Beauty Queen’s Earthy 18 Picks in Miss Earth 2009!!!

My head continues to spin with all the action happening in the beauty pageant world – there are three big ones coming up – MRS International, Ms International and Ms World. THEN there’s the MISS EARTH 2009 that is on-going right on Philippine soil!!! Get it? EARTH…  SOIL…  LOLOLOL!!!

I have to think of all that, take care of family AND try to make a living – my pretty little head can take only so much!!!

So, here we goooo!!

Lorraine Shuck (the woman behind the Miss Earth franchise) and I go a looong way back. When she was still acting on television soaps, I would run into her and we would spend time chatting about stuff. Although we were never really close, we maintained a good friendship that lasts to this day.

I am really proud of what Lorraine has done with the Miss Earth pageant. It is now a well-respected pageant with over 70 nations joining every year. And it is a pageant with a dual purpose – to celebrate the beauty of women and to raise awareness on environmental issues. There’s nothing like hearing a five-foot-ten blonde bombshell in a bikini tell you that “waste management is key to sustainable development.”And don’t hee-haw over that. I’m suspicious that the Miss Earth contestants all understand what they are talking about, thanks to the ‘earth classes’ they have to attend during the pageant.

So when I attended the Miss Earth 2009 Press Presentation, I thoroughly enjoyed the part where each contestant would introduce themselves and then say something about the earth and how we should care for it.

And now, my list of 18 girls that I believe are the pageant-winner types and have the best chances of making it into the semi- finals. My super top favorites are highlighted in RED!

1) Krysal Brown, Miss Bahamas

MISS BAHAMAS Krystal Brown

According to this Beauty in Pageants article, there is some controversy as to why Krystal Brown was sent to the Miss Earth 2009. She was a non-finalist in the Miss Bahamas pageant and yet was appointed to take the place of the original Miss Bahamas Earth Ife Bethel Sears who resigned to continue her studies.

I had the chance to chat with Krystal when she was getting her hair done for the press presentation and she strikes me as an intelligent woman. We talked mostly about her country – I had the opportunity to visit the capital Nassau (it is the capital of Bahamas right?) but only for 3 or 4 hours as we took a day trip there via cruiser from Miami. Krystal Brown says next time I visit the Bahamas, I need to stay longer, like a week at least and then I should go to the smaller islands which are far more relaxing than Nassau.

Krystal Brown MISS BAHAMAS

2) Larissa Ramos Miss Brazil

MISS BRAZIL Larissa Ramos

When Miss Brazil Larissa Ramos stepped into the scene, all the photographers held their collective breath and double-timed their clicking. If there is anything I know well, it’s that photographers have a keen eye for beauty pageant winners. I’m betting this Biology Student is going back to the state of Amazonas with one of the Miss Earth titles.

Aside from being an Amazonian beauty, Larissa Ramos is also a professional fashion model and made it as a finalist in the Top Model competition in Amazona, Brazil in 2007 after competing against more than 1,500 applicants.

Click here to see more photos of Miss Brazil Larissa Ramos.

3) Lateesha Ector Miss Canada

MISS CANADA Lateesha Ector

Miss Canada Lateesha Ector was one of the first Miss Earth 2009 contestants I got to chat with backstage. Lateesha Ector is a Psych major who works for Air Canada. Her parents are originally from Trinidad and Tobago and have a mixed heritage: Black, Chinese, Scottish and Venezuelan. But the Ector family considers Pierresfonds, Quebec thier home.

In our chat, Lateesha said that the pageant community in Canada is a small one; everybody knows everyone. Although Canadians in general don’t follow pageants, she says there are small but very strong communities that support such events. I warmed up immediately to this dusky beauty who welcomed my nosiness even while she was getting her hair done.

More photos of Lateesha Ector HERE!

Lateesha Ector MISS CANADA

4) Jamilette Gaxiola Miss Cuba

Jamilette Gaxiola MISS CUBA

Miss Cuba Jamilette Gaxiola certainly gained ooooh’s from the photographers who once again went double-time with the clicking. Since I was just using a lowly point-and-shoot I couldn’t compete. Jamilette Gaxiola’s bigesst asset is her baby-doll face that makes you want to reach out, grab her and take her home to play with. I mean that in a clean baby-doll way, OKAY!

