Manushi Chhillar of India was crowned the new Miss World last night at the coronation night held in Sanya, China.
This was India’s first win after Priyanka Chopra won the crown in the year 2000.
Andrea Meza of Mexico and Stephanie Hill are first and second runners-up, respectively. Aurore Kichenin of France and Magline Jeruto of Kenya completed the top 5.
Meanwhile, Philipine rep Laura Lehmann won the Beauty With A Purpose campaign along with four other delegates including Chhillar herself. Lehmann also won the head to head challenge which automatically put her into the top 40 but failed to advanced further.
Just a bit of an update about the (also) on-going Miss World pageant in China with our very own Laura Lehmann’s introduction video!
Laura with Miss Venezuela and Miss Vietnam (photo from Miss World – Philippines Facebook page)
Also, don’t forget to engage her on social media especially on Facebook since there’s still the Multimedia fast track that could help her advance to the semis in the Miss World finals on November 18 Live from the Sanya City Arena.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see up-close the newly crowned Binibining Pilipinas queens as they were presented to the press people at the Balay, Araneta Center. I could say that this batch is truly something from the runners-up to each and every crowned winner. They all have their own aura that set each other apart. The event was also attended by the Queens of 2013 who gave their message of support and encouragement to the new title holders.
I wasn’t able to ask any questions because they mainly focused on the bigger media peeps. So let me just share with you some of the pictures I took from yesterday’s event.
Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa, Miss Universe Philippines 2014 lookig like a goddess!
from L-R: Yvethe Santiago – Bb.Pilipinas – Supranationa, Kris Tiffany Janson – Bb.Pilipinas – Intercontinental, Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti, Bb.Pilipinas – International and Parul Shah, Bb.Pilipinas-Tourism
Here are the 2013 queens giving out their message of support and encouragement.
The 2014 Queens With reigning Miss International Bea Santiago and Miss Supranational Mutya Datul
I’ve seen second runner up Hannah Ruth Sison several times now and I now wished that she style herself like this! What a beauty!
The Kagandahang Flores Queens with their mentor Mr. Rodgil Flores
girls: is it over yet? nope darlings, it’s just starting! lol
With the TV Press
snippets: Ara Arida and Mutya Datul
sidenotes: Mutya Datul signing autograph and her fascinating crown!
I have a feeling that this batch will even be more successful than their predecessor! Goodluck girls! Mabuhay kayong lahat!
Stage / Production: I thought the stage was quite elegant. I love that it did not overshadowed the contestants and the cylinder / tube props looked really great live and on TV! A-
Hosts: Upon learning that Xian Lim will be back to host the event, I was initially disappointed because I thought he did poorly during his 2012 stint. This time though, I was pleasantly surprised because he’s not one bit annoying. He brought with him enough charm to woo the live audience and this year, it went smoothly for him. Good job Xian!
Anne Curtis was of course the darling of the crowd last night. She’s very charming and SO VERY, EXTEMELY BEAUTIFUL! She even belted “Alone” off air while the judges were having their deliberation of the winners. The audience just totally loved her!
On Venus, Shamcey and Janine: Venus is definitely now a pro in hosting. She did extremely well and looked every inch of a beauty queen! It’s a wonder why until now she’s still in competition form! Just amazing! Shamcey on the other hand was beautiful as ever but she sounded too scripted and too hurried. When Janine first appeared, there was a unanimous opinion in our row that she looked unkempt – it must be the hair though. Her second number though was rather alluring and she made it all up from her disastrous first styling. Overall, the three girls did really well.
Opening Number: The opening number which includes the intro of hosts Xian and Anne and of course the introduction of the contestants reminds me so much of the 2011 Miss Universe pageant – it must be the color coding of their outfits.
The Swimsuit Competition: One word – BRAVO. Madam Stella really step up this time around (this I believe totally impressed Miss Universe president Paula Shugart and co.) The ladies are wearing expensive looking swimsuits inspired by the festivals in the country. I love that they were divided into four groups showcasing four different festivals from the Philippines.
The Evening Gown Competition: Oh I just love this part! This is where the eventual winners really stood out! My favorite gowns are from Parul Shah, Bianca Guidotti and MJ Lastimosa. The “White Gown” myth also got into us and made us a bit nervous. Oh, I also love that this segment was super fast!
Best in Swimsuit: I was so happy that finally, MJ was awarded this well deserved title. In 2011 and 2012, I thought she was robbed big time – now, “the body” of the competition was rewarded justly.
Best in Evening Gown: I really thought that this award was just a toss up between Bianca Guidotti and MJ Lastimosa. Bianca was awarded the title which I think was pretty fair.
via Bb.Pilipinas FB Page
The Announcement of Top 15: Pia, MJ, Bianca, Yvethe and Kris were already shoo in for the semis followed closely by Parul, Tiglao and Lehmann. The rest are surprises for me and it was with sadness that Diana Arevalo and Kim Suiza failed to make it into the semis – esp Suiza because she looks absolutely ravishing last night!
via Bb.Pilipinas FB Page
The Question and Answer portion:
Laura Lehman was asked for her favorite city that best represents her and she answered Armsterdam. I thought it was a cute answer but it could’ve been better if she chose something close from home. Ya’ll know what I mean right?
