Philippine Pageant Update 3... 2 Major crowns.

2015 is about to end, and we're just waiting for Miss Tourism International and Miss Tourism Queen of the Year to conclude this year's roster of pageant winners. And I am hoping that Janella Joy Cuaton and Leren Mae Bautista (both from Mutya ng Pilipinas) would bring home the 2 crowns, or atleast get better placement.

Now let's have a recap on who are the representatives of the Philippines in 2015 and their corresponding placement.

from Binibining Pilipinas...

Pia Wurtzbach (Miss Universe 2015)

Ann Lorraine Colis (Miss Globe 2015)

Christi Lynn McGarry (Miss Intercontinental 1st RU)

Parul Shah (Miss Grand International 3rd RU)

Janicel Lubina (Miss International Top10)

Rogelie Catacutan (Miss Supranational Top20)

from Miss Philippines Earth

Angelia Gabrenna Ong (Miss Earth 2015)

from Miss World Philippines

Hillarie Danielle Parungao (Miss World Top10)

from other individual pageants...

Cindy Madumma (Miss Scuba International)

Daziella Gange (Miss Heritage 1st RU)

Mary Candice Ramos (Miss Global 4th RU)

Anabel Christine Tia (Miss United Continents Top10)

from Misters of the Philippines...

Judah Jyreh Cohen (Mister Tourism International Top5)

Reniel Villareal (Mister International Top10)

Joseph Doruelo (Mister Global Top13)

Arcel Yambing (Mister Model International Top13)

from Mister United Continents Philippines...

Alexis Martinez (Mister Universal Ambassador Top10)

Reynaldo Cataluna (Mister United Continents Top12)

Mark Andrew Baron (Mister Real Universe Top13)

and from Mister Philippines Inc...

Mike Gerald Mendoza (WCOPA Male Model of the World) and (Men Universe Model Top13)

I am now looking forward for next year's set of winners along side

Sam Ajdani for Mister World 2016

Willian Pagayon for Mister Tourism Intl 2016

Don McGyver Cochico for Manhunt International

and Rick Kristoffer Palencia for a pageant yet to be announced.

Lessons from a Pencil Maker

A pencil maker told the pencil four important lessons.

1.) Eveything you do will leave a mark.
2.) You can always correct the mistake you make.
3.) What is important is what is inside you.
4.) In life, you will undergo painful sharpening which will make you a better pencil.

Quotes XXVII

If you don't go after what you want... you'll never have it.
If you don't ask, the answer is always no!
If you don't step forward, you're always on the same place.
Take risks for life goes on.

Miss Universe 2015

And the long over due 3rd crown had been granted...

I got a mix feeling for this... although of course I feel so happy that Pia Wurtzbach got the 3rd Miss Universe crown for the the Philippines, I somehow feel sorry for Miss Colombia. Philippines was primarily announced as the 1st Runner up and Colombia the winner, unfortunately it was a mistake made by the host Steve Harvey. He might have misread what was in the result paper. In any case, I am still ecstatic over the announcement of Pia as the winner.

They brought back the old format of Top 3 final Q&A with just a simple question.
MU 2015 - Philippines
1st RU - Colombia
2nd RU - USA

And I would rather say that I love these years top5 Q&A as it is more politically and socially inclined than the usual pageantry questions. France and Australia were part of Top5.

Brazil, Indonesia, Belgium, South Africa, and Mexico made it to Top15. While Japan, Thailand, Curacao, Venezuela, and Dominican Republic reach top 10.

Philippine Pageant update 2... Miss World PH named.

We are on the last quarter of 2015, and Hillarie Danielle Parungao had just been named the 5th queen of Miss World Philippines.

When the official list of candidates was released, I already formulated my Top5... Emma Tiglao, Imelda Schweighart, Mia Howell, Hilarie Parungao, and Avonlea Paraiso. However, when Schweighart decided to withdraw from the competition, I included Cassandra Naidas on my list instead.

Now let's have an updated recap on who are the representatives of the Philippines in 2015 pageants...

who are yet to compete (with dates of the coronation nights) are..
Miss World: Hillarie Parungao (Dec19)

Miss Universe: Pia Wurtzbach (Dec20)

Miss International: Janicel Lubina (Nov05)

Miss Earth: Angelia Ong (Dec05)

Miss Tourism Intl: Janella Cuaton (Dec31)

Miss Supranational: Rogelie Catacutan (Dec04)

Miss Intercontinental: Christi McGarry (Dec18)

Miss Grand Intl: Parul Shah (Oct25)

Miss Global: Candice Ramos (Oct24)

Mister International: Reniel Villareal (Nov30)

Mister Model: Arcel Yambing

Mister Tourism: Judah Cohen

and who already competed (with their placements)...

