Maligayang Pasko ... that's Merry Christmas in Filipino.
I'm writing my review of the pageants of 2017 straight from the city of sails, Auckland, New Zealand!
Well, generally the vibe of the world of pageantry in 2017 is "rushed". We had a good momentum in January as Miss Universe took place in my home country. The universe was ecstatic and the universe saw how crazy we Filipinos are when it comes to pageants - Miss Universe in particular. After it was concluded with queen Iris snatching the title, pageant fans all over the world was on idle mode, waiting for the major pageants to happen during the last quarter of the year.
From around April to October, we were treated with national pageants and minor international pageants. We were witnessing the possible threats being crowned in their home country - and we started speculating "Oh, she will be top 3 in Miss Universe" , "she'll be a wallflower and clap", "sent her to Miss Universe instead to MW"... thoughts that would normally linger in our minds during this times of the year.
What surprises me though are the mushrooming of Minor Pageants (both male and female) and I have mixed feelings about this. I feel glad since these will be good training grounds for those who want to step up to bigger pageants, but I also feel annoyed (with eyes rolling) as most of these minor pageants are copy cats of the Major ones and it feels sh!ttty to know that many of these have similar names ("tourism", "international") or weird sounding titles (ahh...don't want to mention). I'm quite pessimistic about these minor pageants as they don't have clear advocacy and they are just "riding the tide" - what I mean is because pageantry is a popular industry these days, some people are taking advantage to get profit from this rather than doing what Pageants are supposed to do - "To serve. To inspire. To empower". I don't even think they will survive for 5 years. LOL! So if you asked me if I give a damn on these minor stage productions... my answer is not a bit (even if my country wins it all).
Now, Let's revisit the major pageants these year. As I've said, 2017's feel is "rushed" simply because major pageants happened simultaneously. We had divided attention and sorry to say this but Miss World was out of focus this year (will discuss more later).
MISS EARTH in Manila is truly a genuine and pro-active pageant when it comes to pre-pageant activities and its cause. I'm not really bothered if it was held in the Philippines for the nth time now since I am paying more attention on the quality pf pre-pegaent activities and eventually the final night. The venue is always my least priority. Miss Earth, as always, treat the delegates like they are in a boot camp - learning more about the environment then putting that learning into action thru a series of individual and team work, then awarding the winners right there and then. This year, I feel that the judging of pre-pageant winners (gold, silver, and bronze) were justly chosen based on their performance compared to other editions.
Finals night came and Miss Earth showed its creativity with its superhero theme. It was good, but a bit tacky to be honest - especially when delegates introduced their super hero name rather their real identity. I can't even understand 90% of what they were saying and it would be better if they just mentioned their name and country. Production-wise ME improved 25%.
What is disappointing about ME is --- its winner. Yes, I'm with you guys. Karen is an amazing woman, no doubt about it, but let's be honest, "she does not have everything" and she would have been easily eliminated during the swimsuit round. I was rooting for Thailand because I do believe that she has the charisma that no other delegates had during ME pageant season, and for me charisma is important not just brains or beauty. I'm quite speculative that ME is bias when it comes to Miss Philippines (hello, press award year after year makes this obvious... and winning gold or silver in EG and SS even if not deserving is just too much!). Let's not forget that Lorraine Shuck and Mr. Monson were previously head of Miss Asia Pacific and during their time on that pageant, they have crowned several Miss Philippines (i hope I'm wrong about this fact) - but if this is the case, then both of them have a close-mind when it comes to beauty (as they seem to translate it to brains all the time). What I always dream for Miss Earth is to crown someone who can inspire people from different walks of life and hoping that they have more black delegates in the final four (yes I am about to accuse them of being racist).
MISS INTERNATIONAL - In all honesty, I have the highest respect for this pageant and I have considered placing this in my top 2 pageants now (oops, I just did!), next of course to Miss Universe. Boring finals night? Yes! But let's not forget that MI serves a different audience. My respect for MI comes in two things - first for its tradition and second its judging system. The MI tiara and the cape are something that pageant girls should be dreaming to wear because these have so much symbolism and the organisation is really treasuring and preserving these for a long time. These are like a crown and cape of a real monarch that can only be inherited by a real, kind-hearted queen.
MI improved a lot both in its pre and post pageant activities. After a new organisation handled the pageant, it started to become pro-active and the winners were more visible with overseas travel included (yes Queen Kylie!). The finals night is the same year after year, but the momentum of the stage this year is quite fast paced compared to last 2016 (which gave Kylie more time to bow and bow and bow.. that Japanese gesture of respect). I don't really believe in the MI curse (don't start me talking or trashing our MI bet), because this pageant is always looking for a sincere winner - and Kevin is the name (a guy's name on a girls head? love it!). I am so happy that this Indonesian lass won and gave her country something to be proud of (i hope they are). Kevin shines with a sincere heart and she is the queen that I am looking-forward to hear more about during her reign.
