Angela Ponce Aims to Become First Transgender Miss Universe

Just like any beauty pageant, Miss Universe 2018 also has its fair share of controversies. The most talked about however is the participation of Angela Ponce of Spain who is the very first transgender in history to participate in Miss Universe after she won the Miss Universe Spain 2018 pageant. 

Will Angela Ponce go all the way to the final round?

Seconds before she was named Miss Spain

The Spanish senorita was one of the most applauded candidates during the National Costume Competition and the Presentation Show (also known as the preliminary swimsuit & evening gown competitions). 

Poise & elegance during the 

National Costume competition

After an impressive performance during the preliminaries, the transgender candidate has now been installed as one of the crown favorites from the Europe continental grouping. 

She was one of the standouts during the preliminaries

Aside from fulfilling a childhood dream to compete in Miss Universe, Angela aims to use the Miss Universe platform to convey her message of inclusion, tolerance and respect for the LGBT community. 

Acknowledging her Thai fans with a queenly wave

With crown favorite Catriona Gray of the Philippinesa

Bonding with the girls

Win or lose, her participation is already a landmark victory for the transgender community.

At home, she works for the Daniela Foundation, a Spanish non-profit organization working with children and families dealing with gender identity issues.

"So many children face discrimination for being different. It is important to tell them they have a right to be who they are, who they want to be,"

Will Angela Ponce become the first transgender to be crowned Miss Universe?

"I was born into a world, into a society which really wasn't prepared for me. I had the support of my family, but I still faced discrimination, and I had no role models," she said. 

Watch Miss Universe 2018 will be telecast today from the IMPACT Arena in Bangkok, Thailand at ABS CBN Channel 2, 8 am and will be aired in more than 190 countries to an estimated half a billion viewers.  

Why Catriona Gray Should be Miss Universe 2018

If the stars will align in her favor and if it is in her destiny, then Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray will be the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe after Gloria Diaz 1969, Margarita Moran 1973 and Pia Wurtzbach 2015. 

PROPHETIC PHOTO? (L-R) Catriona with Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters &

Miss U 2015 Pia Wurtzbach & Miss U 2016 Iris Mittenaere

Okada Hote, Parañaque, May 2018

Never before has the Philippines been represented by a very strong candidate , a complete package so to speak, than Ms. Catriona Gray, who is affectionately called Cat, Meow or Muning by her legions of fans all over the world. Even before setting foot in Bangkok, Thailand, the venue for the 67^th Miss Universe Pageant, she has already rewritten pageant history records as the first Filipina to ever compete in both Miss World and Miss Universe. She represented the country in Miss World 2016 where she placed in the Final Five out of more than 100 beauty delegates.

Catriona at one of the pre- pageant events & mobbed by Thai fans upon arrival in Bangkok

The most awaited and most documented arrival by any Miss Universe delegate.

Royal Thai Police had to step in guard her from the adoring mob & TV crews 

Pageant websites all over the world have her in their prediction lists as one of the frontrunners even before the pageant officially started. Catriona is also one of the most popular candidates among the Thais and the pageant sponsors. After the preliminaries a couple of nights ago, she has been installed as the Girl to Beat. Her swimsuit and evening gown presentations were flawless.

CATRIONA AT THE PRELIMS: Fabulous. Fierce.Fashionable Filipina

SIMPLY THE BEST CHOICE Simply put, Catriona has everything that the Miss Universe Organization is looking for; confidently beautiful, a universally appealing & commercially viable beauty, a powerful social media following (she is ranked # 1 among the Miss Universe 2018 candidates with the highest number of Instagram followers at 927,000) plus the eloquence and maturity.  

Miss Philippines with her LuzViMinda attire & props

during the Miss Universe National Costume Competition

From a pageant, business and marketing perspective, Catriona Gray should be Miss Universe 2018. In terms of business, she will be a highly sought after endorser, brand ambassador, and model.

MISS UNIVERSE BEHIND THE SCENES: Catriona with her Miss U sisters

Your Roving Eye is very confident of the strong probability of Miss Philippines being crowned Miss Universe 2018, there is also the possibility that there might be another frontrunner or even a dark horse who might snatch the crown from her. As we all know, pageants can be very unpredictable.

A frontrunner status does not guarantee a crown and in fact, during the last 10 editions of Miss Universe, only four heavy favorites went on to win the crown. They are Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela 2008, Ximena Navarette of Mexico 2010, Paulina Vega of Colombia 2014 and Demi Leigh Neal Peters from South Africa 2017. 

