Ana Vrcelj can stare at the Miss Universe Serbia crown with extra amazement. It’s hers now.

Ana Vrcelj may have only ranked third in Miss Serbia 2012. But the fortuitous turn of events that befell her way led to a changing of the placements. Top placer Nikoline Bojić (who was supposed to go to Miss World 2013) had to give up her crown after it was discovered that she is married to Canadian tennis player Frank Dancevic. As a result, second placer Aleksandra Doknic (who was supposed to go to Miss Universe 2013) moved up to Miss World Serbia. And having placed 2nd Runner-Up, Ana got promoted with the privilege of representing her country in Moscow, Russia.

Given her academic background, the 20 year-old native of Srbsko can also be a qualified representative of Serbia to Miss Earth 2013. Having started her Forestry studies before competing for the national pageant, she has the right environmental background for it. Of course, what’s Miss Earth compared to Miss Universe? Nothing can stop her from enjoying Moscow, regardless if she biked, roller-skated or skied (Ana’s hobbies) her way to the Russian capital.

Ara to Moscow, Mutya to Minsk (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova)

I just thought of using the promo ads of the Bb. Pilipinas Gold winners for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and put a link on what awaits Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ara Arida and Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2013 in their respective pageant assignments abroad. They actually have the most enviable destinations. So aside from preparing emotionally and physically for the competition, both of them should also be ready to immerse themselves into the interesting cultures of Russia (for Ara) and Belarus (for Mutya).

You might have noticed, dear readers, that I’ve been giving spot features to the uber gorgeous Central and Eastern European Miss Universe 2013 delegates of late. I thought it best to concentrate on this regional group first because its individual reps will most likely be the ‘favored’ participants in Moscow come October-November.

21 year-old Jeanette Borhyová could be one of the hand-picked if she sustains her legally blonde beauty all the way to the preliminaries. While she may not be as statuesque (5’7.5″) as her predecessors, there is this seductively alluring vibe in her aura that could drive men crazy. But then again, there’s no guarantee of winning despite possessing that quality. There must be more she can offer to gain the nod of the judges. Right now, my nod as an armchair judge still remains unmoved. Let’s see how this future economist will handle the supply and demand of her presence in MU2013.

MPE2013 Angelee delos Reyes is eyeing the top prize in ME2013.

Angelee is looking mighty fine nowadays. (Photo credit: Critical Beauty)

While it is the ultimate objective of any beauty queen to capture the international crown in her pageant assignment, there is something about the aura and disposition of Miss Philippines Earth 2013 Angelee Claudett delos Reyes that gives pageant followers the gut-feel that she has the extra kick to rise one notch higher than her predecessor (Stephany Stefanowitz) who placed 2nd to Tereza Fajksova last year. And the girl has been very vocal about her strong desire to do a Karla Henry and achieve a Philippine win in Miss Earth for the second time.

I have no doubts about it – i.e., the 110% commitment to exceed her personal standards and give additional honor to her countrymen in the global stage. And while there remains the constant likelihood of the Philippines hosting yet another edition (unless negotiations with Thailand pull through), the sweet, tactful and diplomatic Angelee is out to prove that she is worth the environmental crown on her own passion and merits.

Ara and grid samples of her competition in Moscow (Photo credit: Chrome)

Ara VS Chalita

Today is July 1. Another new month and another time notch closer to the much-anticipated collission of the most beautiful ladies of the year. This post is inspired by the photo grid above made by one of our regulars – Chrome (take a bow, bud!) – for Ara Arida and her raging competition in Moscow, Russia for Miss Universe 2013.

The national candidates in the way of a 3rd Miss Universe crown for the Philippines are definitely no pushovers. And our Ara is aware of the fact that she should keep a watchful eye on not one or two but at least a dozen or more. It’s not like the Latinas are her only causes for concern. With the Russian capital hosting, the Central and Eastern Europeans are just as explosive a contingent. And I’m not keeping tab of her fellow Asians just yet. Every delegate in our region (especially Indonesia and Thailand) is out to perform better than before so as not to make it easy for the Philippines to constantly secure bragging rights as the best MU performer in this part of the world.

