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)
My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (65 to 51)
IN THIS TIER: An “AUS“-picious return , a First Nations milestone, and an African breaking records for the third straight year #65 – Kristen Wright (Australia/World). After one edition of not seeing action, and four years, if you count the … Continue reading My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (65 to 51)
My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (80 to 66)
IN THIS TIER: Odds-breakers from Africa’s best Miss World year, a Kiwi surprise, and drought-enders half-a-century overdue #80 – Liza Gundowry (Mauritius/World). We should have underestimated her island nation’s status as Miss World’s tourism sponsor last year. But that’s just … Continue reading My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (80 to 66)
My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (100 to 81)
A few side notes, before we begin: As far as my pageant fandom is concerned, May 12 has always been momentous. While my tradition technically began on May 21, 1994, many memorable subsequent editions fell on the former. Two of … Continue reading My 100 Favorite International Contestants of 2024 (100 to 81)
Ripe for the Picking: Watching Miss Universe Philippines 2025
I once said that I may not afford to watch Miss Universe live each year, I’ll at least try to make Miss Universe Philippines an annual habit. So far, I’ve been at it since public gatherings resumed in 2022, even … Continue reading Ripe for the Picking: Watching Miss Universe Philippines 2025
Miss Universe Philippines 2025: My Final Wishlist
“Puksaan” has obviously replaced “Bardagulan” as Pinoy pageant fans’ favorite word. With a field as formidable as this, who can blame them? It does feel more like an “elimination” than a mere “showdown”. Much as anyone from the 66 can … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2025: My Final Wishlist
Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Part Three)
ORIENTAL MINDORO to TUGUEGARAO ORIENTAL MINDORO – Rechel Hoco. As Rechel in Dubai, this content creator has quite the following. That’s bound to give her an edge in anything that involves a Fan Vote of sorts (BingoPlus, perhaps?). Not that … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Part Three)
Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Part Two)
IFUGAO to OCCIDENTAL MINDORO IFUGAO (FILIPINO SOCIETY OF NEW YORK) – Valerie Claire West. True, this singer’s every inch a New Yorker, with no trace of Cordillera upbringing. Then again, we don’t always see the home of Banaue Rice Terraces … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Part Two)
Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Part One)
ALBAY to GUIPOS, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR ALBAY – Rani Lachmi Dado. Skipping 2023 didn’t go without repercussions for the home of Mayon as it missed the cut upon its return. Hoping to restore its fortunes is this junior architect, whose … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Candidate Round-Up (Part One)
Miss Universe Philippines 2025: A Prelude
After only five years, Miss Universe Philippines has already entered a new era. This year’s edition began with National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee announcing her bid for Pasig councilor in the 2025 Local Elections. This left her no recourse but to … Continue reading Miss Universe Philippines 2025: A Prelude
Immersive Hidden Dread: A Review of RaMell Ross’s “Nickel Boys”
Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys was, in effect, one of the last great reads from the Old Normal. Published in mid-2019, the book followed two African-American boys enrolled in Nickel Academy, a reform school based on the now-defunct Dozier School … Continue reading Immersive Hidden Dread: A Review of RaMell Ross’s “Nickel Boys”
“Adolescence”: Bound to Stun All Age Groups
Its brilliance begins with its broad title. The British mini-series Adolescence depicts exactly what you’d associate with the word, from schoolyard bullies to grappling with repressed emotions. A quarter of it also happens on campus, which, admit it or not, … Continue reading “Adolescence”: Bound to Stun All Age Groups
Japanese Breakfast’s “For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)”: A Morose Return to Form
Four years zoomed by since Japanese Breakfast’s happier-than-usual Jubilee earned them both Billboard and Grammy attention. It’s also been that long since their vocalist, Michelle Zauner, showcased her writing skills in her best-selling memoir, “Crying in H Mart”, which was … Continue reading Japanese Breakfast’s “For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)”: A Morose Return to Form
Planet Chuckie 