Monday 31 May 2010

Special Awards in Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International for Philippines Representative

Miss Universe

Miss Photogenic: Vida Doria (71), Margarita Moran (73), Aileen Damiles (96)
Abbygale Arenas (97), Gionna Cabrera (2005), Lia Andrea Ramos (2006), Anna Theresa Licaros (2007)
Miss Clairol Herbal Essence (Style Award): Miriam Quiambao (99)
Best in National Costume: Charlene Gonzalez (94), Zorayda Ruth Andam ('01, 1st Runner-up), Gionna Cabrera ('05, Top 5)
Best in Swimsuit: Gloria Diaz (Top 10 semifinalist, '69), Margarita Moran (73)
Miss Congeniality: Joanne Zapanta Santos (2nd runner-up, '95)

Miss World

Asia & Oceania's Queen of Beauty: Sara Jane Areza (82), Sherry Rose Byrne (86), Ruffa Gutierrez (93), Karla Bautista (2004)
Best in National Costume: Onelia Ison Jose (71)
Miss Personality: Daisy Reyes (96)
Beach Beauty: Maria Rafaela Yunon (semifinalist, 2003), Maria Karla Bautista (4th, 2004)
People's Choice Award: Maria Rafaela Yunon (Top 10, 2003)
Talent Fast-track: Maria Karla Bautista (semifinalist, 2004)

Miss International

Best in National Costume: Yolanda Dominguez (72), Maria Dolores Ascalon (76), Melanie Marquez (79)
Miss Friendship: Lilia Eloisa Andanar (89), Alma Concepcion (94)
Miss Elegance: Melanie Marquez (79)

Monday 24 May 2010

MS USA 2010 Rima Fakih VS MS Philippines 2010 Ma. Venus Raj






Ms Michigan Rima Fakih’s victory in the Ms USA 2010 beauty pageant has given me big hope that the Philippines will do well in this year’s Miss Universe beauty pageant for the following reasons:
As beauty pageant fans know, Donald Trump is directly involved in choosing his beauty queens in the Ms USA AND the Ms Universe as he is the owner of both franchises. Since the new Ms USA Rima Fakih is Lebanese, it means he’s not immune to middle-eastern beauty. Our very own Ma. Venus Raj is part Indian and you can that clearly in her features.
Also, both Rimah Fakih and Ma. Venus Raj are transferees: When Rimah Fakih was an infant, her family immigrated to New York. Ma. Venus Raj, on the other hand, was born in Qatar to an Indian father; when she turned 3, her Filipina mother brought her home to Bicol where she grew up.
Both Beauty Queens have financial challenges. Ma. Venus Raj grew up in a hut, sans electricity, in the middle of rice fields in Bicol but thanks to private sponsors who supported her with clothing and finances, she was able to join beauty pageants. Rima Fakih, on the other hand had to sell her car just to be able to afford to join Ms Michigan.
And, if you haven’t noticed it yet, both girls have a very similar look – long dark curly hair, scarab-like eyes and bodies to die for except that Venus doesn’t look bony even if her waistline IS 22 inches. IMHO, Venus also has a more regal bearing about her.
I just hope Donald Trump keeps his lingerie dreams away from the Ms Universe 2010 beauty pageant.
So what do you think?

Tuesday 18 May 2010

2010 Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Monday August 23, 2010



Can Venus bring the 3rd crown of Miss Universe


The 2010 Miss Universe competition will take place this year in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA) on Monday, August 23rd, live on NBC, organization officials confirmed on Sunday.

About 85 contestants from all over the world will be arriving during the first week of August to ‘Sin City’ where they will compete for the crown currently held by Venezuela’s own Stefania Fernandez.

It’s the third time that the pageant is held in Vegas. Its previous editions were in 1991 (won by Lupita Jones, Mexico) and 1996 (won by Alicia Machado, Venezuela).

This year marks the debut of a representative from Azerbaijan. Also, Haiti returns to the contest after a 20-year absence, and Guadeloupe returns after 26 years.

The host hotel has yet to be announced.

The Miss Universe Organization is a New York–based partnership between NBC and Donald J. Trump

Sunday 16 May 2010

Venus Raj gets Philippine Passport



DFA grants passport to dethroned beauty queen

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is set to issue a Philippine passport to dethroned Binibining Pilipinas Universe Ma. Venus Raj. In a text message sent to reporters, Foreign Affairs department spokesman Eduardo Malaya decided to make the move after an evaluation committee recommended its issuance.

