A Hodge-podge of Absurdities

by Jetset Alejandro

A hodge-podge of absurdities marked Miss Nelda Ibe’s participation to the Miss Globe 2017 in Albania. Pre-departure to Albania, I was expecting an all out and grandiose participation to the pageant as we saw the Philippine candidate so chic and fab. Her instagram pictures as well as those seen in her FB account shows a sleek and highly fashionable candidate. When she arrived in Albania, a lot were wondering why Nelda seem to be wearing hand me downs. They look fine but they don’t look overpowering, enough to kill the competition at once. Even her preliminary competition gown was just adequate but not at the level of the grandiosity that our famous designers are known for. She changed into a red gown during the finals and I felt it befits her more but I missed the Philippine competition gowns we were much known for. 

Nelda’s participation was so low key. Or was it because the pageant was not so popular? But unknown to the Filipino fans, Ibe has caught the fancy of the Albanian audience. She became a darling. She is in everyone’s list. 

But then, an obviously manipulated video and song recording was uploaded in the internet and saying that Miss Philippines cheated in her talent performance by doing a lip sync. The evidence they have is that Miss Philippines was disqualified was that she was not there during the awarding. Only the two performers were there. Unknown to purveyors of fake news, Miss Philippines was not there not because she was disqualified but because they have to take her to the nearest hospital because she feeling  very well but she still performed like any professional performer before she begged off. 

It was really a very nasty piece of junk news that pervaded the internet for some five hours enough to catapult a barrage of cataclysmic magnitude. When the heat and fire was off and had settled down, the leading internet websites had pulled out the fake news. But the damage has been done they have unnerved the leading contender. 

Was there are conspiracy? A conspiracy as defined is a secret plan by a group to do something that can derail or to cause harm. Is there a clandestine effort to derail Miss Philippines attempt for a second crown? Is there a concealed effort activity to generate interest for the Miss Globe 2017 and send fans to observe and write about as there are two other pageants which are competing for attention - Miss Earth and Miss World pageants? 

In the initial reaction, pageant fans’ were divided but some underscored that Miss Philippines was dishonest and lacked integrity. That fake news alone besmirched her reputation.  Added to that, the internet traffic led to Miss Globe 2017.

Are there still more possibilities of a conspiracy? Let us read more!

Why is it that the announced Q and A segment did not push through in “The Miss Globe 2017” Beauty Pageant? 

The answer lies in the fact that the organizers do not have a pool of interpreters for the chosen candidates. They can’t depend on the National Director of Vietnam to translate for Vietnam for obvious reasons. Who will translate for Siberia? One National Director was saying that I will not be an interpreter this time. Was she expecting that there were no Spanish-speaking finalists since she knows Cape Verde speaks Portuguese or the Q and A was finally scrapped?

Or was it really true that the decision was based on the alleged “cruelty “ of Filipino pageant fans during the pageant. When the pageant was being aired, Filipino Pageant fans spewed venom on the organizers and to get even with these unruly fans they decided to scrap the Q and A portion because they know Miss Philippines will ace that segment.  A pageant annotator/commentator even cautioned the audience to keep their rowdy and pesky comments to themselves until after the pageant as this may affect chances of the candidates winning the crown. 

Added to this, the Korean fans voted and voted for Miss Korea and Miss Internet was just awarded to her! They were expecting this is a fast track event and they were repulsed. Poor voting public!

I must give my appreciation to Miss Philippines Nelda Ibe. She was so low keyed; sans the flamboyant moves; sans the showy dresses; and sans the audacious and lively behavior seen in Latinas. She was simplicity and regality personified. She almost made it if not auspicious convergence of tough luck. 

Congratulations Nelda Ibe - first runner up among 40 bevy hopefuls is an inspiration to young pageant girls. As to the new Miss Globe 2017, Miss Vietnam, congratulations! The Vietnamese public awaits your return for a festive merrymaking and thanksgiving 

MISS VIETNAM IS THE NEW MISS GLOBE 2017 - Albania Edition

In a much improved pageant Deliart Association crowned the winners of the “The Miss Globe” 2017 Beauty Pageant. Crowned winner was Miss Vietnam, Do Tran Khanh Ngan ; Philippines’ Nelda Ibe was first runner-up;  Elena Latypova of Siberia was second runner-upl Albania’s Alessia Coku was third runner up was Simone Heijligers of Cape Verde was fourth runner-up. Special awards given out during the pageant were Miss Friendship awarded to Miss Armenia; Best in National Costume awarded to Miss Nicaragua and Miss Internet awarded to Miss Korea.