MISS WORLD - the rubbish pageant. Always have been! Can't even stand writing something about this because it will be full of negativity. I did not follow it. Didn't even feel it was going on in China, knowing that Chinese have made a great production of this rubbish in the past. I've been criticizing this pageant since my time memorial here in Missosology.
They crowned Miss India this year, and this is all I can say - the girl is deserving in all honesty (she is gorgeous, could have been Miss Universe), but let's be honest, India is the solid rock of Miss World and every time there is a controversy, they will always crown Miss India - why? because this pageant is popular there and they know that they have the full support of the nation (well, most MW winners from India are big stars). Not to forget, the late Mr. Morley always favor Miss India, so Mrs. Morley will not go wrong about this. Miss India is just a sugar coat, a comfort zone, a back up -- but in reality, MW already lost its credibility since the year 2000. The organisation has poor decision making skills and very poor business skills (yes, British are famous for this).
MISS UNIVERSE - and yes, the most popular pageant of all time. November ended well with Miss Universe - but that does not mean that it was controversy-free. The pageant started with high expectations from pageant fans all over the world, only to find out that the treat was stale (yes, it was more of a trick than treat!). This is the cheapest Miss Universe pre-pageant of all time and yes I was very disappointed the way Miss Universe regarded the girls this year. It is more of a Physical Education or Dance Class or Stage Rehearsal rather than a classy pageant it was once known for. What happened IMG? You had great time in the Philippines, then bad times in the US? I was thinking that this edition is more of an "Orange is the New Black" episode as girls were kept in hotel walls most of the time.
Gladly, grand finale was spectacular and the best parts for me were the performances of guests artists - fergie (eveing gown) and rachel platten (final walk). The hosts were just perfect and I can that they should keep Steve. He is a true gentleman on stage (I never actually heard him saying sexual comments during swimsuit round). Indeed he is a family guy. Ashley is a good co-host as well and would love to have her again as well. Happy to see Lou Sierra as side host and I'm wondering many of the pageant directors will be taking her comments at heart for next year's edition - we will be seeing more facial expression and less of gown twirling, expect these 'coz we've heard them straight from Lou!
Never really expected Jamaica to be in the top 3, but it was a joy to see her there. I love her hair during prelims tho, and she should have kept it that way. Well deserve as opposed to Miss Columbia, who I think did not have that sparkling presence on stage (except for her glittery gown). Thailand would have been a good replacement.. or Philippines, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Spain, or Great Britain (who was my top pick). It was awesome to hear new countries being called into top 16 - Ghana, Croatia, and Sri Lanka (who was really deserving). I hate the continental grouping and gosh we spent an hour just listening to the announcement of the top 16?? Really? Improve this!
Miss Universe is the total opposite of ME this year. Bad Pre-peagent but awesome winner. Demi is the best choice, no doubt about it. She was the most confident and the most spontaneous person this year. Her answer in the first interview is really true - women earning less than men in the workplace and this issue has been in our papers here in New Zealand last October. Demi brought a classic taste on stage both during the prelims and finals night and I really appreciate it. Her final's night evening gown resembles the style of the 80's and 'twas a great choice. She was not really my top choice (actually she is 16 on my list), but she is a cool winner for me. I am excited to witness her reign as it unfolds day by day. And of course... I am excited to see the MIKOMOTO crown back! Finally!
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Miss Gwand INTERNATIONAL - i have my reservations on this pageant still. It improved a lot and the winner is the best in the bunch. However, this pageant should build up its ethics. Poor thing that it has so many controversies during its inception stage. It will take a awhile to bring credibility back.
MISS SUPRANATIONAL - amazing production as usual, and the winner is just right. I think Miss Korea will have an awesome reign too and even if she was not the most gorgeous in her batch, I can see that she will be a great role model for women in her country.
MISS GLOBE - who won? this pageant needs to be more visible after crowning its winner. Better production please and marketing strategy.
MISS ASIA PACIFIC - this pageant is really good but pretty much dormant. I only hear about this during its finals night. Needs a huge upgrade.
MISS REINA HISPANOAMERICA - with the win of the Philippines, this pageant had a major boost (let's be honest!). It's good to know that they reached out to other countries with Spanish heritage. My recommendation - try to re-brand the pageant and invite other countries that were not conquered by Spain. I am sure some countries have women with Spanish blood and culture in them.
ALL MALE PAGEANTS - what are these? photo shoots for a male porn calendar. I don't even think they do charity works or even male empowerment sessions. All these male pageant winners are doing is posing in front of the camera. Oh screw it!
Well, that's all folks. Hope you enjoyed my simple thoughts.