Adventures of a Beauty Queen

Congratulations to the Bb Pilipinas Charities for staging a great Talent Show at the Ali Mall on January 30, 2010. It was announced by the host that the Bb Pilipinas will be having it’s first-ever pre-pageant showcase which will be aired on Feb 28, Sunday at 9pm on GMA 7. The swimsuit and long gown portions will be judged in the pre-pageant.

Coronation night will be on March 6, 2010 at the Araneta Coliseum.

And here are the 24 candidates of the Bb Pilipinas 2010 beauty pageant… (those highlighted in RED are my choices after seeing the girls on stage, in person):

CANDIDATE #1 - MARIELLA CASTILLO

Mariella Castillo looks great on stage! She reminds me a bit of actress Dawn Zulueta. I saw Mariella Castillo win first-runner up in the Slimmer’s World Ms Bikini Philippines 2009. Click here to see photos and my article on that contest.

CANDIDATE #2 - RACHEL ANN BUSTAMANTE

Rachel Ann Bustamante looks so fresh in person and is uber-sexy thanks to all the dance classes (ballroom, street dance and belly dancing) she’s taken. Rachel comes into the Bb Pilipinas 2010 with experience: she won  1st Runner-up in the Mossimo Bikini Summit 2009 and is the titleholder of Miss Oriental Mindoro 2008.

CANDIDATE #3 - PATRIXIA SHIRLEY SANTOS

Patrixia Santos‘s first name is properly pronounced – puh-TRIX-see-yah. At least that’s how she said it when she introduced herself to the crowd at Ali Mall. Patrixia Santos is Miss Bicolandia 2009 and according to Gerry Diaz, chair of Miss Bicolandia 2009, she gave one of the best answers in Bicolandia pageant history.

CANDIDATE #4 - SELENA ALEXIS ANTONIO

According to Erik one of my ‘commenters’, Selena Alexis Antonio is a pre-school teacher and a former philippine team gymnast but had to stop gymnastics because she got too tall in 2nd year high school. Learn more about Selena Antonio here.

CANDIDATE #5 - NICOLE KAUFMANN

Yasmin Nicole Kaufmann has a degree in Multi-Media Arts from a college in Switzerland. She also speaks German, English and Pilipino. Nicole Kaufmann has some experience modelling in the US and Europe. Click here to see her VTR audition for a Philippine talent agency.

CANDIDATE #6 - PATRICIA LAE EJERCITADO

Patricia Lae Ejercitado was in fine fighting form when she stepped out on stage. She gave the audience killer looks and stood out with her glossy mahogany skin – most of the candidates are ‘maputi’ so she REALLY was seen!  Patricia Lae Ejercitado is a UST Fine Arts and Design Grad. She also won the People’s Choice Award in Century Tuna’s Superbods 2009. Watch Patricia Ejercitado in the Superbods intro video here.

CANDIDATE #7 - LAURESE ANN CAPARAS

I did not realize that Laurese Ann Caparas has a gorgeous long neck. Makes her look regal. I saw her first when I judged at the La Bulaquena 2009 Beauty Pageant which she won. Laurese Ann Caparas has improved SO much in terms of projection and stage presence – congratulations to her handler – John dela Vega!  Click here to read about La Bulaquena 2009 and see some photos!

BB PILIPINAS 2010 CANDIDATES 1 - 6

CANDIDATE #8 - ANA MARIE PULPULAAN MORELOS

Ana Marie Pulpulaan Morelos was Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International 2007, the secondary title in that pageant. She was given the primary title (Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International) when the original winner Zephora Aldana Mayon abdicated her crown. Ana Marie Pulpulaan Morelos went on to place 4th runner-up in the Miss Tourism Metropolitan International in Malaysia.

CANDIDATE #9 - LAICA JOY JIMENEZ

Laica Joy Jimenez of Bustos, Bulacan was a contestant in the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2008. She went on to join and win the Mutya ng Ilog Angat 2009. Read more about it and see some photos here.

CANDIDATE#10 - MA. VENUS BAYONITO RAJ

Ma. Venus Bayonito Raj pronounced her last name RAH. So it’s a silent J! Venus Raj is already a beauty queen as she is Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism (which is 4th Runner-up) 2008.

CANDIDATE#11 - KRISSA MAE ARRIETA KLEINER

Krissa Mae Arrieta Kleiner was pure confidence on stage. Thanks to all the work she has done as a model and on TV – Krissa Mae Arrieta Kleiner has co-hosted on GMA 7’s GoBingo and has a supporting role in the same network’s show Gagambino. She was also Ms USA Philippines 2008

BB PILIPINAS 2010 CANDIDATES # 7 - 12

CANDIDATE #12 - REINA MAE MAERINA

Reina Mae Maerina joined the Miss Earth Philippines 2009 Beauty Pageant and represented the city of Lipa but was unplaced. Reina Mae Maerina is one of the taller candidates in this year’s Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant.

