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3 Bicolanas in 3 International Pageants This August ’10!

July 29, 2010 by adventuresofabeautyqueen

Congratulations to all my Bicolano friends and readers (and my hubby too)!  Three lovely lasses from your noble province will have the honor of representing our beautiful country, The Philippines in three international beauty pageants.

Mrs Philippines Universe 2010, Maria Muriel Lala Moral

Yvette Marie Santiago, World Miss University Philippines 2010

Maria Venus Raj, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010

Yvette Marie Santiago (top right), 17 years old, will wear the Philippine sash at the World Miss University in Soeul, Korea. She competes against more than 50 beauty contestants from all over the world. Coronation night: August 8, 2010.

Maria Muriel “Lala” Moral Pandi (left), 46 years old, will try to bring home the MRS Universe 2010 crown when she flies to Vilnius, Lithuania. Coronation night: August 22, 2010.

AND… Maria Venus Raj (bottom right), 22 years old, our representative to this year’s Miss Universe 2010 beauty pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. She faces over 80 competitors on coronation night: August 23, 2010.

Here are just a few of the interesting similarities and differences between Yvette, Lala and Venus:

1) They are all Bicolanas: They grew up and studied in the province.

2) They all have Marie or Maria in their names: their nicknames Yvette, Lala and Venus all have two syllables.

3) They are competing in international beauty pageants with the word Universe/University in the title: The two older beauty queens, Venus and Lala are going to UNIVERSE pageants while Yvette is going to a UNIVERSity pageant.

4) The ladies are in pageants representing 3 different generations: Yvette Santiago will compete in a pageant for University students, Venus Raj is in a pageant for single young adults and Lala Moral is in a beauty contest for marrieds.

5) They will be competing in three major regions of the world:

Yvette will be in Asia (Seoul, Korea), Lala in Europe (Vilnius, Lithuania) and Venus in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (North America)

6) All three women hold several beauty titles:

Yvette Marie Santiago was Miss Bicol University, Bb. Pamantasan 2nd runner-up and 2009 Mutya ng Magayon 1st Princess.

Maria Muriel “Lala” Moral was Bb. Pilipinas Maja International 1988 and won Best in National Costume and Miss Maja Simpatica at the 1988 Miss Maja International Pageant

Maria Venus Raj was Miss Philippines Earth Eco-Tourism 2008 and Miss Bicoladia 2007.

WOW! If you know of any other interesting factoids that tie in the three ladies, please drop a comment below!

Can you imagine how amazing it would be if all 3 ladies won their respective international pagents? That would be a grandslam for the Philippines so let’s keep praying for Yvette Santiago, Venus Raj and Lala Moral!!!

Posted in Bb. Pilipinas Universe, Mrs Universe, World Miss University | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Is It Okay for a Hotel to Change Rates AFTER You’ve Made Reservations?

July 27, 2010 by adventuresofabeautyqueen

Tagaytay Country Hotel

If my blog existed in an alternate reality, it would be called SPAdventures of a Beauty Queen for one main reason – I LUUUURRRRV SPAS!

So on our tenth anniversary, my hubby and I decided to take a weekend off at a resort with a spa in Tagaytay. After some online research we chose Tagaytay Country Hotel because they had nice photos of the place, a spa with well-price services and a Rainy Day Promo that was way within our budget – it offered overnight acommodations plus a one-hour massage.

I called the Manila office of Tagaytay Country Hotel on a Monday to make reservations for the Rainy Day Promo and the lady who answered was very friendly, answered all my questions and took my reservation.

But four days later, when I asked my hubby to call them up again to reconfirm, he was surprised; the person who answered said that the price of Tagaytay Country Hotel’s promo went up! ARGH!!!

My husband asked to talk to the manager but when he got on the line he did not seem inclined to give us the original price of the promo saying that the promo price was increased on Tuesday, the day after I made the reservation. He was quick to point out that in Tagaytay Country Hotel’s ad for the Rainy Day Promo it is clearly stated that prices were subject to change without notice.

My hubby was quick to respond, “Well, in that case, my reservation is also subject to change without notice,” and he put the phone down.

Now I am not from the hospitality industry but the sudden rate change that Tagaytay Country Hotel foisted upon us felt so inhospitable. And I was angry because our anniversary plans were dashed to pieces.

Was I wrong to feel this way?

