrieking delight of the adoring fans and admiring audience.
All special award were given a sash, bouquet, trophy and P3,000.00 cash each. Ms. Kaogma, like the rest of the title holders got a sash, crown bouquet, trophy and P100,000.00 cash. P50,000.00 cash for Ms. Camarines Sur, P40,000.00 cash for Ms. Kaogma Tourism, P30,000.00 cash for the First Runner-up, and P20,000.00 cash for the Second runner-up winner.
Criteria for judging were Beauty of Face, 40%, Beauty of Figure, 30% and Poise and Personality, 15%, and Intelligence, 15% for a total of 100%.
Prior to the turning over their crowns, last year’s winners, Ivy Tan of Naga City, Ms. Camarines Sur ‘06 and Amanda Powell of Albay, Ms. Kaogma ‘06 both did their traditional farewell walks.
Outgoing and re-elected provincial board members served as award presentors that evening.
Ms. Kaogma Beauty Pageant is a major event of the Kaogma Festival in celebration of the 428th foundation anniversary of the province of Camarines Sur. - JMTSantelices-
Source: http://atenista84.net/sb/Archives/27May07/people/people5.html
Labels: Miss CamSur-Kaogma 2007, Official results, Related news and articles
BEAUTIES IN A ROW
Twenty young nubile ladies were chosen at the preliminary screening of Miss Kaogma ‘07 at the Eco Village Bamboo Grill and Resto at the Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur last May 11, 2007. Miss Kaogma Beauty Pageant is a major component of the annual celebration of Kaogma Festival dubbed as the world’s hottest festival. Pageant finals is scheduled May 25 with Piolo Pascual as special guest. (JMTS/Joshua K. Castro)Source: http://atenista84.net/sb/Archives/20May07/opinion/photos.html
Labels: Miss CamSur-Kaogma 2007, Related news and articles
Bicol’s sugar and spice
By Giovanni Paolo J. Yazon
MANY beauty contest aficionados think that had Joyce Abajero Nocomura answered the final question in the recently concluded Miss Philippines-Earth pageant with a little more conviction, she would have won the crown.
But this 18-year-old, who hails from Camarines Sur, said she is happy with how things turned out and content with her title Miss Water.
According to Joyce, who is a cross between 1992 Bb. Pilipinas-Maja Marina Benipayo and 2003 Miss World fourth runner-up Mafae Yunon, she never expected to go that far in the competition.
She knew she wasn’t a crowd-favorite, unlike Sarah Katrina Miñoza (Miss Fire), Krystle Dizon (Miss Air) and eventual winner Jeanne Harn, who were always being followed by photographers and pageant pundits.
Lady luck, however, must have been by her side during the coronation night at the UP Theater. Because despite the fact she didn’t win an award, Joyce sailed through the semis and then on to the final round with ease. It was later learned that Joyce impressed the judges with her exceptional catwalk skills.
“I [would like to] attribute this feat to my being an uragon,” she enthused. “Because if you did something great and it impressed everybody, you could be called an uragon. I’m proud to be one!”
Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife3_may11_2007
MANY beauty contest aficionados think that had Joyce Abajero Nocomura answered the final question in the recently concluded Miss Philippines-Earth pageant with a little more conviction, she would have won the crown.But this 18-year-old, who hails from Camarines Sur, said she is happy with how things turned out and content with her title Miss Water.
According to Joyce, who is a cross between 1992 Bb. Pilipinas-Maja Marina Benipayo and 2003 Miss World fourth runner-up Mafae Yunon, she never expected to go that far in the competition.
She knew she wasn’t a crowd-favorite, unlike Sarah Katrina Miñoza (Miss Fire), Krystle Dizon (Miss Air) and eventual winner Jeanne Harn, who were always being followed by photographers and pageant pundits.
Lady luck, however, must have been by her side during the coronation night at the UP Theater. Because despite the fact she didn’t win an award, Joyce sailed through the semis and then on to the final round with ease. It was later learned that Joyce impressed the judges with her exceptional catwalk skills.
“I [would like to] attribute this feat to my being an uragon,” she enthused. “Because if you did something great and it impressed everybody, you could be called an uragon. I’m proud to be one!”
Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife3_may11_2007
Labels: Miss Philippines Earth-Bicol 2007, Other pageants, Related news and articles
20 candidates vie for Miss Bicolandia crown
NAGA CITY – Twenty lovely maidens from Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Albay and this city were formally presented to the public as official candidates for the 2006 Miss Bicolandia beauty pageant.
The final list came after the pre-screening held last Saturday afternoon (Aug. 19) at the poolside of the Naga City Youth Center which requires them to walk the ramp in casual wear and swim suits before the board of judges and the huge crowd that attended the colorful event prepared by S Events and Style, this year’s event organizer.
Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, City Councilors Nene de Asis, John Bongat and Lourdes Asence and other city officials led the list of guests during the program.
Pageant Chair City Councilor Nene de Asis said twenty-two candidates were actually pre-qualified where only 20 have to make it to the final list. She said three others came late to beat the deadline at 1:00 pm last Saturday, August 19, which gave them no choice but to kindly turn them away.
The worthy ones who were finally declared as this year’s official candidates are:
Karen Mae T. Dometita, 16, of Sorsogon City; Ma. Casna Joan E. Jacob, 17, Gubat, Sorsogon; Socorro Angeline T. Ravanilla, 17, Sorsogon City; Kathleen P. Darigan, 17, Ligao City; Katherine Dominique C. Lagrimas, 17, Iriga City; Chara D. Montecalvo, 19, Magallanes, Sorsogon; Penelope G. Jacinto, 19, Naga City; Yuzilyn C. Shimiza, 20, San Pascual, Masbate;
Jennie D. Narra, 22, Talisay, Camarines Norte; Kharlyn Gayle T. Caroche, 19, Iriga City; Thea B. Villaluz, 17, Daet, Camarines Norte; Jessica H. Quibral, 20, Daet, Camarines Norte; April-Lyn A. Bartilet, 18, Daet, Camarines Norte; Glaiza Anne B. Bilas, 22, Baao, Camarines Sur; Diane G. Pelagio, Naga City; Maria Beatriz I. Saw, 20, Baao, Camarines Sur; Rio Honnie B. Belmis, 20, Milaor, Camarines Sur; Zarahlyn C. Esplana, 21, Iriga City; Janessa Augustia A. Martinez, 24, Iriga City, and; Gloriane C. Solina, 17, Iriga City.
De Asis said she was glad that except for Catanduanes, all the provinces in Bicol were duly represented in this year’s biggest regional beauty pageant.
Proclamation and pageant night will be held in the evening of September 13, 2006 at the UNC Sports Palace with TV celebrities Iya Villana and JC Cuadrado as hosts.
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2006/august24/20.html
The final list came after the pre-screening held last Saturday afternoon (Aug. 19) at the poolside of the Naga City Youth Center which requires them to walk the ramp in casual wear and swim suits before the board of judges and the huge crowd that attended the colorful event prepared by S Events and Style, this year’s event organizer.
Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, City Councilors Nene de Asis, John Bongat and Lourdes Asence and other city officials led the list of guests during the program.
Pageant Chair City Councilor Nene de Asis said twenty-two candidates were actually pre-qualified where only 20 have to make it to the final list. She said three others came late to beat the deadline at 1:00 pm last Saturday, August 19, which gave them no choice but to kindly turn them away.
The worthy ones who were finally declared as this year’s official candidates are:
Karen Mae T. Dometita, 16, of Sorsogon City; Ma. Casna Joan E. Jacob, 17, Gubat, Sorsogon; Socorro Angeline T. Ravanilla, 17, Sorsogon City; Kathleen P. Darigan, 17, Ligao City; Katherine Dominique C. Lagrimas, 17, Iriga City; Chara D. Montecalvo, 19, Magallanes, Sorsogon; Penelope G. Jacinto, 19, Naga City; Yuzilyn C. Shimiza, 20, San Pascual, Masbate;
Jennie D. Narra, 22, Talisay, Camarines Norte; Kharlyn Gayle T. Caroche, 19, Iriga City; Thea B. Villaluz, 17, Daet, Camarines Norte; Jessica H. Quibral, 20, Daet, Camarines Norte; April-Lyn A. Bartilet, 18, Daet, Camarines Norte; Glaiza Anne B. Bilas, 22, Baao, Camarines Sur; Diane G. Pelagio, Naga City; Maria Beatriz I. Saw, 20, Baao, Camarines Sur; Rio Honnie B. Belmis, 20, Milaor, Camarines Sur; Zarahlyn C. Esplana, 21, Iriga City; Janessa Augustia A. Martinez, 24, Iriga City, and; Gloriane C. Solina, 17, Iriga City.
