Bb. Pilipinas Interactive

"BB. PILIPINAS 2007 CANDIDATES APPEAR TO BE THE MOST COMPETITIVE BATCH IN THE HISTORY OF BB. PILIPINAS. ONE WILL NEVER KNOW WHO WILL WALK AWAY WITH THE CROWNS UNLIKE LAST YEAR WHEREIN THE WINNERS COULD BE CLEARLY SEEN IN THE CRYSTAL BALL. THIS YEAR, IT SEEMS THAT THE CRYSTAL BALL IS ALSO SUFFERING FROM CONFUSION THAT IT SHOWS A VAGUE REFLECTION AND THEREFORE CANNOT GIVE US A VIVID PICTURE OF THOSE WHO ARE LIKELY TO WIN, EVEN THE MIRROR HANGING ON THE WALL."

Unarguably, beauty may mean different things to different people. That’s why there is no exact definition of beauty. (Beauty is not fit! lol, Luv U UMALI!) We, the Filipino people have our own way of selecting Bb. Pilipinas winners based on our culture (the Oriental standards). However, everything does not stop in the Coronation Night. We will send the winners to stiff international beauty pageants and we should consider that fact. Therefore, we should not succumb only to the standards of selecting Bb. Pilipinas winners based on the traditional “skin color type” but based on the international standards. When we say international standards, those types of beauty that will stand out internationally based on the COMMERCIAL VIABILITY FACTOR-THE TRUMP WAY! This may also cover the venue of the pageant.

I have sleepless nights just pondering and making series of analyses who among the candidates can best represent the Philippines in the arena of international beauty pageants. Since the crystal ball and the mirror did not help me, I went to the laboratory and did some experiments to discover the exact formula to arrive at the exact SOLUTION, and here it goes:

1. NADIA LEE CIEN SHAMI. (VAVAVOOM)! Sometimes, I cannot understand her beauty. This girl is multi-faceted. I mean, we can make a lot of personalities out of these face. Her beauty will stir your mind what type is it…what can we make out of it. Her beauty changes depending on the make-up applied. Sometimes, she looks like Donna Cruz especially if her light brown hair is dyed black. Lately, I have been browsing photos in Miss Venezuela Organization. There I saw more of her looks. If her hair gets back to its original light brown color and gets wavy, she looks like Barbara Palacios Teyde. On the other hand, if we will submit her to tanning sessions, she will look like Suzanne Carrizo (the lips and smiles specifically)-Ms. Venezuela who competed in Ms. World 2004. Even if we know that she is EURASIAN, she looks more like a LATINA because of her face features. We can even possibly make a THALIA PERSONALITY too (facially) out of her and therefore stand out in Mexico. Now I know, her beauty is complicated because its unique! However, despite of all these, there is only one thing I’m sure of about her, she gets noticed easily in the bevy of candidates, near or far and will glue anyone's eyes on her. She is my final MS PHILIPPINES UNIVERSE.

2. MAGGIE WILSON. Whatever type of make-up you apply to this lady, she all looks the same. Her hair from straight to wavy does not alter her looks-THERE IS NO DIVERSITY. The usual “pretty face” is what you can see in her and that’s all. There is no UNIQUENESS at all. The fact that she is facially beautiful, she can also make a wave in the international arena. However, she cannot give the Latinas a good fight in Mexico. She looks more like a Eurasian and therefore should be sent in Ms. World not to mention the fact that she is the Julia Morley girl type. She is my final MS PHILIPPINES WORLD.

3. PAULETTE QUINTO-This type of girl can penetrate in Ms. International; her height and physique in totality. She might not win the MI but she can possibly manage to enter the three. Her catwalk style, body and height are fit for MI. She is my final Ms. Philippines International.

SPECIAL MENTION:

LIEZEL VERSES-Her beauty only fits in Ms. Universe because of the pageant’s diversity in terms of beauty preferences. However, it is very risky to send this girl in Ms. Universe for many reasons. First, the venue is Mexico where discrimination is very evident. Mexicans are not only “wetbacks”, they are also rude and discriminating. If only the venue for MU was set in any country in African Continent or at least in predominantly dark-skinned people, a semi-final round penetration is very easy for her. Plus her height is only 5’7”. It won’t help her much. She is my final First Runner-Up.

TERESA LICAROS. She does not have the IT FACTOR. She is just an ordinary girl next door honestly speaking. I can compare her to a MAGIC ROSE, whose beauty easily vanishes when the afternoon comes. In short, there is no lasting positive impression on this girl in pageant. Moreover, credentials do not count much in pageants. We all know that there are only two important components at least to enter in the semi-final round. The CATWALK and the FACE that are seen by the people on stage. People do not and cannot see credentials on stage. Considering these two factors mentioned, then Licaros is already a waste. Considering that she is a huge favorite of the organizers, she might end up as Second Runner Up.

NICOLE SCHMITZ-She is beautiful but seems too raw in totality. I don’t like her moves on stage. She needs time to develop more curves. Her beauty now is not yet in its pinnacle and she has to wait for that to make her ready for a war of face globally. (alternate for 5)

ALL CANDIDATES HAVE THE “AYS AND THE NAYS”. HOWEVER, THE ABOVE ARE THOSE CANDIDATES WHOSE FLAWS CAN BE GIVEN IMMEDIATE AND EASY SOLUTION WITH A TIME-FRAME TO CONSIDER. THEY ARE THE CREAM OF THE CROP!!!

AFTER ALL WHAT HAVE BEEN SAID AND DONE HERE, THE JUDGES WILL BE THE ONE TO DETERMINE THE FATE OF OUR CANDIDATES. GOOD LUCK AND KUDOS TO ALL!

Lessons from KURARA para sa mga nasa BPCI
By: kim so-twink

1. Reinvent the national costume - well, wala naman talagang bearing ang national costume sa final scores but surprise us naman!.

2. Straight hair - Hay naku BPCI, si Maricar balagtas lang ang naaalala ko ang packaged with straight black hair. Ang Asian hair ay naturally beautiful: simple, straight, pinay na pinay, gaya kay Kurara: slick at very modern. Pang rampahan talaga. Hay naku ang curlies na sported ng mga binibinis now, ano ba yan eh kapanahunan pa nila liza berroya at aileen damiles yan eh.

3. Ang sariling salita - Kurara sounded very credible and hot despite NOT SPEAKING in English. Kaya pwede ba, para naman MAIBA, pabayaang mag-PILIPINO ang delegate natin. Sila na bahala mamroblema sa tranlator. Basta speak from the heart!

4. "Ramp Skills" - important pero take note, hindi rin naman gaanong magaling rumampa si Kurara. Pansinin na may times na naooff-balance siya sa swimsuits at medyo rushed ang posing niya sa evening gown. Siya kasi ay print ad model, at slight lang sa ramp. Pero ang point diyan ay siya ay isang MODEL.

5. Beauty despite imperfections - karamihan sa atin ay nabighani sa kanya bagamat andun ang realidad na ang beauty niya ay hindi perfect: too-rounded ang faces niya (pangit sa ibang panlasa), medyo hindi pantay ang eyes niya, kita ang lipo-scar niya, etc. Pero bakit nga ba tayo nabighani sa kanya? Dahil carry niya ang kanyang mga imperfections kaya ganun na lang kung magradiate ang persona niya on screen. Kaya please, pick someone's who's confident with herself, tipong hindi kailangang taasan ang hairdo para lang pagtakpan na maliit siya... or nagpaitim dahil feeling niya, ang morena ang pinapaboran niyo para sa miss u.

6. NEVER: Never mention the words ABUSE or EXPLOITATION regarding sa kababaihan dahil nung marinig ni Donald Trump yang mga words na iyan galing kay Kurara, eh medyo kinilabutan siya, medyo na turn-off at baka tagain ang leeg niya with the samurai. Ang Miss U winner, eh subject to objectification (parang exploitation na rin) kaya mababaw man, iyon ang totoo. HIV/AIDS awareness at other social causes are just a small portion of a Miss U's reign. Miss U's main reign is to be PHOTOGRAPHED and be VIDEOTAPED beautiful. Tingnan niyo si Zuleyka, MOST of her pics and news clips are from appearances in media and red carpet events... iyon na. BEAUTY is her main reign... not the cause.

7. BEAUTY - yan dapat ang main focus ng BPCI. Beauty na pwedeng pang COVER GIRL, be it for make-up or for swimsuits, but mainly PHYSICAL BEAUTY. Kahit may imperfections, basta carry ang beauty at pwedeng-pwede idisplay sa front-cover ng magazine, eh win na iyon. Saka niyo na intindihin ang coconut head ng binibini... ang mahalaga may beauty siya. yung laman ng head niya... pwedeng paikutin yun sa paggamit ng translator. hehehehehe

Good luck sa ipapadala sa Miss U. Learn the lessons from Kurara

My Top 5 Girls on Cumbia Fashion Show
By: Girlie Lapinid

Based on what i saw on Cumbia Fashion Show Live, these 5 Girls are the Best looking on stage; Beauty and Catwalk

1.Margaret Wilson - Hands down to Maggie,the most applauded during the fashion show,very pretty and superb supermodel catwalk,i wonder how can she move like a supermodel wherein she doesnt have any experience yet and she's still 17.When you see her,theres nothing more to say but "She's A Winner".

2.Erika Pangan - Very Bubbly and she knows how to get peoples attention through her moves., She is very attractive on stage, the hair is fabulous, perfect catwalk..(of course she's a former 1st runner up to Charo Ronquillo in Supermodel of the World-Phil 2006).

3.Nicole Schultz - Oh my God! She is so pretty in person...she can be a showbiz personality., she has a great presence on stage...even Miss Araneta keep looking at her during the fashion show....the most attractive among all.

4.Keanna Mallari - i didn't know she is that good on stage, nice hair and she look very tall on stage because of her body structure (Shiela Alonso looks Monay next to her).Keanna projects so well and very natural.

5.Liezl Verses - Great stage presence with matching "many fans and supporters" from Gafud's group..but just her face make up is to white compare to her neck which is very obvious on stage and she really has "Malalaking Ipin",but she has the strongest sex appeal.

CUMBIA FASHION SHOW (Bb.Pilipinas 2007)
By: Observer

I just finished watching Bb.Pilipinas 2007 Cumbia Fashion Show,the show started on time at exactly 6:30 surrounded by Media people. The show was fantastic....and my observation on the Girls:

The Most Attractive on Stage;

1.Nicole Schultz - very pretty in person. nice catwalk skills and now now that i saw her in actual.,she is my number one favorite.
2.Margaret Wilson - Wow... this girl really Rocks the stage...excellent catwalk,nice projection,charming and the most applauded candidate...HAND DOWN to Maggie,She is a Winner
3.Abby Cruz - Pretty and confident on stage...nice body language and projection.
4.Erika Pangan - very bubbly and exudes charm and a catwalk diva...she really is very attractive on stage...nice hair, white skinned and knows how to please the crowd...and she has many supporters.
5.Liz Verses - she got many fans from Jonas Gafud's group...well applauded,nice catwalk and very confident but one thing i noticed,not saying against to her...her big teeth really is very noticeable on stage and she is just a bit short...and her face make up is a bit thick,too white than her neck but over all she exudes the appeal of exoticness.
6.Ferniz Utatalum - She is pretty in person and very attractive as well...i like her beauty and she's tall
7.Nadia Shami - very attractive on stage because of her white flawless skin and very confident in her catwalk.
8.Keana Mallari - she wowed me with her catwalk skill...she looks very classy on stage and look very tall because of her body stucture...nice hair as well

My Dissapointments;

1.Ana Therese Licaros - actually she's one of my bets,but when i saw her in person,she really did not impressed me,her catwalk really is not that good...looks awkward,projection and bearing is a No No.But she has a lot of fans especially the group of Jonas Gafud..,well applauded like Maggie and Erika.
2.Patricia Francisco - im dissapointed on her catwalk,its like she's having a hard time carrying the clothes.Can tell that she's short,not smiling at all because too much projection like modelling competition.
3.Luisa Beltran - Sayang the figure because she doesnt know how to walk...and she looks very ordinary by beauty on stage.
4.Chaz Bugarin - although she is a favorite of mine but on stage she is very trying hard in her catwalk...not natural walking...too confident and too much projection.
5.Paulette Quinto - She wasnt applauded by people...great catwalk ..the best but she really look a bit old compare to the rest on stage..no impact to people much.
6.Jaime Burgos - i heard some people saying she looks like Inday Garutay..maybe because of her hairstyle and smile...attractive on stage but not pretty...thick make up
7.Ailyn Luna - look very young and fat on stage.
8.Edferlyn Quintero - Awkward catwalk and she doesn't look tall on stage.