After visiting Miss Cuba’s Model Mayhem website, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Jamilette Gaxiola absolutely refuses to do any modelling jobs that involve any form of nudity or compromising position. I have MUCH respect for physically beautiful women who keep boundaries on what is intimate.

Visit her website to see her list of modelling projects and more photos…

5) Tereza Budkova Miss Czech Republic

Tereza Budkova MISS CZECH REPUBLIC

As Miss Czech Republic Tereza Budkova is new to the modelling world, she is understably a bit awkward with her walk and doesn’t have too many impressive photos online. But that did not prevent me from seeing the potential in this lady to make it into top magazines and fashion shows. This 18 year old grammar student has TONS of photos on this site… and a great interview with Critical Beauty here.

Tereza Budkova MISS CZECH REPUBLIC right before the press presentation...

6) Maria Luisa Santos Miss Guam

Maria Luisa Santos MISS GUAM

Miss Guam Maria Luisa Santos, also know as Malu, is an early winner in the Miss Earth 2009 after she recieved the Miss PASIGandahan award during the National Costume competition on November 4, 2009. Click here to see Kat Kattera’s report on the competition.

During the Miss Earth Guam 2009 Maria Luisa Santos not only took home the title, she also walked off stage with four other awards: Miss Photogenic, Best in Native Costume, Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown. When she’s not busy doing the beauty queen thing, “Malu” Santos teaches children at an Elementary school in her hometown of Dededo and is proud to carry some Pinoy DNA in her genes.

7) Luna Isabella Voce Miss Italy

Luna Isabella Voce MISS ITALY

Miss Italy Luna Isabella Voce does justice to her family name by speaking 5 languages fluently. She can challenge you in Italian, English, German, French and DUTCH!!! Although Luna Isabella Voce is passionate about writing, design and fashion, she has decided not to pursue a creative course. Instead, she is investing her time earning a Natural Sciences degree at the University of Calabria.

8 ) Pascale Nelide Miss Martinique

Pascale Nelide MISS MARTINIQUE

Notice how Miss Martinique Pascale Nelide cocks her head to the right? She is the sweetest girl in this whole batch if I read her body language correctly. Throughout her whole presentation to the press, she kept that sweet little girl demeanor in her movements, voice and smile. Get to know Pascale Nelide a bit more by joining the Facebook Group – Martinique Queens.

9) Sabrina Anijs Miss Netherlands

Sabrina Anijs MISS NETHERLANDS

This year’s Miss Netherlands, Sabrina Anijs is a working student at the University of Leiden taking up law.  Although she has a future in modelling, Sabrina Anijs aims to become a lawyer by profession. Her current job is in the customer service department of a cable company.

Her exotic looks come from her grandparents who are from Surinam. Find out more about this delicate beauty in this interview with Critical Beauty.

10) Geraldine Higuera Miss Panama

Geraldine Higuera MISS PANAMA

Don’t you just LUUUUUUHV my shot of Miss Panama Geraldine Higuera? I was just using my itty bitty point-and-shoot and somehow got this gorgeous shot while she was walking right in front of me. Well, I discovered that this bouncy beauty has perseverance! Geraldine Higuera had joined the Miss Panama beauty pageant last year but did not win. She came back to try it again and finally reached her dream: To represent her country in the Miss Earth pageant!

Another coool shot of Geraldine Higuera, Miss Panama

11) Gabriela Rejala Miss Paraguay

Gabriela Rejala MISS PARAGUAY

Oh my golly, she is just TOO delicious to look at. Head to toe. She’s the winner in my heart. Miss Paraguay Gabriela Rejala is a beauty queen through and through with several titles under her wing. She represented Paraguay in the Miss World 2008 in South Africa and in the 2008 Reina Hispanoamericana pageant in Bolivia and won 2nd runner-up. In the photo below, she’s hanging out with other Earth beauties in the basement of Mother Ricky Reyes’ Valle Verde mansion.

