Miss Universe 2025 Candidate Round-Up: Africa and Oceania
Halfway through the 1992 telecast, the first Thai edition felt like Carolina Izsak of Venezuela‘s to lose. But after fumbling in Top Six interview, the momentum shifted towards India’s Madhu Sapre, who in turn, gave a simplistic Top Three answer. … Continue reading Miss Universe 2025 Candidate Round-Up: Africa and Oceania
Miss Universe 2025 Candidate Round-Up: Europe and the Middle East
Ethnically speaking, a European did triumph on Thai soil, except that woman represented a North American giant. Now, if we’re talking about sashes, it was the Netherlands which came closest to winning in the host country, with Vivian Jansen placing … Continue reading Miss Universe 2025 Candidate Round-Up: Europe and the Middle East
Tame Impala Takes a “Deadbeat” Detour
At 56 minutes, it’s not exactly Tame Impala’s longest album – 2020’s The Slow Rush still holds that record. But it takes one glimpse of the cover to know what really sets it apart. For one, it’s the first to … Continue reading Tame Impala Takes a “Deadbeat” Detour
FilmFest Log: Sinag Maynila 2025 (A Prelude)
If one must be pedantic about it, Sinag Maynila just entered its second decade. But due to that odd blip called the pandemic, this edition is only their seventh. The film festival started in 2015 with a lean roster of … Continue reading FilmFest Log: Sinag Maynila 2025 (A Prelude)
Opal’s Swift Redemption: A Recap of the 72nd Miss World
In case you missed it, Miss World is no longer a pageant. Come to think of it, they’ve even quietly retired the word “contest”. Now that “festival” is the operative word, the 72nd edition gave just as much platform to culture … Continue reading Opal’s Swift Redemption: A Recap of the 72nd Miss World
Miss Supranational 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Group 10)
The withdrawals of Croatia‘s Laura Reksa and Greece‘s Maria Gerolymatou still left the European team well-represented, while Rwanda‘s Uwase Emelique missed a shot at heralding her country’s return. Here’s an assessment of the final group, as well as the Supra-Chat … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Group 10)
Miss Supranational 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 7 to 9)
Two African delegates withdrew from this group, despite having introductory videos and participating in Supra Chat: Equatorial Guinea‘s Maria Rosa Aviri Ncogo and Sierra Leone‘s Aminance Fofanah. Despite the further attrition, the competition proceeded smoothly. Here’s an assessment of Groups … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 7 to 9)
Miss Supranational 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 4 to 6)
A participant from each of these Supra-Chat groups withdrew even the pageant even commenced. There’s Ghana‘s Valentina Quartey, who reportedly struggled with sponsorship, and Paraguay‘s Dahyan Zehlinsky, who would have marked the 10th anniversary of her country’s first win. But … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 4 to 6)
Miss Supranational 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 1 to 3)
Just when we thought the roster would finally surpass 70-mark again, the high attrition rate once again took its toll, reducing the number to 66. Ironically, some of those no-shows even took part in the Supra Chat Challenge, which for … Continue reading Miss Supranational 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Groups 1 to 3)
72nd Miss World Festival: My Final Wishlist
After three weeks of activities and challenges, marred by a Miss England switcheroo but, thankfully, spared by the conflict up north, the festival has reached its finale. In less than 12 hours, a new Miss World will be crowned. And, … Continue reading 72nd Miss World Festival: My Final Wishlist
72nd Miss World Candidate Round-Up (Asia and Oceania)
If we separate Oceania and redirect the transcontinental beauties to Europe, the host continent would be the smallest group. And it was even made smaller with Korea’s confirmed delegate never showed up on account of an injury. Nevertheless, this is … Continue reading 72nd Miss World Candidate Round-Up (Asia and Oceania)
72nd Miss World Candidate Round-Up (Europe)
For two straight editions, Europeans reigned supreme. And while the perceived frontrunners aren’t necessarily from this continent, it’s still a formidable roster. However, controversy erupted days after the opening, when England‘s original candidate, Milla Magee, suddenly withdrew from the contest … Continue reading 72nd Miss World Candidate Round-Up (Europe)
72nd Miss World Candidate Round-Up (Africa)
Face it. Despite scoring a record number of placements last year, Africa‘s only major contender then was Botswana‘s Lesego Chembo. This year’s race is arguably tighter with at least four candidates having a shot at the continental title (or even … Continue reading 72nd Miss World Candidate Round-Up (Africa)
72nd Miss World Candidate Round-Up (Americas and Caribbean)
Despite winning thrice since 2016, the Americas has yet to clinch the crown in the New Normal. Its closest, recently, was a surprising 2021/2022 runner-up finish from Shree Saini, the first US representative of Indian extraction. Two countries from last … Continue reading 72nd Miss World Candidate Round-Up (Americas and Caribbean)
The 72nd Miss World Festival: A Prelude
First, on a personal note: You can say I’m greeting this Miss World season with a renewed sense of interest. Last July, I watched Miss World Philippines live for only the second time, after a prolonged 12-year gap. Coincidentally, both … Continue reading The 72nd Miss World Festival: A Prelude
My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (5 to 1)
#5 – Opal Suchata Chuangsri (Thailand/Universe). In all likelihood, she’ll also make next year’s list, now that she’s in India for a shot at the Blue Crown. But, looking back, her stint in Mexico was already legendary, as she did … Continue reading My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (5 to 1)
My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (10 to 6)
#10 – Ileana Marquez Perdroza (Venezuela/Universe). When the old rules were still in place, her dream ended before it began. She became a mom at 16, just two years shy of Miss Universe’s minimum age requirement. But now with those … Continue reading My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (10 to 6)
My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (20 to 11)
#20 – Bryoni Govender (South Africa/Supranational). It’s not to call Dr. Fezile Mkhize’s win win a jinx by any count – a milestone is a milestone. Though, one must admit, that doubled the pressure on this lawyer of Indian descent, … Continue reading My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (20 to 11)
My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (35 to 21)
IN THIS TIER: Russia’s revenge, a Bulacaña Black Barbie, and a living, breathing work of art #35- Axelle Rene (Martinique/World). This French overseas department joins sporadically nowadays, but this geologist won Miss World’s Top Model fast track and secured her … Continue reading My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (35 to 21)
My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (50 to 36)
IN THIS TIER: Sensational Spaniards, Powerhouse Peruvians, and a Misunderstood Burmese #50 – Priyanka Rani Joshi (Nepal/World). It’s amazing how this country started as perpetual underdog to placing consecutively since 2017. Unsurprisingly, it was the Beauty with a Purpose category … Continue reading My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (50 to 36)
Planet Chuckie 