Tagaytay Country Hotel’s promo DID have that caveat, “prices are subject to change without notice,” written on the ad. I’ve seen that phrase many times but I always thought that ONCE YOU HAVE MADE A RESERVATION the price at that point is the price that you pay.

Can anyone from the hotel industry explain this to me? Is what Tagaytay Country Hotel did messed up or were they justified?

Thankfully, there was another place in Tagaytay we could go to – Nurture Spa. It was twice the cost of Tagaytay Country Hotel BUT well worth it!!! Will be writing a review on our weekend stay there… that’s coming up next!

PS. Someone else had a similar experience with Tagaytay Country Homes – click here and read the 2nd review.

Posted in Travelling Tiara, spa | Tagged , | 3 Comments »

Current Pics of Lala Moral, Mrs. Philippines Universe 2010!

July 22, 2010 by adventuresofabeautyqueen

Maria Muriel "Lala" Moral, MRS Universe Philippines 2010! In this pic, she reminds me of the late Chat Silayan, our Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1980...

When I rang up Maria “Lala” Muriel Moral at her home in Labo, Camarines Norte, Bicol, I could hear the controlled excitement in her voice. While she IS excited, Lala Moral also admits she is nervous about competing in the upcoming MRS Universe 2010 in Lithuana Latvia this August; it’s been 20 years since she did beauty pageants so getting prepared for this one is going to take a lot of focus.

Lala Moral first appeared on the beauty pageant scene in 1988 when she won the Bb. Pilipinas Maja International title. Then the Bicolana beauty went on to represent the Philippines in the Miss Maja International 1988 where she won the Best in National Costume and Miss Maja Simpatica awards.

But after that one year of beauty pageants and modeling, Lala Moral, who is a licensed civil engineer, left it all behind to settle down with her hubby Joeffrey Pandi in Camarines Norte, Bicol to build a family. Her life currently revolves around their two boys (Joram who is 13 and Jared who is 7 and a half) and their family business (copra trading and construction projects).

How does the Bicolana beauty queen juggle all of that? Well, for one thing, there’s not much traffic in the town where they live. And just like most women who find themselves with an overwhelming list of things to do, Maria Muriel Moral just learned how to manage her time between business and family.

Full body shot of Maria Muriel "Lala" Moral, Mrs. Philippines Universe 2010

It was her brother Don that rocked her world one day when he called up to say that he sent in an application, on her behalf, to the MRS Universe 2010 Philippines Directress Camilla Kim Galvez (Mrs Universe 2nd Runner-up 2009). He had happened to see the announcement of the search online.

Then, it was doubly shocking for Lala Moral when Camilla Kim Galvez called her to say that out of all the applicants, SHE was the choice for MRS Philippines Universe 2010!

Now that Maria Muriel Moral is getting ready for the MRS. Universe 2010, she is busy in the gym trying to shave down her 57-kilo frame to a shapelier 54 kilos. Her ultimate dream body though would be her weight when she competed in Miss Maja – Lala Moral was a slim 51 kilos in those days!

Actually, her current 57 kilos (125.5 lbs) is not bad at all for a 46-year old woman who stands at 5’4″.  But Maria Muriel Moral says the real reason why she is slim for her age is cholesterol!!! When she found out that she had a cholesterol problem a few years ago, her doctors advised her to go on a diet and exercise regimen. She took her doctor’s word to heart and started eating healthy and biking (the sport has become a passion for her) and now the cholesterol problem is under control and so is her weight.

But the biggest blessing Lala Moral has gotten from all of this is the chance to go on another exciting adventure! She says, flying to Latvia to meet and compete with all the other Mrs Universe contestants is going to be a respite from her routinary life of home-business-home in Camarines Norte, Bicol. And of course Maria Muriel Moral promises this – she is going to do her best to bring home the bacon!

SOME MORE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT MARIA MURIEL MORAL, MRS PHILIPPINES 2010:

Describe family role in your life: Family, next to God, has always been my inspiration and everything.

What are your hobbies?: Reading good books, newspapers and magazines. Biking.

Special talents?: I can play the piano.

Your life ambitions and plans: To be more active in the promotion of women’s rights in the Philippines by starting it in my community.

What is the biggest problem of women’s rights in your country? The lack of medical benefits for the pregnant and trying to be pregnant women (childless wives).