Matters of the Height

How about you, dear readers? Name me 3-5 delegates who could seriously lay claim to the crown that everybody wants to win?

(L-R) 2nd RU Michelle Marie Sy, 1st RU Maricon Cho, Ms. Chinatown Rolini Lim Pineda, Mr. Chinatown Randy See Cailles, 1st RU Jerome Edward Tan, 2nd RU Sheng Han Skye Yang (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova for OPMB Worldwide)

Clockwise from top left: Ms Chinatown Rolini Lim Pineda, Ms. Chinatown Top 3, Mr. Chinatown Top 3, Mr. Chinatown Randy See Cailles (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova for OPMB Worldwide)

Closeups of Rolini Lim Pineda (L) and Randy See.

Randy See Cailles and Rolini Lim Pineda topped Mr. & Ms. Chinatown Philippines 2013 last night at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre of Resorts World Manila. The two Fil-Chinese standouts edged 30 other aspirants for the crown in a well-staged pageant production that deserves kudos for its head organizer, Alexis Go.

The runners-up include Jerome Edward Tan and Sheng Han Skye Yang on the male side, with Maricon Cho and Michelle Marie Sy trailing close among the females. The six (6) others who made it to the Top 12 are Sydney Du, Samantha Jade Dy, Jose Miguel Lasala, Sheryl Elaine Chua, Jaime Lim Ripoll and Catherine Yao.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Anna Zayachkivska: she would have been perfect as Miss Ukraine for Miss Universe.

What an absolutely gorgeous girl!

Just thinking, do you see this 21 year-old an easy Miss Universe Top 5 if only she was going Donald Trump’s way instead of Julia Morley’s? With the latter scrapping the swimsuit rounds this year, how else can we enjoy Anna Zayachkivska’s all-around beauty even more?

One of my favorite reality shows on regional cable TV is back for Season 2. And they’re now open for casting. Just take note of the details above and you can either fill up the online application form or download the same.

If you have what it takes to become the next most promising Asian catwalk diva, then give it a shot! You have until July 28 to do so.

Who knows, you might just follow the footsteps of Season 1 winner Jessica Amornkuldilok of Thailand and her runner-up Stephanie Retuya of the Philippines.

For eligibility requirements, please click HERE.

Ara Arida's test shots (Photo credit: Jonas Gaffud)

I like it! (Photo credit: Jonas Gaffud)

The latest test shots of Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ara Arida are now flooding the internet. And I am happy with what I am seeing on the outside. The improvements are slowly showing. What more in two months’ time? For now, let’s trust the team behind her.

Glamshots should follow…..hopefully soon!

Thoughts?

Jonas Gaffud (3rd from left) with (l-r) Cindy Miranda, Ara Arida, Bea Santiago, Mutya Datul and Pia Wurtzbach (Photo credit: Jonas Gaffud)

During yesterday’s photo session of the Bb. Pilipinas Gold winners, Aces & Queens’ Jonas Gaffud was around to coach the ladies on how to properly pose and project themselves in front of the camera. It was a happy day for everyone at the studio, moreso for the beauty queen-maker who is always at his best elements when molding the national winners into international-worthy representatives for the Philippines. His track record can no longer be questioned. So let’s see how this year’s batch will fare in their respective pageant missions abroad.

Who needs a threadbare float with a larger than life floral golf umbrella like this?

A plaque of appreciation for Bea.

Last month, Bea was able to schedule a sort-of victory homecoming. While she has taken residence in Canada for so many years now, Cataingan in Masbate is still considered her local roots. After a thanksgiving mass and simple motorcade around Masbate City (considered simpler in scope, but perfectly understandable since the province is not used to having one of their own being crowned Bb. Pilipinas), she was brought direct to the specific town in target where another mass was held, plus a large social gathering in the gym where she was feted by the officials and spectators for bringing honor to the place.