De Asis said she was glad that except for Catanduanes, all the provinces in Bicol were duly represented in this year’s biggest regional beauty pageant.
Proclamation and pageant night will be held in the evening of September 13, 2006 at the UNC Sports Palace with TV celebrities Iya Villana and JC Cuadrado as hosts.
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2006/august24/20.html
Labels: Miss Bicolandia 2006, Related news and articles
MISS PHILIPPINES-EARTH 2006: Height is might
By Giovanni Paolo J. Yazon
INSTEAD of a repeater and ladies with some parentage in their ancestries, a towering and brown-skinned amateur romped off with Miss Philippines-Earth 2006 title.
Catherine Yu Untalan, a 20-year-old psychology cum laude graduate of University of the Philippines-Diliman, won the finals held at the UP Theater Sunday evening.
Untalan bested 23 other beauties, including first to fourth runnersup Ginger Conejero, 22, political science graduate of University of California from the United States, voted Miss Photogenic (Miss Air); Katrina Rigets, 21, physical therapy student of University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center from Metro Manila (Miss Water); second timer Francis Dianne Cervantes, 24, public relations coordinator and runway model from Central Luzon (Miss Fire); and Reena Sarmiento, 22, advertising and marketing graduate of Sheridan School of Business from Canada (Miss Eco-Tourism), respectively.
Completing the semifinalists were Faith Averie Mercado (Southern Tagalog), adjudged Best in Swimsuit; Stephanie Florence Magali (Metro Manila), a candidate in last year’s Binibining Pilipinas pageant; crowd favorite April Love Jordan (Calabarzon); Royce Ann Estella (Metro Manila), reigning Miss Chinatown-Philippines; and Iris Frances Tan (Cordillera Administrative Region).
Absent in the semifinals were early favorites who received special awards: Chrismin Ann Lim (Western Mindanao), Best in Cultural Attire; Arriane Veneracion (Bicol), Miss Talent; Jacqueline Boquiron (Metro Manila), Best in Long Gown; and Andrea Dimalanta (Metro Manila), Miss Friendship, and whose photographs before undergoing a nose job reportedly proliferated in pageant Web sites days before the coronation.
The judges who had the responsibility of choosing the new Miss Philippines-Earth included Miss Asia-Pacific 1993 winner and erstwhile actress Michelle Aldana Heinermann, Mutya ng Pilipinas 1992 and Pond’s marketing manager Mutya Crisostomo, Lifestyle Asia contributing editor Baby Cruz, fashion designer Lulu Tan Gan, Miss World 1973 first runnerup and actress Evangeline Pascual, equestrienne Toni Leviste, singer-stage actress Isay Alvarez and broadsheet columnist and public servant Dr. Margarita Cojuangco.
This year’s Miss Philippines-Earth was undoubtedly the most fabulous in the pageant’s six-year history. Aside from having Piolo Pascual, Derek Ramsay and Sam Milby as hosts; presence of Miss Earth 2004 Priscilla Meirelles of Brazil; an “all-women” panel of judges; the previous runnersup and titleholders joined this year’s candidates at the opening number.
And instead of having tired-old “parade of regions” with ladies wearing cultural attires at the start of the show, the past queens and the 24 ladies donned red, white and blue fringed dresses symbolizing the elements of the Earth: fire, air and water, while dancing to a faster version of Kamikazee’s song, “Narda.”
Last year’s queen Genebelle Francisco Raagas didn’t have a traditional farewell walk. As a replacement to a prerecorded goodbye speech, she was interviewed by Ramsay about her memorable experiences as a beauty queen.
The crowned beauty
In the final interview, Untalan was asked: “Our judges have made their mark globally in their respective fields, how would you like to be recognized internationally?”
Her winning answer was: “I would like to be recognized as the first Filipino Miss Earth if I would be given the opportunity. Miss Earth [contest] is not just a showcase of [physical] beauty, it also about concern for the environment. I would like to be that person to represent our country.”
“My victory hasn’t sunken on me yet. I wasn’t so sure about winning because days before the coronation all the newspapers and pageant Web sites that featured me said I am just tall (and that’s it). And so my target was just to make it to the semifinals… I feel so blessed by God because I made it to the top,” she said in an interview with Standard Today minutes after her coronation.
At the final dress rehearsals-cum-mock pageant held last Saturday, Untalan only emerged first runnerup to Conejero. The result of that mock pageant became her “driving force to do my very best on the coronation night,” she said with a smile.
She also believes that, “Things have a right way of falling into place.” She revealed that she tried her luck in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant. “I was half-hearted with my decision because I would be graduating at that time. If I pushed through with it, I would have missed the final exams and would not have graduated with honors,” she said. When she didn’t become an official candidate, she considered it as a blessing. “Maybe God has some other plans for me.”
With a whistle-bait figure of 35”-25”-35” and standing at 6 feet, Untalan now shares the record with Bb. Pilipinas-World 1992 Marilen Espino being the tallest Filipina beauty queens.
But, is height really might for Untalan?
“Although it helped me to stand out, I’d like to believe that I won because of my totality as a person, and that I really worked hard for this. More than anything else, it’s actually the prayers of all the people who believed in me from the very beginning that made my dream a reality,” she said.
Untalan’s winning the crown proved that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes—teaching a lesson to those who think that most Filipina beauty queens are only 5’7” tall.
Her undeniable beauty and wit make her already a frontrunner for the Miss Earth 2006 title! The international pageant, for the first time, will be held outside the country, in Santiago, Chile this November.
Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife03_may20_2006
INSTEAD of a repeater and ladies with some parentage in their ancestries, a towering and brown-skinned amateur romped off with Miss Philippines-Earth 2006 title.
Catherine Yu Untalan, a 20-year-old psychology cum laude graduate of University of the Philippines-Diliman, won the finals held at the UP Theater Sunday evening.
Untalan bested 23 other beauties, including first to fourth runnersup Ginger Conejero, 22, political science graduate of University of California from the United States, voted Miss Photogenic (Miss Air); Katrina Rigets, 21, physical therapy student of University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center from Metro Manila (Miss Water); second timer Francis Dianne Cervantes, 24, public relations coordinator and runway model from Central Luzon (Miss Fire); and Reena Sarmiento, 22, advertising and marketing graduate of Sheridan School of Business from Canada (Miss Eco-Tourism), respectively.
Completing the semifinalists were Faith Averie Mercado (Southern Tagalog), adjudged Best in Swimsuit; Stephanie Florence Magali (Metro Manila), a candidate in last year’s Binibining Pilipinas pageant; crowd favorite April Love Jordan (Calabarzon); Royce Ann Estella (Metro Manila), reigning Miss Chinatown-Philippines; and Iris Frances Tan (Cordillera Administrative Region).
Absent in the semifinals were early favorites who received special awards: Chrismin Ann Lim (Western Mindanao), Best in Cultural Attire; Arriane Veneracion (Bicol), Miss Talent; Jacqueline Boquiron (Metro Manila), Best in Long Gown; and Andrea Dimalanta (Metro Manila), Miss Friendship, and whose photographs before undergoing a nose job reportedly proliferated in pageant Web sites days before the coronation.
The judges who had the responsibility of choosing the new Miss Philippines-Earth included Miss Asia-Pacific 1993 winner and erstwhile actress Michelle Aldana Heinermann, Mutya ng Pilipinas 1992 and Pond’s marketing manager Mutya Crisostomo, Lifestyle Asia contributing editor Baby Cruz, fashion designer Lulu Tan Gan, Miss World 1973 first runnerup and actress Evangeline Pascual, equestrienne Toni Leviste, singer-stage actress Isay Alvarez and broadsheet columnist and public servant Dr. Margarita Cojuangco.