THE UPS AND DOWNS
By: UP GUY

The Bb. Pilipinas 2007 Grand Coronation Night beckons. Beauty pageant aficionados are presently overshadowed with thrill and excitement for the coming of the red-letter night to root for their own bets. As the moment of truth approaches, the moment of sorrow for those who will be meeting their waterloo and the moment of joy for those who will be crowned are also anticipated.

These past few days, this forum had been filled with comments, both positive and negative, about the candidates. However, everyone should not get vexed as everyone is entitled with his or her own opinion. Some are judging on the photos, some are hyping their friends; while some who never happened to see the candidates personally just based their bet list on the overhyped candidates here.

I happened to see few girls during preliminary orientation to include the press presentation and the recently-concluded PARADE OF BEAUTIES today!!! As of the moment, this is what I, to include some of my friends, have to say on their physical attributes only since I do not want to take a risk of including their communicative competence that I am not cognizant of.

SIZZLING HOT

1. MARGARET WILSON (17). This 5’9 1/2” Aileen-Damiles look-a-like is everyone’s girl. She is very pretty and sweet looking and smiles always on and off the camera. By just merely looking at her face, one can easily notice that she is of mixed breed. Her beauty dominates!! The nose, teeth and lips are worth-appreciating. The skin, although quite hairy, is very flawless, hence, not a defect at all. Her age, which is seventeen, is actually an advantage since young ladies were usually preferred in the past international pageants that were staged. This girl is the apple of the eye of the press awhile ago and I can’t blame them for she is very beautiful and bubbly! The only flaw I have seen is her obvious flabby stomach but it can be remedied within a span of a month or so, thus, she has ample time to develop an abs that of Zuleyka. Not perfect though, this girl has the complete package, thus, everyone is right that she deserves the BB. PILIPINAS-UNIVERSE CROWN.

2. NADIA LEE-CIEN SHAMI (18). Towering height, body, projection, skin and unique beauty were all poured to this 5’9 ½” lady when God showered the beauty components of the Earth. I want to kiss this girl few hours ago. She turned me straight!! I wanted to have a photo of this lady with me but chance did not warrant. She reminds me a lot of Barbara Palacios-Teyde, especially when her hair gets wavy! I cant stop myself comparing her with Maggie because they both look pretty. Although she is one year older than Maggie, Nadia looks the other way around coz she oozes with youthful glow. The greatest physical attribute of this girl is her skin, the whitest and the flawless of them all, so to speak. It was witnessed by everyone in the parade even those who were situated in far distance. My attempts to make my speculation a veracity that she has some scars, was a fiasco because she is indeed flawless when I checked every inch of her during the parade. I have seen this girl twice in the rehearsals without make-up and she is damn drop-dead gorgeous. Now I agree with the recent postings here that Nadia looks prettier without make up and in fact has the prettiest face among the rest without make-up and that Nadia looks far better in person than in photos. I thought she is not that showy because she looks demure offstage during the press presentation but on the contrary, did her catwalk fiercely onstage, (one of the best catwalks I have seen during the press presentation with special mention to Liz Verses, who deserves the credit). As others would negatively comment, I have nothing against her succulent lips that closely resemble with that of Angelina Jolie’s. Its is actually an asset. A beauty queen has to have a big smile that!! Her defect is her sensitive beauty that she has to get an expert make-up artist to make her beauty shine. But her make-up today looks perfect for me! Keep it up girl! I love the energy you have shown lately!!I have a strong feeling this Carousel girl will mimic Carlene’s feat. It is too painful to ignore this girl coz she deserves the BB. PILIPINAS-WORLD tilt.

3. LIEZEL VERSES. I love this girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This lady reminds me a lot of TRACY JAVELONA, the First Runner Up during 2004 Bb. Pilipinas. The teeth….the skin color…the smile….the hair style..the catwalk and the 5’ 7’ height! I only made up such thought after the parade. I’m afraid Liz’s fate will be similar with Tracy’s but I want her to win a crown after seeing her today! She glued my eyes on her during the parade! She is great and very exotic!!!!Her defects are her teeth but she knows how to carry it. In fairness, the scar on her forehead is not evident during the parade so its not a defect at all, sorry to her detractors! Thanx God for making us realize the indispensability of make-up! She can be a good Ms. Philippines Universe too in the event Maggie will fail to give a good come March 3, 2007. But as of now, I will give this girl the BB. PILIPINAS-INTERNATIONAL crown.

4. TERESA LICAROS (22). This 5’8” girl embodies the ideals of a true Filipina. I can see on her the true Oriental beauty that the Malayan race should be proud of. Her height is already a plus factor. Her credentials put her on top. If she finished her pre-law as Summa cum Laude, there is no doubt she can also win a crown here. She is not that striking in the parade though and did not draw much attention from the crowd. She lacked the spark and appears lousy!! (I’m not pulling her down coz I come from UP too). However, let us accept the fact that she is one of the favorites of Madam Stella because of her academic achievement. That’s politics! (Remember Zora Andam?). Her only drawback is her flat butt which was very evident during the parade. Her make up artist should advise her to do some strategies to partially remedy this problem onstage. (Remember the way Miriam places her hands to make her shoulder broad-looking during Ms. U 99?) She might get a FIRST RUNNER-UP finish.

5. NICOLE SCHULTZ.. (18). This 5’8” Beth Tamayo look-a-like is very fresh looking as if she is always ready to party. She also walks well and her body is buffed during the pres presentation. However, she is not a scene stealer because she also looks lousy in the parade. She is more beautiful when her teeth are concealed, thus, she should avoid giving a full smile because her teeth might be the reason of her waterloo. She might end up as SECOND RUNNER-UP.

VERY HOT

6. Chaz Bugarin. Height, exotic and sweet face.
7. Luisa Beltran. Towering height, exotic face
8. Erika Pangan. Towering height and vibrance.
9. Shiela Alonso. Height, eyes, nice teeth, nice smile and buffed figure
10. Fernez Ututalum. Towering height. Resembles with Ruffa somehow but the semblance vanishes when she starts to smile.

REMARKS. Patty Francisco was once my favorite. I love to see Patricia in the ten. She is very stunning facially. But with her catwalk performance during the press presentation, everything falls apart. I thought she improved a lot. To be honest, her catwalk skills way back in 2004 contributed to her decisive defeat. I actually love Pat but I pity her because of the burden placed by the gays on her shoulder as an overhyped candidate. I will not be sad though if Pat will enter the ten, the higher placement she can ever have in this competition. She does well during the parade of beauties though!

Focus on Pampanguena, Keanna Mallari
By: Pampangueno

What is Maricar Balagtas (or is that Katherine Manalo?) doing among the bevvy of 2007 Bb Pilipinas candidates?

No, that is not Maricar nor Katherine. That's Keanna Mallari (5'9), one of the two frontrunners from Pampanga, the other is Supermodel veteran Erika Pangan (5'10)(photo not featured in this article), in the 2007 version of the annual Bb Pilipinas.

Will Pampanga reign supreme this year and re-establish its reputation as the Texas of the Philippines?

The answer: Huge possibility.

Though this year we see many pageant veterans and accomplished supermodels, only a few candidates have the perfect combination of (pretty) face, height, and body. Keanne is definitely one of them. She has long legs comparable to Melanie Marquez, and perfect long tresses capable of winning the annual Miss Sunsilk beauty awards.

Many pageant aficiondaos are unaware that Keanne has many titles tucked in her wings: Ms. Angeles City Tourism 2005, Ms. CBA-HAU 2005, Ms. Holy Angel University 2006 (school of Abbygail, Melanie, Carla, Violeta, Marilen, etc) , Binibining Mimosa 2006, and Mutya ning Angeles 2006. Not even Pampanguena beauties like Marilen Espino, Carla Balingit, Abbygail Arenas, Marilyn Maristela, Maricel Morales, Melanie Marquez, Lorena Pangan, and other famous Pampanguenas, could match Keanne's achievements. Keanne has a 100% winning record: she has won every pageant she has joined so far. Mind you, she is a pageant veteran, and knows how to deliver in the Q&A portion.

Keanne is described in one local Pampangueno newspaper "as one of the best bets Pampanga has produced in Bb Pilipinas since Abbygail Arenas and Melanie Marquez", and therefore, will "give prelim favorites Maggie Wilson, Jaime Burgos, and Liezl Verses a run for their money to aim for Bb Pilipinas-Universe.”

Keanna's idols include Marilen Espino and Carla Balingit, who both come from the same department in Holy Angel University, a university in the top 3 list with UP and UST as the top-grossing universities who have produced the most number of crowns in the country. Yes, Pampanga has produced many beauty queens and supermodels, but Holy Angel University has “spawned” majority of these beauties.

Keanne has watched all the previous Binibini where a fellow Kapampangan has figured very significantly. And when asked if she has a chance to win this year, her answer was: "I have a fighting chance at snatching any of the three crowns. I will give my utmost best and carry Pampanga's tradition of beauty. I want to win Bb Pilipinas-Universe 2007".

Ambitious, yes, but realistic.

INTO THE FINAL WEEK
By: Tattler

The BP season has to rank as one of the most exciting of the year. It’s buzzy, it’s busy and it gets the competitive juices flowing. Well prepared, determined, adrenalin-high, almost-intelligent pageant people slug it out with each other for fame and glory. And that’s just the fags! They bag-slap each other with gay abandon about anything and everything – from hapless Piolo to the stunningly average Sam to Manny Mago; from stretch marks to short legs to toe nails; from Quinto to Quintero to ‘am’ to ‘was’ to ‘were’; from Goddesses to chapters and verses to Liezl Verses and so on.

However, while the Green Card Gays of San Francisco swing their lay-away Guccis ferociously at Manila’s Maricas who hit back with their Bangkok Pradas; the ‘Prom-di’ Queens of The Coliseum seem to have finally woken up from their bucolic stupor and have decided to join the sophisticated ladies of the city. And what transformation! Straight out of the Femina India Book of Transformation and Makeovers!

Grezilda Adelantar – Her name may sound like that of an ugly, wicked witch but this sleeper is not at all ugly and she looks absolutely wicked – that’s britspeak for great. She’s in the same mould as the drool-inducing Maricar B: sleek, beautiful, with long, elegant legs and cheekbones you can cut your steak with. Best of all, you can make her look Latin for the Latin-obsessed or Oriental for the nationalistic prudes. Let’s hope her press photo isn’t just a fluke.

Margaret Wilson - I can’t put a finger on it but something seems to have gone AWOL. The youthful spark, perhaps? In any event, she still tops the list. She must be a shoo-in for one of those tacky crowns since she’s the complete candidate. Pretty? Yes. Tall? Yes. Sexy? Yes, very. Can talk the talk? Yes. She seems to be so much better at handling the mike than last year’s beautiful bundle of nerves, Umali. [Yes, I’m still grieving.]