Pia Wurtzbach was very charming in answering her question but I’m firm in my belief that she would’ve made it had she answered the question in English (even though she was asked by Angara in the vernacular.)
Mary Jean Lastimosa – well, what can I say? Like her answer, the girl was very much composed upon answering her question. She gave it her all and the audience just loved it, even reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler who asked the question looks very impressed!
Bianca Guidotti‘s answer was very short and lacks conviction. After her turn, I immediately pegged her for a runner-up finish but clearly, her charm was undeniable in delivering her thoughts.
Nichole Manalo faltered and received an awkward applause from the audience.
Parul Shah was very studied and calculated which I think works well for her.
Yvethe Santiago was really mesmerizing on screen and in person. Her answer along with Lastimosa, Shah and Janson were the clear stand outs!
Kris Janson’s answer was very heartfelt that even host Anne Curtis teared up. I love her spontaneity. I guess what I didn’t like about her last night was her make up which made her looked tired.
Hannah Sison gave a decent answer but she was trying a bit too hard to be charming. Nevertheless, she look so polished last night.
On Emin: He’s quite a charmer and his songs aren’t that bad.
On regining Miss Universe Gabriela Isler: Oh, the crowd just loved her! She’s very pretty and tall! She’s for the record the third Miss Universe titleholder I’ve seen in my life after Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran.
The Announcement Of Winners
2nd Runner-up: Hannah Sison – my friend who’s with me (Rey) and I predicted this and we believe that the judges got it right.
via Bb.Pilipinas FB Page
1st Runner-up: Laura Lehmann – I was a bit nervous because of some rumors floating in the net that Lehman was the matriarch Stella Araneta’s favorite to win the MUP crown. I’m glad that she didn’t win it because she needs more polishing. She look so pretty though!
via Bb.Pilipinas FB Page
Binibining Pilipinas Tourism: Parul Shah after her performance through the night deserved a crown and I was really hoping that she’ll get this one and she did!
via Bb.Pilipinas FB Page
Binibining Pilipinas Supranational: I predicted Yvethe Santiago to win this title and my intuition was right! Now, we’ve a pretty good chance of nailing a back to back win in Miss Supranational!
via Bb.Pilipinas FB Page
Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental: As the first recipient of this title, Kris Janson made history last night after delivering a good performance and clinching this minor title. I was rather relieved when she was called because it means bigger chances for MJ to win the MUP title!
via Bb.Pilipinas FB Page
Binibining Pilipinas International: Initially, I was not happy Guidotti even won a crown. I was expecting Pia to clinch this but I’m just glad she did because I figured that she and Bea have some similarities. This could really work well for her. Plus, her personality’s too contagious! You gotta love a girl with a very positive personality!
via Bb.Pilipinas FB Page
>that shot when MJ was tearing up almost broke my heart. She must be thinking that she’d lose again since Pia Wurtzbach was still in contention. Lo and behold, her name was call the 2014 Miss Universe Philippines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When she was announced the new Miss Universe Philippines, I felt like crying and hyperventilating! I was shouting for joy at the top of my lungs! Finally, my girl did it and she was rewarded for all her hard work and determination! MJ finally harvested the fruits of her hard labor – it’s been a long and winding road for her but it’s all worth the wait!
With the coronation night fast approaching, the girls are also stepping up big time for the big day! So without further ado, let me present to you my third hot pick for this season of Binibining Pilipinas!
(L-R) Yvethe Santiago, Kris Janson, Mary Jean Lastimosa and Pia Wurtzbach
Yvethe is this year’s Miss Consistency. Delivering an enduring power of beauty, grace, and charisma isn’t such an easy task, with 39 other girls vying for the most coveted crown. At this stage of the competition, the Miss Universe Philippines crown is yours to lose, girl.
A two feat Miss International crowning isn’t far behind if Kris will eventually snatch the Binibining Pilipinas International title. She could also easily snatch the Universe crown if she played her cards well. Would it be this one or highest honor? For now, I placed her second.
A frontrunner, an expert, and a stage diva. That’s what we need for an attempt to place well come Miss Supranational 2014. MJ has those qualities, and she’s polished even to grab the most coveted title. For now, though, I have a feeling that Binibining Pilipinas Supranational’s the deserved title for her.
I consider Binibining Pilipinas Tourism the least prestigious, but a title is still a title. This, however, belongs to a girl whom I feel can do wonders in China. Pia Wurtzbach, the lone runner-up from last year, is the best for this title for now.
(L-R: 5. Angelique De Leon, 6. Ednornance Agustin, 7. Bianca Guidotti, 8. Kimverlyn Suiza, 9. Diana Arevalo)
This week, I decided to make a complete Top 15 for my hotpicks since I’ve evaluated all of the 40 girls and I’ve laboriously yet gladly watched their web interviews, videos and pictures over the week and I’ve to say that some of the girls really are stepping up their game! This could easily change though once I get the chance to see them in person more but for now, this is what I came up with.