Social Voluntary Activities: I am involved with the social projects of the JCI Labo Niogan like the feeding of street children, visiting and giving toiletries to prisoners, providing free ECG’s to the elderly.

Vital Statistics: 35-25-36

Height: 5’4″

Weight: 57 kilos but losing weight with a 54-kilo goal.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Filipina Student Vies for World Miss University 2010 in Korea

July 20, 2010 by adventuresofabeautyqueen

Yvette Marie Santiago in Filipiniana

Adventures of a Beauty Queen is VERY excited for the month of August because three Filipina Bicolanas will be competing in international pageants!

We have our lovely Maria Venus Raj who will be in the Miss Universe; then there’s Maria Muriel Moral who will compete in the MRS Universe and last but not any less beautiful is Yvette Marie Santiago who will carry the Philippine sash in the World Miss University…  find out more about Yvette in this post…

YVETTE Marie Santiago, a 17-year-old BS Accountancy student of Bicol University, will be the Philippines’ representative to the World Miss University 2010 to be held in Seoul, South Korea on August 8, 2010. This will be the 22nd edition of World Miss University.

Yvette Santiago, a statuesque beauty at 5’8″, was already a beauty titlist when she was selected by Lamberto Ricalde of Mega Star Production, local franchise-holder of World Miss University, from the files of winners of  Bb. & Ginoong Pamantasan 2010 of CHED to vie for the World Miss University 2010 beauty title.

Yvette Santiago’s collection of titles includes Miss Bicol University, Bb. Pamantasan 2nd runner-up and 2009 Mutya ng Magayon 1st Princess.

A total of 59 contestants from around the world are expected to converge in Seoul for the World Miss University Pageant that was initiated in 1986 by the International Association of University Presidents in order to spread its message of peace around the world through smart and beautiful women.

Last year’s edition, also scheduled in Seoul, was cancelled because of the H1N1 flu that hit many Asian countries.

No Filipina has ever made it to the winning circle of the World Miss University Pageant so Yvette Santiago is hoping to be the first. She says,

I will do my best to represent our country and be the first Filipina and Bicolana to win the coveted title!

The grand coronation night of World Miss University 2010 is scheduled at the Sheraton Walker Hill Theater in Seoul on August 8, 2010.

PRESS RELEASE AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAMBERTO “OVETTE” RICALDE

World Miss University Philippines Yvette Marie Santiago

Posted in World Miss University | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Ms Earth Water 2008 Michelle Oblea Flies Away to a New Life in America…

July 13, 2010 by adventuresofabeautyqueen

Miss Earth Water 2008 Michelle Oblea will be leaving her crown behind...

Hi Michelle… I worked on this all morning and cried a little while writing it. I hate goodbyes so I’m trying to think that this is just a farewell.

Miss Philippines Earth Water 2008 Michelle Oblea is flying off – not to the biggest beauty pageant of her life, but for something far more important – she’s flying off to a new life in America. In fact, she steps on that plane today, July 13, 2010 at 5pm. Why is she leaving  NOW of all times when she is doing well as a model, tv host and ballet teacher?

Well, the Miss Earth beauty queen says if it were up to her, she’d stay but her Dad doesn’t want her left behind. He says family comes first and they’ve got to stay together. Kudos to Michelle Oblea for honoring her Dad!

Michelle, do you know that the only Commandment that comes with a promise is “Honor your parents?” The promise from God is looooong life…   so I guess you and I will be comparing dentures 50 years from now!

When Michelle and her parents get to America, they’ll be staying with her sister somewhere south of San Francisco where there are a LOT of Pinoys. At the heart of her agenda – to continue her studies in Pharmacy. In order for Michelle Oblea to get a California license, her UST pharmacy education will have to be assessed then exams need to be taken to determine how much more she needs to learn. She is expecting 2 more years of study and then internship. Whew!

Michelle Oblea modelling a in a wedding shoot...

The thing Michelle Oblea will miss the most (aside from the people she’s leaving behind) are all the perks that come with being a beauty queen in the Philippines. Every day in Manila is an adventure for her – if she isn’t shopping in the mall, she’s doing a photo shoot for a magazine, hosting a show on TV, teaching little girls how to do a proper plié or watching movies with friends. Her biggest fear is that her new life in America will be boring in comparison.

