GROUP 1 – Bahamas, Malaysia, Nepal, Peru, Portugal, United States PERU – Paula Montes. Coming first in a field of almost a hundred is bound to have its drawbacks, but this 25-year-old did exude sincerity and warmth in her answers. … Continue reading Miss World 2021: The Candidate Round-Up (Groups 1-4)
THE LONG SHOTS – They’re by no means weak contestants, but in yet another competitive year, these are the contestants who didn’t receive as much buzz as they should. Armenia, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, China, Ecuador, Germany, Hungary, … Continue reading 70th Miss Universe: My Final Pre-Pageant Tally
ARGENTINA – Julieta Garcia. It’s sad that Osmel Sousa has abandoned ship, just when his efforts have started bearing fruit. At least he managed to make one final hurrah as director of this country. This 22-year-old international model channels an … Continue reading 70th Miss Universe Candidate Round-Up: The Americas
AUSTRALIA – Daria Varlamova. Last May, we witnessed Maria Thattil break barriers as the shortest ever Miss Universe semi-finalist. This time, we have this Perth-based psychotherapy student of Russian extraction. She has her merits, of course, but lacks the distinct … Continue reading 70th Miss Universe Candidate Round-Up: Asia and Africa
ALBANIA – Ina Dajci. Casual observers are bound to cite her as a standout because she resembles Angelina Jolie in select shots. There’s some sense in that sentiment, though she hasn’t garnered enough buzz to be in heavy contention. ARMENIA … Continue reading 70th Miss Universe Candidate Round-Up: Europe
A Review of Marvel Entertainment’s Black Widow Anyone who knows what transpired in Avengers: End Game is bound to wonder: “Why now?” or “Why start Phase Four with this?” Then again, it’s quite obvious. This is Scarlett Johansson’s final hurrah … Continue reading The Perils of Family Espionage
After a month of virtual activities, which included meet-and-greets, press conferences, pocket competitions, and the all-important judging categories, Miss Earth is once again upon us. After going through as many streamings as I could, here’s how I stacked up this … Continue reading My Final Miss Earth 2021 Wish List
Europe and Africa may have conquered the pageant in its early years, but it’s this region that’s proved ever-dominant. Throughout the pageant’s history, 11 women from eight countries have conquered the title. That even includes HONDURAS, supposedly represented this year … Continue reading Miss Earth 2021 Candidate Review (The Americas)
As expected, the host continent is coming in strong. It’s also the second largest group this year with 22 candidates. It seems we’re in for an intense showdown among the Southeast and Pacific groups. The most pleasant surprise, however, is … Continue reading Miss Earth 2021 Candidate Review (Asia and Oceania)
It pays to remember that this pageant’s inaugural winner and second short-lived titleholder both hail from Europe: Denmark‘s Catharina Svensson (2001) and Bosnia and Herzegovina‘s Dzejla Glavovich (2002). However, much like in other international pageants, the continent has generally struggled … Continue reading Miss Earth 2021 Candidate Review (Europe)
For the second year in a row, the Miss Earth pageant will be staged virtually via Zoom, a move considered amusingly bold and novel last year in the amidst all the event cancellations brought about by the pandemic. The show … Continue reading Miss Earth 2021 Candidate Review (AFRICA)
A Review of “A Quiet Place Part II” We didn’t really ask for a sequel. Apparently, neither did John Krasinski, who was content with his 2018 directorial debut being a one-off. Well, obviously, studio wishes prevailed and Krasinski’s sentiments soon … Continue reading Of Sustained Muffled Terrors
In this extremely well-curated group, everyone has a worthy, justifiable reason to do well. Here’s how I classified the remaining 28, according how they might (or how I hope they will) fare in the finals: THE DARK HORSES (Alphabetical): ANTIQUE, … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2021: My Final Pre-Pageant Leaderboard
AKLAN, ANGELES CITY, CAVITE, CEBU PROVINCE, MAKATI, MARINDUQUE, MISAMIS ORIENTAL, TAGUIG ZAMBALES – Joanna Marie Rabe (Withdrew). Before making waves as Jojowannabe, this streamer tried her luck in Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 and Miss World Philippines 2017. Although unsuccessful in both … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Candidate Review, Part 3
BUKIDNON, CEBU CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL, ISABELA, LAGUNA, MASBATE, PASIG CITY, ROMBLON, SIARGAO ISLAND PASIG CITY – Princess Kristha Singh. She’s a promising first timer whose resemblance to Pia Wurtzbach can’t be unseen and she consistently slays in … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Candidate Review, Part 2
ALBAY, ANTIQUE, CAGAYAN DE ORO, ILOILO CITY, MANDALUYONG, MANILA, NEGROS ORIENTAL, PANGASINAN, PARAÑAQUE, SAN JUAN NEGROS ORIENTAL – Grace Charmaine Vendiola. Her Occidental counterpart may have garnered more challenge votes, but this former flight attendant is undoubtably her island’s best … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Candidate Review, Part 1
With the pageant approaching its final stretch, it was time to get to know the aspirants in depth. Unfortunately, the roster lost two candidates before the final round, including one early favorite: CAGAYAN PROVINCE – Gianne Kryssee Asuncion (Withdrew). Her … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2021: Eliminations (Round 3)
A Review of Amazon Studios’ “Cinderella“. From growing up in Havana (Oh-Na-Na) to storming the pop charts, Camila Cabello’s life can be categorized as a Cinderella story itself. It feels apt for her to be top-billing one, and it also … Continue reading Cinderella Adaptation Fatigue
A Review of “Stillwater” It’s hard not to be swayed by the controversy. Tom McCarthy’s Stillwater purports to be loosely based on Amanda Knox, a student imprisoned in Italy for four years after being accused of the 2007 murder of … Continue reading The Downside of “Loosely Based”
A Review of A24’s The Green Knight. Sir Gawain is an underrated Knight. He’s not as popular as the queen-snatching Lancelot or the grail-spotting Galahad, but he was always closest to King Arthur in both affinity and blood. In that … Continue reading How to Twist an Arthurian Epic
Planet Chuckie 