This year’s Miss Philippines-Earth was undoubtedly the most fabulous in the pageant’s six-year history. Aside from having Piolo Pascual, Derek Ramsay and Sam Milby as hosts; presence of Miss Earth 2004 Priscilla Meirelles of Brazil; an “all-women” panel of judges; the previous runnersup and titleholders joined this year’s candidates at the opening number.
And instead of having tired-old “parade of regions” with ladies wearing cultural attires at the start of the show, the past queens and the 24 ladies donned red, white and blue fringed dresses symbolizing the elements of the Earth: fire, air and water, while dancing to a faster version of Kamikazee’s song, “Narda.”
Last year’s queen Genebelle Francisco Raagas didn’t have a traditional farewell walk. As a replacement to a prerecorded goodbye speech, she was interviewed by Ramsay about her memorable experiences as a beauty queen.
The crowned beauty
In the final interview, Untalan was asked: “Our judges have made their mark globally in their respective fields, how would you like to be recognized internationally?”
Her winning answer was: “I would like to be recognized as the first Filipino Miss Earth if I would be given the opportunity. Miss Earth [contest] is not just a showcase of [physical] beauty, it also about concern for the environment. I would like to be that person to represent our country.”
“My victory hasn’t sunken on me yet. I wasn’t so sure about winning because days before the coronation all the newspapers and pageant Web sites that featured me said I am just tall (and that’s it). And so my target was just to make it to the semifinals… I feel so blessed by God because I made it to the top,” she said in an interview with Standard Today minutes after her coronation.
At the final dress rehearsals-cum-mock pageant held last Saturday, Untalan only emerged first runnerup to Conejero. The result of that mock pageant became her “driving force to do my very best on the coronation night,” she said with a smile.
She also believes that, “Things have a right way of falling into place.” She revealed that she tried her luck in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant. “I was half-hearted with my decision because I would be graduating at that time. If I pushed through with it, I would have missed the final exams and would not have graduated with honors,” she said. When she didn’t become an official candidate, she considered it as a blessing. “Maybe God has some other plans for me.”
With a whistle-bait figure of 35”-25”-35” and standing at 6 feet, Untalan now shares the record with Bb. Pilipinas-World 1992 Marilen Espino being the tallest Filipina beauty queens.
But, is height really might for Untalan?
“Although it helped me to stand out, I’d like to believe that I won because of my totality as a person, and that I really worked hard for this. More than anything else, it’s actually the prayers of all the people who believed in me from the very beginning that made my dream a reality,” she said.
Untalan’s winning the crown proved that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes—teaching a lesson to those who think that most Filipina beauty queens are only 5’7” tall.
Her undeniable beauty and wit make her already a frontrunner for the Miss Earth 2006 title! The international pageant, for the first time, will be held outside the country, in Santiago, Chile this November.
Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife03_may20_2006
Labels: Miss Philippines Earth-Bicol 2006, Official results, Related news and articles
Search is on for Mutya ng Ibalong
By Florencio P. Narito
LEGAZPI CITY – The regional search for the Mutya ng Ibalong Beauty Contest is still on the final screening of candidates will be on Oct. 16, according to Diosdado Rañeses, secretary-general of the Ibalong Festival Executive Committee.
Interviewed at his office last Tuesday, Rañeses, concurrent City Tourism Officer, said that some 30 aspirants have already applied but only 20 will be chosen official candidates.
Renee Salud, well-known couturier and beauty and talent consultant, is this year’s chairperson of the Search for Mutya ng Ibalong Beauty Pageant and Coronation which will be held on Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation, Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City.
“If the committee can finish the screening of the candidates in the afternoon of Oct. 16, the official candidates for the Mutya ng Ibalong 2005 could be presented to the media,” Rañeses said.
This year’s Mutya ng Ibalong will receive a cash prize of P100,000 plus cash gifts and a trophy. The first runner-up will receive P40,000 plus cash gift and at trophy. The second runner-up will receive P20,000 plus a cast gift and a trophy.
Rañeses revealed that singer-actor Robert Seña will be the main host during the Mutya ng Ibalong Beauty Pageant and Coronation Night. He will be co-hosted by Karen Agustin, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2002 and Vanessa Untalan, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2004 semi-finalist.
Singer Isay Alvarez and violinist Jay Cayuca will be the special guest performers.
This year’s Ibalong Festival has been scheduled from Oct. 25 to 31 while the Legazpi Port Fiesta will be on Oct. 24, the Feast Day of St. Raphael the Archangel.
Other activities include: a fashion show, Oct. 26; gown competition and food festival, Oct. 27; Business Forum: Visit Legazpi 2006 with travel agents and tour operators, Oct. 29, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Hotel Venezia.
But the highlight of the weeklong celebration will be the Ibalong Street Presentation and Competition from Quezon Avenue to Peñafrancia Park starting at 1 p.m. Oct. 29. More than 20 contingents from all over the region have already signed up in the street dancing costume competition.
Cash prizes and trophies/plaques will be awarded to the winners in the street dancing competition.
On Oct. 31, a Halloween Costume Party will cap the Ibalong Festival to be held at the Pacific Mall.
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2005/oct13/search.html
LEGAZPI CITY – The regional search for the Mutya ng Ibalong Beauty Contest is still on the final screening of candidates will be on Oct. 16, according to Diosdado Rañeses, secretary-general of the Ibalong Festival Executive Committee.
Interviewed at his office last Tuesday, Rañeses, concurrent City Tourism Officer, said that some 30 aspirants have already applied but only 20 will be chosen official candidates.
Renee Salud, well-known couturier and beauty and talent consultant, is this year’s chairperson of the Search for Mutya ng Ibalong Beauty Pageant and Coronation which will be held on Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation, Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City.
“If the committee can finish the screening of the candidates in the afternoon of Oct. 16, the official candidates for the Mutya ng Ibalong 2005 could be presented to the media,” Rañeses said.
This year’s Mutya ng Ibalong will receive a cash prize of P100,000 plus cash gifts and a trophy. The first runner-up will receive P40,000 plus cash gift and at trophy. The second runner-up will receive P20,000 plus a cast gift and a trophy.
Rañeses revealed that singer-actor Robert Seña will be the main host during the Mutya ng Ibalong Beauty Pageant and Coronation Night. He will be co-hosted by Karen Agustin, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2002 and Vanessa Untalan, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2004 semi-finalist.
Singer Isay Alvarez and violinist Jay Cayuca will be the special guest performers.
This year’s Ibalong Festival has been scheduled from Oct. 25 to 31 while the Legazpi Port Fiesta will be on Oct. 24, the Feast Day of St. Raphael the Archangel.
Other activities include: a fashion show, Oct. 26; gown competition and food festival, Oct. 27; Business Forum: Visit Legazpi 2006 with travel agents and tour operators, Oct. 29, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Hotel Venezia.
But the highlight of the weeklong celebration will be the Ibalong Street Presentation and Competition from Quezon Avenue to Peñafrancia Park starting at 1 p.m. Oct. 29. More than 20 contingents from all over the region have already signed up in the street dancing costume competition.
Cash prizes and trophies/plaques will be awarded to the winners in the street dancing competition.
On Oct. 31, a Halloween Costume Party will cap the Ibalong Festival to be held at the Pacific Mall.
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2005/oct13/search.html
Labels: Mutya ng Ibalong 2005, Related news and articles
Ibalon beauty title holder dies in road mishap in Naga
By MIKE AGUILAR II and ED DE LEON
NAGA CITY - A Mutya ng Ibalon (beauty queen) 2004 in Legaspi City died in a motorcycle accident early yeasterday morning in Barangay San Felipe here.
A police report identified the victim as Moira Anna Bautista Yarr, 18, first year nursing student at the Ateneo de Naga University (ADENU). She suffered a fractured skull and died at the Mother Seton Hospital here.
Dodge Raneses, a member of the city tourism council in Albay, said Miss Yarr was scheduled to turn over the Mutya ng Ibalon crown in October 2005 to her successor.