Miss Vietnman is the new The Miss Globe 2017

Miss Philippines is First runner-up

Miss Siberia is Second runner-up

Miss Alabania is 3rd runner-up

Miss Cape Verde is 4th Runner-up

THE PHILIPPINE SAGA AT THE MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY PAGEANT

The Clenci Debacle

by Jetset Alejandro

The Philippines’ participation at the Miss Grand International Beauty Pageant had been very productive and fruitful. In the 5 editions of the pageant, a total of 4 out of 5 participations saw the Filipina participants entering the Magic 5. However, all of these ended up as runner-up positions and not the title. Let us review the different years and see how our candidates performed during their participations. 

During the maiden year (2013) of the pageant, the franchise was still with John Dela Vega (JDV). He sent Analie Forbes as the country’s representative. Analie is a singer who is such a beauty clothe with glamour and sensuality. Despite being petite by other’s standards, at 5’4”, she commands attention because of her sultry and attractive looks. But she was found wanting. In her stint at the Binibining Pilipinas 2012, she bombed at the Question and Answer segment and she never fully recovered from that debacle. Armed with her charms, poise and a beautiful countenance, she was able to get past the elimination rounds and was able to secure a slot in the Top 5. She met her crushing defeat in the final question and answer round. She managed to finish 4th place amidst a bevy of tall and intelligent girls. 

2013 Philippinr Candidate Analie Forbes

In the second year of the pageant, JDV launched a search for the country’s next representative and it was won by a 19-year old Filipino-Swedish girl, Kimberly Karlsson. She was even crowned by Janelee Chaparro the Miss Grand International 2013 together with outgoing Miss Grand Philippines, Analie Forbes. Unfortunately, despite the blend of the East and Europe in Kimberly, she failed to qualify for the semifinals and was outed early in the competition. She was no match to the Latina qualifiers as well as even the African candidates. She blended with the other candidates while the others radiated well above the others. Kimberly could have done well if she was honed and trained much more. As for our 2013 candidate Analie Forbes, her training in the runway, her work as a singer and her ability to connect with her audience had developed her to stand out among the rest. These are some of the things she lacked. As one pageant critic have said, we have sent a weak candidate to the contest. 

2014 Candidate Kimberly Klarksson

Then, there was a change in the franchise holders. The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. sent Parul Shah, then Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism for the said pageant. Parul Shah is a dusky Fil-Indian beauty. She moves and walks on the runway like a Latina. She made heads turn when she won the Best in National costume. She was a looming dark horse candidate, a great ploy for the likes of Annea Garcia of the Dominican Republic and Claire Parker of Australia. But Parul Shah despite giving an adequate answer could only manage a 3rd runner-up position. As pageant critics say, an adequate answer cannot overpower a brilliant answer. 

2015 Candidate Parul Shah

In 2016, BPCI crowned a tall, beautiful and intelligent candidate in the person of Nicole Cordoves. Nicole is even a speech writer and nothing can go wrong with her. Everything was going right in her way but they were given a tricky question. Nicole played her cards but lost. I understand Nicole’s predicament at that time. But had she answered the question directly and defended it directly, the audience would have come out more sympathetic with her. She knew that her answer was not the popular answer among the crowd, being in the public area for some time, she should have grasped that opportunity. Another comment that I had with Nicole during her participation was that she did not even try to experiment with her hair. Her hair looks unkempt and the radiance of her face was overshadowed by a poorly styled hair. Look at Ariska, the eventual winner. Her hair was well-kept, in a bun and looks chic and elegant. Nicole was the best bet but her participation was not conceptualized and not well-thought out.

