HAPPY New Year dear readers! We start 2020 with a fresh face and the youngest contestant for this year’s search for Mr. & Ms. Philippine Youth, the long-running pageant that aims to showcase the beauty, talent and skills of teens that will help them contribute positive influence among the younger generations.

Meet Marielle Casingal Lim, one of the 25 official contestants for Miss Philippine Youth 2020:

“I would like to promote the welfare of animals,” Marielle told the members of the screening committee when asked about her advocacy. “Animals are vulnerable. They do not have a voice. That is why they need someone who will speak for them. I want to be their voice.”

As a Grade 10 student of the International Learning Academy in Cainta, 15-year-old Marielle strives for balance in her studies and other extra-curricular activities. She maintains a busy schedule.

Marielle was a model for Star Entertainment Production & Talent Management founded by Miss Rose Jorta. In addition to her rigorous training in modeling, she also did some photoshoots. In school, she is a varsity of volleyball and a swimmer. She also loves doing ice skating and playing different instruments like guitar, ukulele, and kalimba. Despite all these, she continues to be part of the honor roll and does not neglect her time for herself and her family and friends and her dog Buddy. But most of all, Marielle is a God-fearing and loving daughter.

Marielle acknowledges that everything is a gift from above and without God everything is in vain, including beauty.

The Mr. & Ms. Philippine Youth 2020 finals will be held this Sunday at Tanghalang Pasigueño in Pasig.

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The search for Binibining Pilipinas 2020, Miss Universe Philippines 2020, and Miss Philippines Earth are now open, with online applications for interested young ladies wanting to be the next national beauty queens. The next weeks and months will definitely be exciting in Philippine pageantry.

Mutya Pilipinas is also making a big announcement today along with the sendoff for Tyra Goldman for Top Model of the World in Egypt and the homecoming of April Short from Monaco where she made it as a top 12 finalist for World Top Model.

THE delegates of the provinces of Laguna and Albay were among the major winners of the third edition of Mrs. Philippines International.

Twenty-five women representing provinces and regions throughout the country vied for the coveted titles at the grand finale held at Tanghalang Haribon, Insular Life Filinvest, Muntinlupa last December 15.

Mary Grace Avanzado, 37, representing the province of Laguna topped the field of beauteous, empowered ladies to be crowned as Mrs. Philippines International 2019-2020 and will vie for the Mrs. International tilt in Singapore next year.

Avanzado, who hails from Pakil, Laguna, also won several awards, among them, Best in Filipiniana, Best in Evening Gown and Photographers’ Choice.

Meanwhile, entrepreneur and philanthropist Michelle Vitug Encarnacion, 40, representing her home province of Albay, was crowned as Mrs. Elite Philippines International and will vie for Mrs. Tourism Worldwide in Singapore next year.

The other winners were Ms. Philippines International, Atyens Lucena, Parañaque City; Mrs. Philippines Planet, Cherryl Dacua, Province of Cebu; Mrs. Philippines National Universe, Abigail Bayuga, Marikina City; Mrs. Philippines Tourism & Culture Universe, Rizzalie Joy Semira Ebreo, Province of Batangas; Mrs. Philippines Continental International, Lubesly Tellidua, Pinamungajan, Cebu; Mrs. Face of Beauty International, Riza Dormiendo, Taguig City; Mrs. Philippines Ambassador; Melanie Trani, Cebu City North; Mrs. Philippines South East Asia, Divina Gracia Carpio, Quezon City; and Mrs. Philippines Asean, Jeanet Garcia, Bauan Batangas

The Mrs. Philippines International was organized and staged by Maan Cueto Aris and Aries Concepción of Shining Star Productions.

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Best wishes to Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Mary Tiglao of Mabalacat City, Pampanga as she guns for the 48th Miss Intercontinental in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt tonight. She is aiming for a back-to-back win, hoping to succeed reigning queen Karen Gallman, who won in Manila last year.