Bea’s joy showed from start to finish as she deeply appreciated the shower of love and support that came her way. The cheers may not be maddeningly deafening, but the sincerity of it all made her realize even more that a real home is where her heart is.

Gabriela Isler’s transformation is, quite simply, magical!

It would be an understatement to say that Miss Venezuela Universo 2012-13 Maria Gabriela Isler is battle-ready for Miss Universe 2013 as early as now. Having spent the past eight months preparing for the big one, she has dutifully conformed to the game plan Osmel Sousa has structured for her. And what a fantastic make-over the beauty guru has done for his queen.

Without experimenting on Gabriela a la Vanessa Goncalvez and sticking close to the contours of her already ideal facial features, the results show a more youthful and alluring lady who blazes with an altogether fresh vibe.

Lovelier and more refreshing, Gabriela is.

With the major part of her tasteful transformation over and done with, Osmel’s team will now focus on assembling a wardrobe that is sure to stand out in Moscow. In the meantime, Gabriela will keep herself busy in the gym for continuous physical training, while perfecting her make-up and pasarela.

courtesy of CanalMissVenezuela

Miss Venezuela knows too well that the Europeans will have a definite edge in the competition. And she is not taking things sitting down for sure.

ME2012 Tereza Fajksova in South Sudan to judge and crown the winner of Beauties of South Sudan 2013.

Tereza crowning Gloria Karsis who will represent South Sudan in ME2013.

Carousel Productions can’t ask for a more cooperative and more endearing Miss Earth 2012 than Tereza Fajksova. Of late, the uber beautiful Czech titleholder has been busy travelling around different countries (such as Mauritius, Joenssu in Finland, Indonesia, Cote d’Ivoire and Reunion Island) to grace the crowning of their next Miss Earth representatives while espousing the environmental objectives of the pageant at the same time.

Recently, she landed in the African continent – South Sudan in particular- to attend the finals of Beauties of South Sudan 2013 as judge and guest of honor. She also bestowed the title to Gloria Karsis who will represent the country in Miss Earth 2013.

Keep up the high spirits, Tereza! See you in Manila (or wherever the finals of the next edition will take place)!

5’6″ Lotta Hintsa may be one of the shorter delegates for Miss Universe 2013, but she is not about to let height (or the middling state of hers) get in the way of performing well in the pageant. The 24 year-old graduate of the University of Jyväskylä was working in retail management when she was crowned Miss Suomi 2013 and earned a ticket to Moscow, Russia in the process.

The presence of far more outstanding Europeans in this year’s line-up may press Lotta to make braver steps to shine, and that is where Miss Universe Finland 2013 is taking the challenge to. Win or lose, she won’t let the participation pass without creating her own style of impact among the judges.

Good luck, Lotta!

Kristina Karjalainen: representing the best of both Finland and Estonia

While Kristina Karjalainen was born in Helsinki, Finland 23 years ago, she is now a proud resident of Tallin, Estonia and won the title of Eesti Miss Estonia 2013 just last month. This means that she will add up to the already strong group of Europeans vying for the Miss Universe 2013 crowns.

I do not want to preempt Kristina’s chances for the crown just because she doesn’t measure up to the representatives of Poland, Croatia and Slovak Republic for now. Who knows what she is capable of achieving while in Moscow? All things being equal, this Estonian-Finnish is taking advantage of her proximity to the venue of this year’s pageant as a way of not cutting costs on her wardrobe and national costume, unlike the others who need to travel halfway around the world carrying excess baggages.

Let’s see what the 1.81m tall Miss Estonia has in store for us.

Photo collage courtesy of Chrome and Sash Factor

Since it’s the weekend, why don’t we take things light for a change? Unleash your inner wit or humor by captioning the photo frame above (contributed by Chrome) and let’s see who can come up with the best bubble script for our five Bb. Pilipinas Gold ladies. You can give a line or two for each one of them or simply focus on one or two who tickle your fancy.