2016 Candidate Nicole Cordoves

This year, the girl in question was Elizabeth Clenci. Clenci is not the usual candidate that we see just like in the past. She does not fit a mold. She is not doll-like. She is not very “mestiza” in the eyes of the fans. She is not that tall. She looks ordinary so to speak. But Clenci catches attention because of her movement and the way she speaks. She has regal bearing and speaks with eloquence - qualities that the Miss Grand International Organization would love to have from her. But what marred an almost successful campaign for Miss Clenci? Let us review her participation to this pageant and learn the lessons from here and let us hope the next candidate would take the lessons to their heart. 

2017 Candidate Elizabeth Clenci

Clenci arrived in Vietnam and the people were just amazed that she exuded so much class. Then on the welcome ceremonies, she just had brought the house down with her walk, with knowledge of the camera position and when she presented herself, she was already labeled as the “girl to win!” 

Arrival Photo - very regal and queenly

When she attended the Welcome Gala dinner, she was resplendent and awesome in that red gown. That alone nailed for her the tag as the leading contender in the contest. This is her best look. She was elegance personified. I was saying that if she had dresses like this, her competition gowns would be a lot better, I suppose. 

Her best appearance - The Welcome Dinner

Truly, she was very resplendent and stunning in the National Costume presentation. Only a Clenci can do an act like that so magnificently. Now during the swimsuit presentation, she was bubbly and she did a lateral butt out pose that even liberals were left in disbelief. Who thought her that? I thought the mold that they were using for Clenci was a modern version of Armi Barbara Crespo and Margie Moran. Both girls were known for their regal and queenly demeanor. Look at the template, Crespo walks tall despite her height – her hair is in an upward bun and she was in a long-sleeved polka dotted outfit. Look at Clenci  during her arrival, she was in a high bun, long-sleeved dress in pan suit. During the presentation, she moved regally like a queen already, and pageant pundits can’t help but reminisce Margie Moran’s regal bearing. She was very Miss Universe they say. But Clenci was all that until the swimsuit presentation event came. The fans and her followers were expecting that she would metamorphose further during the preliminary competition but alas, the swimsuit butt out move was still there and then she wore a golden/nude gown done by Benj Leguiab where sequins were placed vertically. It hugs her outline. The gown was stylish, current and well-designed. All hopes were pinned on her for the pageant night.

On pageant night, Clenci still used her patented poses in the swimsuit competition. At the evening gown segment, she changed in to a Val Taguba emerald-silver gown with a nude base. It clearly hugs her outline and a choker of sorts hugs her neck. In general, most of those who watched her that night felt that it is a downgrade.

Prelim versus Final Evening gown

Although pictures do not lie, Clenci looks very good in pictures but on the virtual tube, Clenci’s grades need improvements. Her styling, her gown and her walk in the swimwear did not do her good. Everyone must admit that a smize on Clenci does not look good but a full smile was the best for her. Our candidate should have gone above the rest but unfortunately, she became just one of the 4 girls. I said 4 girls because after the question and answer portion, Czech Republic is now relegated to the 5^th position. When you are one of the girls, anybody can occupy any position and the usual decision criterion used by the judges is the totality of the candidate. And because of this, Clenci lost the crown.

We are surely mending hearts after that Clenci’s loss but there is next year to hope for. We should learn from the lessons of the past. Four misses mean we have not learn that much. We hope on the next try, the title will be ours.

MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY PAGEANT 2017 - A REVIEW

by Jetset Alejandro 

Better and Better Be Soonest

The fifth edition of the Miss Grand International pageant was held in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. It opened with a film clip showing the outgoing Queen in a backdrop of the beautiful places in Vietnam. It was already apparent from the introductory film clip alone that the tourism potentials and culture of the country will be highlighted in this pageant. After the film clip, the focus was on the candidates for their production number. They were all in a blue dress with the “Vietnamese mũ hình nón” or the conical hat together with outgoing Queen and were dancing to an upbeat number. 

INTRODUCTION OF THE CANDIDATES:

After the production number, the candidates walked on the ramp towards the center and presented themselves one by one. 

The camera missed the candidate of Laos while it was already focused on  Lithuania. 

