Justine Gabionza on U Can Dance
July 31, 2006 by cd · 4 Comments
Our newly crowned International beauty queen Justine Gabionza was guest in ABS CBN’s version of Dancing with the Stars i’m not sure if the title is “I Can Dance” or “I Can Make You Dance” or something. Just surfing the tube after watching Philippine Idol pilot episode and got curious that the show is similar to ABC’s Shall We Dance which also runs on the same time slot.
Anyway, Justine’s really a stunner. Although i’m not sure if she can really dance but hey, she made us proud by bringing home the crown of the first grand slam beauty pageant of the year—the Miss Tourism Queen International! Just like Miss Universe, a record 86 beautiful women around the world competed in this pageant.
Some Scenes in Philippine Idol
Philippine Idol Pilot Episode
July 31, 2006 by cd · Leave a Comment
IDOL FEVER
The long wait is over! Philippine Idol have just aired its first telecast last night showing the highlights of the PICC auditions. The idol fever has officially started. But do you feel it?
If i were ABC 5, Philippine Idolshould have been launched right after the finale of the American Idol last May to maintain the momentum. They should have seized the moment when the televiewers are still “hot” with the idol fever. This is what i like with ABS CBN. They like to seize the moment. Right after Pinoy Big Brother 1 they’ve launched Sam Milby as an actor, host and singer while he’s still hot as starfire. Not to forget Sam’s debut movie. After PBB teen edition, they’ve launched Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu as the next teen sensation. With Love Spell–their first acting assignment–and a Dance album for Gerald. They’ve seized the freshness of these two teen stars and look at the ratings of Love Spell. It could be the first teen series to beat Love to Love after many attempts.
THE POINT OF THE MATTER IS…
Philippine Idol is not a phenomenal hit as what we expected it to be. Well, at least not yet. I really think ABC’s timing is not quite good.
NOT JUST A POP STAR BUT AN INTERNATIONAL IDOL
The expectations for Philippine Idol is very high. We have a reputation of being one of the most talented people in the planet. This month’s edition of Reader’s Digest featured the Philippines as “land of great musicians.” But based from the audition highlights yesterday, i began to doubt. There were mediocre talents who made it to the next round. But who knows, maybe the international star that we’ve been waiting for will come from the thousands that auditioned for Philippine Idol. And i think there is one who could make this show sensational in the coming weeks. The 19 year old fil-am named Marcello Stroem who sang Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak” as his audition piece, remember him? He’s definitely one good reason to look forward to.
THE JUDGES
I’m a little disappointed with the judges. I was hoping they’ll give a detailed critique of each performances not just saying “pasok ka para sa kin” and “sorry, di ka pasok para sa ‘kin.” Francis M. even told one hopeful “If I let you in, you’ll just be eaten by the others.” What kind of crap is that!? I’m waiting for articulate assessment on how each one who auditioned did their thing. This is why Joey de Leon is included in my wish list for the judges wannabes. Joey is really good in giving comments and critiques in a very clever but entertaining way. But i guess he can’t be a judge for Philippine Idol because he’s reserved for GMA’s Starstruck.
The Host
Ryan Agoncillo is a little serious for me. Don’t get me wrong, i think he’s a good host. His hosting job in Yspeak–a youth oriented talk show in studio 23 is very commendable. But in Philippine Idol, he needs to input a little sense of humor to catch the interest of the televiewers. Maybe he’s not yet warmed up with the crew and the judges. I hope he’ll develop a bubbly personality as the show progresses. My top choice for the idol hosting is Lucky Manzano sana. There are lots of craziness in the auditions that’s why mas preferred ko si Lucky because he’s one heck of a crazy person, too. With matching wise cracks, it would be a blast. But hey, we gotta give Ryan a chance. We haven’t seen more of him yet. Besides, baka magalit si Juday. 
The Current Medal Tally in the World Cup of Beauty after the Miss Universe Pageant
July 30, 2006 by cd · Leave a Comment
It’s been 7 months already and 10 international pageants have just been concluded including 2 Grand Slam Pageants—Miss Tourism Queen International and of course, the Miss Universe pageant. Our Medal Tally for 2006 have just been updated with Philippines as our new leader, grabbing the first place position to Canada, after winning and placing in almost all of the pageants that was held from January to July 2006. Take note that 1st, 2nd and 3rd placements (Gold, Silver and Bronze equivalent) in the Grand Slam pageants are multiplied by 2.
