International Beauty Queen is a Boholana

Ms. Noela Mae Evangelista was Bb. Pilipinas 2nd RU in 2003 and represented the Philippines in an international beauty tilt, the Queen of Tourism 2004 in Mexico City which she also won. Although born and raised in Iligan City, the 5' 9" dusky charmer’s parents Noel & Theresa  are both Boholanos so she is 100% Boholana.

For the record, the victory in Mexico would make Ms Noella "Ella" Buhion Evangelista as the first and only Boholana to have won an international beauty title. In 2003, she won for us the Queen of Tourism title in Cancun, Mexico.  

During the final question-and-answer portion of the Miss Queen of Tourism International beauty pageant in Cancun, Mexico last May 15, to describe the Philippines in 20 seconds, Noela Mae Evangelista, 21, answered: 

"The Philippines is composed of 7,107 tropical islands with its multi-cultural people living side by side. And I think I have very well represented my country tonight when I fell on the floor and stood up. I have stood up not only for myself but also for my country."

 THREE SPECIAL AWARDS

Noela admitted she felt very discouraged after her fall. Still, she won the awards Best in Long Gown, which also earned her the Miss Elegance title, plus Best in Oriental Costume, and Miss Queen of Tourism Asia. And then she was among the final five, and she was asked the final question about her country.

After she gave her answer, the crowd erupted with cheers of "Bravo, Filipinas!"

She said she held her breath as Australia's Melyssa Piva was named second runner-up, and then Colombia's Liviana Rosemary was announced as first runner-up. Noela was it.

The judges were pageant experts from 12 countries including the United States, Spain and Australia.

  Noella Mae during the final round

Q & A HIGHLIGHTS

Noela apparently also earned high points for answering two other questions with both wit and character.

"What would be the one thing that you would do in Mexico that would surely make you end up in trouble in the Philippines?"

Her reply: "Becoming a Mexican driver. Because Mexican drivers drive crazy, they don't follow traffic rules, they drive even when the stop sign is on, and they don't use signal lights and horns. So if I would do that in the Philippines I would end up in prison."

When asked to describe herself and what values she would teach children and the world, Noela said, "I am simple, very Filipina both in values and at heart. I would teach the children of the world the values of religion and morality, and, since we are all in the age of war, the values of love and peace."

PAGEANT JOURNEY

Noela started joining beauty contests at the age of 17. She later became Miss Iligan.

She went into modeling and joined other local and national beauty contests, the most recent of which was the 2003 Bb. Pilipinas, where she was 2nd runner-up. 

She also won in the MTV Fashionista search held in Turkey last year.

Today, Noela is a lovely wife to a French guy & a happy mother of two.  

 Noella is 2nd RU in Bb Pilipinas 2003

Top Three Favorites for Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013

From the 18 ladies who are competing in the 2013 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant which will culminate with a grand coronation tonight at the Bohol Cultural Center, here are the Top Three girls who got the highest number of votes from our blog readers who responded to the survey question 

"Who Do You Think Will Be Miss Bohol Sandugo 2013?"

When the poll officially closed last July 17 at 11:30 PM, the following girls emerged with the highest number of votes:

Now, let me make this clear: 

This poll is in no way affiliated with the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc that oversees the staging of the pageant. 

Furthermore, our blog's survey outcome won't in any way affect the results of the pageant.

This was done as our humble way of drumming up interest and generating some publicity not only for the pageant but also for the entire Bohol Sandugo Festival

L-R: Shereen of Catigbian, Fritzie of Guindulman & Meschellane of Panglao

TOP THREE 

1st Miss Catigbian Shereen Alainah Cano Acuna garnered 39% of the total votes cast 

2nd Miss Guindulman Myra Fritzie Anana Golosino with 26 %

3rd Miss Panglao Meschellane Jade Cajels with 15%

Of course, everyone knows that this is not an accurate indicator as to who will eventually be proclaimed the queen for 2013 but one thing is for sure: 

These ladies have a huge fan base, massive support from their respective municipalities, friends and families

As I was going over the girls' biodata, I found out that these three have at least two things in common:

First, all three are BS Nursing degree holders from Holy Name University and are registered nurses

Second, I do know these three girls quite well. 