Once the candidates were all presented, the hosts were also presented. The main hosts were Xian Lim and Nicole Cordoves. I am so thankful for the MGI Productions for getting 2 Filipinos onstage to host an international pageant like this. But I found these two quite wanting. Although  both hosts very capable and very professional I found their rapport inconsistent. Lim and Cordoves do not play with words. Whenever a candidate is called, they keep on repeating the words “Give it up”! I have seen Lim host pageants in the Philippines but this is first time, I have seen him saying words like these. Is it on the script? And Cordoves follows him with her shrill voice that borders into irritation. The two should have rehearsed more to establish camaraderie between them. There was no innate or automatic magic developed between them. 

They have no pageant annotator/commentator. It would have been better that Lim should be the main host and Cordoves the pageant annotator/commentator. When the Top 10 is already announced, she joins Lim onstage and they both do their combined hosting chores. 

 THE VENUE AND THE STAGE:

The pageant was held at a stadium in Phu Quoc . By standard, the stage was grand. However, I find the stairways that the candidates traverse too risky.  The stage design with Vietnamese prints seen through the use of LCD walls is quite impressive.

The Miss Grand International 2017 stage is grand. 

 THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE TOP 20

Prior to the announcement special awards were given: 

Best in Costume is Miss Indonesia

Best in National Costume - Indonesia

Miss Health and Beauty by Dr. Tan Award - Miss Grand Vietnam. 

 Top 20

Ukraine, Australia, Czech and Paraguay

Misses Ukraine, Australia, Czech and Paraguay

  Mexico, Philippines, Vietnam and Brazil

Misses Mexico, Philippines, Vietnam and Brazil

 Puerto Rico, Thailand, Costa Rica and Peru

Misses Puerto Rico, Thailand, Costa Rica and Peru

South Sudan, Netherlands, China and Russia

Misses South Sudan, Netherlands, China and Russia

India, Laos, Venezuela and Indonesia

Misses India, Laos, Venezuela and Indonesia

The presentation of the candidates seems to be slow and lacks verve, vigor and excitement. The announcement of the Top 20 lacks dynamism and energy . Is it because of the audience? We can only hear them erupting into applause with Vietnam. I also noticed that there seem to be no element of surprise among the Top 20 candidates. Were they told not to be overly dramatic? Were they told to act in the same manner? I know I was only watching on live-streaming, but most shots were long shots.. They should have taken a close up look of the candidates when they are called. Other pageants I have watched pans the faces of the candidates then with the announcement of the country focuses on the candidate on close up and follows them till the center of the stage. 

INTRODUCTION OF THE BOARD OF JUDGES:

Official judges of Miss Grand International 2017 

1. Ms. Teresa Chaivisut – Vice President of Miss Grand International Organization 

2. Miss Ariska Putri Pertiwi – Miss Grand International 2016

3. Miss Claire Elizabeth Parker – Miss Grand International 2015

4. Miss Lees Daryanne Garcia – Miss Grand International 2014 

5. Miss Janelee Marcus Chaparro Colon – Miss Grand International 2013

6. Mr. Le Si Hoang – Master of Arts & Designer 

7. Ms. Giang My – Miss Den Hung of Vietnam

8. Ms. Ly Nha Ky – Businesswoman & Artist

THE SWIMSUIT COMPETITION: 

During the swimsuit competition, the stage was still dark and the hosts were already talking. It takes out the technical finesse. My suggestion for this case, is that the hosts should have a place at the side and lights should only be focused at them while they are talking and when the candidates are ready the focus will be placed on the candidates with the lights going on slowly. 

A short production number was performed by the candidates to highlight the swimsuit competition for the Top 10. I noticed that the candidates were arranged alphabetically again instead of the candidates coming out in the order they were called in the Top 20. But I believe this is a good technique as it will give the judges a more systematic way of recalling the candidates if they missed out one or two during their judging. They can go back easily using the alphabet.  

Miss Australia was quite tentative with her walk even  she gave out a very bright personality. 

Miss Brazil has a beautiful countenance. Most candidates of Brazil have direct and uninhibited demeanor.  Miss Brazil has a subdued projection but her sensuality is simply oozing.

Miss China takes the stage just like a model. Gone are the candidates that project an imperial  walk. This Chinese representative simply it at par with the vivacious repartee of the Latina candidates. 

Costa Rica is a bomb. She has a great body and she knows how capitalize it. 

Miss Czech Republic is that girl with a beautiful face, beautiful body and with a dignified walk. Her seeming innocence is but a breathe of fresh air in a competition where subdued and uninhibited moves surely clash. 