The way I look at it Michelle is this – an exciting person brings the excitement with her. And I know you well enough to see that you’re a walking earthquake so there’ll be little room for boredom wherever you go…

I don’t know if this will come as a surprise to my readers but MY eyes certainly popped out with her answer to the question: Are you bringing any treasured possessions along – one thing that you could never leave behind? Michelle Oblea said that she’s bringing almost ALL her clothes and shoes! With special emphasis on SHOES! LOLOL!

Michelle Oblea is such a clotheshorse that she even sent TWO boxes full of clothes and shoes AHEAD to her new home. How craaazy is that?

Sorry Michelle, di talaga ako mahilig sa damit, although nag-dadamit ako kasi ayoko mag-bold. So, while I can’t relate to the whole fashionista thing may weakness din ako; in my case, it’s books – kaya di ako pwedeng umalis ng Pilipinas dahil masyado nang mabigat ang library ko!

Michelle Oblea with friends at her birthday party at home... L-R, Diane Querrer, Michelle Oblea, Oli Sara, me, Charles Deita

While a move this big is exciting, Michelle Oblea says only 20% of her is thrilled over the prospect of leaving home. The rest of her is saaaad. Things won’t be the same anymore – before this move, she was the boss of her ballet students and she was the queen of her world. Now she will be the student when she continues her Pharmacy studies and the crown will be left behind. Michelle says she’s not looking forward to joining what everyone calls the “real world”.

Sigh… I don’t know why being a model or beauty queen is not considered a ‘real’ job, Michelle. We beauty queens go through the same crappy things naman. And we mess up just as often as the ordinary soul. And we DO need to earn a living like all other people. Maybe the only difference is that our job is a lot of FUN! But I still wish that the god of employment would categorize beauty queen work as a real job…

Don't be soooo saaaad Michelle!

The saddest thing Michelle Oblea told me during our conversation was this:

“I’m not leaving a piece of my heart behind. I’m leaving a LOT of pieces of it and I might not have enough left for myself when I go.”

Don’t worry my darling and beautiful Michelle, did you know that the human heart can regenerate in extreme situations like this? Fly away and come back home one day for a loooong vacation. Until then – kita-kits nalang tayo sa FACEBOOK!!!

If you know Michelle Oblea or if you are a supporter or just someone who sympathizes, please drop a note in the comments section.  She will be visiting this page and it will surely cheer her up to read your messages!

Watch this pretty ballerina fly...

Posted in Miss Philippines Earth | Tagged , | 8 Comments »

Tips on How to Prepare for the DREADED Beauty Pageant Q&A

July 7, 2010 by adventuresofabeautyqueen

Rossana Llenado, founder and owner of Ahead Tutorial and Review Center gives Q&A TIPS!!

Had a delightful time lunching over the weekend at Momo in Eastwood with Rossana Llenado, the lady and mom of twins behind the highly successful AHEAD Tutorial and Review Center. She had some GREAT suggestions on how beauty contestants can prepare themselves for the DREADED Q&A portion.

Rossanna Llenado says the first important thing is – you NEED to believe is that nobody is bobo or born stupid. So the impression that beautiful women are dumb is just…  well…  DUMB! Rossana insists that people who seem bobo just lack exposure and training.

Now while  that’s good news for Janina San Miguel et al. it doesn’t mean that beauty contestants should ‘wing it’ or say bahala na si Batman and depend on their looks to save the day.  Preparation is STILL CRUCIAL!

AHEAD’s founder says the secret to hurdling the beauty pageant Q&A portion successfully is continuous education. You have to be learning something new all the time. Rossanna Llenado says she practices this herself by making it a rule to attend one leadership or marketing or management seminar a month. Even if she is an Agora Entrepreneur of the Year winner and has been managing Ahead Tutorial for the past 15 years, she still believes there is much more for her to learn.

And to think that under her watchful eye, Ahead Tutorial became one of the Top 3 tutorial centers in the Philippines in it’s first year of existence. That’s like placing 2nd Runner-up in Ms Universe! LOLOL!

Next tip from Rossanna Llenado – focus on general knowledge and then discuss these things in English. You can do this by reading newspapers, books, magazines and online journals and then conversing in English as often as possible with someone close to you about the things you learn. Read all the time, Rossana says! Education shouldn’t stop after college.