Fritzie was in my English 1  and 2 classes and during her freshman year, her entry was chosen as one the Top Ten Winners in a university- wide essay- writing contest. 

Here's the link to  HNU Diamond Jubilee Top Ten Winning Essays

Meschellane was in my English 2 writing Class and you guessed it, her writing skills & abilities are as impeccable as her spoken English

Shereen on the other hand, wasn't in my English classes but we had worked together in campus activities since she was a very active student leader and mind you, she certainly knew how to juggle her time between studies, hospital duty, community health nursing and attending to her responsibilities as Central Student Gov't and College of Nursing elected student official

Both Shereen and Meschellane had to compete and win in their respective municipalities' beauty search to earn the right to represent their towns in the Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant

Incidentally, I was the emcee in their respective town pageants. 

Shereen won in the 2011 Miss Katigbawan Pageant  while Meschellane was crowned Miss Panglao 2012

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THESE LADIES

MISS CATIGBIAN

You can't help but fall in love with Shereen Acuna. 

She is such a natural charmer who always has a smile for everyone. She was raised in the United Arab Emirates and can speak very fluent Arabic. 

She worked as a Senior Customer Service Specialist for Convergys Corporation in Ayala Avenue, Makati City from Nov 2011 until June 2013. 

She resigned from her job because she wants to pursue her dream of becoming a flight attendant

Speaking in front of crowds comes naturally for Shereen whose knack for talking and facing people has been polished not only from her experiences as a student leader back then but also from her involvement with UNO International Corporation where she was an Official Speaker and Marketing Associate (Medical Team) Aug. 2011- Nov 2011

MISS GUINDULMAN

Myra Fritzie Golosino,23, is easily one of the most beautiful faces in this year's batch. 

This part-time model and nurse is the niece of the 1988 Mutya sa Bohol Elizabeth "Isay" Mumar Añana who gave Guindulman its first and so far, only Miss Bohol crown. 

Fritzie was the Grand Winner of the 2006 ICM Model Quest, the same contest won by Rich Asuncion in 2004. 

She has also won in scores of singing contests. 

She was in fact short- listed by ABS CBN for its Pinoy Dream Academy back in 2008

MISS PANGLAO

L-R: Mayor Nila Montero, Mr. Dodong Alcala, First Lady Pureza Chatto, Gov. Edgar Chatto,
and Bb Universe Joyce Burton flank Miss Panglao Mesh Cajels

Meshellane Real Jade Cajels, 20, recently passed the professional board examinations for nurses. She is one of the tallest girls in this batch.

She almost won the 2009 Miss Tagbilaran crown when she finished as 1st Runner Up to Daisy Jean Quilicot who later became Miss Bohol Sandugo 2009. 

She entered the pageant mainly to enhance her personality and to gain new friends and new experiences

When the family transferred residence in Panglao last year, she was invited by the youth leaders of Danao District to compete for Miss Panglao 2012. 

Here's the link to the 2012 Miss Panglao Pageant Story

She wanted to say no but changed her mind when she learned that the top three winners would get seed money to to launch their chosen advocacy projects as determined by the SK Municipal Federation officials led by dynamic Aya Montero

They are three of the 18 reasons why you should be at the Bohol Cultural Center tonight to witness a grand celebration of beauty and friendship

Good Luck to all the 18 Ladies who are competing for the 2013 Miss Bohol Sandugo crown

How To Ace The Pageant Interview

The interview portion is always the most dreaded segment in a beauty pageant. 

Ask any pageant candidate and chances are, she would agree. 

Can you imagine being asked personal questions & sometimes for intimate details about your life and you have to answer those questions in front of so many people? 

Compounding the fear is the thought of answering the question in English which is not exactly our native language not to mention the sheer fright of speaking in public. 

Combine all those factors and you have a potential disaster bound to happen

 with MJ Tadem during 2011 Miss Panglao Pageant

2005 Miss Earth Alexandra Braun Waldeck of Venezuela

Sometimes, it's really a head scratcher when it comes to how the judges score the interviews. 

There are certain candidates with seemingly perfect English and yet score very low during the interviews. 