Men Universe Model: Mike Mendoza (Top 13) 

Mister Global: Joseph Doruelo (Top13)

Mister United Continents: Reynaldo Cataluna (Top12)
Mister Real Universe: Mark Andrew Baron (Top13)
Miss Globe: Ann Colis (Winner)
Miss United Continents: Anabel Tia (Top 10)

while some had already been awarded to represent the country for next year's edition (and where it will be held)...

Mister World: Sam Ajdani (Cardiff, Wales)

Mister Global: Rick Palencia (Antananarivo, Madagascar)

Mister Tourism: Willian Pagayon

Struggles of our Life

Another post from one of my FB friends... 

Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.

Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot and ground coffee beans in the third pot. He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup.

Turning to her, he asked. “Daughter, what do you see?” “Potatoes, eggs and coffee,” she hastily replied.

"Look closer”, he said, “and touch the potatoes.” She did and noted that they were soft.
He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face.

"Father, what does this mean?” she asked.

He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity-the boiling water. However, each one reacted differently. The potato went in strong, hard and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new.

"Which one are you?” he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean?”

Moral Lesson: In life, things happen around us, things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is how you choose to react to it and what you make out of it. Life is all about leaning, adopting and converting all the struggles that we experience into something positive.

Math and Love Story

Math tells us 3 of the saddest love stories.

1.) Tangent Lines - who had 1 chance to meet, and then parted ways forever.
2.) Parallel Lines - who where never meant to meet.
3.) Asymptotes - who can get closer and closer but will never be together.

Quotes XXVI

"Yung crush,  attraction lang pag hindi mo pa nakikilala yung tao completely. Yung love, more than attraction na. Kilala mo na yung tao at gusto mo palagi kang andiyan sa kanya para protektahan siya."

 - Dimitri Salviejo, Gapangin mo ako, Saktan mo ako (Michael's Shades of Blue)

9 most difficult times in life...

1.) Being questioned when you yourself couldn't understand.
2.) Pretending to be innocent of something you know about.
3.) Trying to forget something you know you couldn't.
4.) Admitting that you're wrong after being so insistent that you're right.
5.) Debating with yourself.
6.) Accepting the fact that somethings are not meant to be.
7.) Trying to understand when you just can't.
8.) Realizing that you've been tricked after you've given your whole trust.
9.) Parting and letting go of someone you've love all your life.

Philippine Pageant Update

We are on the last month of the 3rd quarter of 2015, and we only have Miss World Philippines left unnamed. Who will it be then? So far I'm betting on Imelda Schweighart (Bb.Pilipinas2013 top15), and Emma Tiglao (Bb.Pilipinas2014 top15 and MutyaNgPilipinas2012 1stRU).

Let's have a recap on who are the representatives of the Philippines in 2015 pageants...

who are yet to compete are...
Miss Universe: Pia Wurtzbach
Miss International: Janicel Lubina
Miss Earth: Angelia Ong
Miss Tourism Intl: Janella Cuaton
Miss Supranational: Rogelie Catacutan
Miss Intercontinental: Christi McGarry
Miss Grand Intl: Parul Shah
Miss Globe (Albania): Ann Colis
Miss Globe (Turkey): Toni Hipolito
Miss Global: Candice Ramos
Mister International: Reniel Villareal
Mister Model: Arcel Yambing
Mister Tourism: Judah Cohen

and who already competed...
Men Universe Model: Mike Mendoza (Top 13)
Mister Global: Joseph Doruelo (Top13)
Mister United Continents: Reynaldo Cataluna (Top12)
Miss United Continents: Anabel Tia (Top 10)

while some had already been awarded to represent the country for next year's edition...
Mister World: Sam Ajdani
Mister Global: Rick Palencia
Mister Tourism: Willian Pagayon

Now, questions are
1. If there will still be competition for Manhunt Intl? If yes, then when and where will Jamiel Ventosa compete?
2. What happened to the winners of Mr. Republic of the Philippines?
3. Will there be a Miss Asia Pacific competition for Leren Bautista?
4. Will Hannah Sison be appointed by BPCI to compete for Miss Tourism Queen Intl after rumor have it the the said pagent will be having one this year?
5. And who will be the 5th queen of MWP?

Everyone has a...

Just saw this post from one of my friends in FB...

Everyone has a past no one's heard about.
Everyone has a secret they haven't shared.
Everyone has a talent that most people don't notice.
Everyone has a weakness hidden inside.
Everyone has a story left untold.
So never start judging someone thinking you know them back to front.
Because the truth is, you probably don't.
If you think you know people, think again.

A Day Or Two At The Beach

So when was the last time I went to a beach resort? 2012... we went to Sunset Cove in Bataan.