Rossana adds that adopting a confident attitude is another important key. If you believe in your heart that you CAN answer whatever question they throw at you, it’s 50% of the battle won. I, personally, have seen contestants give strange answers to pageant questions but because of their confident way of speaking their mind, they still score high! That’s a little tactical secret for you :)

The next tip from Rossana Llenado: Come up with a list of possible questions and practice answering them. I think this is a really great tip from her; I have interviewed many beauty queens and a lot of them admit they don’t really prepare for the Q&A. They just trust in thier abilities. Now while that might seem like a form of confidence, IMHO, I think that’s a reflection of fear or indifference or even cockiness.

Now girls who speak English well and are chatty should STILL practice for the Q&A portion if they want to better themselves. At least that’s how I feel about it! Rossana Llenado says try to make yourself obsolete. In other words, try to become an impoved version of yourself EVERYDAY.

SO, if you want to improve your Q&A skills – for a beauty pageant, a job interview or self-impovement, Ahead Tutorial and Review Center can help you prepare. Rossana Llenado says many celebrities have turned to Ahead Tutorial for help like Anthony Pangilinan (GMAT review), Maxine Magalona, Janice de Belen, Rica Peralejo, Andi Eigennman and Ding Dong Dantes to name a few.

If you are interested, click here to visit Ahead Tutorial and Review Center or search them on Facebook. Rossana Llenado says the company has grown to 10 outlets across Metro Manila and in a couple of provinces. Call up the headquarters at 920-0055 for more information.

AHEAD Owner Rossana Llenado (seated in black) with me, the blogging beauty queen (LOL!) in white beside her. With us are a group of lady bloggers who ROCK! See the dessert display behind us? I got the Jackfruit Sans Rival, YUM-O-LAHHH!!

***For the sake of transparency, I’d like to inform Adventures of a Beauty Queen readers that this article was not paid for nor did I recieve any ex-deals.  If I ever do accept payment/ex-deals for articles in the future, I will be certain to inform you. :)


Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments »

Filipina Mariella Castillo Wins Queen Teen of Asia at Miss Global Teen!

July 5, 2010 by adventuresofabeautyqueen

Miss Global Teen PHILIPPINES 2010, Mariella Castillo - winner of Miss Queen Teen of Asia & Oceania

Adventures of a Beauty Queen congratulates Filipina teen beauty queen Mariella Castillo for entering the semi-finals and winning the Miss Queen Teen of Asia and Oceania at the Miss Global Teen 2010 beauty pageant in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil over the weekend!

Congratulations too to Dominican Republic’s Mayte Brito Medina for winning the main title Miss Queen Teen 2010. Check out her photo below – doesn’t she remind you of our current Bb. Pilipinas World Czarina Gatbonton? They look like SISTERS!!!

I did pretty well with my personal list of winners – four of them made it into the magic 6!!! And all my 8 Choices won something :) that’s pretty cool, if I can preen my feathers just a little bit :)

Here’s the complete list of winners, those in RED made it into my shortlist:

Miss Global Teen 2010 winner Mayte Brito Medina of Dominican Republic

WINNER: Dominican Republic, Mayte Brito Medina (Teen Queen of the Caribbean)

1st runner-up: Egypt, Tara Emad (Teen Queen of Africa)

2nd runner-up: Canada, Chelsae Durocher (Teen Queen of the Americas)

3rd runner-up: Belgium, Kathleen Luyts (Teen Queen of Europe)

4th runner-up: Venezuela, Rossana Medina

5th runner-up: Portugal, Mariana dos Santos

Top 6 Winners L-R- 5th Runner-up PORTUGAL Mariana Dos Santos, 4th Runner-up VENEZUELA Rossana Medina, 1st Runner-up EGYPT Tara Emad, WINNER DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Mayte Brito Medina, 2nd Runner-up CANADA Chelsae Durocher, 3rd Runner-up BELGIUM Kathleen Luyts

Semi-finalists:                                                                                                                                                                                                      Colombia, Angelis Mogollon                                                                                                                                                                        Guatemala, Christa Garcia                                                                                                                                                                            Netherlands, Vivian den Dekker                                                                                                                                                                             Peru, Estefani Mauricci                                                                                                                                                                               Philippines, Mariella Castillo (Queen Teen of Asia & Oceania)                                                                                                                Poland, Monika Suchocka                                                                                                                                                                                  Portugal, Mariana dos Santos                                                                                                                                                                                 South Africa, Lisa de Bique                                                                                                                                                                                    USA, Caroline Rodriguez Lassance