Miss Paraguay Gabriel Rejala relaxing with Misses, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Japan

12) Sandra Siefert Miss Philippines

Sandra Seifert MISS PHILIPPINES

Sandra Seifert, our Miss Earth Philippines 2009 says playing host to the seventy plus other contestants is extra pressure, but she is holding up with a lot of grace to spare. In Mother Ricky Reyes’ basement where all the girls were getting ready for the Press Presentation, Sandra Seifert, who was still decked in curlers, gamely posed for photographers! I just love the shot below which I took; check out the angel behind her – I noticed it belatedly and wondered if that was a sign that God was watching over our girl.

In Mother Ricky’s living room, I had the chance to have a word with her and she gave me her life story in a nutshell: She was born in Taiwan (where my parents got married) grew up in Germany and the Philippines, spent her college years in the US (she’s a Registered Nurse) and returned to the Philippines to work as a fashion model. She joined Bb. Pilipinas 2009 but got disqualified due to some ‘racy’ FHM photos of her but was vindicated after she won the Miss Earth Philippines 2009 pageant.

Check out her recent photo spread featuring the wooden clutch bags of Miss Universe Photogenic 2005 Gionna Cabrera HERE!

Sandra Seifert Miss Philippines

A candid moment with Sandra Seifert Miss Philippines

13) Diana Kubasova Miss Latvia

Diana Kubasova MISS LATVIA

Miss Latvia Diana Kubasova is the proud owner of a  pet center called Lilly Pet boutique and spa where pet owners can pamper and buy fun things for thier little furry friends. Because she comes from a wealthy Riga family and became famous after starring in a local TV show, Diana Kubasova is often compared to Paris Hilton. Click here to find out more about Diana Kubasova!

Diana Kubasova MISS LATVIA

14) Graziella Rogers Miss Switzerland

Graciella Rogers MISS SWITZERLAND

Miss Switzerland Graziella Rogers began volunteering at age 13. Her first mission was with an NGO that traveled to South India to launch a sewage cleaning project. Aside from her regular volunteer work, Graziella works as a model. In fact, she recently landed a dream job: she’s the new face of Revlon in Switzerland! This part Sri Lankan model will be the star of Revlon Switzerland’s poster campaign across the nation. Find out more about Graziella Rogers’ new exciting job here!

Graciella Rogers Miss Switzerland right before the press presentation...

15) Niuriki Teremate Miss Tahiti

Niuriki Teremate MISS TAHITI

When Miss Tahiti stepped out to introduce herself and share her environmental focus I thought – Whoa! Mutiny on the Bounty!!! But Niuriki Teremate is far from being mutinous; she’s a social worker who has made it her passion to help families because she believes that happy families are the foundation that children need. She sure is some enchanted earthling…  lalalalalalaaaaaah….

Oh, just a PS before I wash that man right out of my hair – according to this Bombyo Radyo article, Niuriki Teremate has Pinoy relatives that live in Las Pinas. It really is a small world after all…

16) Rujinan Phanseethum Miss Thailand

Rujinan Phanseethum MISS THAILAND

According to Wikipedia Miss Thailand Rujinan Phanseethum’s pet name is Ma-Meaw. Get it? PET name? Ma-Meaw?!!  LOLOLOL!!!

Forgive me for being my usual corny self I have never truly mastered the art of comedy. But, seriously, among all the Asian candidates, Miss Thailand is the prettiest along with Miss Philippines Sandra Seifert. At least that is my humble opinion. I would be extremely surprised if Rujinan Phanseethum, aka Ma-Meaw would not make it into the semi-finals.

Rujinan “Ma-Meaw” Phanseethum’s job as Miss Earth Thailand is not an easy one. She has been given the job of heading Project: Children for Earth in Thailand. The project aims to teach children how to take care of the earth – thier target is to plant a thousand trees in the rainforest of the Noandindaeng district in an attempt to reinvigorate the area and fight global warming. Full details of the project HERE!

