A Different Miss Asia Pacific International This Year

 

Certainly, this year's Miss Asia Pacific International pageant felt so different. Last October 8th, Cebu Coliseum became the venue for the crowning of this year's queen, Isabela Fernandes of Brazil. Her advocacy on education and sustainability proved to be a huge factor in her gaining the crown. 

1st Runner Up went to the Philippines very own Anita Rose Gomez while 2nd, 3rd and 4th Runner Up posts went to Bowomrat Maneerat of Thailand, Jana Jannsens of Belgium and Delilah Almira Wildboer of the Netherlands. These ladies showcased not just their culture, but the individual causes they support in line with their own stories and the event's theme #HERStoryAblaze. These ladies also competed for their National Costume, Swimsuit and Evening Gowns. The special awards went to Bowomorat Maneerat representing Thailand for the National Costume, Anita Rose Gomez of the Philippines for the Best in Swimsuit and Isabela Fernandes of Brazil for the Evening Gown. They gave the Miss Photogenic award to Danube Kangjam of India and the Peoples Choice to UK's Anne Gomes.

This year also marks a new set of women representing the best of the regions, they're named Continental Queens. For the Americas, Michelle Whilar Lazarte of Peru won it. For Asia Aisyah Amini of Indonesia got it. For Europe Delilah Elmira Wildeboer of the Netherlands got the crown. For Africa, it went to South Africa's Bejandri Lourens while for Oceania was awarded to New Zealand's Hannah Leigh Cross. 

A Heartfelt Advocacy

All 43 delegates have experienced the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the province of Cebu (Bogo City). Instead of the usual fanfare, the queens took part in relief efforts and took to streets and shelters, joined several partner NGO's, private entities to make sure they got to comfort those ravaged by the calamity. They were also in the Operation Smile gala when it happened, and it was heartwarming to see them helping during that time. They're definitely beauty queens with compassion, took their gloves off and cared for those in need. That made it all different this year, the pageant had lux and elegance, but it was being human that mattered most. Seeing that was certainly precious!

Mathew Sygal So of Marikina Vies for Mister International PH 2023

Having a quiet life must be something that people would wish for, and I wouldn't blame them because it's an easy route. A few days ago, we met with Marikina City's representative for the Mister International 2023 pageant Mathew Sygal So. He's a Management Engineering student from the Ateneo de Manila University (a very tough course!), and he had a reason why he joined. I didn't have to think about it because at the venue, there were several PWD's clad in their country uniforms. They were athletes who won several bronze, silver and gold medals from the recent ASEAN Para Games 2023. They have represented the country well. It was so awesome to see them all cheering him on.

They were from the National Council on Disability Affairs which he's been actively involved in these past few years. Prior to him joining the pageant, he was hailed as their ambassador. Which is why one of the reasons he wanted to join Mister International Philippines 2023 was to further their cause. Here's part of the interview we did with Mathew:

 

It's so nice that he was game to also answer questions about joining showbiz and perhaps politics later on. But for now, he's glad that he was able to tell a story about his passion on giving PWD's a voice, to hopefully have awareness so everyone would practice equality, because he believes that if they were given the same opportunities, the too can do it.

I hope this has given you more insight about their plight, Mathew Sygal So is going to do his best to further make this cause heard in the international scene to hopefully have more people hear about their plight and see why he deserves a title in Mister International 2023. 

Here's wishing you would win Mathew! Cheers!

Meet Miss World Philippines Candidate Gwendolyn Fourniol

Negros Occidental is my province and I'm so glad they're being represented well in the Miss World Philippines pageant as Filipino-French lass Gwendolyn Fourniol vies for the title this 2022.

Gwen is pushing for the education platform to promote ERDA Foundation (Edicational Research and Development Assistance) which is a non-stock, non-profit organization aimed to help underprivileged kids to have education and change their lives. This cause is something that hits home for her because her Mom Sim Bolivar (albeit poor) was saved by the organization, got her to finish an AB Psychology degree at Philippine Womens University. This has given her Mom an opportunity to work abroad where she also met Gwen's Father. It's one of the reasons why she's very involved in ERDA's projects, as it has also been her advocacy to help kids, to hopefully have the same chance in life.

