| Subject: Miss Philippines-Earth 2009: Victims as victors |
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Date Posted: 14:43:11 05/25/09 Mon
By Giovanni Paolo J. Yazon
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TWO ladies previously overlooked in a decades-old beauty contest for their charm became big winners in a rival pageant that helps in the protection and preservation of the environment, at the Arena Entertainment and Recreational Center of the People in San Juan City.
Fifty-percent German Sandra Inez Seifert of Negros Occidental, a 25-year-old registered nurse, who was disqualified in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas contest after the organizers saw her allegedly provocative pictorial for a men’s magazine two years ago, and Grezilda Ennis Adelantar, 21, incoming tourism senior at the University of the Philippines Diliman—a Binibini thank-you girl in 2007—were crowned Miss Philippines-Earth and Miss Philippines-Eco Tourism/Miss Pagcor International, respectively.
Both “Binibini alumnae” bested 48 other hopefuls, including Miss Fire/Miss Science and Technology Patricia Marie Tumulak (Quezon City), 22, a graduate of child development education at Miriam College; Miss Air Michelle Martha Braun (Aklan), 18, a business administration major; and Miss Water Catherine Loyola (Sydney), 23, who pursued a degree in social work at the University of Sydney.
Completing the semifinalists who were given “runner-up” sashes after being eliminated include University Athletic Association of the Philippines courtside reporter for UE Red Warriors Alexis Go (Manila); crowd favorite Tessa Kruger (Canada), adjudged Best in Long Gown; Monique Teruelle Manuel (Bataan); Binibining Pilipinas 2009 semifinalist Vanessa Johnson (Apalit); and Miss Congeniality winner Kristie Joan Babor (Alegria).
Seifert had the lion’s share of special awards—Best in Swimsuit, Best in Cultural Attire, Gandang Ricky Reyes and Miss RCBC e-Woman—while Adelantar and Loyola got one each: Face of The New Placenta and Miss Magnolia Ice Cream, in that order. Miss Ever Bilena Most Photogenic Jane Annalyn Sy (Cainta), Miss Talent Angelee Claudett delos Reyes (Olongapo City) and Miss Golden Sunset Karryl Ann Lopez (Pasay City) all gracefully entered the backstage.
“The global environment is changing dramatically each day. As a result of these changes, what would you like to change in yourself that will make you a better pro-environment person?” was the final question asked to the five finalists.
“I personally believe that the time has come wherein a lot of things are happening around us, we must be aware and we should know what to do. I, myself, having joined this search had become very, very aware of the things that I can do as a Filipino and as a citizen of the world. [And] I would like to share this awareness with more people whether on a personal level or through the media. Gandhi once said, ‘In a gentle way you can shake the world’. So I believe that in a little way, I can make a difference anyway!” was Seifert’s reply.
The judging panel included cosmetic surgeon Dr. John Cenica, entrepreneur Rowena Jamaji, Department of Science and Technology undersecretary for research and development Dr. Graciano Yumul, School of Fashion and the Arts founder Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Mutya ng Pilipinas organizer Leandro Enriquez, San Juan City Mayor JV Ejercito’s wife Cindy Ejercito, Trace Computer College president Atty. Erwin Genuino, Korean Air regional brand manager Hong Jin, Miss Philippines-Air 2006-turned-“Star Patroller” Ginger Conejero, theater actor Jake Macapagal, environment advocate Dr. Marlo Mendoza and Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman.
Short, sweet, systematic
Carousel Productions Inc. president Ramon Monzon and wife, executive vice president Lorraine Schuck should be lauded for keeping this year’s Miss Philippines-Earth pageant very organized.
Since all the judges arrived early, the show started at 7:30 p.m.—even if the arena was only half-filled with spectators. No more live and time-consuming “parade of cities and municipalities,” just a short video of 50 ladies briefly saying their names and where they come from. It was immediately followed by an opening dance number where the delegates, all donned in colorful casual clothes, danced to the remix versions of Pussycat Doll’s “Jayho” and of Britney Spear’s “Circus.” The distribution of special awards was also taped, and those who won already wore their sashes when they joined the other awardees on center stage.
The 50 ladies did not parade in their swimsuits and evening gowns one by one anymore. And the semifinalists’ names were announced around 8 p.m. The pageant was over and done with by 10:30 p.m.
Scene-stealers and shockers
Billy Crawford’s international singing career had been short-lived. But he has a brighter future as a TV presenter, more so, pageant host. He is bubbly and more spontaneous compared to Paolo Bediones who is sometimes a sluggish copy of the late and legendary beauty contest host Eddie Mercado. Nikki Gil, meanwhile, looked resplendent in the white and blue gowns she wore that night.