Teen Queen Court L-R: Tara Emad EGYPT (Teen Queen of Africa), Mayte Brito Medina DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (Teen Queen of the Caribbean), Chelsae Durocher CANADA (Teen Queen of the Americas), Kathleen Luyts BELGIUM (Teen Queen of Europe), Mariella Castillo PHILIPPINES (Teen Queen of Asia & Oceania)

Special Awards:                                                                                                                                                                                                                Miss Talent: USA, Caroline Rodriguez Lassance                                                                                                                                            Miss Congeniality: Portugal, Mariana dos Santos                                                                                                                                          Miss Photogenic: Poland, Monika Suchocka                                                                                                                                     Achievement Award: Bahamas, Shamika Rolle                                                                                                                                                   Miss Fair Play: New Zealand, Nicole Tu’inukuafe                                                                                                                                             Miss Personality: Denmark, Agnes Hela                                                                                                                                                                Teen Face of the Year: Bolivia, Alexia Laura Viruez                                                                                                                                       Most Beautiful Smile: Thuanny Rodrigues Ferreira

Thanks to MISS GLOBAL TEEN 2010 and Ovette Ricalde for the photos.

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ABQ’s TOP 8 Teeny-Boppers in the Miss Global Teen 2010!!!

July 1, 2010 by adventuresofabeautyqueen

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHO WON!!!

With the ultra-pretty Mariella Castillo representing the Philippines in the Miss Global Teen 2010 beauty pageant in Brazil, I thought it was worth it to sit through the night and pick my favorite contestants. There are only 24 teens  (who look nothing like teens) competing so it won’t be TOO difficult for me to zip through their photos and write-ups and choose my shortlist.

Coronation night, btw is July 3, 2010!!!

According to the Miss Global Teen website…

The most beautiful, dynamic, intelligent and talented teenager on the planet will walk away with the crown and sash of Miss Global Teen 2010, along with fantastic prizes, including a US$ 5000-cash award.

My picks are:

1) Miss Global Teen BELGIUM, Kathleen (they somehow forgot to include her last name in the write-up, duh)

Kathleen gets my vote for looking as fresh as the salad bar in Circles, Shangrila Hotel. This 18-year old though has an odd career choice for a teen beauty queen: she’s studying to be a PROFESSOR! In this photo, Kathleen reminds me of the actress who plays Arwen.

Miss Global Teen BELGIUM, Kathleen

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2) Miss Global Teen BOLIVIA – Alexia Laura Viruez.

If Alexia Laura Viruez can handle the facial trauma of smiling every moment she’s awake in the pageant, she might just win the title. She belongs to that rare category of beauties who look a bazillion times better when smiling. When she pouts, she’s out!  Oh, she’s the baby of the batch, btw, at 15.

Miss Global Teen BOLIVIA, Alexia Laura Viruez

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3) Miss Global Teen DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Mayte Brito Medina

IMHO, Mayte Brito Medina is hands down the prettiest of the dark teenage beauties in this batch of Miss Global Teen contestants. Doesn’t she just look like a mahogany-hued Barbie doll in the photo below? So UNREAL, yet so beautiful! She gains weight by eating meringues and loses it by playing volleyball. A well-balanced life!

Miss Global Teen DOMININCAN REPUBLIC, Mayte Brito Medina

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4) Miss Global Teen EGYPT – Tara Emad.

Tara Emad is miles ahead of many of the contestants in the Miss Global Teen 2010 beauty pageant – she’s been working as a professional model and knows how to pose. Check out her fan page on Facebook, just search Tara Emad.

Miss Global Teen EGYPT, Tara Emad

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5) Miss Global Teen GUATEMALA,  Christa Garcia.

Okay, so I’m a sucker for cleft chins and Zsa Zsa Padilla look-alikes.

Christa Garcia’s dream is to compete in a major adult beauty pageant like Miss Universe or Miss World. And I wouldn’t be surprised if I find meself blogging about her in either of those pageants sometime in the next handful of years.

Miss Global Teen GUATEMALA, Christa Garcia

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6) Miss Global Teen PHILIPPINES Mariella Castillo.