“The committee stated that on the basis of documents presented by Ms. Raj, it is well-established that she was born to a Filipino mother and following the jus sanguinis rule on matters of citizenship acquisition, she is a Filipino citizen who is entitled to a Philippine passport,” Malaya said.

“The passport will be issued in the next few days,” Malaya added.

The Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) took back Raj’s crown in April after learning of inconsistencies in the beauty queen’s birth records. The BPCI, however, decided to give Raj’s a chance to reclaim her title provided that Raj obtains a valid Philippine passport.

Should she regain her crown as expected, Raj will represent the Philippines in the 59th edition of the Miss Universe pageant to be held in the Unites States this August.

As this developed, the DFA is eyeing to issue at least 3,300 E-passports a day, according to Secretary Alberto Romulo.

He revealed that the Department Foreign Affairs’ Office for Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) is gearing up to accommodate more people by improving the existing system to accept more appointments. At present, the DFA-OCA releases 2,800 E-passports everyday.

Saturday 24 April 2010

Miss Philippines-Earth 2010 Winners



Miss Philippines Earth 2010, the 10th edition of the Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant, was held on April 24, 2010 at the Acquatica, Manila Ocean Park, Manila, Philippines. Miss Philippines Earth is the largest and most widely participated beauty pageant in the Philippines with 49 official delegates participating this year.Miss Philippines Earth 2009 Sandra Seifert crowned Kris Psyche O. Resus from Infanta as her successor and will represent the Philippines in the international Miss Earth 2010 beauty pageant, which will be held in Vietnam.



MISS PHILIPPINES-EARTH, KRIS PSYCHE RESUS - Mun. of Infanta - Quezon, Miss Philippines-Water, EMERIE DALE CUNANAN - Pandan, Antique, Miss Philippines-Fire GWENNAELLE RUAIS - Fil. Community of France, Miss Philippines-Air RENE ROSARIO McHUGH - Fil. Community of USA East Coast
Miss Philippines-Eco-Tourism, ANGELA FERNANDO - Mun. of Lubao, Pampanga.

Thomasian Dreamboat is first ever MR. PHILIPPINES EARTH 2010




20 year-old John Reyes, a third year College of Commerce student from the University of Santo Tomas was proclaimed as the first MR. PHILIPPINES EARTH late last night (04/22/10) at the Concourse, Manila Ocean Park wherein the MISS PHILIPPINES EARTH '10 Miss Photogenic title was also announced (won by Lubao's Angela Lauren Fernando). Reyes is shown here awarded the title by reigning Miss Earth 2009 Larissa Ramos from Brazil (left) and Sandra Seifert, Miss Earth Air 2009 and reigning Miss Philippines Earth


Image above is courtesy of http://www.pinoyexchange.com

7 Semi Finalist in History of Miss Universe for Philippines

We have 14 Semi Finalists who make it in the Miss Universe Pageant History, 2 Miss Universe Crown (1969 & 1973) and 5 Runner’s-Up (1963, 1975, 1980, 1984 & 1999). Now you can see you our 7 lovely Beauties make it on the Semi Finalist in the Miss Universe Pageant.



Miss Universe 1954 Semi Finalist - Blesilda Mueler Ocampo



Miss Universe 1965 Semi Finalist - Louise Vail Aurielo




Miss Universe 1966 Semi Finalist - Maria Clarinda Garces Soriano




Miss Universe 1972 Semi Finalist - Armi Barbara Quiray Crespo




Miss Universe 1974 Semi Finalist - Guadalupe Sanchez




Miss Universe 1987 Semi Finalist - Geraldine Asis




Miss Universe 1994 Semi Finalist - Charlene Gonzales

Miss Global Teen Philippines 2010



18-year-old Mariella Castillo has been designated as the representative of the Philippines in the first edition of Miss Global Teen.

A fashion design student at the College of Saint Benilde, an affiliate of De la Salle University, Mariella has a vast experience as a model and beauty contest.

She was the 1st runner-up in Bb. Batangas 2008, participated in International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) New York 2009, was the 1st runner-up in Miss Bikini
Phlippines 2009, and a finalist in Bb. Pilipinas 2010, the national pageant to select the Filipino representatives in Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss International.

