Crossover beauties compete in first Miss Universe -Philippines tilt

There’s no harm in trying...and trying...especially in beauty pageants our country has an abundance of. You see, the taste and preference of one set of judges may be different, not really more discerning from those of others. Since Pia Wurtzbach tried thrice before she bagged what seemed to be an elusive Bb. Pilipinas crown and eventually Miss Universe (2015), she has become the role model of hopefuls.

Anyway, while several local and international pageants have cancelled and postponed this year’s selection, the very first Miss Universe Philippines search will be held virtually on Oct. 25, conducted by a team headed by Aces & Queens official Jonas Gaffud and 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup who acquired the franchise after the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) held it for almost six decades.

“We will be observing the protocols,”’assured Jonas. “We will see to it.”

Noted Felix Manuel, Funfare’s New York-based “beauty expert” (and a Registered Nurse/RN at an NYC hospital), “Pageant fans are quite sad that several of this year’s pageants have been postponed indefinitely. But there is reason to cheer.”

Here’s good news for beauty enthusiasts, according to Felix. “The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants will be held at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. The event is organized to prioritize the health and safety of everyone. It will take place at the  Exhibition Center and Soundstage in Graceland, just across the street from Elvis Presley’s mansion. Miss Teen USA will be crowned on Nov. 7 and Miss USA on Nov. 9.”   

Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst

“The contestants will arrive in Memphis days before the competition,” reported Felix. “Their entourages will be ensconced at The Guest House at Graceland Hotel. Reigning queens Cheslie Kryst of North Carolina  (Miss USA) and Kaliegh Garris of Connecticut (Miss Teen USA) will crown their respective successors.

“Prior to the pageants, they’ll take part in various travelogue segments that promote the host city, filmed at such locations as the National Civil Rights Museum and Elvis Presley’s Memphis mansion.”

Miss Teen USA 2019 Kaliegh Garris

Meanwhile, as the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is making plans for the 2020 Miss Universe pageant (postponed to next Year?), the 2020 Miss Universe Philippines will go on as scheduled with 52 hopefuls, most of them so-called “Crossover beauties” since they have won and/or finished runners-up in other pageants.

Let’s call the roll with Felix’s help:

Binibining Pilipinas

• 2015: Alaiza Malinao (Top 15)

• 2016: Apriel Smith (Top 15)

• 2016: Riana Pangindian (Top 15)

• 2018: Michele Gumabao (Bb. Pilipinas Globe)

• 2018: Sandra Lemonon (Top 15)

• 2018: Sigrid Grace Flores (Top 25)

• 2019: Sigrid Grace Flores

• 2019: Maria Isabela Galeria (Top 15)

Miss World Philippines

• 2015: Christelle Abello (Top 13)

• 2016: Ivanna Kamil Pacis (Second Princess)

• 2016: Sandra Lemonon (Fourth Princess)

• 2017: Trizha Ocampo

• 2017: Faye Dominique Deveza

• 2017: Princess Laureano

• 2018: Mari Danica Reynes (Top 16)

• 2019: Kimberly Hakenson (Top 12)

• 2019: Tracy Maureen Perez (Top 12)

Miss Philippines Earth

• 2018: We’am Ahmed (Top 18)

• 2019: Maricres Castro

• 2019: Krizzia Lynn Moreno

Mutya Pilipinas

• 2014: Angela Aninang

• 2018: Pauline Amelinckx (Mutya ng Pilipinas-Global Beauty Queen)

• 2019: Maricres Castro

Miss World Tourism Philippines

• 2014: Maria Fee Tajaran

International pageants

The Miss Globe

• 2018: Michele Gumabao (Top 15)

Miss Tourism Global

• 2018: Bea Theresa Maynigo (first runner-up)

Miss Teen Universe

• 2013: Kimberly Hakenson (Top 12)

Miss Model of the World

• 2012: Zandra Nicole Sta. Maria

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)