City Councilor Nene de Asis, chairperson of the committee on screening for the Miss Bicolandia beauty pageant 2005, said that Miss Yarr participated in the selection round. She was official candidate No. 20 and the choice of almost everybody during the selection process at the civic center here.
Yarr is a daughter of a Finnish national. Her mother is a Filipina and native of Naga City.
The family resides at San Francisco Village, Barangay Pacol, this city.
Many of her classmates and friends in school said they will be missing her.
They said that Yarr was too young to die, observing that she was intelligent and friendly.
She was a combination of beauty nd brains, one classmate said. She is down to earth, "at tipong kalog" despite her goods looks, she added.
Police said that Yarr was riding a motorcycle driven by Fernan Gutierrez, 17, of Abella, Naga City at about 3 a.m. on her way home in Pacol from a downtown nightclub when the motorcycle crashed.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/08/22/PROV2005082242578.html
NAGA CITY - A Mutya ng Ibalon (beauty queen) 2004 in Legaspi City died in a motorcycle accident early yeasterday morning in Barangay San Felipe here.
A police report identified the victim as Moira Anna Bautista Yarr, 18, first year nursing student at the Ateneo de Naga University (ADENU). She suffered a fractured skull and died at the Mother Seton Hospital here.
Dodge Raneses, a member of the city tourism council in Albay, said Miss Yarr was scheduled to turn over the Mutya ng Ibalon crown in October 2005 to her successor.
City Councilor Nene de Asis, chairperson of the committee on screening for the Miss Bicolandia beauty pageant 2005, said that Miss Yarr participated in the selection round. She was official candidate No. 20 and the choice of almost everybody during the selection process at the civic center here.
Yarr is a daughter of a Finnish national. Her mother is a Filipina and native of Naga City.
The family resides at San Francisco Village, Barangay Pacol, this city.
Many of her classmates and friends in school said they will be missing her.
They said that Yarr was too young to die, observing that she was intelligent and friendly.
She was a combination of beauty nd brains, one classmate said. She is down to earth, "at tipong kalog" despite her goods looks, she added.
Police said that Yarr was riding a motorcycle driven by Fernan Gutierrez, 17, of Abella, Naga City at about 3 a.m. on her way home in Pacol from a downtown nightclub when the motorcycle crashed.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/08/22/PROV2005082242578.html
Labels: Miss Bicolandia 2005, Mutya ng Ibalong 2004, Related news and articles
'Mutya' a battle of beauties from here and abroad
By Armin Adina
FORGET the hard court. The competition between locals and Filipino-foreigners moves to the beauty pageant arena as the 37th annual Mutya ng Pilipinas invites a record number of delegates from Filipino communities abroad.
The roster of 24 candidates for this year's search includes eight delegates from Australia, Europe and North America.
Inquirer Entertainment talked to some of the candidates during their briefing at the ABC 5 offices in Makati City recently.
Shelly Wynne Manacsa, 21, represents California. The 21-year-old nursing student aims to duplicate the feat of California-based Filipino Miriam Chui, crowned Mutya in 2002. Shelly is a part-time model in Los Angeles.
Canada sent 20-year-old Annalie Bonda, winner of the Miss Philippines-Canada pageant. Annalie is a Fashion Communication, Marketing and Management student at the International Academy of Design and Technology.
In 2003, she represented Canada in the Miss Global Teen Quest won by the delegate from Puerto Rico. "She was very prepared," said Annalie of the winner.
The US East Coast is represented by 19-year-old Katherine Bernal and Anijia (pronounced Anya) Jalac, 22. Katherine and Anijia joined the same pageant in the US and landed first and second, respectively. Katherine is a Biology junior at the Brooklyn College-City University of New York and has an associate degree in fashion. She is a member of the Filipino Dance Company in New York. "My favorite dance is the Pandango sa Ilaw," she said.
Anijia grew up in a traditional Filipino family. Her parents are very strict, especially about boys, she said, adding that she thinks "it's very good." She was just recently allowed to have a boyfriend.
Good fight
But the local girls are expected to give the "imports" stiff competition. There are two very strong contenders from Bicolandia.
Windena Zaragoza and Penelope Joy Jacinto have known each other for three years. They first met at the Miss Camarines 2002 pageant and have since competed against each other in latter pageants.
They were runners up in the last Mutya ng Ibalong Quest.
Dumaguete sent 20-year-old Liana Basmayor. Although a self-confessed pageant "veteran," Liana quickly added: "I'm not making [joining pageants] a career."
Fashion designer Renee Salud and film director Jeffrey Jeturian spotted the California-raised Liana hosting the Miss Silliman pageant last year and asked her to give Mutya ng Pilipinas a try.
Ilocos Norte's Rochelle Jane Hagunos is only 18 years old, but she is the tallest candidate at 5-foot-9.
"This is my first pageant," said Rochelle, a Nursing freshman at the Mariano Marcos State University. She is an only child who has lived with her grandmother since her parents separated when she was very young.
Another 18-year-old, Arabella Hanesh, has distinct West Asian features that make her stand out. The representative from Pangasinan keeps fit by belly dancing. "It's good for the belly... makes it firm," she explained.
Batangas is represented by Marevel Alcantara, 18. A Tourism student at the Lyceum of Batangas, she landed second in the last Binibining Lungsod ng Batangas pageant.
Lynelle Fariwas crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas-Mindanao just two weeks ago. The 19-year-old future nurse is a TV host at a station in Zamboanga.
Also competing this year are Carmenliza Nicolosi of Italy, Australia's Rosecel Aguilar, Filipino-German Katherina Koegel and United Kingdom's Elaine Coyle. They are joined by Quezon City's Abigail Cruz, Elizabeth Nacuspag and Hemilyn Escudero, Carmelle Paguia of Zambales, Bulacan's Christelle Reyes, Isabela's Mary Candice Ramos, Kathlyn Valenzuela of Parae, Namkeen Hameed of Ilocos Sur and Paula Ruiz of Marikina City.
Mutya ng Pilipinas and Miss Asia Pacific International 2005 fourth runner-up Jedah Hernandez crowns her successor on June 11 at the PTA Tent in Clamshell II, Intramuros. ABC 5 airs the ceremonies on June 12.
Source: http://www.opmb.com/forums-mb/view_topic.php?id=4535&forum_id=16
FORGET the hard court. The competition between locals and Filipino-foreigners moves to the beauty pageant arena as the 37th annual Mutya ng Pilipinas invites a record number of delegates from Filipino communities abroad.
The roster of 24 candidates for this year's search includes eight delegates from Australia, Europe and North America.
Inquirer Entertainment talked to some of the candidates during their briefing at the ABC 5 offices in Makati City recently.
Shelly Wynne Manacsa, 21, represents California. The 21-year-old nursing student aims to duplicate the feat of California-based Filipino Miriam Chui, crowned Mutya in 2002. Shelly is a part-time model in Los Angeles.
Canada sent 20-year-old Annalie Bonda, winner of the Miss Philippines-Canada pageant. Annalie is a Fashion Communication, Marketing and Management student at the International Academy of Design and Technology.
In 2003, she represented Canada in the Miss Global Teen Quest won by the delegate from Puerto Rico. "She was very prepared," said Annalie of the winner.
The US East Coast is represented by 19-year-old Katherine Bernal and Anijia (pronounced Anya) Jalac, 22. Katherine and Anijia joined the same pageant in the US and landed first and second, respectively. Katherine is a Biology junior at the Brooklyn College-City University of New York and has an associate degree in fashion. She is a member of the Filipino Dance Company in New York. "My favorite dance is the Pandango sa Ilaw," she said.
Anijia grew up in a traditional Filipino family. Her parents are very strict, especially about boys, she said, adding that she thinks "it's very good." She was just recently allowed to have a boyfriend.
Good fight
But the local girls are expected to give the "imports" stiff competition. There are two very strong contenders from Bicolandia.
Windena Zaragoza and Penelope Joy Jacinto have known each other for three years. They first met at the Miss Camarines 2002 pageant and have since competed against each other in latter pageants.
They were runners up in the last Mutya ng Ibalong Quest.