CANDIDATE #13 - GWENDOLINE GAELLE SANDRINE RUAIS

When I first saw photos of Gwendoline Gaelle Sandrine Ruais, I had marked her down as a favorite. But after seeing her on stage, I’m marking her down for Bb Pilipinas Universe 2010. She is one of the tallest girls in the pageant and if you look at the photo above, she’s svelte, confident and just plain beautiful. What I’ve gleaned so far Gwendoline Ruais is that she was in the Ms Teen Philippines 2005 and if I am correct, she didn’t place in that pageant. Well, I think now is her TIME! Best of luck Gwendoline!

CANDIDATE#14 - MARY ANN ROSS MISA

Mary Ann Ross Misa is one of the freshest faces in the Bb. Pilipinas 2010. She has no experience in pageants and is just starting her career in modeling. If anybody has more info on her, please drop a comment!

CANDIDATE #15 - JAM CHARISSE LIBATOG

Jam Charisse Libatog began her runway and print modeling career in Cebu. She won the Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism 2008 and when she went on to represent the Philipines in the Miss Tourism International 2008 she placed in the Top 15. Jam Libatog was also Mutya ng Puerto Princesa Palawan in 2008, the Ms Valentines -Nursing of Cebu Doctors University and was Ms Cebu 2nd Runner-up in 2008.

CANDIDATE #16 - TONY ALYESSA JAAFAR HIPOLITO

Tony Alyessa Jaafar Hipolito has one of the most striking faces in this collection of Bb Pilipinas candidates. This is her 2nd attempt at the Bb. Pilipinas. She joined Bb. Pilipinas 2008 and placed in the Top 10. Tony Hipolito was also one of the suitcase babes of ABS-CBN’s Deal or No Deal.

CANDIDATE #17 - ROSE ANN AGUILAR

Rose Ann Aguilar is another fresh face in the Bb Pilipinas 2010 with hardly any exposure in other pageants or in the modeling or acting world, at least that’s to my knowledge. Rose Ann Aguilar is from Cavite City.

CANDIDATE #18 - HELEN NICOLETTE HENSON

I kept thinking of Rio Diaz everytime I looked at Helen Nicolette Henson. There’s a slight resemblance there; at least that’s what I thought. Helen Henson looked really sharp on stage and I think she has a great chance of making it into the semi-finals and maybe into the Top 5. She is a freelance fashion model and was an Elite Model Look finalist in 2005. Helen Henson also won the Mutya Ning Kapampangan in 2006.

CANDIDATE # 19 - KATE PRINCESS ALIMURONG

Kate Princess Alimurong was one of the Top 15 finalists in the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2007. Kate Princess Alimurong passed the Nursing Board Exams in June 2009.

CANDIDATE #20 - MARIE YSABELLE MATUBIS

Marie Ysabelle Matubis is another pageant virgin with no experience in beauty competitions (I think.) What I have been able to glean about her is that she is a UP Diliman alumnus alumna who graduated Cum Laude and her course was Family Life and Development.

CANDIDATE #21 - CZARINA CATHRINE GATBONTON

Czarina Cathrine Gatbondon is another dusky beauty in this year’s Bb. Pilipinas beauty contest. She is already a beauty queen in her own right as hold the Bb. Malolos 2009 title. See photos of her in that pageant. I first saw her in the La Bulaquena 2009 Beauty Pageant where she made it to the semi-finals.

CANDIDATE #22 - DIANNE NECIO

Dianne Necio seems to be a collector of province beauty titles. She won the  Ms Iriga 2009 Beauty Pageant, was 1st Runner-up in the Miss Bicolandia 2009 contest and also holds the Ms Tabak 2009 beauty title. IMHO, Dianne Necio happens to have one of the best legs in this batch of Bb Pilipinas contestants!!!

BB PILIPINAS 2010 CONTESTANTS # 13 - 18

CANDIDATE #23 - MHIRRA HERNANDEZ

So far, what I have gathered is that Mhirra Hernandez is a Registered Nurse who joined the Lakan at Lakambini ng Bulacan in 2007 and did really well – she won First Runner-up.

CANDIDATE #24 - ANGELICA DAMIAN

Angelica Damian has one of the brightest smiles among the Bb Pilipinas 2010 finalists. Angelica Damian is from Bulacan and was a contestant in Mutya ng Pilipinas 2008. I’m adding her into my list of favorites!

BB PILIPINAS CANDIDATES # 19 - 24