Liezl Verses - Even if you had the attention span of a fish you’d still look at her and look at her more. She draws you in and there’s nothing you can say against her apart from the fact that she’s a shade shorter than five-seven which apparently is the international magic number combination. Five-foot-seven and you’re in! Someone alerted us that Liezl has a minute scar on her forehead. Point taken; but Plastic Fantastic Zuleyka has horrible toe nails and she’s Miss U!

Suzanne Mendoza - I actually like the girl but really, either the hair goes or she goes! And if she goes, then Licaros gets back in or Schmitz gets the nod. Mendoza is very, very pretty and there’s nothing wrong with very long hair but IMHO, it puts her in a pigeonhole marked Dull. There’s nothing wrong with that either, but MUO wants them sophisticated and sparky, it seems. So does Julie M as do the Japanese, so out with the long hair.

Patricia Francisco - She’s still top five material but only by the skin of her teeth especially now that all the girls have been done up professionally and each is holding her own. But you can’t discount this stop-traffic beauty. I'll put my head on the chopping board and say that Wilson would find it difficult to hold a candle to her in the beauty department but ultimately, Patricia isn’t as complete a candidate as Wilson is.

Licaros drops out but Utatulum is looking hot. She does remind you of Ruffa G minus the massive teeth but I’m discounting her chances lest Madame Pitoy gets a nasty text from the Muttawah – ‘Wot? Bkni? No veil?’ Schmitz is also up there but for her fangs. Cruz is interesting. Burgos is all right but Verses is the better version. IMHO.

Nagbago na naman ang list ko
By: MaharliKa

Buwisit talaga ang walang subscription sa The Filipino Channel (eh ang mahal 'no?!). Sa kasalukuyan tuloy, eh panay pictures na lang ang basis ko sa pagpipili ng mga favorites ko. Pati na rin ako nalilito, kasi ang daming mga ibang gumaganda sa ngayon. Ah ewan. Yung mga favorito ko noon eh parang nawala ang pagkagusto ko sa kanila. I'm sure ganon din ang nae-experience ninyo mga kapwang beauty fans.

Therefore, ito ang nasa list ko. Huwag kayong magagalit pag wala ang mga manok ninyo, no? To each his own. My intention is to share naman, yun lang, at siyempre, katuwaan lang naman into mga kontests na ganito.

In no particular order:

1) Taylor - surprise!!! ayaw ng marami dito, pero as they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure; may face value siya, not bad, at saka mas proportioned ang katawan niya kaysa kay P. Francisco na kasing tangkad niya.

2) Wilson - talagang cute, not trying hard, at saka gustong gusto ko iyong energy na iprinoproject niya sa TV gaya nung nag-guest silang lahat sa OJ; telegenic siya.

3) Mendodoza - (#6) na parang si Cara Subijano reincarnated; ang ganda ng mga kuha niya sa photo shoot with OPMB; magandang ilong, labi, buhok, pisngi, ngiti...malakas ang sex appeal

4) T. Francisco - aba, na surprised ako sa kanya! Wala noon sa listahan ko, pero para bang nagandahan ako sa mukha niya at saka maganda rin ang aura niya.

5) Adjarani - ito ang dapat pang Miss Universe. Very youthful at sexy ang dating. Fine features, hindi pango, hindi sarat ang ilong, magandang pisngi, great smile! Very foine figure pa.

6) Alonzo - parang Selma Hayak na hindi ko maintindihan kung puwede ko siyang make-upin para maging mukhang bumbay, latina, o pilipina. Great body rin siya.

7) Adelantar - medyo na question mark ako sa kanya sa mga recent pics niya kasi parang nag-iba ang mukha niya. Pero, maganda pa rin siya para sa 'kin.

8) Mallari - kahawig ni Manalo na pumunta at nag-place sa Miss World! Magandang mga mata! Konting ooomph na lang ang kulang sa kanya.

Oh, sige, let's dialogue at sabihin din ninyo kung sino ang mga manok n'yo. Walang away, ha! At walang kabastusan! As you notice, hindi ako nagsabi ng kung ano mang negative comments about other candidates. Wala akong nilait na kung sinong ibang candidates, out of respect to them girls.

2007 Bb Pilipinas frontrunners based on trends from 1990-2006
By: Pampangueno

If you look closely at the trends in choosing the winners in Bb Pilipinas from 1990-2006, you could almost get a glimpse at which 3 ladies will be crowned this year. Painful but true. Whether you like it or not.

Taking into consideration the age requirements for each of the three pageants, the body type preferred in each competition, the relative weight given to Q&A performance, and other minor considerations like proven experiences in worthwhile socio-economic causes, the "statistical improbability" effect (i.e. improbable back to back win by country A or race B, or etc.) on deciding the winner, and even the image portrayed by the candidates themselves since the preliminaries, one can really predict who will take it all on March 3.

And these are the winners:

Bb Pilipinas-Universe 2007: Ana Theresa Licaros (5'8). Who said the judges have stopped preferring brainy beauties? As much bickering posters do recommending that beauty comes first than brains in beauty pageants, judges are always smitten by Carla beauties, i.e. average beauty, brainy answers and credentials-- as long as they don't give "love is feet" answers. Sushmita winning in our soil produced Carla Balingit and Karen Agustin. So, as much as Thomasians claim that they excel in Miss Universe (Hello, Kimberly Buhay? Are we OK?) anothe UPian will win Bb Pilipinas-Universe this year.

Bb Pilipinas-World 2007: Margaret Wilson (5'8).Curvaceous and full-bodied beauties, that is the obvious preference of Miss World organizers of late. Unnur and Tatiana are not model-thin, but they are very curvy and classic beauties. As poster I Have Crabs mentioned in another MB, "all the more if one has the tradition of beauty in the family". Margaret's proficiency in speaking in front of the camera makes her a good spokesmodel for Miss World. So Margaret, you can now sleep tight, Stella has recommended you to the judges already.

Bb Pilipinas-International 2007: Patricia Francisco (5'5). Precious proved the myth wrong. She shattered everyone's belief that only model tall, and/or caucasian looking women are victorious in this competition. Both judges and fans are now enchanted at making a repeat-victory-Precious-style happen this year. Many think Patricia could duplicate Precious' feat with her classic movie star looks, never mind if her upperbody:torso ratio is slightly unideal. Fans are drawing parallels between the two. Both are "repeaters", 5'5ish, beautiful face, and determined. There could be no better cinderella story than Patricia's. That's why Stella, the judges, many fans, and even Pawee wants her to win.

1st RU: Nicole Schmitz (5'6) Nicole is brainy and beautiful, plus she's from Cebu and therefore, expected to do well. But Nicole's beauty fades in the presence of the other 29 beauties. Though touted to be a Sara Jane Paez look-alike, she pales in comparison beauty-wise. Her interview is predicted to be one of the best, which, under normal circumstances could win her a crown. But Stella will put her aside in favor of the three girls.

2nd RU: Erika Pangan (5'9) History will repeat itself. Erika will be relegated to another Lorena Pangan. The verdict: Beautiful body and catwalk. Weakness: the face. Erika has a very strong, what Filipino street slang will call, "arrive". Ignant Filipinos derogatorily call her beauty "maid" or "bisaya". She could be my bet for Miss Universe, but at the ned of the day, a striking beauty queen face matters. I say, who cares, but Stella has the final say.

Finalists:

Jamie Burgos (5'10). Honorable menton ito. Initially, Stella wanted her to go to Miss World, but changed her mind after she did dirty dancing for a talent, and when she came to the cocktail party with skimpy shorts, na-imbiyerna na naman si Mama. Of course, Stella wants her girls demure and properly dressed all the time. Jamie could be very liberated for her taste. So, bye, Jamie.

Edferlyn Quintero (5'10)
Grezilda Adelantar(5'6)
Chaz Bugarin (5'7)
Suzanne Mendoza (5'6)

FEARLESS FORECAST
By: Mr. Universe

TOP 3
Bb. Pilipinas Universe--Ana Theresa Licaros. This Phoem Barranda look-a-like with the Gina Leviste aura is both classy and intelligent. Among the thirty hopefuls, she is the only one that I must say has the complete package. She looks stunning during the final screening but personally speaking her looks is kinda deteriorating during the pre-pageant events. I’m confident though that she will deliver the goods come pageant night.

Bb. Pilipinas World--Margarette Wilson. This Ruffa Gutierrez dead ringer might just duplicate the latter’s fate in Miss World or might even placed higher. With her freshness, sweet smile and very pleasant aura, Julia Morley might just give our country’s first MW crown.

Bb. Pilipinas International--Nicole Schmitz. This better and classier version of Jinky Pacquio has the face and the body that will be a big hit among the Japanese organizers. It’s a good thing that she was rich enough to consult a good dentist to get rid of her not-so flattering canine. If lady luck will be on her side during the international competition we might just win our fifth MI crown.

TOP 5
Grezilda Adelantar. While everyone is busy hyping and praising the so-called frontrunners, this unnoticed beauty is slowly getting the attention of some pageant specialists. From day one to these days, this girl is improving tremendously. I wont be surprise is she will grab one of the crowns on the finals night.

Liezel Verses. This exotic looking girl is not the typical morena type that we used to send to international competition in the last decade or so. Liezel’s face (though not that beautiful) has the ability to stand out in a big crowd. She has the aura of some of the previous candidates from Trinidad and Tobago…not so beautiful but ravishing. She can be a spoiler and can probably take home one of the crowns too...honestly, I don’t mind if that happens.

TOP 10
Patricia Francisco. At first, I thought she will be a good candidate for MU because she is the epitome of a beautiful Filipina. I’m not really bothered with her height before because I was thinking that she might have the body proportions of Tara Conner or the Ms. Indonesia representative two years ago. But after seeing her full body pic in swim suit, I was in a way disappointed with my supposedly favorite candidate…too bad. =(

Abigail Cruz. A cute face, good skin and nice curves. She is on the safe side but if she plays her cards pretty well she might steal one of the top 5 spots.

Theofeliz Marie Francisco. Just like Abigail, this girl has the face, good skin and nice curves. But unlike Abigail, I find Theofeliz face a bit unnatural. For some unexplained and strange reasons, every time I see her face she reminds me of some beautiful gay entertainers in Japan who underwent surgeries. Still, she’s beautiful and has the attitude to be in there.

Nadia Shami. Honestly speaking I’m not a fan of this girl because I don’t like her type of beauty (no offence). But I have a strong feeling that she will make the cut. She needs to control her big smile because it makes her face fuggy (not sure if I’m using the right term) and her nose and mouth distracting at some point…she looks a lot better with no smile. She also needs to control her eyes because they tend to look unflatteringly big. I don’t know…but every time I see this girl, she reminds me of Pilita Corrales and Isabel Granada.

Jaime Burgos. Another exotic girl who can steal a scene on some occasions. She has the perfect height and skin color, but the problem with this girl is that she is not consistent. In some instance she can be classy but in others she can be tacky. One more thing, she needs to practice her smile to conceal her not-so-flattering nose and gums.

ALTERNATES:
Erika Pangan. She can look gorgeous but I think she lacks in the beauty department and her teeth looks weird. She has good skin and nice curves though. I’m not sure about her communication skills.

Ferniz Ututalum. Another inconsistent lady. She can look like Ruffa now but can look like Mutya Crisostomo in a minute. Too pageant patty.

Ailyn Luna. She has the Minorka Mercado smile and shape of face. But the problem with this girl is that she’s not fit to join this competition this year. Shape up and try again next year.

TOP FIVE BEAUTIES
By: NATALIE (HOLLA)

The Press Presentation was eventually concluded. With my presence there, I have changed my hot picks. Before, I based my views on the comments of visitors in this forum. However, some of the overhyped girls did not wow the audience during the press presentation. ABS-CBN TV Patrol mentioned that these girls were the favorites and I agreed 100%.