Dumaguete sent 20-year-old Liana Basmayor. Although a self-confessed pageant "veteran," Liana quickly added: "I'm not making [joining pageants] a career."
Fashion designer Renee Salud and film director Jeffrey Jeturian spotted the California-raised Liana hosting the Miss Silliman pageant last year and asked her to give Mutya ng Pilipinas a try.
Ilocos Norte's Rochelle Jane Hagunos is only 18 years old, but she is the tallest candidate at 5-foot-9.
"This is my first pageant," said Rochelle, a Nursing freshman at the Mariano Marcos State University. She is an only child who has lived with her grandmother since her parents separated when she was very young.
Another 18-year-old, Arabella Hanesh, has distinct West Asian features that make her stand out. The representative from Pangasinan keeps fit by belly dancing. "It's good for the belly... makes it firm," she explained.
Batangas is represented by Marevel Alcantara, 18. A Tourism student at the Lyceum of Batangas, she landed second in the last Binibining Lungsod ng Batangas pageant.
Lynelle Fariwas crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas-Mindanao just two weeks ago. The 19-year-old future nurse is a TV host at a station in Zamboanga.
Also competing this year are Carmenliza Nicolosi of Italy, Australia's Rosecel Aguilar, Filipino-German Katherina Koegel and United Kingdom's Elaine Coyle. They are joined by Quezon City's Abigail Cruz, Elizabeth Nacuspag and Hemilyn Escudero, Carmelle Paguia of Zambales, Bulacan's Christelle Reyes, Isabela's Mary Candice Ramos, Kathlyn Valenzuela of Parae, Namkeen Hameed of Ilocos Sur and Paula Ruiz of Marikina City.
Mutya ng Pilipinas and Miss Asia Pacific International 2005 fourth runner-up Jedah Hernandez crowns her successor on June 11 at the PTA Tent in Clamshell II, Intramuros. ABC 5 airs the ceremonies on June 12.
Source: http://www.opmb.com/forums-mb/view_topic.php?id=4535&forum_id=16
Labels: Miss CamSur-Kaogma 2002, Related news and articles
Kaogma festival reels off May 21
THE Kaogma Festival reels off Saturday, May 21 to culminate with a big bang on Friday, May 27 to mark the 426th Foundation of the Province of Camarines Sur.
Between the opening motorcade and the climactic grand parade and closing rites that will be graced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as guest of honor, will be a sizzling, full-week array of cultural extravaganza, historical presentations, sports competitions and entertainment galore that will be the “hottest happening” hereabouts this summer, Governor LRay Villafuerte announced.
Camarines Sur commemorates this historic event for the eighth consecutive year after it was conclusively established only in 1997 that May 27 is the foundation day of the province.
The Kaogma, local dialect term denoting happiness, a traditional Bikolano thanksgiving feast of the summer harvest, has been institutionalized into the week-long festival the provincial government is promoting to place Camarines Sur in the festival agenda and tourism map of the world.
To give this year’s Kaogma distinctive color and “local flavor”, the big pepper locally called “sili”, that pungent condiment that literally fires up many recipes of the Bikolano cuisine, and the color red have been chosen mascot and motif of the festivities.
Guests and celebrators are enjoined to wear red for the occasion.
The ‘sili’ mascot is among the innovations introduced by Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte to give the annual Kaogma Festival a distinct identity similar to Baguio City’s Panagbenga, Cebu’s Sinulog, Antique’s Ati-atihan and Bacolod’s Masskara.
Over a decade of extensive research in historical annals that extended up to archives in Spain initiated by then governor now Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte of the second district, confirmed it was on May 27, 1579 that Governor General Francisco de Sande issued the decree to establish a settlement near the native village of Naga which eventually led to the creation of the province of Camarines Sur.
The first ever foundation day celebration on May 27, 1998 - the 419th - was a simple affair because of time constraints until the Kaogma, a revival of the traditional local feast of the summer harvest, was instituted as a weeklong celebration of the foundation of the province since 1999, the 420th.
As in previous years, the Kaogma will be highlighted by crowd-drawing events like the Miss Camarines Sur Beauty Pageant participated in by beauties from the 35 towns and 2 cities of the province, the grand parade that features colorful floats, street dancing contests, fancy drill, drum and lyre and majorette competitions and the Tour of Camarines Sur.
Personalities led by Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano are expected to grace celebration as well as showbiz stars and celebrities including Lani Mercado, Angelica Panganiban, Marvin Agustin, Onyok Velasco, Nadine Agustin, Pauleen Luna, KC Montero, Ella V., Parokya ni Edgar and the Retrospect Band will be guests or hosts of various activities.
The year’s Tour of Camarines Sur that has drawn a total of 425 cyclists from all over the country has been expanded to cover four laps and will reel off May 23 up to May 26. The four-segment route that starts at Siruma and winds up at the Provincial Capitol Complex was extended to a total of 405 kilometers, the longest Tour ever.
Another highlight of the celebration will be a food fair showcasing native cuisine and specially featuring “hot food” and “hot buys” spiced with red pepper for sale to guests and visitors during the entire duration of the festivities.
Other events and activities during the weeklong celebrations are the Hot Kids Star Search, amateur boxing competitions, a war games challenge, air gun silhouette shooting competition, kite flying contest, lawn tennis tournament, marksmanship competition, motocross and the off-road challenge.
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2005/may19/reports.html
Between the opening motorcade and the climactic grand parade and closing rites that will be graced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as guest of honor, will be a sizzling, full-week array of cultural extravaganza, historical presentations, sports competitions and entertainment galore that will be the “hottest happening” hereabouts this summer, Governor LRay Villafuerte announced.
Camarines Sur commemorates this historic event for the eighth consecutive year after it was conclusively established only in 1997 that May 27 is the foundation day of the province.
The Kaogma, local dialect term denoting happiness, a traditional Bikolano thanksgiving feast of the summer harvest, has been institutionalized into the week-long festival the provincial government is promoting to place Camarines Sur in the festival agenda and tourism map of the world.
To give this year’s Kaogma distinctive color and “local flavor”, the big pepper locally called “sili”, that pungent condiment that literally fires up many recipes of the Bikolano cuisine, and the color red have been chosen mascot and motif of the festivities.
Guests and celebrators are enjoined to wear red for the occasion.
The ‘sili’ mascot is among the innovations introduced by Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte to give the annual Kaogma Festival a distinct identity similar to Baguio City’s Panagbenga, Cebu’s Sinulog, Antique’s Ati-atihan and Bacolod’s Masskara.
Over a decade of extensive research in historical annals that extended up to archives in Spain initiated by then governor now Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte of the second district, confirmed it was on May 27, 1579 that Governor General Francisco de Sande issued the decree to establish a settlement near the native village of Naga which eventually led to the creation of the province of Camarines Sur.
The first ever foundation day celebration on May 27, 1998 - the 419th - was a simple affair because of time constraints until the Kaogma, a revival of the traditional local feast of the summer harvest, was instituted as a weeklong celebration of the foundation of the province since 1999, the 420th.
As in previous years, the Kaogma will be highlighted by crowd-drawing events like the Miss Camarines Sur Beauty Pageant participated in by beauties from the 35 towns and 2 cities of the province, the grand parade that features colorful floats, street dancing contests, fancy drill, drum and lyre and majorette competitions and the Tour of Camarines Sur.
Personalities led by Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano are expected to grace celebration as well as showbiz stars and celebrities including Lani Mercado, Angelica Panganiban, Marvin Agustin, Onyok Velasco, Nadine Agustin, Pauleen Luna, KC Montero, Ella V., Parokya ni Edgar and the Retrospect Band will be guests or hosts of various activities.
The year’s Tour of Camarines Sur that has drawn a total of 425 cyclists from all over the country has been expanded to cover four laps and will reel off May 23 up to May 26. The four-segment route that starts at Siruma and winds up at the Provincial Capitol Complex was extended to a total of 405 kilometers, the longest Tour ever.
Another highlight of the celebration will be a food fair showcasing native cuisine and specially featuring “hot food” and “hot buys” spiced with red pepper for sale to guests and visitors during the entire duration of the festivities.
