One of my co-judges in the La Bulaquena 2009 leaned over and told me: “It looks like you take these beauty pageants seriously!” and I said, “Oh yes, I definitely do! Because I know how it feels like to be on stage high on adrenaline and scared as a rabbit.”
It does takes an extreme amount of focus to forget that there are at least 11 people on a long table deciding just how pretty you are. Not. Fun.
So now that I’m on the long table, I try to remember some basic facts: every girl up on that stage is beautiful. But only one or two or three (depending on how many titles are given away) will be able to represent their province/city/country in the next level pageant. The whole package has to be weighed – stage presence, face, height (with 5’8″ or taller being the preference), body proportions, movement, even skin tone and brains. Notice that brains is at the tail end because that’s my tie-breaker. If I have two favorites who are equally gorgeous, but only one can win, then it will all depend on the Q&A portion.
I don’t know who started the whole idea that beauty queens should be tall but I am all for abolishing that mindset. When I won Bb. Pilipinas Universe in 1985, my Bb. Pilipinas International Sabrina Artadi was not very tall. But she had the face of a Barbie Doll and was very well-spoken. In my Ms Universe competition in the same year, Ms USA Laura Martinez Herring was also not very tall. But again, she had eyes as big as scarabs, lashes that seemed unreal and didn’t need to use make-up. And Laura Martinez Herring could charm you off the floor.
Maybe somebody should start a Ms Petite Princess Pageant!!!
Back to the La Bulaquena 2009 – my biggest disappointment was height. The tallest lady was something like 5’7″, if I’m not mistaken. Sorry guys, that’s considered short in the world of Beauty Pageants. And unfortunately there were a handful of beauty-queen-ish girls but they were under 5’5″ – Super. Sayang.
Having said that, I would like to return to my first premise: that all the girls are beautiful. Here are a few more photos of some of the lovely ladies on stage and cool personalities on the judges table…
Click here to read my first article and second article on La Bulaquena 2009.
Click here to see STI Balagtas’ congratulations to it’s student Ma Paula Chavez who won 1st runner-up
That's me on the right side. Next to me is Mutya ng Pilipinas President Tito de Venecia, Ms Earth Philippines Eco-Tourism Adie Adelantar and Bb. Pilipinas World 1996 Daisy Reyes
Candidate #20, Mary Christine Balagtas from Malolos in the Long Gown Competition
Candidate #30 Abbygale Rey of Marilao in the Swimsuit Competition
Candidate #4, Ma. Paula Chavez of Bocaue in her Renee Salud swimwear
Top 8 Finalists in Swimsuit... Look at Candidate #11 in the middle. That is Czarina Gatbondon who did not place in this pageant but went on to win Bb. Pilipinas World in the Bb. Pilipinas 2010 Beauty Pageant!!!
Candidate #16, Laurese Ann Caparas from Hagonoy during the Q&A with host, Kristine Caballero
Candidate #16, Laurese Ann Caparas of Hagonoy models my favorite gown in the Top 8 Competition
2nd-Runner-up - Candidate #30 Abbygale Rey Marilao - She was one of my picks right from the onset. I love her 'maamo' Filipina face. Now if only she were taller...
1st Runner-Up, Candidate #4, Ma. Paula Chavez - If she were at least 5 inches taller, Paula would've easily won a title. She had one of the prettiest, if not THE prettiest face in this contest as far as I thought... She is an STI Balagtas student by the way. Many thanks to STI for linking me to thier site!
Mutya ng Bulacan, Candidate # 7, Christine Meryil Angeles, Hagonoy - she is the most Filipina-looking winner in the Top 5. A lovely choice to represent Bulacan in the next Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant.
Ms Bulacan Turismo, Candidate #20 Christine Balagtas - She reminds me of one of the Baretto sisters! Gorgeous face. She should try breaking into acting...
The Top 5 Winners of La Bulaquena 2009!!
ang galing naman ng preparations for linggo ng bulacan with special mention to ms. bulaquena 2009. pang-world class. congrats to all! and thanks to gov. jon jon for continuing the legacy of her sister, ex-gov. josie…putting class in bulakenyo’s life. cheers to u!
Wow Ate Joyce, ang galing mo!
Congrats to all the winners!
James
Hi Ma’am,
Thank you so much for allowing us to link to your story. Your blog is indeed informative and it helped many of our students have a glimpse of what transpired that night on the pageant
Once again, thank you and more power to your future blogs.
hmmm….para sa akin, bocaue pa rin ang dapat nanalo….
because she’s really beautiful…
ewan ko ba kung bakit hagonoy ang nanalo…
hmpppf…
pero taga paombong ako…
hahahaha…
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