IT’S goodbye to Miss Universe for Binibining Pilipinas after 56 straight years of holding the franchise and producing an envious record: four winners and a long host of runners-up and finalists.

Last Tuesday, Binibining Pilipinas posted its official statement on the non-renewal of the coveted franchise that has been awarded by the Miss Universe Organization to the new Miss Universe Philippines Organization with former Bb. Pilipinas and Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee.

“Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. and the ExCom headed by Mrs. Stella Marquez de Araneta, Ms. Conchitina Bernardo, Ms. Betsy Westendorp Brias, Mr. Raymund Villanueva and Ms. Irene Jao, wish to inform everyone that after 55 years of nurturing and protecting the brand, Miss Universe Organization has decided not to renew its license with BPCI.

“BPCI is proud to have held the Miss Universe license since 1964 and would like to thank the 55 winners who were sent to the Miss Universe pageant to participate. In all those years, we have garnered four Miss Universe winners, nine runners-up, and ten top 20 finalists.

“Under the leadership of Stella Marquez de Araneta, the annual Bb. Pilipinas Pageant has become the biggest and most anticipated beauty event in the Philippines with an impressive roster of empowered women who showcased Filipino beauty, intellect, culture and values before the international stage.

BPCI also cited its other current and past international brands – Miss International, Miss World, Miss Supranational, Miss Grand International, Miss Globe, Miss Intercontinental, among others – and their long list of winners, runners-up and finalists for each pageant.

“Moving forward, BPCI will continue to focus on its charitable initiatives and the staging of the annual Binibining Pilipinas Pageant – the fairest and most prestigious beauty pageant in the country,” the statement concluded.

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We wish Miss World Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee all the best as she goes for the second Miss World crown for the Philippines at the 69th finals at the ExCel in London tomorrow night.

Michelle began her silent pageant campaign three weeks ago and is proving herself to be a “kicker,” a silent killer of sorts. She is one of the Top 10 in the Head to Head Challenge assured of a Top 40 slot going into tomorrow’s finals. A total of 111 delegates from as many countries are competing.

Michelle’s mom, former supermodel and Miss International Melanie Marquez will be in London to cheer and support her. National director Arnold Vegafria will also be there.

AFTER 56 long years of being the licensee of the Miss Universe Pageant in the Philippines, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) is no longer the organization in charge of sending the Philippines’ delegates to the revered beauty pageant that began as a swimsuit competition in Long Beach, California in 1952.

On Monday, right after the conclusion of the 68th Miss Universe finals in Atlanta, Georgia, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) issued this official statement:

“The Miss Universe Organization expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the Araneta Group and Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. for their more than 50 years of stewardship of the Miss Universe brand and franchise in the Philippines.

“Both organizations have made an indelible mark in the international pageant scene for celebrating the intelligence, beauty and grace of hundreds of Filipina queens, and for garnering several international titles through the years.

For the record BPCI has produced four Miss Universe titleholders and a long list of runners-up, finalists as well as special award winners. MUO cited the solid foundation and enduring fundamentals of Philippine pageantry “because of the hard work and commitment of the Araneta Group and BPCI.

“Today is a momentous occasion as the country and the Miss Universe Organization focus their collective gaze towards the future of pageantry. It is but fitting that the path to the future be led with vigor and a vision aligned with the transformative purpose of Miss Universe. The Miss Universe Organization is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Miss Universe Philippines Organization (MUPO), a fresh team that will lead the country towards its continued quest to share the beauty and grace of the Filipina to the rest of the world.

Architect and Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee is the new national director. She is joined by Albert Andrada as the design council head, Jonas Gaffud as creative director, Lia Ramos as head of Women Empowerment Committee and Charity, Atty. Nad Bronce as head of Legal Affairs, and Mario Garcia as business development/marketing head.

“Rooted in the same strong foundations that have earned the country title after title in the past half century, the Miss Universe Philippines Organization is poised to bring the Miss Universe franchise to greater heights. More importantly, it is the continued support of the pageant fans and community that inspires the Miss Universe Organization to take this crucial step forward. With the Filipina at the center of it all, a bright and beautiful future lies ahead.”