Conversely, there are candidates who bomb at the interviews and there are some who couldn't quite make heads nor tails about subject & verb agreement and yet run away with the Best in Interview awards

From past experiences, I have come up with the following DO's and DONT's in pageant interviews:

1. Never ever sound rehearsed in other words, do not sound like a robot and mouth off a litany of obviously memorized answers or spew out motherhood statements just to earn extra points

2. Speak from the heart and express what you truly feel about a subject or issue

3. Be spontaneous and be sincere with your answers

4. Hey, it's perfectly okay to make mistakes during the interviews. It's how you rise from the situation that matters. Any hint of vulnerability would endear you to the judges and audiences alike

5. Express yourself in the dialect or language that you're most comfortable with

6. If you don't understand nor hear the question being asked, then ask for the question to be repeated again

7. Judges look for a hint of vulnerability in a candidate, so show them you're human by being honest. If you're nervous, confess it to the audience and trust me, they will come to your defense. 

8. Don't be too serious like you're lecturing the judges and the audience. Be charming and be sweet

9. Please do NOT wrap up your interviews with "That would be all, I thank you". Hello, we are now in the 2nd millennium

10. Lastly, it's not what you say but how you say it that truly matters

1999 Miss Universe 1st RU Miriam Quiambao in Bohol
July 1999, Gov. CGallares Memorial Hospital

2006 Bb Pilipinas- World Anna Maris Igpit & 2008 Miss Earth Karla Henry

FARAH FAYE MIAN: ONE OF THE BEST IN INTERVIEWS

I really like it when a girl lets her personality shine through with the way she handles and expresses herself during the interviews. 

Candor, spontaneity, sincerity AND personality projection are judged in this segment. 

If I were to be asked who I consider as one of the most memorable girls that I have interviewed in pageantry, I would have to say Farah Faye Mian, the girl who gave Tubigon its second Miss Bohol Sandugo crown in 2011

Farah & I just hit off during the interviews

And to the members of the audience who are watching, please try to be a little understanding and give the girls a break. 

IT IS NOT easy to be onstage and to be talking at the same time

To our beauty pageant aspirants, remember this:

"Speak to express not to impress"

Good luck!

 with 2005 Miss Earth Top Eight Finalist Amanda Kimell from U.S.A. 

Here is a video compilation on some of the more infamous interviews in Bb Pilipinas history

Photo Credits:

Hwan Mendoza
Larry Go
Raymond Buslon

2004 Miss Bohol Sandugo: Rhiz Nova Arenas

2004. The year that Atty. Dan Neri Lim began his three term stint as City Mayor of Tagbilaran. 

His sister Gesnell Lim- Yap of Bohol Tropics Resort handled the Miss Bohol Sandugo edition that year and what a fabulous and spectacular pageant it was. 

On July 19, 2004, A jampacked crowd witnessed the grand coronation held at the Bohol Wisdom School gymnasium. 

More than 20 lovely ladies from all over the province vied in the three- week long pageant that included a closed- door Panel Interview

Among the judges that year was 2004 Bb Pilipinas- Universe Maricar Balagtas.

It was her second time to judge the pageant

THE CANDIDATES:

The candidates included : Jill Ivy Maire Loquias (Antequera), Michelle Palaca (Baclayon), Bea Uy (Batuan), Maria Stephanie Alesna (Bilar), Cheryl Amormarie Eastman (Calape), Benia Nika Lao (Candijay), Donna Maricel Cardino (Clarin), Faye Michelle Mahinay (Corella)

Hanna Rose Milagrosa (CVSCAFT), Rodelyn Ann Buena (Dauis), Joyce Amor Lague (Dimiao, Marian Licayan (Duero),Abegail Gozum (Guindulman), Rhiz Novah Arenas (Inabanga), Hazel Laganson (Lila), Chimney Arat (Loay)

Jacqueline Tutor (Mabini), Rhea Jane Echavez (Maribojoc), Richelle Anne Guibone (Panglao), Grace Ylanan (Pilar), Lorraine Marie Evasco (Tagbilaran City) ,Redelyn Rosales (Talibon) and Kathy Lynn Atuel (Ubay), 

MISS HNU VS MISS UB:

An interesting sidebit: 

If Michelle Palaca of Baclayon didn't withdraw from the competition, it would have been a battle royale between two reigning campus beauty queens. 