MISS UNIVERSE 2018 CROWN FAVORITES

MISS UNIVERSE 2018 SELECTION COMMITTEE

L-R: Lili Gil Valletta, Bui Simon, Monique Lhuillier, Michelle McLean,

Iman Oubou, Janaye Ingram and Richelle Singson-Michael

For the first time ever in Miss Universe history, the selection committee is composed entirely of women. Incidentally, two of the judges are Filipinas. They are world- class fashion designer Monique Lhuilier and Archt. Richelle Singson- Michael. It’s also the first time in over 20 years that the preliminary selection committee will also be the panel of judges on coronation day.

Prior to the preliminary competition last Thursday, Gray, along with her fellow candidates, met with the selection committee through a panel interview for their accomplishments and aspirations. 

Scheduling the interviews ahead of the preliminary swimsuit & evening gown competitions would certainly produce pleasant surprises and shocking exclusions. After hearing and seeing the girls really up close and personal, the committee would surely have a more favorable impression on the girls they liked during the interviews. Expect the unexpected tomorrow upon the revelation of who made the Top Twenty.

HOW IS MISS UNIVERSE 2018 CHOSEN?

This year’s Miss Universe edition has 94 candidates, the highest number so far in its 67 year history. Expect a lot of surprises tomorrow as Miss Universe is looking not only for a beautiful face but also for a spokesperson and ambassador. A premium is now given for the speaking skills, as well as the academic & career achievements of the ladies.

Early this week, the preliminary swimsuit and evening gown competition was conducted. The girls’ preliminary scores along with the results from their closed- door panel interview scores will determine which of the 94 ladies will move to the next round. The Top Twenty will be determined by Continents Plus. Europe, Asia- Oceania and Africa, and North and South America will each have five representatives. The remaining five slots are for the “wild card” candidates, whose selection will be regardless of their continent.

TOP TWENTY will go straight to an opening statement, which means a 15-second statement with host Steve Harvey. This will determine the next cut – Top 10.

TOP TEN will go through both Swimsuit and Evening Gown Competitions. Their composite scores in the two segments will pave the way for the ladies with the five highest scores to advance.

FINAL FIVE will now have a Q&A – again with host Steve Harvey that will secure three (3) of them spots in the Final Round.

TOP THREE will have one (1) ultimate question to answer for the judges to decide who will be Miss Universe and her runners up.

So who will sizzle or fizzle tomorrow? Who will be crowned Miss Universe 2018? Catch the drama and the excitement when it happens tomorrow Monday, Dec 17, 8 am,  ABS CBN Channel 2 or at any live streaming sites online

#CatrionafortheWin

   

Meet the Judges for Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2018

What’s a town or city fiesta without a beauty pageant to highlight the affair? There really is something about a pageant where the fairest maiden is selected to reign for a year as ambassadress of goodwill and as inspirational model. 

 Panel of Judges for Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2018

In the case of Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2018, the winner gets to represent the city in the Miss Bohol 2018 Pageant and will be the spokesperson for the soon- to- be established Tagbilaran City Human Breast Bank.

According to Ms. Jane Yap, Tagbilaran City First Lady & Mutya sa Tagbilaran Project Chair, the Human Breast Bank is a service which collects, screens, processes, and dispenses by prescription human milk donated by nursing mothers who are not biologically related to the recipient infant. The project has the full support of City Mayor Baba Yap.

Adding star wattage, prestige and credibility to the much- talked glamorous highlight of Saulog sa Tagbilaran 2018 is the interesting mix of high- profile personalities and newsmakers that compose this year’s panel of judges. 

 Catriona Gray 

CATRIONA GRAY, her recent victory as Miss Universe Philippines 2018 makes her the first Filipina to compete in both Miss World and Miss Universe. She was a Top Five Finalist in the 2016 Miss World Pageant held in the U.S. 

Nina Ricci Alagao

NINA RICCI ALAGAO,  visual & graphic artist graduate from UP College of Fine Arts, a TV/ movie actress, model, make-up artist, events host, wife to actor Michael Flores & mom to three boys and Binibining Pilipinas 2000 who represented the country in the Miss Universe 2000 Pageant held in Cyprus. 

Rachel Peters

RACHEL PETERS, Filipino-British model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2017 and Miss Universe 2017 Top Ten finalist. 

