MONALIZA Hernandez Salenga and Maria Steia Isla Jian are both set to embark on their journeys towards the 46th Mrs. Universe to be held in Manila from October 1 to October 9.

Monaliza, 43, who will be wearing the Northeast Asia sash and Steia, 54, who will be donning the North Pacific Asia banner, met select members of the media separately last weekend, eager to showcase all that they have prepared for the Bulgaria-based pageant for married women as host-delegates under the auspices of Mrs. Universe Philippines.

Mrs. Universe Philippines is under the chairmanship of Maria Charo Laude, who was Mrs. Universe Philippines 2019 and now the national director.

Born and raised in Carmona, Cavite, Monaliza is an amazing and empowered mother of four, and a loving and supportive wife to Ranillo Salenga. She is currently the chief financial officer of their own companies, PBTS Corporation and Janstech Group of Companies where she has been applying her skill in financial management, contributing to the success and expansion of their many businesses.

Mona has also founded her own aesthetic clinic in 2021, the Sweet Skin Care Center, which has two branches in Carmona, Cavite, and will soon be opening more in other areas.

She hopes to carry over her vision to promote and create opportunities which will help other women build their self-worth and confidence, as her platform at the Mrs. Universe stage.

Mona is forever grateful, first and foremost to her supportive husband Rani and her children, especially Janpiolo, owner of Piolo’s Hang-out Bar & Restaurant where the press meet was held.

Mona also thanks her pageant team that includes communication coach Vyn Anders, head coach and handler Mato Rodrigo, campaign admin Jennifer Hernandez Mapalad and assistant Amor Mercado, advocacy director Lloyd Alfred Morales Briones (advocacy director), national costume designer Belo Tuesday and photographer Mon Cres.

Meanwhile, Maria Steia Isla Sian, fondly called Thea by family and friends, is a mother of four who describes herself as a happy person – compassionate, adaptive, hardworking, lovable, and very easy to get along with. Her honesty is her best attitude.

A Tourism graduate of Siena College, Thea was 23 when she married car aficionado and custom builder Johnson Sian. They have three daughters and one son.

During her meet-and-greet with select members of media at Lola Ote Restaurant in Quezon City, her family and friends, including fellow Rotarians, were also present to support her.

Her husband Johnson, daughter Sheine and granddaughter Silvia were also present to wish her well in her pageant journey.

Thea was crowned as Mrs. Universe – North Pacific Asia at the Mrs Universe Philippines pageant held at Rizal Park Hotel last June 18.

She believes she can spread her vision of a friendly, productive, and safe world for the younger generation, and do more for the community by becoming a representative of women all over.

The more than 100 delegates of the 46th Mrs Universe in Manila will captivate audiences in the Queens Ball Charity Gala at the Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel on October 4 and at the coronation at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport Resorts World, Pasay on October 8.

WEARING uniform midnight blue and gold swimsuits from House of Victoria by Jomar Peralta, the twenty-one official candidates of the inaugural Miss CosmoWorld Philippines search were presented to the press last Wednesday at House Manila, Newport Resorts World in Pasay.

Showcasing 21 different faces of empowered Filipinas advocating for financial literacy and independence, the pageant’s main thrust, they wowed the press with their wit and charm, all capable and confident of winning the coveted crown worth P2 million, designed by renowned Bulacan crown maker Manny Halasan and P1 million in cash.

Unlike in other pageants where you have easy picks, the first batch of Miss CosmoWorld Philippines candidates are a pretty mix of pageant veterans and newbies but, as pageant fans observed, “quality” contestants worthy of pulling all resources to put on a grand finals show.

After sessions and activities in financial literacy, poise and social graces, make-up techniques, pasarela training, and communication and confidence conducted by renowned experts, the ladies are now ready for the crucial and more exciting competitions and events leading to the finals and grand coronation night at the Aliw Theater on October 12.

Among this year’s favorites are: Davao del Sur’s Elda Aznar of Davao del Sur; Rian Maclyn Dela Cruz of Malolos, Bulacan;  Jasmine Omay of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur; Vivian Vargas Hernandez of Quezon City; Gezza Avila of Quezon Province; and Amanda-Kay Rhodes of Makati City.

At the end of the event, Hernandez was voted as press favorite and was awarded the title “Cosmic Star.” Runners-up were Carmella Joy Cuaresma of Aurora and Aznar.

Gracing the event were members of the pageant’s executive committee composed of Meiji Cruz, chairperson and the reigning Miss CosmoWorld; Rodgil Flores, national director; Joee Guilas, head for communications and Atty. Adel Reyes, legal counsel.

Aside from the bonanza of cash and prizes, the winner of Miss CosmoWorld Philippines 2023 will earn the right to represent the Philippines at the international finals of Miss CosmoWorld and will have the opportunity to replicate Meiji’s feat in Kuala Lumpur last year, winning $100,000 or roughly P25 million.