1. NADIA LEE-CIEN DELA CRUZ SHAMI (UNIVERSE). This Jordanian-Filipino girl got the whitest and the most flawless skin in the competition that she easily gets noticed. Her physique has improved a lot. Her buffed figure is very noticeable now unlike in 2005 during her Miss Earth Philippines stint wherein she landed as First Runner-Up, although she is far beautiful compared to that horrendous Belle Raagas. This girl is not my favorite at the start but I’m growing to like her as the competition progresses specially when I saw her in person. I admit her photos did not give justification to her personal appearance as she looks very pretty in person than in photos. (NOT PHOTOGENIC TYPE!!!). In the array of 30 girls, one cannot stop asking “Who’s Candidate #14?”. It is maybe because of her very attractive, flawless, white skin, which is one of her edges. She does her catwalk flirtatiously!!! (I love it!). She had proven herself witty in Ms. Philippines 05 when she was made to comment a photo depicting surgery and replied. “Plastic surgery gives everyone confidence as it makes a man manly and a woman womanly. However, I wouldn’t undergo such because I believe that my beauty is an endowment from God”, and she got the appreciation from Vanessa del Bianco.

2. MAGGIE WILSON-WORLD. She is facially beautiful and sweet looking. She needs to work out though to improve her body. Further, she should cause to remove that kelloid (surgery!!!). It was very evident during the presentation especially so that candidates were scrutinized from head to toe during the presentation as they wore their bikinis. She is very fit for Ms. World and might duplicate or even surpass the performance of Ruffa. I believe her favoritism and overhyping originated on the false story that she is the niece of Gloria Diaz. I liked her when she admitted and said “People misquoted me as Georgina Wilson”.

3. TERESA LICAROS-INTERNATIONAL. One can hardly ignore this Zorayda Andam replica. I hope she can answer that Q & A with much aplomb to defend her academic achievement.

4. LIZ VERSES-FIRST RUNNER-UP
5. FERNIZ UTUTALUM-2ND RUNNER U

My Choice for Bb. Pilipinas 2007 Court
By: Captain Moon

This is my choice for the Bb. Pilipinas 2007 court!

For Bb. Universe
**LIEZEL VERSES**
--Miss Universe focuses on three things: 11. Facial Beauty, 2. Body Form, 3. Sex Appeal. My choice most definetely has all three. Just fix the teeth! Veneers, smaller, thankyou.--
For Bb. World
**Maggie Wilson**
--Very beautiful girl. Great smile and sett of teeth! Miss World has been looking for that cute factor the last couple of years. Maggie is the Filipino's dream if they want to win Miss World! Smart as well!--
For Bb. International
**Patricia Francisco**
--Probably the most photogenic after Maggiie. She is a stunner. He body features and her height can really impress the Japanese judges at MI 2007.

With these girls, most definetely, in all my Finalist Lists for the grand slam pageants, I will include a Bb. Go Pilipinas! Great batch!

An Asian country will bag Miss Universe 2007. It's time for one. Either Japan, Philippines, or India.

MY FORECAST!
By: Alich

It's that time folks! Two days to go and I think I'm ready to cast my bets.

My Ms Universe is -------- LIZ VERSES
* Last year, Lia had everything except for one thing. Gionna too lacked the same thing...SEX APPEAL. Liz compensates for all of that. SHE IS just HOT HOT HOT!

My Ms World is --------- MAGGIE WILSON
* Who else?!? No explanations needed.

My Ms International is -------- ABBY CRUZ
* She is not a popular choice but Abby is completely underrated. She photographs well and she has one of the best bodies in the competition. I just know Abby will do great on the 3rd.

TOP 10:
FRANCISCO, QUINTO, BUGARIN, BURGOS, UTATULUM, SCHMITZ,

ALTERNATES:
ADELANTAR, PANGAN, SHAMI, ADJARANI, MALLARI

Nichole Schmitz: Will She Open a New Era for Bb Pilipinas?
By: Pampangueno

A Revolutionary Beauty: Nichole Schmitz, 18 yrs.old,5'8, 33-23-33.

Some pageant enthusiasts have picked up on this, but many still do not realize it: Nichole Schmitz could just open a new era for Bb Pilipinas - an era where cosmetic surgery is tolerated and appreciated among the candidates.

Bb Pilipinas candidates have time and again been asked whether they would go under the knife to win a beauty competition. The usual answer is in the negative. Many invoke one's looks as God's blessings, and therefore should be appreciated and not altered. A positive answer is usually frowned upon in this conservative catholic society.

Many contestants from the western nations use cosmetic surgery as a strategy to perfect their beauty. Many notable Venezuelan beauty queens have gone under the knife in varying degrees to achieve an aquiline nose, wrinkle-free face, bigger bosoms, narrower waistlines, whiter teeth, and, in the case of Nichole Schmitz, a better aligned canines.

This Latin craze has not fully transferred to fellow hispanic sisters in the Orient. Filipino pageant fans and even the judges could still look down on cosmetic surgery. This is the underlying reason why many candidates in Bb Pilipinas, Mutya ng Pilipinas, and other substantial beauty pageants have remained unpolished, though some successful, like a rough diamond (i.e. Catherine Untalan's nose). Many are afraid that being a "barbie beauty" will work against them in the pageant.

If Nichole turns victorious in the finals night, this could open the gates of a Venezuela-like toleration of cosmetic surgery in beauty pageants in the Philippines. But if judges will deem her a fake beauty, and therefore non-worthy of a crown, then this will be a signal to future wannabees that beauty unadelterated beauty is still premium.

This issue is notable enough so that the ladies ought to search their souls and make their stand. This might just be the topic in the final Q&A. So girls, watch out!

Just a thought...
By: Japes

It's quite funny how we Filipinos tend to capitalize on the educational attainment of someone, even if that person is joining a pageant.

Yes, in a pageant, there is such a thing as an interview competition. But this competition is just a FRACTION of the whole score of a candidate. So who cares if the candidate graduated cum laude? Most of the international beauty queens that we've produced were NOT cum laude graduates. Those who were proved that they only had the brain but not the package to even enter the semifinals in the international pageants they participated in.

Remember Liz De Padua? She was Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1976. People went ga-ga over her because of the fact that she was a summa cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines. She didn't even enter the semis. Why? She was not globally beautiful.

In this day and age where money talks, international pageants are looking for winners they COULD ACTUALLY MARKET. If we pick just a brainy girl, what good would it be? This is not an intelligence contest. If we pick an exotic looking girl, we can be taking a risk. Think 2002 with Karen Agustin--exotic looking and articulate, but didn't really make a splash in Miss Universe. Yes, she was somewhat of a favorite. But to the judges, she wasn't. In 2003, they choose a short girl with an ugly lower extremities named Carla Balingit. She was as forgetful as Violeta Naluz and Perfida Limpin. In 2004 they thought they found a goldmine in Maricar Balagtas all because she was Miss Globe 2002. But despite her beautiful body and presence, Binibini forgot one really important aspect about her--she looks OLD. Donald Trump owns Miss Universe and not Miss Old Universe. She was a far cry from Jennifer Hawkins. Binibini also made a mistake in the "transformation" of Gionna Cabrera in 2005. She looked bigger (ie, fatter) when she arrived in Thailand with her poor transformation to look like a Latina/Carribean. That wasn't successful because there was one big thing missing--CURVES. She lacked that. Finally there was Lia. She would have had that package had it not been for a poor swimsuit presentation.

So you see, instead of looking for the most beautiful Filipina, let's look for the most beautiful and most global looking Filipina. She could make a splash in any international pageant.

To all 30 candidates of Binibining Pilipinas, the best of luck.

To the staff of Binibining Pilipinas, I hope that whoever wins this year, you would actually do a GOOD JOB in transforming our queens. You failed terribly in the past years.

Binibini heat is on with good news to tell
By: Matt

A big crowd gathered around the rehearsing bevy of Binibinis at the 2nd floor of Gateway Mall yesterday afternoon (Feb. 26) that went on into the night for the fashion show the following day. To onlookers it was indeed a pleasantly entertaining sight to behold but to beauty connoisseurs it was a chance to scrutinize the girls up close at unguarded moments. Pictures DO NOT give justice to a number of the girls because they are truly attractive in person. In my opinion these girls will shine come March 3: No. 6 Suzanne Mendoza's overall looks are simply captivating (Precious's aura, her face is simply beautiful. She can still buff up her figure if she gets crowned Int'l or World); then there is No. 10 Theofeliz Francisco (whom I thought at first is simply a so so height and figure) whose presence in fact cannot be ignored in person: face, BODY and height (World or Universe); No. 9 Theresa Licaros is truly beautiful (I wouldn't talk about brains anymore.)but she needs to add some more curves to achieve a perfect "it" (World or Universe); No. 11 Maggie Wilson is undeniably a beauty queen material: with the right styling, she will be stunning (the Phil. can finally grab the elusive Ms. World crown through her provided she TRIMS DOWN to get rid of some chubbiness and be more shapely); No. 4 Nicole Schmitz's looks can be at par with other world beauties this year nevertheless has to add more curves(however, some skin breakouts are visible)and she may give No. 6 a close fight for the Int'l crown; No. 14 Nadia Shami is another stunner (World or Universe); the glamazons No. 17 Jamie Burgos (World) and No. 18 Paulette Quinto (World) are putting up a good fight against the mestizas with commanding height and trim figures; then there's the also tall and beautiful No. 21 Keanne Mallari (Universe or World); also blessed with good height and body is No. 20 Grace Adelantar (I think she's a diamond in the rough as she needs to project consistently, to show more "life"); No. 23 Ferliz has good skin and quite photogenic; No. 24 Liz Verzes has a killer body but she's not photogenic and small in int'l standards; No. 22 Sheila Alonzo has improved a lot and her best asset: body. Lovely faces belong to Chaz Bugarin, H. Forbes (a revelation), Patricia Francisco (bone structure is one of the best but downfall is the lack of height),the very young 17 year old Ailyn Luna (another very promising beauty but given the time to train particularly to buff up, she will bloom). Most of the beauties have learned the rudiments of catwalk but a few have their own styles: I like No. 8 K. Bugay, the bubbly No. 1 R. Taylor and the well-tanned and sexy No. 3 A. Cruz (height factor may deny her of a major title in a field of tall competitors). I personally attest to how competitive and deserving to be called "beautiful" Bb. 2007. This year's edition reminds us of 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2003(the judges did not choose the right girl for Universe), 2004 and 2005. It's not remote that the Philippines can win two world titles this year.

2007 PARADE OF BEAUTIES
By: Precious-lover =)

For those who were not able to see the parade, here's a 7-minute video clip of the event that will (hopefully) give you a glimpse of what happened during the parade.

Most of the girls who don't register well on the photos were actually very pretty in person. Flaws & imperfections are inevitable, but still, they all looked stunning. Here are my thoughts about this year's top contenders:

(3) Abby Cruz - WOW...i luuvvv her beauty! She's mesmerizing - lovely eyes, captivating smile, gorgeous body. Para syang mestisang Asian Barbie doll, really. She exudes a very pleasant & warm personality - very charismatic.
(14) Nadia Shami - another surprising beauty. At first, i don't like her based on her photos - never included her on my top picks. But I was wrong. She's absolutely gorgeous! Wow, and she displayed a very pleasing personality and the best attitude during the parade. I love her sweet-flirty-funny attitude during the parade. I give her an A+ for her confidence and great attitude. She's now one on my wishlist for MU title (along with Abby Cruz & Liz Verses).
(7) Heidi Forbes - another surprising lovely lady. Very rare that youll see her name on others' fave list, but she's very pretty (medyo hawig sya kay Lara), great facial bone structure. konting workout lang on her body
(11) Maggie Wilson - very bubbly, charming personality. consistent beauty. hands-down winner talaga! Since medyo alanganin ung qualifications nya for MU, i think ok na rin ang MI title for her. I still prefer Tere Licaros for MW.
(24) Liezel Verses - epitome of this year's morena beauty. she's got that venezuelan-touch of style. another MU contender.
(9) Anna Licaros - great personality. I would really wanna see her compete in Miss World. With her beauty & personality (not to mention exceptional credentials), she has greater chances of winning at the MW. ( sayang lang pag pinadala sya for MU, she might end-up being Zora Andam v.2.0)
(4) Nicole Schmitz - another pretty lady. charismatic personality. has a lot of supporters. i think she had veneers...gumanda kc ung ngipin nya...
(28) Chaz Bugarin - wow, what a pleasant surprise. very beautiful in person. love her smile.
(30) Patricia Francisco - one word... "kabugera" hehe. Great projection. Pinaka-poised sa lahat. beautiful face.
(10) Theofeliz Francisco - sweet lovely-pinay beauty.