Other events and activities during the weeklong celebrations are the Hot Kids Star Search, amateur boxing competitions, a war games challenge, air gun silhouette shooting competition, kite flying contest, lawn tennis tournament, marksmanship competition, motocross and the off-road challenge.
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2005/may19/reports.html
Labels: Miss CamSur-Kaogma 2005, Related news and articles
PRETTY LADIES
Beauty abounds in Camarines Sur as exemplified by 20 contestants who made it to the 2005 Miss Camarines Sur Beauty Pageant scheduled on May 25, after the final screening conducted last Saturday, May 14 at the much-vaunted Eco Village at the Provincial Capitol Complex at Cadlan, Pili. The beauty pageant is among the highlights of the Foundation Day anniversary celebration of the province of Camarines Sur. Shown in photo above are the 20 beauty contestants: (from left to right) Chyrlyn Cristal Eugenio, San Jose, Partido; Isabel M. Quiñones, Tigaon; Jackielou S. Formalejo, Tigaon; Ruby Jane Mayao, Naga City; Ruvejane Rull, Nabua; Joycie A. Nocomura, Naga City; Karla Melissa Santos, Naga City; Zarahlyn Esplana, Iriga City; Princess Daza Armillos, Nabua; Glaiza Anne B. Bilas, Baao; Kharlyn Gayle Caroche, Iriga City; Mary France Diaz, Canaman; Hendry Dee Lorica, Naga City; Suserain Algura, Naga City; Frances Marie Pentecostes, Tigaon; and Jennie D. Narra, Naga City; Jaine Santiano Hidalgo; Milaor; Jenny Leah Callo, Milaor; Glorainne Solina, Iriga City and Halima Lyssa Oida Altaie, Iriga City. (S. NIEVES/DEX DECENA)
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2005/may19/index.html
Labels: Miss CamSur-Kaogma 2005, Related news and articles
This girl Bettina
By Jose B. Perez
A HEX hangs over the second district of Camarines Sur. Not one of its congressmen since Raul S. Roco has been lucky enough to enjoy a second-term.
Congressman Roco became senator after his first term expired. Pol San Buenaventura lost twice before he finally won in 1995 over then incumbent Celso Baguio who succeeded Raul. A betrayal by a contractor-friend did Baguio in over a graft issue.
But San Buenaventura, who wanted to make eunuchs out of rapists, was not good enough for a second term. He, along with comebacking Baguio and over-confident Bong Villafuerte were badly mangled by James Jacob who raced to a convincing lead, thanks to Mayor Jesse Robredo and the Naga electorate who gave the former city councilor and Bar topnotcher a record margin of more than 14,000 votes over the closest rival. Jacob did not seek re-election as Cho Roco aimed for Congress at the end of the latter’s first term as mayor to pave the way for Robredo’s comeback who in 1998 enrolled at Harvard for masteral studies after having served as mayor for three consecutive terms.
The last time we heard about Pol was when he bid farewell to ward leaders after his failed campaign to become mayor of his tiny hometown of Gainza. Would he be around in the next barangay election?
Like Baguio and Pol, Cho fell in disgrace on his second try. While Cong. Roco won in Naga, challenger and outgoing Gov. Luis Villafuerte pulverized him in the rest of the second district towns. LRV’s triumph became a vindication of his two sons’ previous defeats. Brothers L-Ray and Bong were one by one routed by Cho in the 1998 mayoral and 2001 congressional contests, respectively.
Will the older Villafuerte stay as congressman beyond 2007 and thus break the jinx that has been haunting the second district for the last 15 years?
Politics aside, there is for sure one woman who will stand out when members of the Philippine medical associations of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and Chicago come to Naga for a 5-day medical/dental/surgical mission on January 10-14, 2005.
She’s pretty, she’s gorgeous, she’s articulate, she’s tall, she’s bubbly as ever. She’s Bettina Obias-Gancayco, the 1983 Miss Bicolandia.
She’s the point person of the Bicol Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., which, together with the Naga City Government, is sponsoring the biggest ever medical mission by Fil-Am surgeons in Bicol.
As the wife of Dr. Theodore (Ted) Gancayco of Cavite who is concurrently the president of the Philippine Medical Association of Metro Washington, D.C. and chief of mission of the volunteer ophthalmologists for the Naga medical mission, Bettina has been tasked to head the logistics and social concerns of the mission.
She came earlier, last October 26, 2004, along with fellow Bicolana, Dr. Yen Dizon-Estrada (of San Jose and Caramoan), to meet for the initial groundworks with Mayor Jesse Robredo and Naga First Lady Leni (Bettina’s high school classmate at then CSI), Drs. Butch Borja and Ronnie Ursua, and other city hall officials.
With strains of the distinct Partido accent still evident when speaking in the local tongue, Bettina exuded the same unsophisticated charm and sweetness as it was when she made heads turn as a popular fast-talking colegiala years ago. She gulped halo-halo and devoured Bicol spiced foods like she has been away for decades although she confessed that she comes home once or twice a year to visit her parents and classmates — thanks to her paid annual vacation leave as an employee at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Bettina, friend to my wife’s younger brother and sisters, is the beautiful girl next door who can comfortably go along with all types of people.
Her mother is a Bonnevie that makes her a niece of the famous movie star. Her father Tom-Tom is a cousin of Milagros Obias-Drilon, wife of the Senate President.
Once a cover girl of Mr. & Ms. Magazine when she was romantically linked to San Beda College basketball star Joey Loyzaga in the mid 1980s, Bettina disclosed that it was after winning the Miss Bicolandia pageant that first brought her to the US. Actually, she said, the prize included a trip for two to Bangkok which she converted by adding a few dollars more into a trip to the land of milk and honey.
While there on temporary sojourn, she enrolled in a business college with the hope of coming back for a longer stay to finish other courses. As a senior student she earned a secretarial job at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington before hitting the World Bank. And irony of ironies she met her future husband Ted, an ophthalmologist, through a blind date. Betttina giggled when she told us that it took Ted 7 years before finally deciding to marry her! May diferencia siguro sa mata an ophthalmologist, we kidded her.
After a dinner over cocidong salmon and sautéed shrimps at Chili Peppers, Ronnie, Yen, Bettina and I all agreed to proceed to Bistro Roberto where Bettina’s high school classmates reserved a long table near the dance floor. Ronnie and I, with Carlos 1 infront of us, were soon crowded with giggling ladies but were happy at the thought that our Balikbayan guests truly enjoyed the evening.
As she planed back to the US last week, Bettina texted me this message: “Keep n touch! Text me via dis number. Piso lang. Missing u guys already! See u soon. Goodspeed. Aaaah – I love ‘Pinas!”
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/november11/grilling.html
A HEX hangs over the second district of Camarines Sur. Not one of its congressmen since Raul S. Roco has been lucky enough to enjoy a second-term.
Congressman Roco became senator after his first term expired. Pol San Buenaventura lost twice before he finally won in 1995 over then incumbent Celso Baguio who succeeded Raul. A betrayal by a contractor-friend did Baguio in over a graft issue.
But San Buenaventura, who wanted to make eunuchs out of rapists, was not good enough for a second term. He, along with comebacking Baguio and over-confident Bong Villafuerte were badly mangled by James Jacob who raced to a convincing lead, thanks to Mayor Jesse Robredo and the Naga electorate who gave the former city councilor and Bar topnotcher a record margin of more than 14,000 votes over the closest rival. Jacob did not seek re-election as Cho Roco aimed for Congress at the end of the latter’s first term as mayor to pave the way for Robredo’s comeback who in 1998 enrolled at Harvard for masteral studies after having served as mayor for three consecutive terms.
The last time we heard about Pol was when he bid farewell to ward leaders after his failed campaign to become mayor of his tiny hometown of Gainza. Would he be around in the next barangay election?
Like Baguio and Pol, Cho fell in disgrace on his second try. While Cong. Roco won in Naga, challenger and outgoing Gov. Luis Villafuerte pulverized him in the rest of the second district towns. LRV’s triumph became a vindication of his two sons’ previous defeats. Brothers L-Ray and Bong were one by one routed by Cho in the 1998 mayoral and 2001 congressional contests, respectively.
