Miss Universe 2016

It was 23 years before when the Miss Universe pageant was last held here in the Philippines, and the excitement is indescribable.

The last time it was held in the Philippines, Sushmita Sen from India was crowned as the winner by the outgoing Miss Universe Dayanara Torres from Puerto Rico. Both of them somehow became a celebrity here, and both of them sat as part of the judging panel.

One of the shocking news is the non inclusion of Venezuela (Miriam Habach) to the semi finalist. Everybody seems to be so sure that she would make it to Top13, she's beautiful and she perform perfectly. But we just don't know what happened.

Kenya's first time in to the semi finals also came as a surprise even to her (Mary Esther Were). But it seems like she's determined to be on top. I was even more nervous during Q&A round, it was definitely a tough question to her. She might not made it to Top3, but it was definitely a good fight.

Thailand's Chalita Suansane inclusion on each round came as a no surprise. She's topping the fan vote each and every round. That is why it is also shocking that she didn't make it to Top3.

It is also a tough competition for Philippine's Maxine Medina. Not only that the outgoing Miss Universe is Pia Wurtzbach (Philippines), but she's also a host delegate. Coincidentally, when MU was held in the Philippines in 1994, Philippines representative Charlene Gonzalez only made it to Top6.

Myanmar might not make it to the semi finals, but it she won the National Costume award.

Here are the candidates who made it to Top13 (with their country's last placement).
- Brazil (MU2015 Top15)
- Indonesia (MU2015 Top15)
- Panama (MU2011 Top10)
- Peru (MU2012 Top16)

Candidates who made it to Top9 are all from North America.
- Canada (MU2006 Top10)
- Mexico (MU2015 Top15)
- USA (MU2015 2nd)

Top6 are
- Kenya
- Philippines (MU2015 Winner)
- Thailand (MU2015 Top10)

And here is the Top3.
2nd RunnerUp - Colombia (MU2015 1stRU)
1st RunnerUp - Haiti (MU1975 1stRU)
Winner - France (MU2015 Top5)

I would have though that Haiti would get it since she really gave a heartfelt answer (confidently beautiful with a heart) making it their first Miss Universe crown... but it ended as their second MU 1st RunnerUp. And coincidentally... France's 2nd Miss Universe crown (since 1952).

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

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?

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)

Miss Universe 2013

Venezuela won their 7th Miss Universe crown.

I was really tensed during the announcement of the semifinalist. 15 Misses had already been called and yet Philippines was not part of it. And then the winner for online voting was announced... Philippines, I was definitely happy.

Costa Rica (last placed 2011 Top10), China (2011 4thRU), Indonesia (2005 Top15), Puerto Rico (2011 Top16), Nicaragua (2007 Top10), and Switzerland (2009 Top10) are Misses that made it to the Top16 this year. Then the next cut was made after the swimsuit round.

Great Britain (first time in the semis), India (last placed 2012 Top16), Ukraine (2011 1st RU), Dominican Republic (2009 1st RU), and USA (last years winner) are the Misses that got cut after the evening gown. And so the Top 5 move on to the Q&A portion.

Brazil for 2 consecutive years now finished 4th RU, followed by Philippines 3rd RU (last years 1st RU). Ecuador (first time in the top 5) was named 2nd RU, while Spain was the one standing along side Venezuela when she (Venezuela) was announced Miss Universe 2013.

I was somehow sad that Miss Philippines Ariella Arida didn't get the crown, but still I'm happy and proud of her, 4 years in the Top 5.

Now Miss Earth, Miss International, and Mister International are the only pageant left for me this year. Will Angelee delos Reyes win the 2nd Miss Earth crown for Philippines? Will Bea Rose Santiago bring home the 5th Miss International crown for our country? Or will Gil Wagas bring back the Philippines in the semifinalist, or better yet be the first Filipino to be Mister International? That's definitely something I'm gonna watch out.

Miss Universe 2012

Wow, the beauty pageant that I have been waiting for the whole year. Finally...

Right after the preliminaries, I already expect that Misses Philippines, Mexico, USA, and Venezuela will be part of Top 16. And true enough, they did.

Miss USA won Miss Universe 2012, while my bet Miss Philippines finished as 1st Runner Up. USA last won the title back in 1997, while Philippines last place 1st Runner Up back in 1999. While Venezuela finished 2nd runner up, Australia 3rd runner up, and Brazil 4th runner up.

Brazil and Philippines was also part of top 5 last year. Brazil finished as 2nd runner up, while Philippines as 3rd runner up. Australia was part of last year's top 10, USA and Venezuela was also part of last year's top 16.

Countries who made it top 16 are Turkey (last placed 1990 Top10), Peru (2005 Top10), Poland (1989 3rdRU), Croatia (2009 Top15), Kosovo (2011 Top16), and India (2007 Top10). Top 10 are Russia (last placed 2010 Top15), France (2011 Top10), Hungary (2006 Top10), South Africa (2009 Top10), Mexico (2010 Winner)