India is charming, confident and simply radiant. 

Indonesia is a vixen. With that slim and toned body. She has a walk that is a toned down version of Miss Philippines. 

Laos is charming. She walks with grace but there is a shyness that you feel in her. 

Mexico simply burned the runway. She was graceful and overpowering. 

Miss Netherlands is another pretty candidate. She was simply great. 

The candidate from Paraguay is so sexy and she is resplendent in her moves. 

Peru has a lithe and toned body. She is very graceful and walked the runway with aplomb. 

Philippines showed a very bubbly performance. She executed her moves with aplomb. She was described by the host to be rocking it. Literally she did.

Puerto Rico sashayed, glided and moved with confidence and assurance on stage. 

Russia is another beautiful candidate with very regal demeanor. 

Miss South Sudan is another girl that sashayed the stage with regal demeanor. She is very charming and exuded a radiant personality. 

Thailand did just fine. I find her a little short compared with the other girls. 

Ukraine is another very beautiful candidate with a good elan and style. 

Venezuela is vavaboom. She has a very toned body and moves on the runway with grace and controlled demeanor. 

Vietnam is very pretty and she does very well in the runway. 

After the competition in swimsuit, all the candidates came out to witness the awarding of: 

Best in Swimsuit: Costa Rica

Costa Rica bagged the Best in Swimsuit Award. She failed to advance to the Top 10 though

The winner of the Miss Popular Vote Award will get the 10th slot for the Top 10. Thus, the judges selected only the Top 9. Although in my personal choices, Indonesia was already in my Top 10.

Indonesia is the Peoples Choice or Miss Popularity. She gets a slot to the Top 10 automatically.

Personally my Top 10 choices are: Puerto Rico, Philippines, Peru, Czech, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Sudan and Venezuela. 

Peru, Philippines and South Sudan

The judges’ choices are: Czech Republic, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Ukraine, South Sudan, Thailand and Vietnam. 

Ukraine. Czech and Vietnam

Out of my choices, I did not get Ukraine, Thailand and Vietnam. There is a seeming discomfort during the announcement of the Top 10. The other girls who are not on the Top 20 were still onstage and they still leaving the stage while the qualifiers for the Top 10 were being announced. Although, it might still be part of the blocking, the announcement should have started when all the girls except the 20 have already left the stage. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth to see people leaving the stage while you are announcing the qualifiers. It seems like they are walking out. 

Puerto Rico, Thailand and Venezuela

THE SPEECHES

All the Top 10 candidates delivered impassioned speeches. But if I have to rate them and give a Top 5, I would choose the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Peru, Venezuela and Thailand. I would have wanted to include South Sudan but due to apparent miscues on her speech she lost the emphasis. She must have been very nervous that she lost her train of thought.  But I admire her regal bearing despite that flub. 

FINAL WALK AND FAREWELL SPEECH 

Ariska was given her glorious moment before she turned over her crown. Her court of runner-ups were equally emotional as she delivered an intense and heart-rendering speech. In another emotion-filled ceremony, Mr. Nawat took away the crown from her and replaced it with another replica that would signify that she was once a Miss Grand International. 

Outgoing Miss Grand International 2016

THE EVENING GOWN COMPETITION

The candidates paraded in their evening gowns. I noticed that Philippines and Venezuela changed to other gowns aside from the ones they used during the preliminary competition. For this round, I ranked Puerto Rico, Peru, Ukraine, Philippines, Venezuela, Czech Republic, South Sudan, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. 

THE TOP 5 

The Top 5 were Czech Republic, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. I noticed a pattern in the announcement of the Top 5. If you would notice, when the Top 9 were announced, the first 5 candidates announced were the Top 5. It looked like there were no movements in the ranking when the final 5 were announced. I even got the feeling that Miss Grand Czech Republic will be the winner because she has a beautiful, innocent and angel-like face. But I know that the deciding factor was their answer to the question. 

Top 5 Miss Grand International 2017

The question was very difficult. It was stated this way: “If you have to issue a law to punish criminals of war and violence, how would you punish these people and why?" 