Will the older Villafuerte stay as congressman beyond 2007 and thus break the jinx that has been haunting the second district for the last 15 years?
Politics aside, there is for sure one woman who will stand out when members of the Philippine medical associations of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and Chicago come to Naga for a 5-day medical/dental/surgical mission on January 10-14, 2005.
She’s pretty, she’s gorgeous, she’s articulate, she’s tall, she’s bubbly as ever. She’s Bettina Obias-Gancayco, the 1983 Miss Bicolandia.
She’s the point person of the Bicol Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., which, together with the Naga City Government, is sponsoring the biggest ever medical mission by Fil-Am surgeons in Bicol.
As the wife of Dr. Theodore (Ted) Gancayco of Cavite who is concurrently the president of the Philippine Medical Association of Metro Washington, D.C. and chief of mission of the volunteer ophthalmologists for the Naga medical mission, Bettina has been tasked to head the logistics and social concerns of the mission.
She came earlier, last October 26, 2004, along with fellow Bicolana, Dr. Yen Dizon-Estrada (of San Jose and Caramoan), to meet for the initial groundworks with Mayor Jesse Robredo and Naga First Lady Leni (Bettina’s high school classmate at then CSI), Drs. Butch Borja and Ronnie Ursua, and other city hall officials.
With strains of the distinct Partido accent still evident when speaking in the local tongue, Bettina exuded the same unsophisticated charm and sweetness as it was when she made heads turn as a popular fast-talking colegiala years ago. She gulped halo-halo and devoured Bicol spiced foods like she has been away for decades although she confessed that she comes home once or twice a year to visit her parents and classmates — thanks to her paid annual vacation leave as an employee at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Bettina, friend to my wife’s younger brother and sisters, is the beautiful girl next door who can comfortably go along with all types of people.
Her mother is a Bonnevie that makes her a niece of the famous movie star. Her father Tom-Tom is a cousin of Milagros Obias-Drilon, wife of the Senate President.
Once a cover girl of Mr. & Ms. Magazine when she was romantically linked to San Beda College basketball star Joey Loyzaga in the mid 1980s, Bettina disclosed that it was after winning the Miss Bicolandia pageant that first brought her to the US. Actually, she said, the prize included a trip for two to Bangkok which she converted by adding a few dollars more into a trip to the land of milk and honey.
While there on temporary sojourn, she enrolled in a business college with the hope of coming back for a longer stay to finish other courses. As a senior student she earned a secretarial job at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington before hitting the World Bank. And irony of ironies she met her future husband Ted, an ophthalmologist, through a blind date. Betttina giggled when she told us that it took Ted 7 years before finally deciding to marry her! May diferencia siguro sa mata an ophthalmologist, we kidded her.
After a dinner over cocidong salmon and sautéed shrimps at Chili Peppers, Ronnie, Yen, Bettina and I all agreed to proceed to Bistro Roberto where Bettina’s high school classmates reserved a long table near the dance floor. Ronnie and I, with Carlos 1 infront of us, were soon crowded with giggling ladies but were happy at the thought that our Balikbayan guests truly enjoyed the evening.
As she planed back to the US last week, Bettina texted me this message: “Keep n touch! Text me via dis number. Piso lang. Missing u guys already! See u soon. Goodspeed. Aaaah – I love ‘Pinas!”
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/november11/grilling.html
Labels: Miss Bicolandia 1983, Related news and articles
Miss Bicolandia 2004; Iriga, Legazpi maidens dominate preliminaries
TALL, pretty, articulate.
These were the three magic words that best described the candidates for the 2004 Search for Miss Bicolandia. Especially the last, which helped the board of judges, chaired by presidential son, Dato Macapagal-Arroyo, pick out the 20 official candidates during the pre-selection and preliminary screening held Saturday, August 21, at the poolside of the Naga City Civic Center here.
City Councilor Nene de Asis, chair of the 2004 Miss Bicolandia Beauty Pageant, said 38 maidens enlisted for the search, but 7 of them failed to meet the 5’3 minimum height requirement.
Thirty-one made it to the ramp at the poolside that Saturday afternoon where 20 of the fairest were closely chosen to officially vie for the coveted title. Pageant night and final selection will be held September 15 at the Universidad de Sta. Isabel auditorium with movie stars Dindong Dantes and Geoff Eigenmann as hosts.
This year’s Miss Bicolandia stands to receive P100,000 cash prize plus trophy and sash. Her 1st runner-up will be richer by P50,000.
Lucky 20
At about 5:30 p.m., Joe Perez of the Naga City Visitors Center, announced before the mesmerized audience the judges’ final list of the top 20 candidates:
Kharen R. Llenares, 17 years old, of Daraga, Albay;
Ana Katrina G. Crook, 18, of Iriga City;
Seniza C. Garchitorena, 20, of Naga City;
Marie Jennifer, 18, of Legazpi City;
Marie Anne Malapo, 19, of Iriga City;
Maria Sarah C. Gacer, 19, of Tiwi, Albay;
Rose R. Contemplacion, 17, of Bula, Camarines Sur;
Conner B. Capa, 21, of Libon, Albay;
Hannah C. Miguel, 17, of Libmanan, Camarines Sur;
Hanika B. Mirza, 21, of Legazpi City;
Monica D. Sandico, 17, of Legazpi City;
Aizza Francesca V. Briñas, 19, of Iriga City;
Mary Joy Adiova, 22, of Iriga City;
Lanelle Chirmaine Quirona, 19, of Daraga, Albay;
Maria Theresa V. Brizuela, 18, of Pili, Camarines Sur;
Maria Niña B. Dacoco, 18, of Tiwi, Albay;
Mayjel C. Magdaong, 20, Daraga, Albay;
Zayin Grace D. Fazonela, 20, of Daet, Camarines Norte;
Nonette E. Abion, 21, of Iriga City; and
Arianne M. Veneracion, 19, of Daraga, Albay.
Iriga City took away with the biggest number of qualifying candidates with 5, followed by Daraga, Albay with 4, while Legazpi City contributed 3.
Naga City had only one qualifier, along with Tabaco City, Tiwi, and Libon in Albay, Bula, Libmanan and Pili in Camarines Sur, and Daet in Camarines Norte which have one qualifying candidate each.
The tallest candidate, Aizza Francesca Briñas of Iriga City, stands at 5’9 ¼.
The youngest were aged 17, the minimum age requirement, while the oldest is 22 years.
Board of Judges
The board of judges, aside from Dato Macapagal-Arroyo, was composed of former Congressman and DepEd Undersecretary James Jacob, MMCI President Nicolas Beda Priela, Arch. Mirabel Tan of Naga Regent Hotel, Dr. Renato Rañola, Ms. Soledad Dy of Sandis, Ms. April Avila, and Mr. Edilberto Salvador. Meanwhile, Councilor de Asis said that all the 20 official candidates will be billeted at the Naga City Civic Center effective Sept. 11 until the pageant night on Sept. 15.
The Talent and Gown Competition will be held Sept. 13 at the LCC Central Mall.
This year’s search is being produced and presented by the Rising Sun Productions, a local production outfit chaired by Ms. Emily Bichara with Rommel Sto. Domingo providing the artistic and technical supervision and direction.
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/august26/mb2004.html
These were the three magic words that best described the candidates for the 2004 Search for Miss Bicolandia. Especially the last, which helped the board of judges, chaired by presidential son, Dato Macapagal-Arroyo, pick out the 20 official candidates during the pre-selection and preliminary screening held Saturday, August 21, at the poolside of the Naga City Civic Center here.
City Councilor Nene de Asis, chair of the 2004 Miss Bicolandia Beauty Pageant, said 38 maidens enlisted for the search, but 7 of them failed to meet the 5’3 minimum height requirement.
Thirty-one made it to the ramp at the poolside that Saturday afternoon where 20 of the fairest were closely chosen to officially vie for the coveted title. Pageant night and final selection will be held September 15 at the Universidad de Sta. Isabel auditorium with movie stars Dindong Dantes and Geoff Eigenmann as hosts.
