I had quite a nice vacation and one of the highlights was being able to meet up with reigning Binibining Pilipinas Grand International, Elizabeth Clenci. Kagandahang Flores head Sir Rodgil Flores facilitated this meet up with Elizabeth (or Liz for short) and I can honestly say that I was floored with what I have observed in her.
What is most striking about Liz is how self-assured and confident she is in her own skin. I observed a lovely lady who is not afraid to show me photos her worst when she had severe eczema, and how she has lifted herself up from such predicament. Mesmerized at her story of how she became a vegan from her experience, I asked more and more about her healthy lifestyle choices. I am even more impressed that she can say that she could be a vegan for the rest of her life.
Liz is addictive to listen to, when she talks you just want her to go on and on. Smart, articulate, engaging and fun, that is how she is when I met her… More importantly she knows who she is. She was talking to her go-to designer at that time on fashion choices (gown and national costume included) for the Miss Grand International competition in Vietnam. Liz was talking about her body type and how she wants emphasis on her best assets…coming from someone working in the fashion industry, she nails her style choices spot on.
While there are no confirmed dates on her departure or the MGI schedule of activities, we can assume that she would probably be the first to compete this year among her Bb. Pilipinas batch (the finals is on October 25th). With a rep as self-assured as she is, I have a feeling that she would perhaps equal or surpass the placement of her predecessors.
Miss International Nepal 2017, Niti Shah
Move over girls, there is another Asian goddess joining Miss International this year. Meet Miss International Nepal 2017, Niti Shah…
Niti was crowned Miss International Nepal who was also the 2nd runner up in the Miss Nepal pageant. The 21 year old actress and model is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in journalism from St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu. Back in Nepal, she is arguably one of the most popular and sought after models. Niti is blessed with brown hair and brown eyes. She stands at height of 5 feet 7 inches tall and hails from Dang District in Western Nepal. During the pageant she was the crowd favorite to win the title (the winner of Miss Nepal will go on to compete in Miss World).
With her in the competition, we expect at least a semifinal placement for her this year. With her good looks and lovely personality, she may just be the first Alpha pageant winner from her country.
#MANicMondays: Hotness Overload of Okkar Min Maung
Mister Tourism World 2016 Okkar Min Maung has mastered taking insanely hot selfies and these photos are proof of it. He surely knows how to sizzle…
The hunk from Myanmar will be turning over his title in his homeland later this December.
Clarissa Bowers: USA’s Miss World Bet
Move over Polina, there’s another blonde bombshell that is gunning for the Miss World title. Meet the newly crowned Miss World America, Clarissa Bowers.
19 year-old Clarrisa Bowers is currently a student of Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. She stands 5’11” and hails from a military family. The green-eyed beauty hopes to become a reconstructive surgeon for wounded and scarred soldiers. Her Beauty with a Purpose project is enabling baseball for disabled children and adults. She is listed as one of the models in Next Model Management in Miami and measures 34-26-37. She currently lives in Florida.
Clarissa bested 28 other candidates which included former MIss USA contender Maureen Montagne from Arizona.
The Tough BBP Wardrobe Lessons of 2014
2014 will perhaps come down in Philippine pageant history as the turning point of the wardrobes for Binibining Pilipinas winners. After a very dismal wardrobe choices in 2014, the year coming after it saw a veritable change in styles that gave BPCI two crowns including the much coveted Miss Universe.
One of the biggest disappointments in terms of outfits of 2014 was the horrendous Panagbenga costume of Mary Jean Lastimosa in Doral for Miss Universe. The costume was designed by Colombian Alfredo Barazza which drew flak online. It was the topic of a thousand memes online that lambasted how poorly inspired the costume was. And when it came for the gown, it was actually a nice one but was terribly wrong for MJ’s curvy figure. Termed as ‘damit pangkasal’, the gown was a disappointment in comparison to the pink Leo Almodal that MJ wore during the final dress rehearsals.
Another terrible competition wardrobe was that given to Binibining Pilipinas International Bianca Guidotti, who was made to wear a not-so-flattering tulle confection for her evening gown. It didn’t made her look regal nor elegant. The gown looked like a mishmash of two separate gowns with its plunging V-neck bodice and full tulle skirt. Not to mention the very bland national costume she was given which was added with a make-shift malong. The saving grace of the ensemble are the headpiece by designer Edwin Uy and the apir fans.
Let’s not forget Yvethe Santiago’s full-on recycled wardrobe. Her talent costume was a Pitoy Moreno original worn by Kristine Florendo in 1997, her national costume was a gown added with butterfly sleeves worn by Bea Rose Santiago for her welcome parade in 2013, and her evening gown was the farewell gown of Bea in Bb. Pilipinas 2014. She was vying for a tough back-to-back challenge but was given a not so updated wardrobe.
Despite this major set-back, Binibining Pilipinas was able to bounce back a year later when it allowed Filipino designers to make national costumes and evening gowns for Filipina queens. 2015 saw the change that Filipino fans were clamoring for quite sometime. And BPCI was all the better for it…
The Miss Earth 2016 Winners & Their International Travels
Every Miss Earth winner have enjoyed the wonderful time they have as the reigning queen. One of their perks is the different travel opportunities that they have been enjoying. But did you know that the Miss Earth is unique as it treats its runners up like winners and allow them to travel? Well, that is one of the things that makes this pageant a cut above the rest.
During Tereza Fajksova, she and her Miss Earth-Air Stephany Stephanowitz have traveled together to Indonesia to crown the Miss Earth Indonesia back in 2012. And that was just one of Tereza’s 12 country visits. In 2013, Alyz Henrich has traveled to the US just like how her Miss Earth-Water Punika Koolsunrut traveled too. Angelia has been to around 8 countries during her reign while her Miss Earth-Air elemental queen, Dayana Grageda has been to roughly around 3-4 countries herself.
Reigning Miss Earth Katherine Espin has been to every corner of the Philippines plus international travels to Angola, Chile, Dubai, Ecuador, Reunion Island, USA, Mauritius, Singapore, Hong Kong and Puerto Rico. Katherine has been around the USA as well with trips to Los Angeles, Washington, Las Vegas and did sightseeing trips to the Grand Canyon, and Rodeo Drive. But she is not the only one as her elemental court gets to travel as well. Michelle Gomez, who was hailed Miss Earth-Air, had a trip earlier to Ghana with Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell. Michelle also accompanied Katherine in her recent trips to the US, Chile and Puerto Rico. Miss Earth – Fire Corrin Stelakis have been to Nicaragua earlier too. Miss Earth Water, Stephanie de Zorzi, also went earlier to Sri Lanka as part of her duties as one of the elemental queens.
So far, this is the only batch of winners that all of the elemental queens were able to fly internationally! This is perhaps a sign of the move by the MEOrg to treat all elemental queens of equal importance. If that is the case, then that is a good move. It will only be the Miss Earth pageant that will give opportunities to its full set of winners to travel and be recognized as queens.
Which Alpha Pageant Are You Excited for this November?
Miss Universe, Miss Earth, Miss World and Miss International… four of the biggest international pageants around, and they are filling up the November calendar. With rumors that Miss Intercontinental is also going to be in the same month and Miss Supranational to start its pre-pageant activities in November, we ask this question: What pageant/s are fans going to focus on?
Miss Earth – November 4th
Miss International – November 14th
Miss World – November 18th
Miss Universe – November 26th (?)
Vote and let us know your thoughts…