I’ve been following this chick Mariella Castillo for quite awhile. Not in a stalker kind of way ha, but in my blog. I saw her first at the Slimmer’s World Ms Bikini Philippines 2009 where she won 1st Runner-up. Then I saw Mariella Castillo again at the Bb. Pilipinas 2010 beauty pageant. The thing about Mariella Castillo is that she just keeps getting better and better after each pageant she joins. Hoping that she wins Miss Global Teen 2010!

Miss Global Teen PHILIPPINES, Mariella Castillo

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7) Miss Global Teen POLAND – Monika Suchocka

Okay pretty girl, what’s with the pigtails and tiara? I think you’ll need a new stylist if you want to win the Miss Global Teen title. Thank heavens you have an amazing face or else you would have never made it into my list! But, kidding aside, I have a strong preference for beauties like Monika Suchocka who have that chameleon-like ability to look different in almost every photo.

Miss Global Teen POLAND, Monika Suchocka

***************************************************************

8) Miss Global Teen VENEZUELA, Rossana Medina

It’s almost dangerous to NOT include Miss Venezuela in ANY beauty pageant shortlist. But even if that weren’t the case, I think Rossana Medina has a cute smile that’s perfect for a teen beauty queen! But don’t let her sweet looks fool you. Rossana Medina is a shark in the water – she’s an athlete to be precise, and she’s competed and won several medals for being fast in a swimsuit!

Miss Global Teen VENEZUELA, Rossana Medina

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Maria Muriel Moral is the New MRS. PHILIPPINES 2010!!!

July 1, 2010 by adventuresofabeautyqueen

Bb. Pilipinas Maja 1988, Maria Muriel Moral

Adventures of a Beauty Queen received this latest update from Camilla Kim Galvez, Director of the Mrs Philippines Universe:

Maria Muriel “Lala” Moral has been chosen to represent the Philippines in the 2010 MRS. UNIVERSE BEAUTY PAGEANT to be held on August 12-22, 2010 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

If you recall, Maria Muriel “Lala” Moral is the 1988 BB. PILIPINAS-MAJA INTERNATIONAL winner and title holder who brought and gave honors to our country with her two international awards: the BEST IN NATIONAL COSTUME and the MISS MAJA SIMPATICA Awards that she won at the 1988 MISS MAJA INTERNATONAL PAGEANT in Puerto Rico.

Miss Maja International is a global Hispanic-inspired beauty pageant. Click here to find out more about it.

Maria Muriel “Lala” Moral is 46 years old and currently lives in Bicol. She runs a business with her husband Joeffrey Pandi who is a Provincial Board Member of the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte. Maria Muriel “Lala” Moral is proud of her two sons JAY and JARRED.

Adventures of a Beauty Queen will hopefully interview Maria Muriel “Lala” Moral and get updated photos of her soon so keep visiting!

Photo taken during the 1988 inauguration and opening of the New Farmers Plaza Mall in Araneta Center. From left, Bb. Pilipinas-Maja International Maria Muriel "Lala" Moral, Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism Maritoni Daya, Philippine President Corazon Aquino, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Perfida Limpin, Bb. Pilipinas-International Maria Anthea Robles

Photos found on this thread in Pinoy Exchange dot com. You’ll see more photos of Maria Muriel “Lala” Moral if you click on the link.

Here’s more info on Maria Muriel “Lala”Moral:

EDUCATION

1985 : University of Nueva Caceres (UNC)
Naga City, Philippines
Graduated : College
Major : Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE)

1981 : Colegio Del Santisimo Rosario
Libmanan, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Graduated : High School
Honors : Valedictorian

1976 : Colegio Del Santisimo Rosario
Libmanan, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Graduated : Elementary
Honors : Valedictorian

BEAUTY CONTEST / PAGEANT EXPERIENCES

1983 Miss UNC Friendship Beauty Pageant
(UNC is University of Nueva Caceres)
Venue: UNC Sports Palace, Naga City, Philippines
Title Won: Miss UNC Friendship 1983 (Crown and Title Winner)

1985 Miss UNC Coed Beauty Pageant
Venue: UNC Sports Palace, Naga City, Philippines
Title Won: Miss UNC Coed 1985 1st Runner-Up