For her, Miss World Philippines does beauty with a purpose. She also plans to put up a French language school in the future to hone Filipinos to speak English, Tagalog and French which she also knows. Gwen is curently pursuing an Economics degree in Oxford Brooks based in London, UK and plans to also get internship from multinational corp JP Morgan.

This officially her second shot at the Miss World Philippines title. She's done a remarkable job last time as she was able to get into the top 15 semi finalists. I'm glad to see her becoming a heavy favorite with netizens and pageant enthusiasts but I must say, I'm not surprised. She's got the looks, but best of all, she's got the heart to become a worthy title holder.

Gwen also has a team behind her led by ProMedia's Paul Izon Reyes, Jam Aquino of Belle Salon. They are pioneers of beauty pageants and body building competitions and they trained her differently. She's got the looks, inner strength, very smart and confident. They also believe in her cause and know it puts her ahead of the pack. Hopefully, she'll do good in the Miss World Philippines 2022 pageant, and represent the country in an even larger platform such as Miss World. If Gwen can help thousands get education in the Philippines, if that happens in a world stage, it could make an even bigger impact. Here's to Candidate number 25, wishing you get that title for Negros Occidental, the Philippines and the world!

"Exceptionally Empowered Filipina" PH Bets Vie for 3 Crowns

It feels so surreal that our queens from Miss World Philippines are on their way to the respective countries of competition as they vie for different titles this 2022. Kathleen Paton Miss ECO Philippines 2021, Tracy Maureen Perez Miss World Philippines 2021, Michelle Arceo Miss Environment Philippines 2021 graced the send off ceremonies at B Hotel in Quezon City. The Miss World Philippines National Director and President of ALV Group of Companies Arnold Vegafria was there to wish the ladies well as they head on their way to Egypt, Puerto Rico and India this month.

Here's our video coverage of it this afternoon

 

First up is Kathleen Paton who is on her way to Cairo, Egypt as of this writing to compete at the 7th Miss Econ International pageant which will be held there from March 6-18. On the other hand, the coronation night for Miss World will be done on March 16 (around 12:30am on the 17th Manila time). The Miss World Organization has previously postponed the coronation night on the date itself because of heightened COVID-19 cases in Puerto Rico, but Tracy is raring to go because she's done really remarkable and won the Head to head and Beauty with a Purpose Challenge for the Miss World competition. Albeit a little frustrating that festivities had to be stopped like that, she's keen on winning the crown... using the time off to prepare even more before the actual crowning happens this year. Meanwhile, Michelle Arceo who's going to Mumbai, India from March 21 to April 2 (Crowning on April 2) just impressed us all with her looks and capacity to answer quite eloquently during the Question and Answer part of the presscon this afternoon. She's quite prepared, a little nervous, but confident that she's also getting that crown. It will be shown on April 2, 7:30PM Manila time. Make sure you're following the Miss World Philippines Facebook page for updates on their appearances and schedule.

Miss World Philippines also has changed their mantra starting this month, with the words "Exceptionally Empowered Filipina", a fitting tribute to the powerful and influential women who have gotten crowns from the pageant. This coincides with International Women's Month which is celebrated this March. The three peat is definitely within reach, go support them on their social media channels and help them get there!

See Her Shine: SOPHIA STAVE

I've been covering photo shoots of celebrities for quite a number of years. This was kind of special as it's been a while since I've gone out because of the pandemic. I've seen a few photos of her online and getting to know a new artist might seem to be a chore for some, but I felt a little excited because Tyronne Escalante Artist Management had a gem in their hands. She's Sophia Stave, a Filipino American beauty from the province of Bukidnon which is an extensive plateau and mountainous area in Mindanao.

After living in San Francisco for a couple years, she and her parents went back to Malaybalay, Bukidnon 4 years ago for business and pleasure. She didn't know she'd end up representing the city through a pageant that didn't push through because of the pandemic. She was discovered through social media by TEAM (Tyronne Escalante Artist Management) and she's been riding the wave since then. 