This year’s Miss Bicolandia stands to receive P100,000 cash prize plus trophy and sash. Her 1st runner-up will be richer by P50,000.
Lucky 20
At about 5:30 p.m., Joe Perez of the Naga City Visitors Center, announced before the mesmerized audience the judges’ final list of the top 20 candidates:
Kharen R. Llenares, 17 years old, of Daraga, Albay;
Ana Katrina G. Crook, 18, of Iriga City;
Seniza C. Garchitorena, 20, of Naga City;
Marie Jennifer, 18, of Legazpi City;
Marie Anne Malapo, 19, of Iriga City;
Maria Sarah C. Gacer, 19, of Tiwi, Albay;
Rose R. Contemplacion, 17, of Bula, Camarines Sur;
Conner B. Capa, 21, of Libon, Albay;
Hannah C. Miguel, 17, of Libmanan, Camarines Sur;
Hanika B. Mirza, 21, of Legazpi City;
Monica D. Sandico, 17, of Legazpi City;
Aizza Francesca V. Briñas, 19, of Iriga City;
Mary Joy Adiova, 22, of Iriga City;
Lanelle Chirmaine Quirona, 19, of Daraga, Albay;
Maria Theresa V. Brizuela, 18, of Pili, Camarines Sur;
Maria Niña B. Dacoco, 18, of Tiwi, Albay;
Mayjel C. Magdaong, 20, Daraga, Albay;
Zayin Grace D. Fazonela, 20, of Daet, Camarines Norte;
Nonette E. Abion, 21, of Iriga City; and
Arianne M. Veneracion, 19, of Daraga, Albay.
Iriga City took away with the biggest number of qualifying candidates with 5, followed by Daraga, Albay with 4, while Legazpi City contributed 3.
Naga City had only one qualifier, along with Tabaco City, Tiwi, and Libon in Albay, Bula, Libmanan and Pili in Camarines Sur, and Daet in Camarines Norte which have one qualifying candidate each.
The tallest candidate, Aizza Francesca Briñas of Iriga City, stands at 5’9 ¼.
The youngest were aged 17, the minimum age requirement, while the oldest is 22 years.
Board of Judges
The board of judges, aside from Dato Macapagal-Arroyo, was composed of former Congressman and DepEd Undersecretary James Jacob, MMCI President Nicolas Beda Priela, Arch. Mirabel Tan of Naga Regent Hotel, Dr. Renato Rañola, Ms. Soledad Dy of Sandis, Ms. April Avila, and Mr. Edilberto Salvador. Meanwhile, Councilor de Asis said that all the 20 official candidates will be billeted at the Naga City Civic Center effective Sept. 11 until the pageant night on Sept. 15.
The Talent and Gown Competition will be held Sept. 13 at the LCC Central Mall.
This year’s search is being produced and presented by the Rising Sun Productions, a local production outfit chaired by Ms. Emily Bichara with Rommel Sto. Domingo providing the artistic and technical supervision and direction.
Source: http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/august26/mb2004.html
Labels: Miss Bicolandia 2004, Related news and articles
14-year-old crowned Miss Teen Philippines
Fourteen-year-old Stephanie Mae Sol exemplified beauty and intelligence and exuded grace under pressure to become the first ever Miss Teen Philippines at the coronation night held at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex last May 29.
Anchored on education and personality development, the pageant seeks to bring together confident, intelligent and talented teen candidates all over the country to compete for the title and to produce a national youth representative that would serve as a role model for the youth. And Ms. Sol perfectly fits the billing.
Picture shows: Stephanie Mae Sol at the moment of crowning
Representing the Northern and Western Mindanao Region, the brilliant Cagayan de Oro charmer even got to amaze pageant host Marc Nelson with her answers on what she intends to do if given 100 million pesos to establish a foundation.
'Steph' answered that she intends to establish reading centers in every barangay as a tool against literacy problems that could help the country in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction.
Nelson commented that he cannot believe how intelligent she is—"she's only fourteen years old."
Ms. Sol was likewise impressive in answering an earlier question on how to deal with a long time friend if she turned out to be a lesbian.
Steph ansewered that she will do her best to help her change. While her answer drew some disagreement from the crowd, nonetheless, no one can deny that she was very articulate in responding to the question.
'Steph' is an incoming junior high school student at the International School and the class topnotcher having received 'Highest Honor' last school year. She was also a 'Citizen of the Year' awardee and a member of the Mindanao Fashion and Entertainment Force and of the Classic Gems Entertainment.
This year's competition gathered 40 finalists chosen during the regional qualifications.
The regions represented were Northern Luzon; Central Luzon; National Capital Region; Southern Luzon; Central and Eastern Visayas; Western Visayas; Northern and Western Mindanao; and Southern and Central Mindanao.
First Runner-Up was print model and FEU Nursing student Joanna R. Rumohr of Novaliches, Quezon City (NCR) while Second Runner-up was Marguerite Nicole T. Taylor of Cebu City (Central and Eastern Visayas). Third Runner-Up honors went to Michelle Angella B. Sherwood of Angeles City, Pampanga (Central Luzon) as Jeffrey Mairim G. Gaitan of Sta. Rosa, Laguna (Southern Luzon) grabbed Fourth Runner-Up honors.
The Miss Photogenic award went to Moira Vania B. Yarr of Camarines Sur (Southern Luzon) while Miss Friendship was Paula Felice B. Rosales (NCR).
The Best in Evening Gown award was shared by Navigail S. Bleinagel of Moalboal, Cebu and Jeffrey Mairim Gaitan.
The Special Awards went to Jeffrey Mairim Gaitan - Miss Teen Charmee and to Michelle Angella Sherwood - Miss Teen Babyflo.
Source: http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20040531000016766
Anchored on education and personality development, the pageant seeks to bring together confident, intelligent and talented teen candidates all over the country to compete for the title and to produce a national youth representative that would serve as a role model for the youth. And Ms. Sol perfectly fits the billing.
Picture shows: Stephanie Mae Sol at the moment of crowning
Representing the Northern and Western Mindanao Region, the brilliant Cagayan de Oro charmer even got to amaze pageant host Marc Nelson with her answers on what she intends to do if given 100 million pesos to establish a foundation.
'Steph' answered that she intends to establish reading centers in every barangay as a tool against literacy problems that could help the country in terms of economic growth and poverty reduction.
Nelson commented that he cannot believe how intelligent she is—"she's only fourteen years old."
Ms. Sol was likewise impressive in answering an earlier question on how to deal with a long time friend if she turned out to be a lesbian.
Steph ansewered that she will do her best to help her change. While her answer drew some disagreement from the crowd, nonetheless, no one can deny that she was very articulate in responding to the question.
'Steph' is an incoming junior high school student at the International School and the class topnotcher having received 'Highest Honor' last school year. She was also a 'Citizen of the Year' awardee and a member of the Mindanao Fashion and Entertainment Force and of the Classic Gems Entertainment.
This year's competition gathered 40 finalists chosen during the regional qualifications.
The regions represented were Northern Luzon; Central Luzon; National Capital Region; Southern Luzon; Central and Eastern Visayas; Western Visayas; Northern and Western Mindanao; and Southern and Central Mindanao.
First Runner-Up was print model and FEU Nursing student Joanna R. Rumohr of Novaliches, Quezon City (NCR) while Second Runner-up was Marguerite Nicole T. Taylor of Cebu City (Central and Eastern Visayas). Third Runner-Up honors went to Michelle Angella B. Sherwood of Angeles City, Pampanga (Central Luzon) as Jeffrey Mairim G. Gaitan of Sta. Rosa, Laguna (Southern Luzon) grabbed Fourth Runner-Up honors.
The Miss Photogenic award went to Moira Vania B. Yarr of Camarines Sur (Southern Luzon) while Miss Friendship was Paula Felice B. Rosales (NCR).
The Best in Evening Gown award was shared by Navigail S. Bleinagel of Moalboal, Cebu and Jeffrey Mairim Gaitan.
The Special Awards went to Jeffrey Mairim Gaitan - Miss Teen Charmee and to Michelle Angella Sherwood - Miss Teen Babyflo.
Source: http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20040531000016766
Labels: Other pageants, Related news and articles
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