HOT PICK 1: Yvethe Marie Santiago for Miss Universe Philippines
Yvethe has one miss in mind upon entering this competition and that is to win it all. But her mission is not just to win one of the crowns, it is to win the top plum which is the Miss Universe Philippines. Yvethe could easily do this. She’s got the goods and the only thing that’s getting on her way at this stage is if she will be favored by the judges and the organization (at this early on) come finals night or if she choke during the final question and answer which seemed to be an all-important factors basing on the recent queens wins!
SPOILER: Guidotti, De Leon, Lastimosa
HOT PICK 2: Kris Tiffany Janson for Bb.Pilipinas-International
After making my initial hot picks, I felt that I did something wrong by not considering this Cebuana beauty with one of the crowns. I was so wrong by not considering the pageant that clearly has a predictable prototype and that is the Miss International! They want their winners to either be doll-like or someone who exudes elegance. If they can’t get both, the winner must atleast have one. Luckily for Kris, she’s got both going on her.
SPOILER: Wurtzback, Nichole Manalo
HOT PICK 3: Mary Jean Lastimosa for Bb.Pilipinas – Supranational
Last year, the Miss Supranational organization crowned a “miniature” winner with the face of an angel and that is our very own Mutya Datul. I can’t see any reason why they won’t do the same if we send a beauty with such high caliber. MJ’s last try may just be the lucky break she’s been waiting for. She’s got the face and sheer confidence that makes a room go quiet upon entering it. That makes her much more superior than most of the girls.
SPOILER: Faeldonia, Mary Ainjely Manalo
HOT PICK 4: Nichole Manalo for Bb.Pilipinas – Tourism
With China hosting the pageant annually, I figured that we don’t have a very big chance of winning a crown. But that’s not saying that we shouldn’t send a good candidate. Based on their most recent winners, they want them tall and “meztisa” and I think Nichole Manalo might just fit the bill.
SPOILER: Laura Victoria Lehmann
5. Pia Wurtzbach
6. Bianca Guidotti
7. Angelique De Leon
8. Aiza Faeldonia
9. Ainjely Manalo
10. Ednornance Agustin
11. Parul Shah
12. Diana Arevalo
13. Kimverlyn Suiza
14. Laura Lehmann
15. Racquel Kabigting
pictures via bbpilipinas official fb page and OPMB Worldwide alterations are for entertainment and depiction purposes only. no copyright infringement intended.
Their faces and names are already posted in different sites and some of them are already creating enough buzz and hype but it’s the final night on March 30 that matters the most. So after weeks of grueling screening process, callbacks and all – the over 100 applicants of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas were trimmed down to 40! I’ve to say how impressed I am with the quality of the candidates this year. There are a lot of fresh faces who are all very much qualified to win any of the crowns as well as the repeaters who are more ready and more beautiful this time! So here are our Top 40 in groups of 5…
Binibini #1 Julian Aurine Flores; Binibini #2 Mary Ainjey P. Manalo; Binibini #3 Joanna Angelica M. Romero; Binibini #4 Parul Shah; Binibini #5 Hanna Mariz D. Dela Guerra
Binibini #6 Anabel Christine G. Tia; Binibini #7 Aiza Faeldonia; Binibini #8 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach; Binibini #9 Joy Antonette Diaz; Binibini #10 Shauna Indra Salina Curran
Binibini #11 Laura Victoria Lehmann; Binibini #12 Sarah Jireh Asido; Binibini #13 Kris Tiffany M. Janson; Binibini #14 Emma Mary F. Tiglao; Binibini #15 Kimverlyn O. Suiza
Binibini #16 Zahara Mae O. Soriano; Binibini #17 Diana B. Arevalo; Binibini #18 Ellore Noelle Punzalan; Binibini #19 Mae Liezel J. Ramos; Binibini #20 Kenneth Santiago
Binibini #21 Racquel D. Kabigting; Binibini #22 Mary Anne Bianca G. Guidotti; Binibini #23 Nichole Marie R. Manalo; Binibini #24 Ednornance Agustin; Binibini #25 Mary Jean Lastimosa
Binibini #26 Hanna Sheena L. Manuel; Binibini #27 Hannah Ruth Sison; Binibini #28 Carla Jenina Cabrera Lizardo; Binibini #29 Krischelle DG. Halili; Binibini #30 Joy Marie Gangan
Binibini #31 Angelique Celine L. De Leon; Binibini #32 Jeslyn Santos; Binibini #33 Gabrielle Erika Tilokani; Binibini #34 Leonalyn D. Dela Cruz; Binibini #35 Yvethe Marie A. Santiago
Binibini #36 Krystal Alonday; Binibini #37 Vanessa N. Saliba; Binibini #38 Janine A. Asanion; Binibini #39 Ladylyn Riva; Binibini #40 Vessica L. Sambo
My name is Arch, and since I’ve started blogging, I’ve written on a wide range of topics, including books, places (mainly my travels), politics, movies, TV series, toys, and random rants—discoveries I’ve made online and offline. Please treat this space as your safe haven online and feel free to read, leave comments, or obtain whatever else you think you can get from it.
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