PAGEANT enthusiasts worldwide mourned the death of beloved Miss Universe host Bob Barker last August 26 in Los Angeles. He passed away at the ripe old age of 99.

The tall and charming emcee of Miss USA and Miss Universe for two decades (1967-1987) makes him the longest-serving host of the prestigious beauty competitions.

Our admiration for the Miss Universe host started in 1969 will watching the TV replay of the pageant won by Gloria Diaz, our first Miss Universe. That was also when got hooked on the Miss Universe pageant – and then on other major international and national beauty tilts.

Watching Bob interview the semifinalists was a joy to watch. He interacted very spontaneously and knew when to break the ice to make timid girls feel at ease instantly. He also talked lengthily with jovial, vivacious girls like then 18-year-old Gloria Diaz.

Didn’t Bob ask Gloria to name all her nine sisters and two brothers? To which Gloria retorted: “Alphabetically or according to rank (chronologically)?” That surely gave her longer airtime, an obvious advantage.

Bob’s old-school demeanor and charisma is a rarity today. Any emcee who could approximate his excellent skills and class that combined presence of mind, intelligence, wit and humor, would easily win our admiration.

Bob was a perfectionist; he always made sure he pronounced the candidates’ names correctly, although he had his share of on-stage boo-boos as well.

During the 1974 finals in Manila, he said “Bayinahan” instead of “Bayanihan” when he introduced the world-renowned Philippine dance troupe on stage. After that, he reviewed his cue cards well for his next tongue-twister that day: “Pangkat Kawayan” which he aced!

In 1973 in Athens, Greece, Bob took note of Margie Moran’s plans of becoming a banker and investing her prize money in building a hotel which her sister (Lulette

Moran) could manage, and said Margie could be the “Onassis of the Philippines,” alluding to the Greek tycoon who married John F. Kennedy’s widow Jackeline.

Margie, of course, became our second Miss Universe.

When Rosemarie “Chiqui” Brosas was interviewed by Bob at the semifinal round in El Salvador in 1975, he recalled fondly the previous year’s contest in Manila where the Filipina model was an usherette. Chiqui placed fourth runner-up.

In 1980 in Seoul, Korea, Bob led the audience in greeting the late Rosario “Chat” Silayan on her 21st birthday that day en route to placing third runner-up.

Bob’s interview with Desiree Verdadero in 1984 in Miami, Florida was light and easy, making the very nervous Pinay model feel at ease while talking about her modeling job; she placed third runner-up.

In 1987, Bob mentioned that semifinalist Geraldine “Pebbles” Asis had very good taste because her favorite TV show was the daytime “The Price Is Right,” which he also hosted.

A staunch animal rights activist, Bob quit hosting the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants in 1988 after two decades to protest the use of fur coats as prizes for the winners.

Aside from Miss Universe, we also got hooked on “The Price Is Right” in the 1970s. The longest-running game show in the US was hosted by Bob from 1972-2007 for which he won 14 Daytime Emmy Awards as game show host.

Bob’s famous line on the show “Come on down!” when calling a contestant from the audience was also used in calling out the first cut of semifinalists at the Miss Universe.

AFTER Anie Uson won the Philippines’ first Miss Chinese World title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last May, and Shannon Robinson was crowned as Miss Environment International in Mumbai, India last June, both under the auspices of Mutya ng Pilipinas, Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International Jeanette Reyes and Mutya ng Pilipinas Intercontinental Iona Gibbs are next to embark on her international pageant journeys, aiming to continue the winning streak of Mutya’s hometown queens this year.

Reyes will aim to become the sixth Pinay to win the MIss Tourism International title, after Peachy Manzano (2000), Rizzini Gomez (2012), Angeli Gomez (2013), Janjan Alipo-on (2017) and Cyrille Payumo (2019).

Jeanette will vie alongside 50 other delegates worldwide at the 26th Miss Tourism International finale to be held at Sabah International Convention Center in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on November 25.

Gibbs, meanwhile, will aim to become the third Filipina to win the coveted title after Karen Gallman (2018) and Cindy Obeñita (2021).

The 51st Miss Intercontinental Pageant to scheduled to be held in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt on  December 15, 2023.

Another titlist, Mutya ng Pilipinas World Top Model Arianna Padrid, will compete internationally at a venue and date that has yet to be announced.

***

There’s always room for fresh talent with the right attitude and ability to endure the complexities of the industry in the ever-evolving world of music.

Balladeer and songwriter Dindo Fernandez enters the business armed with his training as a church choir member.