This year we decided to visit another beach resort in Bataan, Phi Phi Beach Resort in Morong. I can't say I didn't enjoy it, nor the opposite. I guess I could have enjoyed it much better if only I'm not thinking of negative things going on with me. I hadn't seen beach waves as big and as inviting as I see it now. Yes! it is really inviting that once you get into the water you'll get carried by the waves. Also there' only few groups checked in here since summer had already pass. Too bad my tab doesn't have the capability to upload pictures using my gallery.

Anyway, I think I'll swim again at the beach and the pool a little later on before we check out, and enjoy it as much as I should for once we go back to Manila... I suppose I'll be more stresswd than I ever.

Binibining Pilipnas 2015

For 3 years I had hope that Pia Wurtzbach gets the Binibining Pilipinas - Universe crown, and tonight she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2015.

Way back in 2013, during the Q&A portion, I had thought that she's gonna get the BBP - Universe crown, however she only settled as a runner up. Last year though she only made it to Top 15. A lot of people believe that she gave a weak answer during last year's Q&A portion. However this year, although I might say I was really impress but she gave a much better answer.

Janicel Lubina was also on my list of Top 16. And when she got the Best in Long Gown, and Best in Swimsuit award this was already an assurance that she would get one of the crowns, and I was right as she was crowned Bb.Pilipinas International 2015.

Christi McGarry, also part of my Top 16, was crowned Bb.Pilipinas Intercontinental 2015. However she had already represented the country in the Miss Intercontinental pageant in 2010 where in she made it to Top 15, and was awarded Queen of Asia & the Pacific. Question is, will Miss Intercontinental let her compete again.

Rogelie Catacutan was crowned Bb.Pilipinas Supranational 2015. Although she was also included on my Top 16 list, after Q&A I though she going to settle for a runner up post, but I was wrong.

Bb.Pilipinas Tourism 2015 is Ann Lorraine Colis (I though this would be the title that Christi's gonna get).

Hannah Sison had been one of my favorite since 2013. Although she was only a clapper back then, she made it to Top 15 last year and gave a strong answer thrown to her by the judge (Jeron Teng). Thought she's gonna get one of titles however she settled as 2nd RU. Same thing this year, I really though she's gonna get the Supranational title however she ended up as 1st RU.

Kimverlyn Suiza, was also on my list of Top 16 since last year. Although she didn't made last year's semis, she made it this time. I believe she really gave a strong answer to her Q&A which made me think she's gonna get either Intercontinental or International, however she's announced 2nd RU.

Other Binibinis who are on my list, and made it to semis are...
- Brenna Gamboa (Miss World Philippines 2012 4th Princess)
- Wynwyn Marquez (whom I though will be crowned either Intercontinental or Tourism. But just as I expected she got the Best in Talent award.)
- Kylie Verzosa

So I got 9 out of 15. Other Binibinis who made it to Top 15 are
- Princess Joy Camu
- Maolin Yalung
- Alaiza Malinao
- Justine Felizarta
- Anja Vanessa Peter

Here are the names of the Binibinis who made it to my list of Top 16 but didn't made it to semis
- Nancy Leonard (Originally Miss Philippines Earth - Water 2013 but got promoted to Air 2013)
- Renee Hassani (Miss Diversity Culture Intl 2014 1st RU)
- Mae Liezel Ramos (Part of last year's Top 15)
- Patricia Ejercitado (3-time Binibini (2010; 2012-Top12) and MWP2013 Top 13)
- Toni Hipolito (3-time Binibini as well (2008-Top10; 2010)
- Anabel Tia (Candidate at Bb.Pilipinas 2014)
- Ria Rabajante (Candidate at Bb.Pilipinas 2013, and Miss World Philippines 2013)

The Last Goodbye

This should have been my last post for 2014... unfortunately aside that my network was down, I was also at work.

The Last Goodbye - Billy Boyd (The Hobbit)

I saw the light fade from the sky
On the wind I heard a sigh
As the snowflakes cover my fallen brothers
I will say this last goodbye

Night is now falling
So ends this day
The road is now calling
And I must away
Over hill and under tree
Through lands where never light has shone
By silver streams that run down to the Sea

Under cloud, beneath the stars
Over snow one winter's morn
I turn at last to paths that lead home
And though where the road then takes me
I cannot tell
We came all this way
But now comes the day
To bid you farewell

Many places I have been
Many sorrows I have seen
But I don't regret
Nor will I forget
All who took that road with me

Night is now falling
So ends this day
The road is now calling
And I must away
Over hill and under tree
Through lands where never light has shone
By silver streams that run down to the Sea

To these memories I will hold
With your blessing I will go
To turn at last to paths that lead home
And though where the road then takes me
I cannot tell
We came all this way
But now comes the day
To bid you farewell

I bid you all a very fond farewell.