Special mention:
(12) Melanie Adjarani
(13) Luisa Beltran
(16) Erika Pangan - not a fan of her, but you can't deny her great body, sexy curves, statuesque frame
(17) Paulette Quinto - good thing she toned-down her style. plus-factor : modelling skills.
(18) Jamie Burgos

MY PICKS FOR BB. PILIPINAS 2007!
By: Derek Gatwick

NICOLE SCHMITZ (Bb. Pilipinas Universe) - She's exceptionally beautiful and can definitely wow the Universe! She's the best Mestiza to send in Cancun and Oaxaca, Mexico. She's sexy, her looks is very universal and charming,can exude the X-Factor that Mr. Trump is looking for. But, that depends on what will be the turn out of her makeover if she will be send to Colombia as expected. I want to keep her natural mestiza skin that will make her standout among the possible Asian delegates in MU.

MARGARETTE WILSON (Bb. Pilipinas World) - I'm hands down for her to take this crown. I first like her to go to MU but the Age issue might prohibit her to represent Philippines in Mexico. She could be the best choice for MU and eligible to give a good showing in MU. However, Stella Araneta might play safe if she will send this lovely lady to Ms. World instead since the allowed age in MW is 17.

JAMIE BURGOS (Bb. Pilipinas International) - She's lovely. She has this certain look which is very sexy. I actually like her to represent Philippines in Miss World. But with the age issue of Maggie in MU, she might just end up representing us in MI. She can do a Precious Lara victory again for us. She has this very exotic look which we didn't expect to shine in 2005 when we bagged the crown. Since then, Ms. Araneta opted to send Morena beauty to MI.

OTHER FAVORITES:

ERIKA PANGAN - She's pretty but not stunningly gorgeous. She has the X-Factor but not Universal or Worldly enough to represent us. Since,she looks very oriental from the Far East, this title is enough for her to be noticed in Japan and can definitely do well in MI.

LIEZEL VERSES - This woman can definitely represent us in any pageant. Her only downfall is her height of 5'6? Her beauty is good for Miss World. I should say, the Morena Look never got the attention of Mr. Trump in the last 5 years. So, I really want a Mestiza for MU. But, believe it or Not, Ms. Wilson will most probably be sent to MW, trust me.

AILYN LUNA - I don't know but she might be the biggest surprise to happen on Saturday. Physically, she's beautiful. She just need to do a massive work out to get that beauty queen curves. But, she has the so-called "KAPUSO FACTOR". As we all know, out of nowhere, her name showed up during the screening. She might be given the Bb. Pilipinas - International if that happens.

ANNA TERESA LICAROS - She's the typical Zora Andam deadringer. But this kind of beauty has been tested already in MU which resulted to a defeat in 2001 for the Philippines. One more concern about her is her posing ability? She's still raw in giving the best shot in front of the camera. She can be a spoiler for Bb. Pilipinas Universe crown though and if it happens, we better look forward to 2008! She can't be any at par to the Latinas of this decade in MU. A top 5 finish is pretty decent for her participation.

THE FESTIVAL IS ON
By: Tattler

The event much anticipated and eagerly awaited by crack heads hooked on pageantry is well and truly underway. Oh, Bb Pilipinas is also in progress, incidentally, but the Annual Voy Mudslinging Festival whose venue defaults to PBKT is getting more frenzied. The Maricones of Manila can be seen wearing scruffy sashes and marching out of their badly air-conditioned peluqerias into standing-room-only internet cafes where they compete with those equally desperate teenagers bunking off classes to surf the internet for hardcore porn. According to the hairdressers, these bitter and twisted truants ought to be locked up. Apparently, these sweaty, acne-faced, dog-breath, aggressive, hormonal girls don’t even have the decency to change from their high school uniforms to something a little more appropriate!

Anyway. Last year, the mudslinging was all about the clash of The Tisays and The Ethnics. Of course, we all know who won that night just as we know exactly why the card carrying members of the Mestiza-Free Philippines Movement have finally shut their right wing, pseudo-nationalistic, quasi-patriotic, crabby mouths this year. So, what’s the dilemma now? Certainly not Wilson since she’s a Miss World cut-out. Miss U even since she does remind us of a rounder Denise Q. Neither is the BPI title a predicament since we – Valmonte included – survived the incredibly difficult follow up year to Lara’s win.

The dilemma is about lack of stature in general and the uber-gorgeous midget, Patricia Francisco, in particular. Nowww, this Patricia ain’t tall, is she? But her face can potentially sell cosmetics from dirt cheap Nivea to the ultra expensive, Harrods-exclusive, Kanebo as quickly as Kate Moss sells Rimmel. Besides, pretty midgets seem to make their mark once every so often. Lara Quigaman, for one. And the Indonesian – who’s that again, Akita? Mantika? – who placed in Bangkok wasn’t exactly runway material, was she? And Mexico’s one and only international winner is in fact Maritza’s Mini-Me masquerading as the spine-chilling, Lupita Jones. [BTW, for those who don't know their pageant, that’s Maritza as in the utterly divine Maritza Salayero.]

But the crux seems to be that she doesn’t have the impressive proportions of the Prodigal Midget and Repentant Lipstick Lesbian – allegedly – Tara Conner. Patricia’s far too leggy for a five-foot-five-ish girl and one can argue that it is only The Queen of Thunder Thighs and Proud Owner of Enormous Teeth, Ruffa Gutierrez, who can get away with heavy thighs because she’s tall. Yet, it is indeed extremely difficult to ignore such an astonishing beauty – Patricia, not Ruffa. Her cheekbones alone more than compensate for her shortcomings -- no pun intended.

So. Do we ask Pawee to walk on his knees from Espana all the way to The Coliseum and beg Senora S & Madame P on our behalf to give Francisco the BP U title on account of her gorgeous face? Or do we just bite our lips, smile like constipated flight attendants and support a tall, long-legged girl who kind of looks like a drowned rat?
The dilemma is about lack of stature in general and the uber-gorgeous midget, Patricia Francisco, in particular. Nowww, this Patricia ain’t tall, is she? But her face can potentially sell cosmetics from dirt cheap Nivea to the ultra expensive, Harrods-exclusive, Kanebo as quickly as Kate Moss sells Rimmel. Besides, pretty midgets seem to make their mark once every so often. Lara Quigaman, for one. And the Indonesian – who’s that again, Akita? Mantika? – who placed in Bangkok wasn’t exactly runway material, was she? And Mexico’s one and only international winner is in fact Maritza’s Mini-Me masquerading as the spine-chilling, Lupita Jones. [BTW, for those who don't know their pageant, that’s Maritza as in the utterly divine Maritza Salayero.]

But the crux seems to be that she doesn’t have the impressive proportions of the Prodigal Midget and Repentant Lipstick Lesbian – allegedly – Tara Conner. Patricia’s far too leggy for a five-foot-five-ish girl and one can argue that it is only The Queen of Thunder Thighs and Proud Owner of Enormous Teeth, Ruffa Gutierrez, who can get away with heavy thighs because she’s tall. Yet, it is indeed extremely difficult to ignore such an astonishing beauty – Patricia, not Ruffa. Her cheekbones alone more than compensate for her shortcomings -- no pun intended.

So. Do we ask Pawee to walk on his knees from Espana all the way to The Coliseum and beg Senora S & Madame P on our behalf to give Francisco the BP U title on account of her gorgeous face? Or do we just bite our lips, smile like constipated flight attendants and support a tall, long-legged girl who kind of looks like a drowned rat?

This year's 5 Dark Horses
By: Pampanguena

Every year in Binibining Pilipinas, there are dark horses that find their way in the winners' circle, to the pleasant surprise of many in the audience, and the consternation of a few. They are called dark horses because they are overshadowed by early favorites and therefore nobody ever bets on them as their odds of winning are deemed low. However, on the other side of the coin, they are also called dark horses because there is some unique physical quality that we see in them that, when combined with their wit and good performance in the finals night, catapult them into the Top 5.

For the fans who are tired of hearing the names of Maggie, Liezl, Paulette, Erika, Patricia, etcetera, etcetera, let me offer you are my beautiful alternative dark horses.

(1)Suzanne Mendoza - Suzanne has metamorphosized overnight. I looked at her official swimsuit photo and my jaw dropped. She is "oozing sex appeal" personified. Undoubtedly the winner of this year's Binibini version of Clairol Essence Award for the best tresses and style among the 31 candidates. She is sexy, no doubt. A definite dark horse. Do I see her winning a crown? I do not mind her winning, for I think she will represent our country well. Her beauty is a throwback of Filipina beauties in the 80s who represented us in Miss Maja-Philippines, or even Miss World when this was still a franchise of Mutya ng Pilipinas. But her beauty is also very current, the ones appreciated in Miss World. Yes, she does have the aura of a Bb Pilipinas-World title holder.

(2) Grezilda Adelantar - Grezilda has the likeability factor. She is this year's Miriam Quiambao look alike. After Miriam's big success in Miss Universe in 1999, we fell into a fad of looking for Miriam-look-alikes to represent us in the Top 3 pageants. That's why previous winners like Annwen De Guzman, Nina Alagao, etc., enjoyed this advantage up to the Final 5. Grezilda representing us in any of the 3 big ones is not a bad idea at all. Her charm will win over international judges. Like Liezl Verses and Patricia Francisco, her face value is priceless.I pick her over Chaz Bugarin.

(3) Luisa Beltran- Luisa is queenly. She has a very amicable face and a very pageant-ready figure. And Im not only talking about Bb Pilipinas..Fans don't have her in the top of their list obviously because of a very minor flaw in the shape of her face. But her class and Poise (with a capital P) has the potential to win the judges' hearts, especially the ones who are looking for the ladies from the so-called "de buena familia".

(4)Edferlyn Quintero - Edferlyn's name reminds me of Ghilrhea. However, she is 20 times physically more attractive and taller than her. Had she competed in Ghilrhea's time, she would have stolen the Bb Pilipinas-World title from Ghilrhea. Edfrelyn's model-figure and height is an eye-catcher. Her face is not quite perfect, especially her cheeks, but she is still beautiful. She is beauty queen beautiful but amiss in sex appeal possessed by Suzanne. You almost know that she will give a good fight come finals night. I would like to see her beat one of the frontrunners.

MY BASIS FOR MY PICKS
By: ~~~by. Natalie Mendoza~~~

Miss Universe Philippines: LIEZEL VERSES: She is my favorite for Universe because she suits it alot!!! she is very exotic and a true Filipina beauty & also she has got the best body and I would probably think she has great CatWalk skills!!! i just hope she gets the right style for the right moment!!!

Miss World Philippines MAGGIE WILSON: I know most people would hate me for putting her for miss world but I think it's the right one for her!, i was thinking to put her up for miss universe but for me she had something lacking for me!! some of my basis for this might be because of race, but i rather see a true filipina to win than half (Mistiza)!!! hey i shouldnt be saying anything because im half myself!! but thats my opinion, another good thing about her is that she might be able to grab as a crown for the first time in miss world!!!