Now Mariella is getting ready to travel half the planet to compete for the title of Miss Global Teen 2010, in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Maria Venus Raj Miniconference




April 14, 2010 Dethroned Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj In a recent mini-press conference in Makati City released her official reply to the conditional reinstatement offer of BPCI (Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.) and her sentiments are as follows

In a letter to the Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc., dated April 7, 2010 and recieved by the BPCI on April 8, 2010, I, my lawyers Atty. Geraldine Berberabe-Martinez, Atty Dickson Berberabe and Atty. Teodoro Pastrana, have demanded the following:

1. that I be reinstated as Bb. Pilipinas-Univese within three (3) days fvrom reciept of the letter;

2. that the declaration replacing me with the 2nd runner-up (Miss Nicollete Henson), be nullified immediately; and

3. that I be accorded all the rights and privilages appurtenant to the said Bb. Pilipinas-Universe title, including the right to represent our country to the Miss Universe pageant.

We have maintained in that letter that I do not deserve to be dethroned of my title because I did not commit any misepresentation. Likewise, I possess all the qualifications and none of the diqualifications prescribed by BPCI.

On April 10, 2010, BPCI has come out with another statement that “after due deliberation, we hve reassessed the situation pertaining to Miss Maria Venus Raj and have decided, for humanitarian reasons, that if she able to obtain a valid Philippine passport, we will reinstate her as the reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe”.

I wish to extend my gratitude to the BPCI for reassessing my situation. More particularly, I would like to thank them for saying that they are “hopeful that I will be that Filipina who will represent our country in this year’s Miss Universe pagant”.

However, I would like to emphasize that MY REINSTATEMENT SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY CONDITION NOR SHOULD IT BE BASED ON HUMANITARIAN REASONS.

I come from a poor family and integrity is our family’s wealth. Galing man po ako sa isang mahirap na pamilya lamang, itinuro po sa akin ng aking ina na ang integridad at kredebilidad ng isang tao ay napakahalaga sa atin buhay. BPCI’s previous accusation of misrepresentation has tarnished my reputation and has cast my doubt on my right to the title of Bb. Pilipinas-Universe. My family, especially my mother, has been dragged into this undeserved controversy and has caused untold suffering and pain to us all.

In order to clarify matters, I, through my lawyers (atty. Gigi Berberabe-Martinez, atty. Dickson Berberabe, and Atty. Teodoro Pastrana), sent a letter yesterday to BPCI requesting that I be reinstated without additional requirement of a passport. As I had stated in said letter, the holding of a passport was never a requirement for joining, and even winning the Bb. Pilipinas title. And accordingly, it should not be made a condition to my reinstatement. THE Bb. PILIPINAS-UNIVERSE CROWN IS A PRESTIGIOUS TITLE BY ITSELF AND CARRIES WITH CERTAIN RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES. HINDI NAMAN PO ITO DAPAT IBIGAY SA KAHIT KANINO ONLY FOR “HUMANITARIAN REASONS”. AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I HAVE A PASSPORT OR NOT’ I FEEL THAT I AM CAPABLE O PERFORMING MY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS Bb. PILIPINAS-UNIVERSE. HINDI LANG PO PAGSALI SA MISS UNIVERSE ANG TRABAHO NG Bb. PILIPINAS UNIVERSE.

Eversince BPCI pronouncement, my friends and the media have been congratulating me on my apparent reinstatement. For purposes of clarification, however, I would like to set the record straight so as not to confuse th public as to the actual state of things.

I HAVE NOT YET BEEN REINSTATED AS Bb. PILINAS-UNIVERSE. THIS WAS QUITE CLEAR IN THE STATEMENT GIVEN BY BPCI. MY FUTURE REINSTATEMENT WAS CONDITIONED ON WHETHER I AM ABLE TO OBTAIN A PHILIPPIE PASSPORT FROM THE DFA. THIS MEANS THAT IF I DON’T GET A PASSPORT, I WILL NOT BE REINSTATED.

Consistent with my previous pronouncements and in interest of our beloved country which I might be representing, I would like to request BPCI to have my name cleared of any allegation and misrepresentation. This will erase any doubt on my character whenI represent our country to the Miss Universe pageant and to the international community. Since it is the intention of the BPCI to always protect me, as they claimed in their statement, I respectfully seek for BPCI to reconsider their position to include thr following (1) IMMEDIATEY REINSTATING ME AS THE RIGHTFUL Bb. PILIPINAS-UNIVERSE SUBJECT TO NO CONDITION AND CLEARING MY NAME OF ANY MISREPRESENTATION ISSUE OR DOUBT INMY CHARACTER, (2) SUBSEQUENTLY NULLIFYING THE DECLARATION REPLACING ME WITH THHE Bb. PILIPINAS 2ND RUNNR UP, AND (3), ACCORDING ME ALL THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES APPURTENANT TO THE SAID Bb. PILIPINAS-UNIVERSE TITLE, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO REPRESENT OUR COUNTRY IN THE MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT.