The first official press conference of Miss Universe Philippines will be held on Friday where details of the turnover as well as forthcoming events and activities for 2020 will be announced.

Meanwhile, Supsup-Lee posted on social media: “I am honored with my new role for the organization that brought meaning to my life as a beauty queen and as a woman. I am more than blessed to be the National Director of Miss Universe Philippines. As I continue to grow, I understand that being an architect and an entrepreneur are facets that will form part of my core as we continue the projects of Miss Universe and create more opportunities for aspiring beauty queens in the future. Thank you for the trust and confidence in my capabilities as a strong and independent woman.”

Supsup-Lee, now a 33-year-old mother of two, joins the list of Miss Universe alumna who are now national directors of their respective countries, among them Venezuela’s Gabriela Isler (Miss Universe 2013), Singapore’s Valerie Lim (Miss Universe Singapore 2011), Mexico’s Lupita Jones (Miss Universe 1991) and Puerto Rico’s Denise Quiñones (Miss Universe 2001).

As we write, BPCI has yet to issue an official statement on the new developments.

ACTRESS-SINGER Patricia Javier was crowned as the first ever Noble Queen of the Universe at the pageant held at the Centennial Hall of Manila Hotel last Sunday.

Patricia, 40, who represented Philippines-Luzon, topped the field of 20 delegates from the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia to be crowned as winner.

Patricia’s victory was witnessed by her American husband Robert Walcher, a chiropractor and part-time model and their two sons, who tirelessly cheered for her everytime she appeared on stage in her national costume, casual wear and evening gown.

Named as Noble Queen International was Marie France Imelda Papin Carrion of Philippines-Bicol, the daughter of Jukebox Queen Imelda Papin who was also present to cheer for her.

Crowned as Noble Queen of the Earth was Jill Chapman of West Coast, USA; Noble Queen of Tourism was Anna Rabtsun Baylosis of Russia and Noble Queen Globe was Beau Singson Villanueva from Australia.

The pageant was organized by the Noble Queen Foundation headed by banker and Mrs. Universe Philippines 2011 Eren Noche Tumali, aiming to empower women through a strong sisterhood with a common mission to do noble charitable works for the community.

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A Filipino-Belgian pharmacist, Louise Theunis, 21, was crowned as Miss Bikini Philippines 2019 at the newly-rebranded national bikini tilt that aims to combine beauty with fitness and health.

Theunis, who graduated magna cum laude with a degree in BS Pharmacy, aced the Q&A round among nine finalists and won the coveted title from an original field of 18 contestants with varying approaches to their fitness and health advocacies. She was crowned by Miss Earth 2018 Phuong Khanh of Vietnam who was also one of the judges.

Theunis is the reigning Hiyas nan Carrascal and a Top 20 finalist of Miss World Philippines 2019.

She topped the 2018 Pharmacists Licensure Exams and is currently taking her Master’s Degree at UST. As a YouTuber and social media influencer, Theunis wishes to share her passion and inspire people to be healthy.

The first runner-up was Roberta Angela Roan Tamondong, 17, the reigning Bb Quezon City.

Second runner-up was Kim Velasco, 22, a commercial and print model from Lucena City.

The finals, directed by Rodgil Flores and held at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, was organized by Pro Media Philippines spearheaded by Paul Reyes and Lahaina Mondoñedo.

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We wish Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados and Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Resham Ramirez Saeed all the best on their global oageant assignments.

Saeed guns for the country’s second Miss Supranational title, after Mutya Datul who won in 2013, at the 11th world finals to be staged in Katowice, Silesia. Poland tonight (early morning tomorrow PH time).

Ganados, meanwhile, is among the strong favorites for the 68th Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Atlanta, Georgia on December 8 (Monday December 9 PH time). She is gunning for a back-to-back victory, hoping to succeed reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray.