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).

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.

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)