I was in Camarines Sur from Sunday till Tuesday for two reasons. First, somebody sponsored my trip and I had to attend to the programs they have prepared for me and second, I wanted to gather my documents in preparation for my application for my Philippine passport. I have intended to apply even before BPCI statement came out last Saturday. The Miss Universe Organization (New York) contacted me last week. They asked me several questions surrounding the dethronement and I narrated everything. They told me to just go ahead and apply for apassport. And that was what I intended to do even before April 10, 2010 statement. And while I have vowed that I will apply for a Philippine passport and adhere to the rules and regulations of BPCI with respect to my reign a Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, I hope that BPCI will be kind enough to do its part by reinstating me formally without any added condition and clearing my name of any misrepresentation issue. I am ready and excited to commence the training for the Miss Universe pageant and I would like to thank all the people who have supported me in my plight. Maraming salamat po. Mga kapwa ko Bikolano, Dios Mabalos saindo gabos.

Image above is courtesy of Jory Rivera of OPMB Worldwide.

5 Runner’s up in History of Miss Universe for Philippines

Miss Universe 1963 3rd Runner Up - Lalaine Betia Bennett
20 July 1963 - 2nd Runner-Up Marlene McKeown, MISS IRELAND 1963, 1st Runner-Up Aino Korva, MISS DENMARK 1963, Maria Vargas, MISS UNIVERSE 1963 from Brazil, 3rd Runner-Up Lalaine Betia Bennett, MISS PHILIPPINES 1963 and 4th Runner-Up kim myoung Ja, MISS KOREA. 1963, during the 12th Annual MISS UNIVERSE Pageant. Broadcast live from Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.A.


Miss Universe 1975 4th Runner Up - Rose Marie Singson Brosas

19 July 1975 - 4th Runner-Up Rose Marie Singson Brosas, MISS PHILIPPINES 1975, 3rd Runner-Up Catharina Sjodahl, MISS SWEDEN 1975, Anne Marie Pohtama, MISS UNIVERSE 1975 from Finland, 1st Runner-Up Gerthie David, MISS HAITI 1975 and 2nd Runner-Up Summer Bartholomew, MISS U.S.A. 1975, during the 24th Annual MISS UNIVERSE Pageant. Broadcast live from San Salvador, El Salvador.


Miss Universe 1980 3rd Runner Up - Maria Rosario Silayan

8 July 1980 - 2nd Runner-Up Diana Delyse Notties, MISS NEW ZEALAND 1980, 1st Runner-Up Linda Gallagher, MISS SCOTLAND 1980, 3rd Runner-Up Maria Rosario Silayan, MISS PHILIPPINES 1980, Shawn Weatherly, MISS UNIVERSE 1980 from U.S.A. and 4th Runner-Up Eva Briggitta Anderson MISS SWEDEN 1980, during the 29th Annual MISS UNIVERSE Pageant. Broadcast live from Seoul, South Korea.


Miss Universe 1984 3rd Runner Up - Desiree Verdadero

9 July 1984 - 4th Runner-Up Susan Caldas Lemaitre, MISS COLUMBIA 1984, 3rd Runner-Up Desiree Verdadero, MISS PHILIPPINES 1984, 1st Runner-Up Leticia Snyman, MISS SOUTH AFRICA 1984, Yvonne Ryding, MISS UNIVERSE 1984 from Sweden and 2nd Runner-Up Carmen Maria Montie, MISS VENEZUELA 1984, during the 33rd Annual MISS UNIVERSE Pageant. Broadcast live from Miami, Florida, USA.


Miss Universe 1999 1st Runner Up - Miriam Quiambao

26 MAY 1999 - First Runner-Up Miriam Quiambao, MISS PHILIPPINES 1999, Mpule Kwelagobe, MISS UNIVERSE 1999, and Second Runner-Up Diana Nogueira, MISS SPAIN 1999, during the 48th Annual MISS UNIVERSE Pageant.broadcast live from Trinidad & Tobago.