“As a musician, I learned a lot from the church choir,” said fast-rising balladeer and songwriter Dindo Fernandez. ”I can still remember that there was one Christmas Eve mass, and I was the Youth Council president at that time, and I wanted to do my best. For us Catholics, we consider it the highlight of the year, and because I have to make things impressively perfect, I found myself arranging ‘Oh Holy Night’ and ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ in pop-orchestra style. Little did I know that I was already into a vocal and music arrangement.”

As early as age 8, Dindo knew he could carry a tune. “I think I was so blessed because, at a young age, I was already singing the compositions of Fr. Manoling Francisco S.J., like ‘Sa ‘Yo Lamang,’ ‘Far Greater Love,’ and ‘Panalangin sa Pagiging Bukas Palad’.”

Dindo is now embarking on a journey as a flourishing performer. He has released two original songs, “Akala Ko” and “Makinig Ka,” and have gained good reviews and a good number of following. He also earned nominations in the Best Male Performance in a Concert and Best New Male Artist of the Year categories in Aliw Awards 2022.

With his foundation in choir singing, Dindo sets his sight on making more heartfelt ballads and maybe, collaborating with like-minded artists as he aims to touch the lives of music lovers and enthusiasts with his songs.

And what does he consider his edge over other aspiring singer?

“My edge over other singers is that when I sing, I tell my story,” Dindo replied.

Indeed. This writer can’t agree more. Only the best singers do.

LAST July 16 at Platform Events Place (Newport World Resorts), twenty-one candidates from different parts of the country were chosen during the final screening of Miss CosmoWorld Philippines (MCWPh) 2023.

The panel of judges, led by Meiji Cruz, Miss CosmoWorld 2022 and the chairperson and franchise holder of Miss CosmoWorld Philippines 2023, chose seventeen beauties during the actual physical screening, and an additional four from the provinces who passed the online screening.

“For this year’s inaugural pageant, we have gathered a good batch of candidates. And I’m pretty proud of them,” Cruz shared. “We are now readily excited to share our meaningful advocacy with them and have prepared a series of workshops and activities to make a better version of themselves, and hopefully be more knowledgeable on how to be financially independent in the future.”

The girls are now more than eager to start their journey for the national title and eventually grab the chance to win a P1 million cash and wear a crown to be designed by Manny Halasan worth P2 million.

And more importantly, she will have the opportunity to represent our country in the Miss CosmoWorld 2023 to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, later this year, and win US$100,000.00.

The official candidates and the places they represent are, namely, Aliya Clemeña Rohilla (Albay), Amanda-Kay Rhodes (Makati City), Angelli Mae Lim Garcia (Mandaue City, Cebu), Anis Fatima Natividad Azees (Ilocos Sur), Carmella Joy Fontanilla Cuaresma (Aurora Province), Elda Louise Aznar (Davao del Sur), Gezza Ilagan Avila (Quezon Province), Jasmine Orquico Omay (Surigao del Sur), Lara Melissa Gaffud (Santiago City, Isabela), Larsine Grace Orain Jensen (Bohol);

Lianne Elizabeth Tabirara Duque (Laguna), Lienel Pena Navidad (Albay), Maribelle Castillo Manalili (Zambales), Mary Josephine Paaske (Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu), Rian Maclyn Ledesma Dela Cruz (Malolos City, Bulacan), Roella Frias Solis (Calumpit, Bulacan), Samantha Dana G. Bug-os (Occidental Mindoro), Sheryl Patalinhog Velez (Mandaluyong City), Thanamae Rojas Cahilig (Minglanilla, Cebu), Valerie Mae Guillermo (Santa Ignacia, Tarlac), and Vivian Vargas Hernandez (Quezon City).

As part of their incessant quest for a transformative and empowered beauty queen, MCWP has lined up a series of workshops and personality development seminars to equip the ladies with a significant change in their lives.

From August 9 to August 12, these activities were made at the KF Camp training center: “How Money Will Work for You” (Financial Literacy Class conducted by Arma Avendano Bacar); “Cultivating Poise and Social Graces (A Masterclass in Visual Poise and Social Graces by Ning Corteza);

“Your Best Face Forward” (Makeup Techniques Workshop by Gio Flores); “The Queenly Moves” (Pasarela training by Rodgil Flores, Kuya Enan and Meiji Cruz); and, “Celebrating You” (A Life Dynamics Workshop on Communication and Confidence by Dr. Jace Chiong).

The finals of Miss CosmoWorld Philippines 2023 is tentatively set for the first week of October.

BULACAN crown designer Manny Halasan is making the exquisite crowns for the inaugural Miss CosmoWorld Philippines (MCWP) which is spearheaded no less by the reigning Miss CosmoWorld Meiji Cruz.

As they say, a beauty queen’s crown is not just an emblem of victory, but it also signifies the values and principles that the competition represents.

A crown tells a story symbolizing beauty, elegance, and grace. And this is where the role of the crown designer comes into play. It is an art form; it is the work of the crown designer to transform women into queens, and such creations are not just accessories but a representation of their journey to becoming the winner.