You see, Michelle was the reigning Miss University of Bohol and Rhea Jane Echavez of Maribojoc was the reigning Miss Holy Name University

2004 Miss Bohol Sandugo Press Presentation
June 22, Bohol Tropics Resort 

EARLY CROWN FAVORITES:

Among the early faves were Miss Batuan Bea Uy, Miss Guindulman Abigail Gozum, Miss Tagbilaran City Lorraine Evasco, Miss Calape Cheryl Eastman, Miss Clarin Maricel Cardino and Miss Maribojoc Rhea Echavez who was also the reigning Miss Holy Name University. 

Other girls that were gaining momentum included Miss Duero Marian Licayan and Miss Ubay Kathy Lynn Atuel who would eventually make a splash in the 2008 Miss Cebu Pageant considered the most prestigious pageant outside Manila. Richelle Ann Guibone who represented Panglao was also being talked about

But the girl to beat that year was Rhiz Nova Arenas of Inabanga who was recently crowned Miss Bohol Ubi Festival Queen 2004. She possessed not only the charm and allure of a beauty queen but also the eloquence and sensibility of the perfect spokesperson

The Coronation Night opened with the Parade of Festival Costumes and Introduction of Candidates. The Swimsuit and Evening Gown Competition came next 

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Named Miss Talent was Miss Batuan Bea Uy. Selected Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimsuit was Miss Clarin Donna Maricel Cardino, then a sweet sixteen year old high school senior. Seven years later, Donna Maricel would be crowned Miss Mandaue City 2011 and would be selected as an official candidate to the 2011 Miss World Philippines Quest

THE TOP TEN

The cut to the Top Ten Semi- Finalists then followed. I remember advancing to the next round were the girls from Ubay, Calape, Dauis, Bilar, Clarin, Panglao, Batuan, Duero & Inabanga. 

I remember the silence that followed after the announcement of the Top Ten was made. Perhaps, it was the shock of not seeing some of the early faves like Miss Tagbilaran, Miss Maribojoc, Miss Guindulman and Miss Tagbilaran City who didn’t make the Top Ten. 

Well, it’s always a reality in pageants where beauty is relative and subject to the taste and preference of the judging panel

FINAL FIVE:

After the Top Ten Semi- Final Interview, another cut was made and continuing their journey towards the crown were Miss Panglao, Miss Ubay, Miss Calape, Miss Inabanga and Miss Duero. One final question sealed the deal for the girls.

At this point, Miss Ubay and Miss Inabanga aced the final question but the three other finalists acquitted themselves   well also.

Would it be the tall and voluptuous Miss Duero or would it be the sweet and articulate Miss Ubay? The half- American beauty from Calape was a crowd favorite as well.

Would the sophisticated and poised lady from Panglao steal the thunder from the other finalists?

But among the keen beauty watchers who were there that unforgettable night, it was on Rhiz that they placed their bets on. She was eloquence and candor personified during the final round .Only one would be declared Miss Bohol Sandugo 2004 and the rest of the finalists would be equally named Miss Bohol Sandugo Princesses

After the deliberations among the judges, Rhiz Nova Arenas confirmed her frontrunner status by being crowned Miss Bohol Sandugo 2004.

In the sea of gorgeous and alluring women, she stood out for being the complete package; beauty, brains and breeding

It was one of the rare instances where there was near- unanimity in the final verdict.

L-R: Miss Duero, Miss Ubay, Miss Inabanga, Miss Calape & Miss Panglao

Presently, Rhiz Nova Arenas is based in Makati where she is kept busy by a rewarding  & fulfilling career in the telecommunications industry. 

I had the opportunity to emcee the 2010 Miss Bohol Sandugo with Rhiz Arenas

09 Miss Bohol Sandugo Daisy Jean Quilicot & 04 Miss Bohol Sandugo Rhiz Nova Arenas

Good luck Rhiz and Godspeed!

. 

2013 Bb. Pilipinas- Universe Is...

This year as the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc marks its 50th year. 

Fifty official candidates will slug it out tomorrow for the right to represent the country in the Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Supranational pageants

It's going to be one intense and pressure- laden burden on the shoulders of whoever gets to be selected as Miss Universe Philippines this year following Janine Tugonon's 1st runner up finish in Miss Universe last December.