Even as a viewer, It was a little difficult for me to organize a ready answer for the question. That is to the undoing of Czech Republic being the number one person to answer. It was a generic answer that surely relegated her to 4th runner-up position. As I heard the 4 other candidates answer the question, I felt that no one had an edge over the other in the depth and thematic content of their answers. I knew the judges will decide on the totality of the 4 candidates in question. Hence when they announced the ranking, I believed that was the better thing that they could come up with although, I was thinking it would be a Peru versus Philippines contest. The people in Vietnam must have been enamored with Miss Venezuela that she gets very high ratings from the press, pageant pundits and fans despite her inability to communicate in English. As one Miss Universe contestant before had said and I paraphrased, it is not your ability to speak English that makes you Miss Universe but it is your ability to reach out despite being handicapped with the language. It having the heart to feel the people. Although, Miss Venezuela did not win the title, I knew the people felt her being and thus her higher ranking than the others. 

Congratulations are therefore in order:

Fourth runner -up  - Czech Republic

Third runner-up.     - Puerto Rico

Second runner-up. - Philippines

First runner-up.      - Venezuela

Miss Grand International 2017 - PERU 

Winners Miss Grand International 2017

POSTSCRIPTS:

1.   This is the first time I made a review for Miss Grand International and I still find it quite amateurish. The pacing is too slow for me and does not build up into a crescendo. I find the proceedings too flat. 

2.   Camera work needs a lot of improvement. I don’t know if the live-streaming uses only one camera but pageants like the Miss Universe uses a lot of high definition cameras for their pageants. I have said my piece about close up shots and wide angle shots in the

3.     The reactions are so standard. I find it so scripted. It lessens the excitement that the people are expecting. 

4.     The hosts should have also studied previous pageants held in Vietnam. The Vietnamese audience as compared to Filipino and Mexican audiences is very different. They are more sedate compared to the raucous Filipino or Mexican fans. The next time that you would like a livelier audience in Vietnam, employ the “hakot” system so that more Filipino fans are watching. I was wondering why there are only a few who went to watch in Vietnam. 

5.     Some candidates were wondering why Miss Philippines failed to win the title. Their reactions are really suspect when her name was announced as second runner-up. 

6.     Many people are wondering why India did not advance into the Top 10. The same reaction of this writer why a lot of beautiful candidates did not make it to the Top 20. In my Top 10 alone, Brazil, Mexico and Russia did not make it. India was not among my choices so to speak. This is the beauty of choosing winners in a beauty pageant. We have different standards of beauty. I understand other fans when they complain why past winners and many Vietnamese sat as judges. They saw the possible prejudice in judging. But their fears were unfounded. There is a leveling factor. They asked a difficult final question. 

7.     The fans, critics and organizers favorites seem to jive with one another. I saw pageant sites choosing Miss Philippines, Peru and Venezuela in their Top 5. Nobody predicted Czech Republic to be in the Top 5. Personally, I predicted Czech Republic is a shoo-in but she bombed at the Question and Answer portion. Miss Puerto Rico is another favorite of mine. Truthfully, I only saw the reason why fans and pageant experts like Venezuela during the swimsuit competition. She’s truly a beauty. 

8.     I have a question on the 10^th semi-finalist. Was the 10^th semi-finalist the most popular among the Top 20? Or was she the most popular among the77 candidates. If she is the most popular among the 77 candidates, then it is defeating the very the essence of the Top 20. It would have been better that the most popular or the People’s choice should be included in the Top 20 and she should compete with the other candidates for a slot to the Top 10.

9.     In the end, what was underscored in this pageant is consistency. There is a saying, if it’s good and there is nothing wrong, why fix it? Miss Peru showed consistency from the start. She was even magnanimous to translate for Venezuela when she was asked how does it feel to be one of the last two standing. Miss Peru was empathic in expressing what Miss Venezuela felt. That alone made her the winner. It set her apart from the rest. 

10.  The Philippines had sent 4 to the Top 5 in the 5 outings of this pageant. In 2013, Annalie Forbes was 3rd runner-up; 2014 Kimberly Karlsson wasn’t lucky enough; in 2015 Parul Shah bagged 3rd runner-up while in 2016, the Philippines almost won but settled with a first runner-up finish with Nicole Cordoves. And for this year, a 2nd runner-up finish for Elizabeth Clenci.