Michelle Alejandra Gomez

MICHELLE ALEJANDRA GOMEZ, Colombian beauty queen and model who was crowned Miss Earth- Air 2016

BASTE DUTERTE host of Lakbai, TV5’s newest reality adventure show  

RAYMUND GUTIERREZ, the entrepreneur, TV/ events host and reality TV star  of the acclaimed Gutierrez clan who has become the poster child for fitness & healthier lifestyle 

PUREZA VELOSO- CHATTO, Bohol First Lady, Balilihan Municipal Mayor, GSP-Bohol council president,  Bohol’s patroness of culture & the arts  

JONAS BORCES, one of Cebu’s top hair & make up artists, respected beauty queen & model discoverer/  mentor

PHILLIP SALVADOR, award- winning TV/movie actor 

GERARD ONG, Male Winner of Supermodel Philippines 2012, PMAP member

JAVI MARTINEZ PARDO, creative director of top events production company & the partner of Tim Yap 

Hosting this year's Mutya sa Tagbilaran are eventologist Tim Yap and TV/ movie actress Izza Calzado

Who will get the attention & the nod of the panel of judges for the title of Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2018?

Find out this Friday, April 27, Bohol Wisdom School Gym, 8 pm 

Meet the Bb Pilipinas 2018 Queens

Six new queens have been crowned at the conclusion of Binibining Pilipinas 2018 on Sunday, March 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Catriona Gray confirmed her frontrunner status by winning most of the special titles & corporate sponsor awards including the very important Best in Swimsuit & Best in Evening Gown awards.

Ms. Gray also set a new Philippine pageant record when she became the first Filipina to compete in both Miss World and Miss Universe. Her American counterpart is Olivia Jordan who competed in Miss World 2013 won by Megan Young and Miss Universe 2015 won by Pia Wurtzbach.

  Meet the Bb Pilipinas 2018 Queens & Runners Up

Photo Credits: Bb Pilipinas

L-R: 2nd RU Samantha, Bb Globe Michelle, Bb Grand  International Eva, MUP 2018 Catriona 

L-R: Bb International Athisa, Bb Supranational Jehza, Bb Intercontinental Karen, 1st RU Vickie 

BB PILIPINAS 2018 COMPLETE RESULTS

FINAL PLACEMENT	#	NAME OF WINNER
Miss Universe Philippines	20	Catriona Gray
Bb International	17	Ma. Ahtisa Manalo
Bb Intercontinental	38	Karen Gallman
Bb Globe	19	Michele Gumabao
Bb Grand International	32	Eva Patalinjug
Bb Supranational	31	Jehza Huelar
1st Runner Up	1	Vickie Rushton
2nd Runner Up	14	Samantha Bernardo

  

1^st Set of Special Awards

#	NAME OF WINNER	SPECIAL AWARD
20	Catriona Gray	Pitoy Moreno National Costume Award
20	Catriona Gray	Miss Ever Bilena
20	Catriona Gray	Jag Denim Queen
14	Samantha Bernardo	Manila Bulletin Award
8	Shane Tormes	Miss Friendship
8	Shane Tormes	Miss Talent
32	Eva Patalinjug	Miss Photogenic

 2^nd Set of Special Awards

#	NAME OF WINNER	SPECIAL AWARD
20	Catriona Gray	Best in Swimsuit
3	Muriel Orais	Miss Philippine Airlines
20	Catriona Gray	Best in Evening Gown
19	Michelle Gumabao	Miss Cream Silk

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Sandra Lemonon should have won a crown. I admire her for her honesty and candor and she earned my respect for confidently acknowledging her lack of knowledge to the subject matter. Winning a crown really depends on Luck, Timing & Destiny. She was just unlucky for drawing that tough question.

The best responses based on actually answering the questions, delivery and spontaneity during the Q & A were # 20 Catriona Gray, # 26 Wynonah Buot, # 1 Vickie Rushton, # 17 Athisa Manalo,  # 15 Juliana Kapeundi and # 19 Michelle Gumabao.

I also admired I was expecting more from # 31 Jehza Huelar who was a threepeater and an honor graduate from Ateneo de Davao. 

Catriona Gray: From Alona Beach to the World

Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Gray spent a few days in Bohol prior to her November departure for Washington, DC, USA where she competes with more than 100 beauty delegates for the Miss World 2016 crown. 

 most definitely a world- class welcome for a woman of the world


 

In between a most relaxing & luxurious stay at the posh Amorita Resort overlooking the spectacular powdery white sands of Alona Beach, she also videotaped her Miss World 2016 Introductory Video which is currently leading the pack with more than 198,000 views.

 The Buzz’ famous ice cream & cabcab cone gets global
exposure in Cat Gray's Miss World 2016 video
Photo location: Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol

Standing 5’ 11” tall, the 22 year old model, blogger & singer who is one of the frontrunners for the Miss World 2016 crown aims to be the second Filipina to bring home the blue crown that symbolizes Beauty with a Purpose. 

 Will the stars align for a second Miss World crown for RP?