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
A Review of Disney’s Jungle Cruise. It’s futile to nitpick the prevalence of CGI in this movie, given how the ride relies greatly on fake fauna. In the first place, it’s what makes the attraction so popular. It’s the illusion … Continue reading Cruising in Circles
It was the most number of online challenges in a single pre-pageant round. The remaining 75 candidates were first announced on social media with their best Full Body Swimsuit Photos. Next was the Runway Challenge, where they each demonstrated their … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2021: Eliminations (Round 2)
PICK FOR MISS SUPRANATIONAL 2021: NAMIBIA – Chanique Rabe. It’s refreshing to once in a while see a frontrunner emerge from outside the usual pageant-crazy regions. Behold this breathtaking beauty from Namibia, whose sparkle is impossible to undermine, much less … Continue reading My Miss Supranational 2021 Final Wishlist
GROUP SEVEN ENGLAND – Sophie Marie Dunning. This self-defense instructor from West Midlands placed second to Bahamas in Supra Star Search. Fortunately, she was also granted a “ticket” to not just compete, but to also take one for the UK … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2021 Candidate Review, Groups 7-9
GROUP FOUR ALBANIA – Ines Kasemi. Growing up in Greece and studying in Austria means she has lots of interesting stories to tell. That might also account for her excellent communication skills. While considered a middling contender at first, her … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2021 Candidate Review, Groups 4-6
GROUP ONE BAHAMAS – Nyisha Tilus. Prior to the pageant, a special contest called Supra Star Search was held to give a shot at aspiring candidates not backed by a local organization*. The winner was this self-published author from Nassau, … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2021 Candidate Review, Groups 1-3
The first round required the Top 100 aspirants to submit their most striking Headshots, coupled with brief Introductory Video that’ll serve as their profiles. Two candidates couldn’t complete the first round. Daisy Rafea Batch (Withdrew). She pulled out before she … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2021: Eliminations (Round 1)
A Review of Disney’s Cruella D: Craig GillespieS: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Kayvan Novak, Kirby Howell Baptiste, Mark Strong, John McCrea Of course, this isn’t the first time a Disney villain headlined a live action … Continue reading Spotty But Worthwhile
So, it has come to this: a toss-up among the early frontrunner, the preliminary competition showstopper, and the bold luminary. These are my Top 3 picks for the Mouawad crown. Three countries each vying for its third win. Here’s how … Continue reading My 69th Miss Universe Wish List