Sophia has a soft heart for horses and she's been riding competitively since 2018 after tagging along with friends in the province. That's good news so if there would be stunts in projects that would require riding one, she'd wouldn't have to train for it. She also plans to take up Animal Science in college soon as it is clearly has become a passion. She also wants to make it far in showbiz, use this platform to good use and do well in every project she's involved in. Sophia also adores Liza Soberano which she feels she could connect to since they almost have the same background since she too came from the US. She also loves Daniel Padilla, which to me means she has good taste! Here's more of our interview with her at the studio on our video editorial.

 

 

 

We couldn't help but marvel on how she looks. She's very pretty even up close. These photos don't do justice (which I captured on mobile during the shoot).

Currently, Sophia is currently making herself busy at their farm in Bukidnon during the pandemic. She's taking lessons and watching more Filipino movies/series to learn more about the language and her craft. She's a bit flexible in roles she wants to do, she's both a princess and a toughie. Now if she lands in a network soon, you know you've seen her here first. Follow TEAM's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TeamTyronnePH) for more updates about her and other artists from their camp. 

You'll see Sophia Stave shine even brighter, soon!

Miss World Philippines Forges Partnership with Artopian Internationale

 

 

Miss World Philippines is happening soon and the amount of excitement was seen in the recent press conference they held in Quezon City. The organization just inked their partnership with ARTOPIAN which is an MLM/Direct Selling company for beauty and wellness products. It includes Stem Cell Serums, Glutathione Capsules, nutrition boosting juices, coffee and food supplements. 

Welcoming them to the occasion was Mr. Arnold Vegafria, the current National director of Miss World Philippines Organization. He says “I am happy that this is happening even though we have a pandemic, the ladies are all beautiful, smart and intelligent. May this partnership open more opportunities for us and the organization. This is the perfect platform to grow, we believe we have the same vision and goal of always, have beauty with a purpose.”

 

I'm rooting for Ganiel Krishnan <3

 

Artopia will also be looking for two ambassadors which will get awards and cash prizes aside from being the face of the company. Also present during the occasion were 10 candidates from Miss World Philippines who showed why the Philippines is such a force to reckon with in the pageant world. 

Here's some of the highlights on video:

Miss World Philippines Grand Coronation Night is scheduled to happen on July 11, 2021. 45 smart, intelligent and beautiful women will vie for the Miss World crown and about 7 other international titles so we can send these lovely Filipinas to these pageants.

The World's Most Desirable Men: MR. WORLD

What does it mean for the Philippines to host this year’s Mr. World competition? Well for starters, we’re making history because pageant wise this is the first time the country is doing it. Now imagine how we felt when we got into a tent full of the world’s most desirable men, we felt right at home. LOL

The testosterone level alone in Cubao increased a hundred fold as some of the candidates took time to talk to the media, giving their best foot forward and us, having our first impressions of them. Guys clad in their best garb, suits and shirts approached the media and true enough there were a lot who stood out. They’re not just eye candy for women, they’re inspiration for men. There will be 5 rounds of Mr. World Challenges that they have to go through, the Extreme Challenge (Special Action Force training in Laguna), the Sports Challenge (skill and athleticism), Talent and Creativity, Fashion, and Multimedia.

Ms. Julia Morley says “We are so excited to be finally here in the Philippines with the best men from around the world. Over the next couple of weeks, these contestants will take part in a number of challenges that test the true qualities of a man. We have had such a wonderful warm welcome from the Filipinos and we are looking forward to know them better, taste local food and understand the culture.”

Also in the event was Arnold Vegafria, current Mr. World Philippines National Director and he says “With all the strong reception that we have achieved for Miss World Philippines, I feel that it’s time to promote male pageantry as well. This is why we are taking the Mr. World pageant right here in the Philippines! Iam so thankful for the Mr. World organization for choosing the country as the venue for this year’s pageant.”

This will happen on August 23 so if you want tickets, it’ll probably be on Araneta’s box office, easy as that. Now after seeing these guys, who’s your favorite?