Earlier this year, the Philippines placed 3rd in Ford Supermodel of the World, 2nd in Miss MesoAmerica, and semi-finalist in Manhunt International and Mrs. World. This month, the Philippines have just won the first Grand Slam pageant of the year—Miss Tourism Queen International and a Miss Photogenic award in Miss Universe.
On second place is Canada for winning the Miss World Coffee Queen pageant and placing 2nd in Ford Supermodel of the World and semi-finalist in Miss Universe.
Please take note that we don’t have a 4th and 5th in our tally, instead we take them as “finalist” while Top 10 or so is a semi-finalist placement. And a 1st, 2nd and 3rd placement in a Grand Slam pageant is equivalent to 2 points instead of just 1 in a Non-grand Slam pageant.
Check out our MEDAL TALLY for the Top 30 countries so far. Our Medal Tally will change after the next Grand Slam pageant—Miss World 2006 which is going to be held in Poland this September.
Beauty World Cup’s Medal Tally After Miss Universe—Philippines on First Place, Canada Second
It’s been 7 months already and 10 international pageants have just been concluded including 2 Grand Slam Pageants—Miss Tourism Queen International and of course, the Miss Universe pageant. Our Medal Tally for 2006 have just been updated with Philippines as our new leader, grabbing the first place position to Canada, after winning and placing in almost all of the pageants that was held from January to July 2006. Take note that 1st, 2nd and 3rd placements (Gold, Silver and Bronze equivalent) in the Grand Slam pageants are multiplied by 2.
Earlier this year, the Philippines placed 3rd in Ford Supermodel of the World, 2nd in Miss MesoAmerica, and semi-finalist in Manhunt International and Mrs. World. This month, the Philippines have just won the first Grand Slam pageant of the year—Miss Tourism Queen International and a Miss Photogenic award in Miss Universe.
On second place is Canada for winning the Miss World Coffee Queen pageant and placing 2nd in Ford Supermodel of the World and semi-finalist in Miss Universe.
Please take note that we don’t have a 4th and 5th in our tally, instead we take them as “finalist” while Top 10 or so is a semi-finalist placement. And a 1st, 2nd and 3rd placement in a Grand Slam pageant is equivalent to 2 points instead of just 1 in a Non-grand Slam pageant.
Check out our MEDAL TALLY for the Top 30 countries so far. Our Medal Tally will change after the next Grand Slam pageant—Miss World 2006 which is going to be held in Poland this September.
Post-Miss Universe Poll: If You Were One of the Judges, Who Will You Choose to Win?
July 24, 2006 by cd · Leave a Comment
The Result of our Miss Universe PEOPLE’s CHOICE Poll
July 24, 2006 by cd · 9 Comments
From more than 1,000 respondents of our Miss Universe People’s Choice poll, here are the top 10 candidates who got the most number of votes:
1. Miss Philippines (Miss Photogenic) - 389 votes
2. Miss Indonesia - 180 votes
3. Miss Puerto Rico (Miss Universe winner) - 97 votes
4. Miss Nicaragua - 41 votes
5. Miss Mexico (Top 10) - 30 votes
6. Miss Sri Lanka - 26 votes
7. Miss Thailand (Top 20) - 23 votes
8. Miss Trinidad and Tobago (Top 10) - 22 votes
9. Miss Albania - 20 votes
10. Miss Venezuela - 18 votes
Most of the remaining candidates received 15 votes and below. There were no repetition of votes. There was only 1 vote allowed per ip address.
For more photos of the coronation night, visit our Miss Universe Gallery.
Puerto Rico’s 5th Miss Universe, Philippines’ 6th Miss Photogenic
July 24, 2006 by cd · 11 Comments
Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico, Beauty World Cup’s Top choice in Evening Gown and National Costume, is this year’s Miss Universe. Zuleyka bested 85 other contestants in the pageant night held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California and telecast live via sattelite in more than 80 countries. Miss Japan Kurara Chibana placed 2nd, Miss Switzerland Laurianne Gillierion placed 3rd, Miss Paraguay Lourdes Arevalos (the dark horse) placed 4th and hometown girl Miss USA Tarra Conner placed fifth place.
Zuleyka collapses during the press conference as reported by the pageant officials.
As with other beauty pageants, there were a number of surprises and upsets during this year’s Miss Universe. The Mexican crowd were disappointed when Miss Mexico didn’t enter the Top 5. A lot of favorites did not enter the Top 20 like Misses Venezuela, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Australia, Ghana, Aruba, Nicaragua, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Come from behind candidates were Hungary, Denmark, Argentina and Ethiopia.