With three consecutive runner-up finishes in Miss Universe (Venus Raj, 2010; Shamcey Supsup, 2011; and Tugonon, 2012) the eventual winner of the Binibining Pilipinas' golden edition faces a huge challenge: keep the momentum going for the Philippines in the most prestigious international beauty competition.

Who among this year's candidates deserve to wear the Philippine sash in Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Supranational and Miss Tourism Queen International? 

Here are photos of the top 50 during their photo shoot with Jag Jeans, one of the major sponsors for this year's edition set tomorrow, April 14 to be telecast live over ABC CBN, 10 pm

Is this the One?

My prediction list is coming up! Keep posted. Cheers!

2013 Bb. Pilipinas Parade of Beauties

Fifty of the country's loveliest that make up the Golden Batch of Binibining Pilipinas were presented in a Grand Parade of Beauties, Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the Araneta Center grounds. 

The girls have been culled from over 100 aspirants that flocked to the Binibining Pilipinas offices since the beginning of the year. 

Since then, the girls have been involved in a gamut of activities that included beauty and personality devt sessions, outreach activities, television promotions and sponsors visits. 

This year's competition is expected to be grandiose since the pageant is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Because of the recent back-to-back top five finishes of its queens in international pageants, Binibining Pilipinas 2013 has also attracted a large roster of corporate partners such as ABS-CBN, Cream Silk, San Miguel Corporation, PAGCOR, Avon and Philippine Airlines. 

Apart from the candidates, the parade will also feature the reigning queens on colorful floats which include Miss Universe 1st runner up Janine Tugonon, Binibining Pilipinas International Nicole Schmitz, Binibining Pilipinas Tourism Katrina Dimaranan, Miss Supranational 3rd runner up Elaine Kay Moll and last year's Binibining Pilipinas 2nd runner up Annalie Forbes. Recent international titlists such as Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner up Venus Raj and Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner up Shamcey Supsup will join the festivities. 

The Grand Parade of Beauties is one of the final major events before the coronation night. On Sunday, April 7, ABS-CBN will air a primer on their Sunday's Best. Hosting this primer are Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon. Among the highlights will be the presentation of the candidates in their national costumes. 

AMONG THE FRONTRUNNERS:

# 15 Pia Wurztbach

#13 Charmaine Elima

# 16 Cindy Miranda

# 31 Mariel de Leon, daughter of 
Christopher de Leon & Sandy Andolong

# 34 Shan Apuad

# 41 Ara Arida

# 39 Mutya Datul

APRIL 14 CORONATION NIGHT ABS CBN

Pageant night on April 14 is expected to have an array of past beauty queens who captivated the international pageant stage such as former Miss Universe queens Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran, and former Miss International winners Precious Lara Quigaman, Aurora Pijuan and Melanie Marquez. 

WORLD- CLASS BINIBINIS:

1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz

1970 Miss International Aurora McKinney Pijuan

1970 Miss International with her runners up

1973 Miss Universe Final Two

1973 Miss Universe is Margie Moran from the Philippines of course

1979 Miss International is Melanie Marquez

1979 Miss International with runners up

2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman

Precious in her pineapple- inspired National Costume

Precious with her runners up

Other notable beauties to grace the affair are Miss Universe 1999 1st runner up Miriam Quiambao, Miss Universe 2010 4th runner up Venus Raj, and Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner up Shamcey Supsup. 

The coronation night will be staged at the Smart Araneta Coliseum be aired live on ABS-CBN. It will be hosted by seasoned artists Martin Nievera and Dawn Zulueta together with Venus Raj and Shamcey Supsup. 

Binibining Pilipinas 2013 is presented by the Araneta Center, ABS-CBN, CreamSilk with major sponsors San Miguel Brewery, Petron Corporation, San Miguel Power, Ginebra San Miguel and San Miguel Food. Other sponsors are Casino Filipino, PAGCOR, Avon, Lactacyd, Philippine Airlines, Jag, and Manhattan Garden City. Service sponsors are EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Manila Bulletin, Pizza Hut, David's Salon, Gold's Gym, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Joylong Van, Picture City, Dale Carnegie Training Center, Entrepreneur School of Asia, Charter, Ping An Insurance Corporation, Raymond Saldana Photography, and Rightspot Electronic Media.

Photo Credits: Dennis Natividad Photography

via http://www.bbpilipinas.com/sub.php