Miss International PATRICIA FRANCISCO: Oh Patricia!!! such a true Filipina beauty, i think she can almost stand out even thow she is not too tall, "well beauty comes in small packages", she has grown on to me and facially is the best in BB. this year!! and also like Lezil i just hope she gets the right style for the right moment!!!

Miss Tourism ERIKA PANAGAN I have always turned a blind eye to this girl but, as closer to the pageant night. Im getting to like her, she would be fantastic for Miss Tourism because she has a desirable asian beauty, her beauty well be greatly appreciated in miss Tourism, i took out Paulette Quinto for Tourism and i didnt even put her on my dark horses because she has disappointed me, because of her body, but i wouldnt hate it, if she took the Miss Tourism place either!!!

DARK HORSES

CHAZ BUGARIN: She is my top for the dark horses because she has really won me over but not a crown placing yet!!! but i still have a little feeling that she might just sneak herself a crown!!!

ABIGAIL CRUZ: I havent really raved about this girl much but she looks really great!!! for me she has the Charlene Aguilar Vibe!! with the body and a little bit with her face!!! Im pritty sure she is going to do very well on pageant night, i also hope she has the Zuli hair style on miss universe 2006 at the gown presentation on the pageant night, i would think that will suit her really well!!!

Nicole Schmitz i would probably picture her in the top 5!! but she might also grab a crown placing, espeacially she has alot of pageant experience!!! the only think i dont like about this girl is when she puts on alot of make-up and her buck teeth! to me it looks like a vampires!! anyway goodluck to her!!

JAIMIE BURGOS Ana maris igpit much? it was so hard for me to pick the last on my dark horse list espeacially because of the high quality of candidates we have!!! i was thinking of adding either Licros or Paulete or Nadia and a few of the others but some how i picked her!!! probably because of her right style and right clothing!!! and i also had a gut feeling she might get a crown becuase she will do very well in the questions part because she is very intelligent!!!

I DONT REALLY MINE WHO GETS THE CROWNS ASLONG AS THEY ARE GREAT REPS. FOR THE PHILIPPINES!!!
BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS GIRLS UP THERE IN THE TOP!!!
NOW ITS REALLY UP TO THE REAL JUDGES, WILL WAIT AND SEE!!!!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE GIRLS!!! AN DO YOURSELF PROUD!!!

BPCI Now Should Change Their Criterias!!!
By: Pageant Enthusiast

I guess it’s about time na I-overhaul na ng Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. ang kanilang mga panuntunan o mga kalakaran sa pagpili ng mga kandidata to represent us in the International Beauty Pageants!!! We need to have the best to reperesent us, someone who has the complete package!!!

Ang ibig sabihin nito_--Maganda sa paningin ng karamihan…di ang ng iilan sa atin kagaya ng mga magulang or promoter ng mga babae na sumasali sa Binibining Pilipinas. Dapat may international appeal, may x-factor, sexiness, sensuality, charisma, and not necessarily “morena” ang kulay!!! Kasi pag ginawa kasi nating “exclusively” Morena Beauties ang pipiliin at ipadala kasi they’re the only color (daw?!) that represents the entire Filipino Race---diyan tayo nagkakaproblema!!! Let’s face it, hindi lahat ng “morena “ beauties ay magaganda in the same manner na hindi lahat ng “meztisas” ay may karapatang maging beauty queens!!! Siyempre, babalik at babalik pa rin tayo sa basic na panuntunan--- which is Beauty!!! ( facial beauty especially!!!) And since she’s bound to compete internationally…you need to consider Height ( and actually a lot more!!! ) What I want to point out is for BPCI to over-emphasize BEAUTY first and foremost!!! If you’d just want to send a Philippine representative para pagtawanan ng ibang lahi…mas mabuti pang huwag na lang!!! That could create so much damage to the way others would see us and I guess a Mockery to the entire Race!!! Lalo lang bumababa ang tingin natin sa sarili nating Lahi!!! We’re the kind of race that rever Beauty and a failure to select Beautiful representative for the Philippines is an utter shame and insult!!!

Kung yung ibang bansa nga especially sa Latin America aside from selecting the best-looking girls…they tend to enhance the appearance ng mga representatives nila through Plastic Surgeries!!! They go for no less than Perfection by the aid of Science and Technology and here we are continuously sending Ordinary-looking ethnic girls who have no chance of even reaching a Top 15!?! We go for “Natural Beauty” but sometimes kulang naman sa beauty ang mga naipadala natin!!! Others have this very erroneous thinking that being “ethnic looking” means Globally competitive!!! Kung totoo ‘yan sana ‘yung mga native people sana sa Latin Americas gaya ng mga Native Indians ang kanilang ipinadala! Have you seen any single of them competing in any Miss Universe or Miss World Beauty Pageants??? It’s because these countries knew very well what the certain standards of beauty in any Pageants in this world. Nanalo lang tayo ng 1st Runner-up in the person of Meriam Quiambao in 1999..akala na kaagad natin yan na kaagad ang type of beauty ang hinahanap every year??? You have to consider the place where the Pageant was held! It was held in Trinidad and Tobago!!! Maiitim lahat ng tao doon and you know very well…Miss Botswana won!!! It’s almost politically correct to put 3 colored women in the Top5 in Miss Universe 1999-that is Miriam (brown skinned) Miss Venezuela (black Venezuelan woman, that’s their strategy!) Miss Botswana (black also & who won!) along with Miss South Africa (although she’s white but then again to be politically correct, they include African country!) and Miss Spain!!! I’m not saying Merian wasn’t deserving-she’s supposedly the winner!!! She’s at the Perfect Time and at the Perfect Place!!! It’s all written in the stars!!! She’s destined to shine!!! She’s just a replacement of the dethroned Janelle Bautista and inTrinidad & Tobago has been noticed more because of that “famous” fall in the Preliminaries and she has the queely qualities , excellent figure, poise, great catwalk skills, great gown, good communication skills etc …So all these factors contributed greatly to her win and not just her skin color!!!

Therefore, BPCI should never be discriminatory towards those “meztisas” because they’ve missed out of those beautiful and striking ones that the International Pageants are looking for nowadays!

Top Picks / Top Picks / Top Picks
By: tanja dexters

Paulette Quinto
- She reminds me of Lauren Guilleron (20066 Miss Universe 2ru) and Claudia Henkel(2005 Miss Universe Semifinalist) who may look old but still has a good fighting odds to win the crown. She is also good for World but she cannot compete internationally due to age requirements by the organizers.

Margaret Wilson
- She reminds of Ioana Boitor (2006 Miss WWorld 1ru) and Sabrina HOussami (2006 Miss World 2ru) who are fresh looking and fit to win the MIss World crown. She is the best contender for the Miss International crown who can beat Vanessa Peretti's (the deaf Miss venezuela) odds of winning the crown. She is a good choice for Universe but she is too small and she hasn't met the age requirement of 18 (and that is 18 by February 01,2007)

Suzanne Tabitha Mendoza
I like her but I know she is a spoiler...if she gets a good grade in the Q&A department. But for me she has a good chance of winning the Miss International crown for us.

Nicole Schmitz
Hmmmm...Good choice for International. Perfect. She is my 2nd choice next to Maggie. Suzanne is my 3rd.

Liezel Verses
She can be a smaller version of Zuleyka (but definitely Trump wants a new image of the new Miss Universe)...so I am reserving her for World.

For photogenic: It's Maggie Wilson (after all she will become the favorite of the press). BUt if I were to rate my choice, it will be ... Suzanne Mendoza.

Bankable-type of beauties...
By: Precious-lover =)

"lately, i've been reviewing the photos of the candidaates and thinking about my bets for bb. Hands-down to Maggie Wilson for MU. For MW, i still prefer Anna Theresa Licaros - very rare nowadays that you'll find a true beauty+brains. All she has to do is to tone down her body and do some ab excercises. If ever she wins, she'll have lots of time to prepare for MW and hopefully win our 1st MW crown. For MI, im still quite unsure... im considering these 3ladies, Patricia Francisco, Theofeliz Francisco and Abigail Cruz. However, judging them on their photos, Abigail Cruz just mesmerizes me... i like her beauty, fresh and vibrant.., im not sure bout her height, but she has a great body. Im quite surprized that very rare do i see her name as one of the favorites.

I think sending these 3 ladies (WILSON, LICAROS & CRUZ) to the 3 pageants will perhaps be our best choice, considering today's trend and standards of what's "universally beautiful". I have nothing against our morena beauties but i think sending again a bunch of "exotic" morenas just doesnt work nowadays. We need to send those who posses that bankable-type of beauty - covergirl material, the type of beauty that you would want to appear on almost everywhere, in-short - beauty that sells! I think BPCI needs a paradigm shift if we want to keep up with the modern times...

MY FEARLESS FORECAST FOR BB PILIPINAS
By: BEAUTY QUEEN

BB PILIPINAS UNIVERSE - JAIME BURGOS - She's got the whole package. Where the heck do I begin? She's got energy, she's got spunk, she's got sex appeal. She's got buttery, dark skin and natural Filipina features: slanted but symmetrical eyes, a well-developed jaw line, luscious lips, and perfect teeth. She knows how to fix her hair for maximum impact. She's tall. She's not fat like some people say --- she's got a voluptuous body, nice curves, broad hips. She knows how to work it in front of the camera. She has great communication skills. She is extra fluent in English. I know she's being criticized for her nose, but this is something that can be easily fixed. Needless to say, I have extremely high hopes for this girl in Cancun, Mexico.

BB PILIPINAS WORLD - MAGGIE WILSON - Need I say more? She's got the prettiest face among all the contestants. She has that sweet, gentle aura that the Miss World organization usually goes for, reminiscent of Unnur Birna and Rosanna Davison. Ordinally I would put the prettiest girl as Bb Pilipinas Universe but she's just a perfect fit for Ms World, and because she doesn't have that edgy, in-your-face type of beauty that would be successful at Ms Universe.

BB PILIPINAS INTERNATIONAL - SHEILA ALONSO - Honestly I am not too crazy about this girl but I'm damn sure that she's gonna do well come pageant night. She's very well prepared. She toned her body incredibly well. She's got a unique and sophisticated sense of style. She has the experience and the confidence to place third in this competition.

FINALISTS

THERESA LICAROS - She's incredibly beautiful but she looks stiff and lacks grace and confidence. She fails miserably at projecting in front of the camera. She might be intelligent, but that doesn't usually translate to being an eloquent, engaging speaker.

PAULETTE QUINTO - I once had high hopes for this girl because I thought she would be this tall, elegant, high-fashion diva, but I've been disappointed time and again with her photos. She looks flat and haggard and old. Her hair and makeup stylists need to be sent to the gas chamber!

SUZANNE MENDOZA - She is one of the pleasant surprises in this competition. I wrote her off at the start of this competition because she looked like a simple country girl, but her beauty grew on me. Upon closer inspection, she has impeccable bone structure and delicate, symmetrical facial features. With good training and styling, she will definitely be a successful beauty queen in the future.

PATRICIA FRANCISCO - A height of 5'3 just wont do it at the international level. She's gonna look like a midget right next to 6-feet contestants from other countries. She's pretty but I am not totally amazed by her beauty unlike most people in this message board. Although I have to commend her for her determination and for being well prepared for this pageant.

FERNIZ UTUTALUM - She amazed me during the final screening but I am not impressed by her anymore. She is looking sloppier and sloppier every time. Her body looks ugly in her offical swimsuit photo. She needs time to grow up and mature into a lady. She also needs braces to fix her smile.

LIEZEL VERSES - This girl is mind-boggling. On some of her photos, she looks stunning and fierce like a Venezuelan beauty queen. On other photos, she looks ordinary and earthy. Upon closer inspection, her teeth, lips, and nose, not to mention her skin, are just flawed. I don't think she'll be very successful because she is just not a natural beauty that appeals to most people's tastes.