Kim yu-mi, 23, South Korea!

Find me another Miss Universe 2013 candidate – other than Miss Universe Korea – with more letter ‘K’ associated. I’m sure you won’t. 23 year-old Kim yu-mi is a film major at Konkuk University. Her national finals was held at the Kyung Hee University Grand Peace Palace organized by HanKook Daily News now known as Miss Korea Organization.

Far from projecting a kittenish, klutzy or kooky disposition, this kissable Korean lass is blessed with flawless skin and a keenly contemporary vibe compared to previous titleholders from the Land of the Morning Calm.

Tall at 5’9″ and already nearing killer body proportions by now, Kim yu-mi could be an underdog in this year’s line-up. I trust her to be knowing of her pluses to display a kick-ass representation of her country in Moscow.

I have a feeling she will be one of the more highly-noticed Asians this year. No kidding.

The festival will run from July 26-August 4, 2013.

courtesy of QuantumFilmsProdn

Vilma Santos stars in her first indie movie and Jeffrey Jeturian has the honor of directing her in this one. “Ekstra” (The Bit Player) is a socio-realist drama-comedy which follows a seemingly usual day in the life of Loida Malabanan (Vilma Santos) as she embarks on yet another shooting day of a soap opera as an extra. As the shoot goes on, we get a glimpse of the truth in the ruling system of the production as well as the exploitation on the marginalized laborers like her.

The project is made more luminous with the cameo appearances of Piolo Pascual, Marian Rivera, Cherie Gil, Cherrie Pie Picache and Pilar Pilapil playing their real selves.

courtesy of Christopher Ad. Castillo

The first directorial debut of Christopher Ad. Castillo (yes, he is the son of the late renowned director) takes pride in having Gretchen Barretto – another indie first-timer – in the lead. “The Diplomat Hotel” is about Victoria Lansang (Barretto), a popular news reporter who has been requested to mediate a hostage crisis. And in front of a national television audience, something horribly goes wrong and people are killed while Victoria suffers a mental breakdown. A year later, she’s eager to get back into the game but the only assignment she can get is to do a documentary on the last night of The Diplomat Hotel in Baguio City, a crumbling and abandoned building infamously known for its bloody past and its hauntings and has carved a place in Philippine ghost lore. Looking for redemption, she arrives there with her crew and they start filming. But as they get deeper into the night, the place starts to exert its will on them and they find out exactly what monstrous evil awaits at The Diplomat Hotel.

courtesy of QuantumFilmsProdn

What do you get with the combination of Cinemalaya favorite Eugene Domingo and Japanese actor Yuki Matsuzaki (who has starred in a string of Hollywood films like Letters from Iwo Jima)? Director Leo Abaya’s “Instant Mommy“!

In order to solve a personal predicament, Bechayda (Domingo), a wardrobe assistant in TV commercials, pretends to be pregnant.

The film is one summer’s journey with her as she reaches the fateful decision amidst a highly visualized world where the video screen not only reigns supreme but is also the frame within which a usually unsuspecting public accesses the content of image-makers.

courtesy of Joseph Israel Laban

This is going to be the most controversial entry for 2013, I reckon. Coming from one of GMA-7′s most prolific documentary filmmakers – Joseph Israel Laban – “Nuwebe” is inspired by the actual story of one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history. It follows the story of Krista who at the tender age of 9 got pregnant from the sexual abuse perpetrated by her own father. Her story is complex. Krista refuses to see herself as a victim.

With an almost documentary style, “Nuwebe” follows Krista’s story as she demonstrates a level of resilience uncommon to her age. Her mother on the other hand is torn between her love for her child and her love for her husband.

The movie stars TV child performer Barbara Miguel as Krista, with the support of Anita Linda, Jake Cuenca and Nadine Samonte.

courtesy of MyCinemalaya

“Debosyon” is from Director Alvin Yapan and stars Paulo Avelino and Mara Lopez (yes, the daughter of Ma. Isabel).