“When Meiji (Cruz) approached me that Miss CosmoWorld Philippines was happening, I asked her if there was already someone who would do the crown,” related Halasan, the renowned designer of exquisite crowns from Meycauayan, Bulacan. “But when she told me there was none yet and requested if I could make the crown, I instantly said yes and that we could work together for this endeavor. I even told her we must include crowns for the runners-up.”

He also emphasized that the job of a crown designer is not just to create beautiful and unique crowns but to understand the essence of the competition and be able to translate the vision of the pageant organizers into a tangible form that reflects the beauty and grace of the contestants.

According to Halasan, the crown design was a collaboration. “Meiji instructed me clearly that there should be blue in the crown since it is the main color of MCWP. And the concept must anchor to our country. The design of the crown has its value and meaning.

“The crown stands for what the MCWP pageant advocates: women empowerment and financial literacy. It is different, and an eye-opener. What is more important is that we should all be financially literate and be able to protect and handle our money and secure our future wisely,” he stressed.

And how different is this crown from his other designs? “It’s very much different because this is the very first ‘crown’ edition for a new pageant. It’s like creating a cast or mold,” Halasan explained. “There is no background or prior crown to follow or get inspiration from. This will be the ‘mother’ crown for the new pageant. It’s exciting and challenging.”

As a boy, Halasan grew up exposed to crown and jewelry design. His family was one of the pioneers in the metal craft business (Halasan Metal Craft) in Meycauyan, where jewelry and crown making began.

“Our family has been in the crown-making industry for almost 50 years,” said the designer, who created his first crown in 1997. “At a very young age, I was already taught by my grandparents (Tatay Menong and Nanay Norma) how to create jewelry. That’s where my inspiration and curiosity started. They allowed me to immerse, play, and be aware of the business. I was allowed to be creative, get cuts and burns, and I was allowed to fail. And from that, I learned what will work and what will not. I was allowed to explore, learn and express my artistry.”

In terms of fulfillment, Halasan stressed that creating a crown is like designing a national costume or a dress. “There is always fulfillment in seeing your vision turn to reality, the ability to make and given the freedom to express your craft, and at the end of the day, to bring honor to my family and hopefully our country. That’s the ultimate fulfillment,” he explained.

How soon will the crown be revealed to the public? At this point, Halasan said that the making of the crown is in process. And there will be revisions and updates.

“Expect more stones from the initial design. Approximately, the bejeweled crown will cost P2 million!” he disclosed.

A STATUESQUE model from Poland was crowned as Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide 2023 at the 4th edition of the Philippine-based beauty pageant, staged in glittering ceremonies at Montien Riverside Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand last week.

Paulina Starosielec, a 5-foot-9 model from Warsaw, Poland was crowned as Miss Tourism Queen Worldwide 2023, topping the field of beauteous tourism delegates from across the globe after a series of competitions that included those for tourism video, national costume, talent, swimsuit, evening gown, and interview.

Miss Tourism Philippines Rachel Bayan from Alicia, Isabela was named first runner-up aside from winning the Best National Costume award for her “Dyesebel ng Perlas ng Silangan” ensemble created by Michael Barassi.

Rounding up the top five are Amelie Waygandt from Germany, second runner-up; Princess Bih Wandi Tita from Cameroon, third runner-up; and Wendy Thuy Nguyen from Vietnam, fourth runner-up.

The outgoing queen, Le Tran Binh Ah of Vietnam, crowned her successor. The winners came from a field of 16 beauty delegates worldwide.

The winners were awarded by Amy Sunio-Abarquez and Antonio Abarquez, owners of the beauty pageant organization that was established four years ago to promote friendship and tourism worldwide.

***

The Mister International Organization headed by Atty. Manuel Deldio, has released the schedule of activities for the 15th edition of the annual beauty pageant for men, scheduled to be hosted by the Philippines from October 8 to 20.

About 40 delegates worldwide are expected to arrive in Manila on October 8 after which they will be thrown into a series of shoots for their official profiles before they are officially given their country banners and presented to the media on October 10.

The delegates will then go on a tour of Baguio City on October 11 and 12 that will include a courtesy call on the office of the mayor as well as a city tour and a personality development training session.

From Baguio, they will travel to the heritage city of Vigan, Ilocos Sur for a fashion show and the national costume competition to be held on Calle Crisologo on October 13.

From Vigan, the delegates will be in La Union from October 14-17, highlighted by the all-important preliminary competitions to be held at the Agora Activity Center in the City of San Fernando on October 15.

The delegates will be back in Manila for rehearsals on October 18 leading to the awaited grand finale at Novotel Hotel’s grand ballroom on October 20.

The reigning Mister International Lukanand Kshetrimayum from India will pass on his title to the new winner.