ERIKA PANGAN - Here's one girl who knows how to work it in front of camera. She has an awesome figure as well. But too bad her face just aint attractive --- her face looks downright scary, and distorted in all the wrong places.

THEY'RE GOING PLACES
By: Tattler

Our excited and excitable Mexican amigazos say that Mr. Comb Over and The White Latin Circus are moving further South. From Hell A to San Diego to Tijuana, onwards and forwards to, perhaps, Baja where he is building a condo? This is a master stroke of promotional genius from the king of self-promotion given the atmosphere surrounding Mexican ‘illegals’ who, incidentally, swear to Almighty God that they just lost their way in the dessert and that they didn’t realise they had crossed the border. Apparently, in their thirst and hunger they thought that those barbed wires were just another species of cactus.

Meanwhile, Auntie Julie’s apparently giving Warsaw another shot. I was kind of hoping she’d go to blazing Barcelona but Warsaw makes sense – an increasingly boring pageant held in the boredom capital of Eastern Europe. Back in Asia, it seems that the petty squabble in Santiago degenerated into a massive hair pulling match so the wonderfully demented city of Manila is duty bound to rescue Lorraine S yet again. Miss International is not moving an inch, obviously, but do we really care?

So, one’s going places; the others are stuck but in the meantime, down at The Coliseum ..

Wilson - I’m so choking on my pork chop right this minute. This mega starlet isn’t at all fat as has been hastily declared by yours truly. She just doesn’t have the ‘definition’ that the muscle-loving conscripts of the Imperial Army of Gymnasium America decree to be the be-all and-end-all of anything and everything sexy. OK, she’ll just blend-in with the Zuleykas and Yaninas of this world but what do you want: Ms. Philippines sticking out like a sore thumb or blending-in naturally with the self-declared pageant royals?

Verses - It's strange but there’s a bit of African about her that is alluring – dark, mysterious, strong features and even stronger presence. She registers well in photos, at least. If she’s five-foot-seven or over, this ethnic is gonna usurp one of the titles; if not, then, mmmm, we’ll have to reconsider. In any case, Verses is very striking and Sheinikah, the fat black girl from the station would kill for Liezl’s light chocolate skin colour and her straight hair!

Mendoza – And why not?? I know, I know, right now her beauty spells ‘promdi’ but a crash course in cosmetics and a visit to one of the parloristas of PBKT can turn her from someone straight out of an Amorsolo painting into Tattler front page material. She has sharpish, symmetrical features that can be made up to look whatever just like that someone who won Miss International 2005. Just cut that hair!

Licaros - This non-threatening beauty is the BP Universe blueprint as drawn by Senora S and Madame P all those years ago. She is your cute girl-next-door and therefore, will always be a hit with post-pubescent boys. Kit her out in St. Paul’s Manila uniform and my nephew’s tongue -- among other things dangly -- will hang out like a rabid dog’s. But she’s a throwback to the 80s and looks sickeningly sweet so she has to quit taking saccharine pills and mascara her way into every pageant fan’s consciousness if she wants to make her mark.

Francisco – Official photos give her very high scores but the jury’s still out on this mighty midget. She’s gotten away with cleverly shot swimsuit photo but in any case, if it were all based on face alone then no questions asked, she should walk away with any of the titles. If she can impress ‘Armando from Mexico’ then the rest of them can welcome her with the tsunami version of the Mexican Wave. After all, they're good at making waves apart from harassing the twerporicans or losing millions of acres of land to the gringos or refrying their beans.

The other ones going places? Cruz, the Muslim girl,the other Francisco and the one with the German surname.

Beauty pageants favor candidates with tradition of beauty
By: I Have Crabs!

"Luck favors the prepared", so the saying goes. But in Binibini, Mutya, and other international competitions as Miss Universe and Miss World, luck seems to favor tradition - the lady with a family tradition of beauty, that is.

Remember Unnur Birna's win in Miss World 2005? Unnur's tradition of beauty began with her mom's (Unnur Steinsson) inclusion in the Top 10 in Miss World 1983. But this tradition is actually more entrenched than her family's: Unnur is the third Miss World from Iceland, the two were won in 1985 and 1988. Unnur competed in a year where no lady stood out. That is why, despite her questionnable choice of evening gown, she came out a winner. Could Julia Morley be an accessory to her win?

Mafae Yunon's story is not quite the same as Unnur's. Mafae stood out in her batch in Bb Pilipinas 2003, along with Ella Evangelista. She was rumored to have been invited by BPCI to compete even though she was still in Australia after winning Bb Pilipinas-Australia. But as a niece of Desiree Verdadero, 4th Runner-up in Miss Universe 1983, and with her consistent performance in the Top 10, Mafae self-actualized what was expected of her and won Bb Pilipinas-World and Top 5 in Miss World.

How could a slightly chubby teenager in the name of Charlene Gonzalez beat Supermodels Cara Subijano and Abbygail Arenas, and pageant veteran Alma Concepcion in Bb Pilipinas 1994? Is it her wit and overall physical beauty? Not quite, for she is in no way more beautiful than the aforementioned beauties. But she prevailed, of course because of her consistent performance and the help of her mom's (Elvira Gonzales) record as former Miss Philippines Press Photography and Bb Pilipinas-1st Runner-up years back.

A tradition of beauty, whether you like it or not, factors in the selection of winners in beauty pageants, in the same manner as a politically correct and well-said answer to a final Q&A seals a contestant the crown. Why? It's the "sound-byte principle". Would it not make good news material if a daughter of Melanie Marquez follows her footsteps to win Bb Pilipinas-International? Of course it would. The same principle guides Carla Balingit's victory. The next day after the finals night, her famous Sushmita-esque answer to the final Q&A was quoted verbatim in all major and minor newspapers, including the voy.comers Pawee and Heimlich, among others.

In this year's Binibini, we have a feast of ladies with the so-called tradition of beauty. Starting with Maggie Wilson,who is a niece of Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz; Erika Pangan, a niece of Lorena Pangan, Bb Pilipinas 1995 2nd Runner-up and Supermodel-Philippines 1993: and Edferlyn Quintero, niece of Evelyn Camus, Bb Pilipinas-International in 1971 and 2nd RU in Miss International.

The sound-byte principle dictates a Maggie(U),Erika(W), and Edferlyn(I)troika, with any possible combinations, of course, in the absence of a Carla trump card.Will it not be a good piece of news to mention that the 2007 winners of Binibini are all nieces of former beauty queens?

I have my personal bets but this troika is not bad at all. Not at all.

STella Marquez listen!
By: Sascha Benito

Mrs. STella Marquez. I know you were a Colombian citizen and that your Colombian traits will always be with you but now you are now a Filipina citizen like all of us. Honey, now that you are a Filipina (it has been a long, long time amiga!), you should start trusting the Filipino talents (not only one talent like Pitoy, your best friend), learn to trust and obey what our local designers have to say about grooming our ladies to superbeauties. Believe in them. Stella and your staff, are you listening? Do not depend on your Colombian amigo Alfredo Barraza, go for Osmel Souza's magic touch. If Souza's not available, the best one for the job is Miriam Quiambao. Miss Universe 2003 runner-up Miyako Miyazaki trained Kurara Chibana for MU last year and Japan ended up with success. It was much better with the likes of Miriam and Zora who really changed in a matter of a few days. At least if it's early, they can be trained by our experts like Rene Salud.

Stop moralizing...If a candidate has the look and the height plus of course the brains who cares if she is legitimate or from the slums. This is the new century. Most ppl loves underdogs and over-coming major life obstacles are a good spring ground to be noticed. Do not under value the significance of drama (refer to many controversial Miss U delegates who eventually placed in the semis due to MUO's pant for added publicity)

Encourage participants from abroad too. There are lots of beauties here of mixed heritage. Do check their citizenship first though although dual citizenship are accepted in Miss U I think! No matter what ppl from the mainland will say...someone with good english accent will always be a plus(No insult intended here for any local beauties...I am just saying it pays to be understood in english...refer to those front runner beauties who ended up as runner ups because they cannot speak english. The ratio is 3:1 and the crown went to the one who does speak good english)

Lastly, crown the rightful/appropriate girls for the three crowns. No brainy yet mediocre UP beauties for Miss Universe (Patricia Francisco excluded, she's got the Miss Universe flavor going around her); pick the fresh, charismatic, naturally pretty girls for Miss World (Maggie Wilson is IT); and the most beautiful one for Miss International.

CHUVA!!!
By: red@UK

Hola chuva tienes! Ilang days na lang ang natitira mga gandara! I can`t really wait ne ma declare si Licaros as Miss U and I reckon that we will have a chance to place among the semi finalists at least kung hindi man palarin! She`s got the packaging considering na meron pang remaining days to groom her before the grandest day in the Universe divah mga netch???

Miss World crown goes to the one and only Ms. Wilson. And who on earth deserves that crown better thsn her aver??? She was summoned and destined for that crown base sa aking obserbasyones at analysis! I cannot think of any other lady for that spot apart from licaros pero mukhang losyang na siya para sa mundong korona. It`ll be a good performance of Ms. Wilson which will possible surpass Ruffa`s winning moments! I know that she`s only 17 but then I can feel that this girl got what Morley is looking for among the girls, at kung hindi ako nagkakamali eh me British blood din siya gaya koh!!!! Charing! Oh well I think she needs less training na and make over chu chu...basta lang magbasa siya about curent events tutal effect na ang conversational skills niya at bonggaseous naman din ang accent niya!

Miss International? Honestly I pity a lot of the girls...so many of them deserve a title but then eawn ko kung sino sa kanila...maraming makutitap sa kanila but Im opting for one among these girls at none of the rest nah!...quintero,beltran,pangan,burgos (kung inglisera at ok ang breeding ng girlalu na itetch ay puwede sa Miss U dahil hanep ang dating niya. There is just something special about her! I think that she is beautiful with a capital B!),and verses.

So many nice girls to choose from and I know that the other girls who will be picked to be among the finalists are very deserving but then again that`s how they play it!
To most of the girls if you do not make it join again next year but then again to some of you...please think it over if it`s still worth it.

I can`t wait for the main event! Goodluck girls and God bless! I hope that it`ll be a year that we`ll all be proud again to say that the beauty of the Philipines is shining through....lalalalalalalal...

MABUHAY!

My Thoughts on the Candidates of Binibining Pilipinas
By: Japes

I was there during the final screening to select the official candidates of Binibining Pilipinas. Pawee should know because we both were there.

Yes, I honestly believe that this year's batch could be prettier than that of 2006. However, as time progressed and I saw one candidate's pictures after another, I'm starting to get worried on the fate our Binibinis would have once they step into the international pageant arena.

So okay, maybe it's just me. Sure, the judges would look at the candidate personally. But the truth of the matter is that pictures still say a lot on how COMMERCIALLY VIABLE one candidate is. And with this day and age where money talks, commercial viability IS important. It's not just enough to pick the most Filipina looking girl. BPCI should understand that we should think GLOBALLY in selecting pur representatives for the various international pageants.

Here are my thoughts on all of the candidates of this year's Binibining Pilipinas based on their headshots and swimsuit photos found in www.bbpilipinas.com:

1. RICA TAYLOR - Kudos to her for making a transformation from her "I want to be Imelda Marcos" in 2005 to a slimmer figure this year. Facial-wise, nothing changed much. She still somewhat has that lackluster appeal. You have to demand attention when you enter a room. And that has to be done without much effort. WHAT WILL MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS IN BB--the main fact that she was a semifinalist in 2005. She is also quite articulate with a bubbly personality (from what I heard). WHAT WILL NOT MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS--There are prettier girls than her. Remember in 2005 when she entered the semis? She was just there because she was Miss Internet. Now in that aspect, she can do some manipulation. THE MOST SHE CAN PLACE--A semifinalist or (worse) a runner-up (remember last year? the not really pretty ones were runners-up).