1987 Miss Bicolandia Beauty Pageant
Venue: UNC Sports Palace, Naga City, Philippines
Title Won: Miss Bicolandia 1987 1st Runner-Up
Award Won: Miss Sarong Bangui 1987 Award

1987 Miss Philippine Eagles Beauty Pageant
Venue: Crown Hotel, Naga City, Philippines
Title Won: Miss Philippine Eagles 1987 1st Runner-Up
Award Won: Miss Onapal 1987 Award

1988 Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant
Venue: Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines
Title Won: Binibining Pilipinas-Maja International 1988 (Major Crown and Title Winner)

1988 Miss Maja International Beauty Pageant
Venue: Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Title or Award Won : Best in National Costume Award and Miss Maja
Simpatica 1988 Award

Posted in Mrs Universe | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments »

On Beauty Queen Viveka Babajee’s Suicide…

June 27, 2010 by adventuresofabeautyqueen

Beauty Queen Viveka Babajee in better days...

Remember that Manila Filmfest scandal in 1994 when Ruffa Gutierrez was erroneously announced as the Best Actress winner when it was supposed to be Aiko Melendez?

Well, Viveka Babajee, the Ms Universe contestant who made that erroneous announcement, was discovered last Friday, June 25, 2010,  in her apartment in India hanging on a rope tied to her ceiling fan.

Viveka Babajee, who represented Mauritius in the Ms Universe 1994 (held in Manila) and in the Ms World 1993 beauty contests was reportedly depressed over her break-up with her boyfriend and her floundering business. Her friends say she took to alcohol for comfort. Viveka Babajee was only 37 years old when she took her life.

Now why would someone like Viveka Babajee who is so beautiful want to kill herself? Its a tough question to answer when one is not going through heartbreak and tough times. When I was a confused teen myself, I had entertained thoughts of suicide specially after fights with my Mom. They were one-sided fights actually, with Mom doing all the talking (and cursing) while I would sit down and take in all the painful words she said.

I was already a beauty queen at the time – Ms Young Philippines 1981. But I was under my Mom’s authority and she was the quintessential stage-mother whom I jokingly referred to as my personal bulldog. No cute male could come within 2 meters of my person when she was around. But she didn’t limit her anger to those cuties who tried to come close to me. She would unleash her rage, like a Signal # 4  typhoon, every time I made a mistake.

Combine the things she said with teenage confusion raging inside of me – it was a recipe for disaster. But, thankfully, I was born a happy kid and could never stay sad for long, even if I tried; every morning I would still wake up with hope that one day my relationship with Mom would change. Or that I would be brave enough to leave and live on my own, far far away from her mean words that would rip my soul apart.

Eventually, both things happened – I ran away from home and time healed our relationship over the following years. Today, although we still have our fights, I don’t let her mean words sink in too far because I have realized that she really doesn’t mean them. This became my formula for peace: when she is in her upset mode, I keep away until she cools off. Then I make her lambing (I get sweet on her) afterwards and we are back to being BFFs again.  Bottom line for me – I love Mom no matter what she says.

Viveka Babajee on the catwalk...

Now the saying, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is not quite true. Words ARE exceedingly POWERFUL and able to destroy. Just ask any Pinoy journalist who writes for a living.  After one of Mom’s infamous 2-hour sermons I would be left emotionally exhausted and filled with thoughts of suicide. Yes, even beauty queens can contemplate such things. I had the world at my feet then, but it meant nothing when my Mom made me feel like I was the most unwanted daughter on earth.

In recent years, we discovered that Mom had bipolar issues – something like an angel-devil cycle where she would spoil us one minute then devastate us with her anger the next.  How I wish we knew about this bipolar thing in the 80s. It might have helped me understand Mom more.

So, going back to beauty queen Viveka Babajee, I believe her depression and eventual suicide was rooted in painful words spoken to her over the course of her life; terrible words that her soul could not let go of. Perhaps Viveka Babajee’s business and boyfriend troubles were the final straws holding her together.

You see, while words are powerful to destroy, they are also powerful to build and I can only surmise that in Viveka Babajee’s darkest hour, there were no words of hope and truth left in the recesses of her heart. And death was the only way out.

I can only surmise…

Beauty Queen and Model Viveka Babajee May 23, 1973 - June 25, 2010 Rest In Peace

Photos from: myasia.net, dnaindia.com and rediff.com

Posted in Cemetery Gates RIP | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments »

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