Tuesday 13 April 2010

Four Miss International Title of the Philippines

Miss International (officially titled The International Beauty Pageant) is the fourth largest beauty pageant in the world.

Also called a "Festival of Beauty" and even the "Olympics of Beauty", this pageant is not based on looks alone. Contestants are expected to serve as "Ambassadors of Peace and Beauty", showing tenderness, benevolence, friendship, beauty, intelligence, ability to take action, and, most importantly, a great international sensibility.

The ultimate goal of the Miss International beauty pageant is to promote world peace, goodwill, and understanding.

Miss International 1964, Gemma Teresa Cruz of the Philippines is the first Asian to win the Miss International crown.


Miss International 1970, Aurora Pijuan of the Philippines is the second to win the Miss International crown.


Miss International 1979, Mimilanie Marquez of the Philippines is the youngest Miss International in history. She was 15 when she won the title and the third Miss International crown


Miss International 2005, Precious Lara Quigaman of the Philippines is the shortest Miss International, standing at 5'6 feet and the fourth Miss International crown of the Philippines.


Philippines won the Miss International title for the fourth time, making it the most successful Asian country and second most successful after Venezuela who won its fifth title the following year.


No African country has ever gone to win the Miss International title since 1960, the nearest was in 1996, when Tunisia placed 1st runner-up.


At present, Miss International 1960 Stella Marquez Zawadsky-Araneta from Columbia is the organizer of the Binibining Pilipinas.


Current, Binibining Pilipinas - International 2010 Krista Arrieta Kleiner is a local celebrity in the She is under the management of GMA 7 in the Philippines. Can she bring the 5th Crown, Watch here this October 2010, Shanghai, China.

Venus Raj given chance to reclaim Bb Pilipinas-Universe title

MANILA, Philippines – Dethroned 2010 Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj can now reclaim her title. She only needs to get a valid Philippine passport.
In a statement released Saturday, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) announced that “for humanitarian reasons,” they are allowing Raj to reclaim her title.
“We have reassessed the situation pertaining to Miss Maria Venus Raj and have decided, for humanitarian reasons, that if she is able to obtain a valid Philippine passport, we will reinstate her as the reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe,” the BPCI said in a statement.
Raj, who was guest at ABS-CBN’s noontime game show Wowowee, said she has been informed by the BPCI about the decision.
She said she has yet to consult with her lawyers about the latest development, but admitted that she is already planning on applying for a passport.
“Pinag-uusapan pa namin ito ng mga lawyers ko and ng family ko rin. Pero definitely, I will get a passport,” Raj said.
The BPCI recently stripped Raj of her title due to inconsistencies in her birth records.
The Filipino-Indian beauty from Camarines Sur had maintained that the officials of the BPCI knew from the very beginning the incorrect entries in her birth certificate. She said she was transparent during the pre-pageant screening of candidates.
Raj had also vowed to question the BPCI’s decision to dethrone her.
Commission on Human Rights chief Leila de Lima had said that Raj’s case “deserves serious scrutiny.”
De Lima said that she would like to find out if the BPCI gave Raj “her day” to explain the inconsistencies in her birth certificate.
The BPCI said in the statement that the decision to dethrone Raj was meant to protect the beauty titlist “in the way we felt appropriate.”
It said that while the BPCI is concerned about the Raj’s situation, it is also bound “as an entity” under Philippine laws.
The Bb Pilipinas-Universe has been handed to 2nd runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson.
Henson, a 21-year-old Broadcast Journalism major at St. Scholastica’s College, took over Raj’s place after the pageant’s 1st runner up failed to meet the age requirement of the Miss Universe Pageant.

Two Miss Universe Title of the Philippines




The Miss Universe 1969 was held in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. The winner was Gloria Diaz, an eighteen year old Miss Philippines. Ms. Diaz became the first Philippine titleholder to win the title and the third Asian to win the crown.
Miss Universe 1973 was held at the 2,000-year-old amphitheatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus, at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece on July 21, 1973. Miss Philippines Margarita Moran, a university student, fashion model and the granddaughter of a former Philippine president, was crowned Miss Universe 1973 by outgoing Miss Universe 1972, Kerry Anne Wells of Australia. There were 61 delegates from around the world who competed.Maria Margarita Roxas Moran was picked as Miss Photogenic during the preliminary judging. Moran became the pageant's second winner from the Philippines (Gloria Diaz won the title in 1969), beating out early favorite and first runner-up Amanda Jones of the United States.