2. AILYN LUNA - Facially pretty but does not have a va-vavoom body. Furthermore, she's short (for a beauty queen). So okay, Precious won Miss International and she was 5'5" or 5'6". But that's what you call an ISOLATED CASE. In the recent years, a short girl never gets noticed. Lara was lucky. I don't know with Ailyn. WHAT WILL MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS: the main fact that she is a contact artist of GMA 7, the official network of this year's pageant. She is part, after all, of Starstruck Batch 1 avengers. WHAT WILL NOT MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS: two things--her height, and the delicadeza factor of her being a GMA artist. However, it's hard to miss this girl. She is in showbiz, after all. But what scares me the most is her pudgy face. She is like the modern and less fierce looking version of Perfida Limpin (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1988). THE MOST SHE CAN PLACE: a runner-up. If lady luck is with her, she could win Bb. Pilipinas International. However, if she does, we can kiss our hopes of winning that pageant goodbye (unless she's given a one hell of a transformation).

3. ABIGAIL CRUZ - Based on her photo, she resembles Alma Concepcion. But if she wants to ride with that fact, she won't go far because 1994 is so 13 years ago and that kind of face just won't do anymore. She is pretty, but NOT beauty queen pretty. She's just a plane jane. WHAT WOULD MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS: her personality and luck. WHAT WON'T PUT HER IN THE SEMIS: there's just no spark in her. THE MOST SHE COULD PLACE: a semifinalist.

4. NICOLE SCHULTZ - She looks way better when she's not showing her hiddeous and terrifying teeth (hello, Dracula). This girl has a lot going for her had she waited a year at least to correct her teeth. She does not really have a flattering swimsuit picture because she looks like she has a protruding tummy (or was it "puson"?). WHAT WILL PUT HER IN THE SEMIS: her appeal. Even if she has ugly teeth, she has a different aura about her. WHAT WILL NOT PUT HER IN THE SEMIS: Are you kidding me? Her teeth of course! Unless she just smirks during the pageant, and not smile, she should do fine. THE MOST SHE CAN PLACE: semifinalist or runner-up.

5. MELISSA CRUZ - She comes to me as a cross between Gemma Heaton and Kate Baesa. Very Filipina. If you didn't put the right make-up on her, you'd swear she looks like someone who gave birth and forgot about herself. She looks old (then again, Maricar didn't look 21 when she won...she looked 31). BPCI is so keyed up on getting girls who look exotic (borderlining Katy...as in Katulong looking) that you tend to think: Not because it worked for Miriam, it would work for the rest of the girls. Miriam was different. Despite looking very Filipina, she had the body and the aura to win Miss Universe. Plus the fact that in 1999, the semifinalist of Miss Universe were from diverse definitions of beauty. We don't see that now. As for Melissa, she has to work on her body, her face, her make-up...oh well...good luck anyway. WHAT WILL PUT HER IN THE SEMIS: God's divine intervention. WHAT WILL NOT PUT HER IN THE SEMIS: Her fate. THE MOST SHE CAN PLACE: She's there now.

6. SUZANNE MENDOZA - I have to apologize to her in advance for saying this, but the first time I saw her picture, the first thing that came in my mind was that she looks like the girls' pictures in those run-in-the-mill girlie clubs in Clark. Then I saw her swimsuit pic. Girl, do you want to impersonate Cher? Cut your hair! WHAT WILL PUT HER IN THE SEMIS: a judge who likes girls who look like they work in a club. WHAT WILL NOT PUT HER IN THE SEMIS: her fate. THE MOST SHE CAN PLACE: In the background, a TYG (Thank You Girl).

7. HEIDI FORBES - For some insane reason, she reminds me of Joanne Padilla of batch 2005. She is pretty, but not globally pretty. However, she looks promising. A few more tweeking and she could look really hot. But right now, she looks safe and so-so. Other girls could stand out in a crowd but not her. She needs to do something to get noticed. Her teeth reminds me of the teeth of Miriam Quiambao. She needs to work on that also (sorry people, I'm a dentist by profession). She also needs to lose some more weight as her swimsuit photo is not really a va-vavoom one. WHAT WOULD MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS: Charm. She seems to have that certain look that BPCI wants albeit not really the one that would land her a title. WHAT WON'T PUT HER IN THE SEMIS: lackluster projection. THE MOST SHE COULD PLACE: semifinalist of (if luck is behind her) runner-up.

8. KIMBERLY BUHAY - Again, in advance, I would like to apologize for what I am about to say. In her headshot and swimsuit photo in the Bb. Pilipinas website, she looks like a distorted version of Rachelle Ann Go. She could be tall, she could have a good personality, she could be very articulate, but those three cannot compensate the fact that she lacks a lot in the facial aspect. She is just not globally viable. WHAT WOULD MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS: she has a long torso that makes her look good in swimsuit and may give her a good stance in evening gown. WHAT WOULD NOT PUT HER THERE: Her look is mediocre. She does not have any oomph at all. THE MOST SHE COULD PLACE: a candidate.

9. ANNA THERESA LICAROS - I'm quite disappointed by this girl. She was fabulous during the final screening, but somehow, in her official headshot and swimsuit photo in the Binibini website, she lost the spunk. In her headshot, she looks like a whiter Ella Evangelista with an aura of Maan Bayot. She has a good swimsuit photo, but not a fabulous one. WHAT WOULD MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS: People claim she's the total package. That's my impression as well. WHAT WON'T PUT HER THERE: The kind of politics BPCI is said to be known for (take note, SAID TO BE known for). THE MOST SHE COULD PLACE: a runner-up, or any of the three crowns. But if you'd ask me, I'd say Bb. Pilipinas International. I'm not predicting that she would, but if you would look at her features, her beauty will just look like a plain jane if you put her in Miss Universe. She will not stand out that much and may not get many global votes if you send her Miss World.

10. THEOFELIZ FRANCISCO - I would like to make a reference to Tomasino's description of Ailyn Luna because that is the same description I will give this girl. Theofeliz has this Tisha Silang aura about her. It's more of a cross between Tisha Silang and Sheryl Cosim with a dash of Joanne Padilla. She has the average beauty queen height and a good face. However, with her swimsuit photo, she looks like a person who needs to lose a few more pounds to get that really nice set of curves. Is she commercially viable? In the Philippines, yes. I could see her gracing a lot of advertisements. In terms of Miss Universe, no. She could blend in with Miss Vietnam or Miss Northern Marianas and not make a splash. In Miss World, no as well. There are more countries there, which means there are more chances of her not being noticed. If she is sent to Miss International, she could be another Denille Valmonte. WHAT COULD MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS: She looks like she's in the league of a normal Binibini semifinalist (if you would look at the recent years). WHAT WON'T PUT HER THERE: she's just a pretty face in the crowd. Just that. THE MOST SHE COULD PLACE: semifinalist or runner-up.

11. MARGARET WILSON - although young as she is, she exudes that beauty queen aura. She seems to be a cross between Aileen Damiles and Ruffa Gutierrez. So what if she is a GMA talent as well? She has a very pretty face, a wonderful swimsuit photo, but she has to know her best angle. She has some pictures where her face looks pudgy. She also needs to be more subtle when she smiles. However, her features is one that Miss Universe, International and World could find commercially viable that can market their organization. She has that youthfulness in her that is a big plus in any international pageant. WHAT WOULD MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS: She has the package. WHAT WOULD NOT PUT HER THERE: Hmmm... I don't know. THE MOST SHE COULD PLACE: Any of the three crowns (unless she does a Marie Anne Umali).

12. MELANIE ADJARANI - she's pretty, she could have that good height, but her face does not jump out and demand attention. Maybe to Filipinos it would, but definitely not in the international arena. She looks like a high school girl who posed for her Prom but forgot her dress. But she looks promising. She could still make a transformation. Shee needs to have that spunk. She needs to have that "come look at me and marvel at my beauty" aura. She needs to look more sensual--more womanly than a little girl. WHAT WOULD MAKE HER ENTER THE SEMIS: if she is able to convince the preliminary judges that she belongs there. WHAT WON'T PUT HER THERE: just no oomph factor. We need beauty queens and not prom queens. There is a big difference. THE MOST SHE COULD PLACE: semifinalist (if she plays her cards right)

Jamie Burgos, the Real Dark Horse in Bb Pilipinas 2007
By: Queerclick

Look at Jamie Burgos in this photo. All I can say is: WOW!She's seldom talked about. But her beauty is gaining strength and force like a hurricane. The truth is, she is the most qualified physically and in terms of confidence to win Miss Universe or Miss World.

Jamie is 5'10 and has a very strong presence.She has very beautiful face, and a flawless morena skin appreciated in the beauties of Miriam Quiambao, Katherine Manalo, Nina Alagao, etc. She measures at 35-25-35,a perfect whistle-bait figure.Born and raised in the US, this witty lady romped her way to win Bb Pilipinas-USA with her strong performanc e in the Q&A.

To top it off, she is more beautiful than any of last year's Binibini, Lia, Denille, and Ana.

Jamie has the international experience and has blossomed her way to win this year's competition. Best to represent is in Miss World, but will surely give us the best justice we deserve in Miss Universe.

Better Year 2007
By: HelloPretty

Based on my observations in all the pics and comments in this forum i am a little relieve with the Bb. Pilipinas competition thie year...Last year was a clear bad shot for our three competitors who even one of them did not made it to the semis...i was sad to see Igpit out of the semis of MW where Filipinos are known to be the best supporters for internet and text voting...Denille did not make the cut too in MI where we usually are included almost every year as semi finalist....of course Lian was made to become the Miss Photogenic bcoz of the our votes but still her best was not the deserving for a spot in the top 15...i bid goodbye to 2006 as the worst year since the millennium...

But just like what i said...i feel a little unleash of vibrance and hopes this year...observing the candidates on thier pics and some of the comments by those who witnessed them personally...i can say this year's batch has a better and prepared candidates with modelling expreinces that made them to look confident and competent and...but i hope they got a good communication skills too...though in pageants today it only comes as second rate still we can't have a beauty queen who don't think and who don't talk...furthermore...i am rooting for the candidates who got the "IT" factor...and my choices for now maybe the same as yours but i know in the days to come and in the pageant final night where we will have the chance to watch them live on stage...we may change our bets and may proved ourselves wrong for some others candidates that we neglect to observe...with regards to this...i am hoping that our fellow Filipinos will support the candidates who will win and continue to be proud of the never ending Filipino beauty which comes from within our hearts...Mabuhay!!!

MY BETS FOR THE TOP!!!
By: Waffa

One week to go for the final night and i already have the top 5 of my choices for the Bb. Pilipinas 2007!!!

VERSES - got the x factor...prepared...well poised...

=knowing her self well when it comes to what angle and how to project with a matching sexy appeal, she is definitely in!!!

WILSON - pretty face...good communication skills... photogenic beauty...

=her young, fresh, and bubbly personality is her edge over the other candidates...with a little resemblance of ruffa and the smile of aileen, this girl will surely make it to the top!!!

FRANCISC0 - classic beauty...good projection skills...appealing...sexy...and confident...

= these factors will make her win and inspite her height is just average and competing with all towering co-candidates is a little tough, she will certainly still shine!!!

CRUZ - charming...great figure...

= her sweet smile in every picture is captivating...she has a showbusiness beauty which makes her marketable...the press will surely find her as a hit...with a good modelling skills and intelligence, this girl will make waves on the final 5!!!

PANGAN - she has the "IT" factor...good physique...eye stealer...

=her height and catwalk skills is her best weapon for a crown...with her competence, she will rock on the final night!!!

Completing my TOP 10 bets are: Quinto, Burgos, Mallari, Cian Shami, and Schmitz

SUPPORT YOUR BETS AND MABUHAY ANG GANDANG PINAY!!!

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