Mando, a Bikolano devotee of Ina, Virgin of Peñafrancia, Patroness of Bikolandia, injures himself in the middle of the forest at the foot of the Mayon Volcano. He will be nursed back to health by a mysterious woman, Salome, living there. They will fall in love with each other. But when Mando invites her to come with him to the plains, Salome refuses, saying a curse prohibits her from leaving the forest. Salome holds a secret that will devastate Mando’s love for her. Mando relies on his devotion to the Virgin of Peñafrancia to lift the curse, making him realize just how inextricably linked are the virtues of love and faith.

courtesy of Jerrold Tarog

From one of my favorite indie film directors who has successfully crossed mainstream, Jerrold Tarog is bringing “Sana Dati (rough literal translation: Wish Before) to the festival. Lovi Poe, Benjamin Alves, Paulo Avelino and TJ Trinidad star in this one.

Andrea Gonzaga (Lovi Poe) has accepted her fate by agreeing to marry a man she does not love. But a few hours before her wedding, someone arrives to remind her of the true love she once had and lost. “Sana Dati” is a love story about bittersweet compromises and real-life decisions. It is the third part of Jerrold Tarog’s Camera Trilogy after Confessional and Mangatyanan.

Lastly for this group, there is “Quick Change” which is the second directorial effort of Eduardo Roy, Jr. who brought us the memorable “Bahay Bata” a couple of years back.

courtesy of B0nfire Productions

This movie is about the life of Dorina a middle-aged transsexual looking for his niche amidst the complexities of the world he is in. This is a story of suffering, acceptance and hope.

“Quick Change” casts newcomer Mimi Juareza in the role of Dorina. He is joined by Miggs Cuaderno and Junjun Quintana.

Cinemalaya 2013 (Philippine Independent Film Festival) will run from July 26 to August 4, 2013 with the main venue at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) plus simultaneous showings at select Ayala Mall cinemas. If you’re up to it, then better plan on buying tickets to the more anticipated movies (like Ekstra, Instant Mommy and The Diplomat Hotel) ahead of time so you don’t have to get stuck in long lines for the same.

Do watch out for it, and let’s keep on supporting the local indie filmmaking industry!

The late MU1980 3rd Runner-Up Ma. Rosario 'Chat' Silayan (Photo credit: Mike Herrera)

Let’s wax nostalgic today and reminisce one of the Filipinas who made us proud in the Miss Universe stage.

The year was 1980. It was the 8th of July to be exact. The Sejong Cultural Center in Seoul, Korea was the venue of Miss Universe. And the Philippine bet then, Ma. Rosario ‘Chat’ Silayan, made sure that all Filipino watchers around the globe cheered her on up until the announcement of winners in the Top 5 when she was named 3rd Runner-Up to eventual winner Shawn Weatherly of the USA.

Miss Philippines in the Top 5 (2nd from left) along with the delegates from (l-r) Sweden, New Zealand, Scotland and the USA. (Photo credit: Felix Manuel)

Chat stood out in that edition. She may not have won the top prize, but she was only one of two Asians (host delegate Kim Eun-Jung was the other) who made the Top 12. While the judges then were very stringent with their scores, she made it to the Top 5 in two of the three categories. Her interview with Bob Barker was made more memorable when she was greeted ‘Happy Birthday’ by everyone in the audience. Her swimsuit presentation – while considered tame and demure by today’s standards – was both sweet and old-fashioned sexy. And who could forget her grand entrance during the evening gown competition? Wearing a blue serpentina gown (courtesy of mentor Renee Salud) while stepping out behind huge Korean fans, she was a breathtaking site to behold. She soared to 2nd in that segment. While she did a commendable job in the Top 5 Q&A, it was clear that the American bet effortlessly took the spotlight right from the start and ended up with the crown.

courtesy of mastigasin

Today marks the 54th birth anniversary of the late Maria Rosario ‘Chat’ Silayan. She may already be gone, but clearly not forgotten.