Only a handful of the contest’s past winners graced the event such as Antonette Stephanie Yu, Anne-Marie Rose Jebb, Nadia Lee Cien Shami, Miss Earth Foundation director Catherine Untalan, Reena Rae Sarmiento as well as outgoing runners-up Venus Raj, Michelle Oblea who mesmerized the audience with her ballet performance, Razel Eguia and Karla Paula Henry who won the country’s and Asia’s first Miss Earth crown last year.
A Mother’s Day tribute and plaque of appreciation were presented to vice president for external affairs, Joji Felix Velarde, for her valuable contributions to Carousel Productions for the past 17 years.
It will be recalled that for putting up her own local search, Precious Lara Quigaman was excluded in the “marks of respect” given to Binibining Pilipinas’ homegrown global beauties last March. So when her name was read out by Crawford, pandemonium broke loose at the arena. The beauty contest pundits could only surmise what Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta would do if she saw her “prodigal daughter” on TV sitting as a judge in an “opponent pageant.”
But the greatest upset that evening was semifinalist Manuel. This Cindy Kurleto look-alike somewhat ruined her chances after revealing to everyone during the casual interview portion that, “I have this kind of disease that is not appropriate for this event… Right now I am suffering from chickenpox!” Gil was taken aback and even stepped away from the Bataan bombshell to some extent. She then said to Crawford who was also dazed, “Good thing I already had chickenpox,” after that segment.
Add the rudeness of the marshals positioned on stage who blocked press people—with the exception of ABS-CBN reporter Conejero and her staff as well as a corporate sponsor of a renowned catering services along with his family—to go up on stage, have a brief interview and photo-op with the crowned beauties. Journalists down the stage had to speak loudly at the winners who were up on the platform.
Written in the stars
“I feel so happy, I cannot explain beyond words,” said a teary-eyed Seifert minutes after her coronation. For being given the “final chance” to compete in an international beauty tilt on her “last eligible age” that is 25, she promised that she will do her best to equal what her predecessor has achieved in the Miss Earth pageant come November.
When asked what if she meets by chance the Colombian matriarch one of these days? She said: “I will just smile at her. [You know] I would just tell her that Miss Earth [pageant] was written in the stars [by God] for me after all. Well, everything happens for a reason. God is good and I am just really grateful right now. I would still treat her the way I treated her before, [as] she was a good woman to me!”
Sources:
Article
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife3_may25_2009
Images: Bruce Casanova
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 At age 9, after shuttling between her mother's home and her father's for several years, Oprah Winfrey settled in with her mother in Milwaukee. As bad as the poverty and insecurity were, what truly unsettled the young Oprah was her ongoing rape at the hands of a 19 year old cousin. The rape stripped Oprah of her innocense and deprived her of her sense of self. With each violation, Oprah descended deeper into self-hatred and eventually into self destructive behavior. At 14, Oprah was sent by her mother to live with her father in Nashville. Oprah found the love, care and structure that she needed. Just like Sandra Inez Seifert, she found her roots reestablished with Carousel Productions. Sandra was able to begin the long hard journey back to wholeness and as a reward, Sandra won the coveted Miss Philippines Earth crown. With you all the way SIS!! (NT) -- mZ. .Vivienne VeleZ, 16:01:56 05/25/09 Mon
- One man's junk is another man's HUNK Ahahaayyy (he-he-he) !!! Ay mali (he-he-he) ! One man's trash is another man's treasure. Ganoon lang iyon (he-he-he). PANDEMONIUM BROKE LOOSE at the arena when Peciousa'a name was mentioned by Billy Crawford (he-he-he-Thats a very good one, Mr. Yazon-he-he-he). On a very sad note, our profound condolences to tthe family of the late Ms. Joji Felix Velarde who passed on last May 21st. We lost a great one. That pageant world will definitely miss "the mother." Sorry for this one (he-he-he) I just can't help myself but damayan ang Mz. Viv sa kanyang napakahabang "journey" (he-he-he). From Milwaukee to Philippines (huwag muna nating palalabasin ang Sandra at baka haggard pa ang istura niya. Remember, Gionna-he-he-he-?-joke-joke-joke-Mz. Viv-he-he-he)? (NT) -- Love, alexei, 21:22:26 05/25/09 Mon
- May pahabol pala ako (he-he-he). It's about time na may pumuri sa Monzons (ang Morley's ng Pilipinas-so, mag-asawa pala talaga sila-he-he-he) sa magagandang ginagawa nila sa Carousel Prods. A very nice team, indeed, ang Monzons. Hep hep hurraaay (he-he-he) !!! (NT) -- Love, alexei, 21:38:07 05/25/09 Mon
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