Miss Thailand Rujinan Phaseethum gives her best smile!

17) Amy Diaz Miss USA

Amy Diaz MISS USA

Out of all the candidates in this year’s Miss Earth 2009 pageant, Miss USA Amy Diaz has the most well-toned body. So it did not come as a surprise when I discovered that Amy Diaz (who I overheard speaking Spanish fluently backstage) has a Master’s degree in Sports Management. What DID surprise me was that she had 2 more degrees – Master in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication with a minor in Psychology. WHEW! What is she going to do with all those degrees? Win Miss Earth? LOLOLOL!!!

In spite of her academic marks, Amy Diaz seemed nervous when she introduced herself during the press presentation. She made up for it though with her perkiness and gorgeous smile.

Amy Diaz MISS USA

18) Dominique Dyer Miss Wales

Dominique Dyer MISS WALES

Miss Wales Dominique Dyer, is the final addition to my Earthy Eighteen choices in this year’s Miss Earth pageant. As Miss Earth Wales, Dominique Dyer takes part in many green activities like clearing streets and beaches of litter, planting trees, taking part in environmental campaigns and promoting the idea of recycling and reusing. When she is not busy taking care of the earth, she works as an optical assistant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, that’s my Earthy Eighteen for you; I hope you enjoyed reading the little tidbits I had on each contestant.

Violent reactions are welcome as long as they are made RESPECTFULLY!!!

Encouraging words though are my preference

May the earthiest chick win!

by Joyce Burton Titular, the blogging beauty queen…

 

 

 

Bb. Pilipinas World 2009 Marie Ann Umali Leaves for South Africa!

Marie Ann Umali, Bb. Pilipinas World 2009

After a night of partying with Cesar Obrero and the rest of my Fashion Week friends, I had to drag myself out of bed to catch the 9am send-off party for our Bb. Pilipinas World 2009 winner Marie Ann Umali. With red wine still coursing through my veins, I somehow made it to the gazebo at the back of the Araneta Coliseum where Bb. Pilipinas beauties are traditionally said good-bye to. Although I have retired from my party animal days and frown upon over-indulgence, there are some people that are worth “partying for”.

And then there are others who are worth waking up for in spite of a splitting headache and upset stomach.

When I arrived at the gazebo, I saw the throng of press folk and pageant fans surrounding not just Marie Ann Umali, but also Bb. Pilipinas Universe Pamela Bianca Manalo and Bb. Pilipinas International Melody Gersbach! They were there in a strong show of support for their co-beauty pageant winner.

Kissing Queens! L-R Bb. Pilipinas Universe Pamela Bianca Manalo, Bb. Pilipinas World Marie Ann Umali and Bb. Pilipinas International Melody Gersbach

First thing I noticed: Marie Ann Umali looked slightly slimmer than the night she won her title 7 or 8 months ago. With the help of fitness guru John Jay Cuay of Gold’s Gym, she was able to shave off 4 pounds to make a perfect 35-24-35. She swears by his Pilates routine and says that that’s how she got her waistline down from 25.5 to 24 inches. That’s about how big my thigh is. Drat!

But I jest! Marie Ann Umali was a sight to behold with her tawny golden eyes that made me wonder if she was wearing colored lens. But she assured me she wasn’t and upon closer inspection I was convinced well enough. With looks like that, I wasn’t surprised to find out that she had joined several pageants in the past – two in her home province of Batangas where she placed runner-up (on both occasions) and the Bb. Pilipinas pageant in 2006 where she placed in the Top 10.

2006 headshot of Marie Ann Umali

2009 Headshot of Marie Ann Umali

Marie Ann Umali's Miss World 2009 Headshot

One piece of wisdom she gave to beauty queen hopefuls – finish your studies first before joining a major pageant. When she joined Bb. Pilipinas in 2006, she wasn’t focused because her attention was divided between the pageant and her Hotel and Restaurant Management studies at Saint Benilde Taft.

But that’s all water under the bridge now; Marie Ann Umali came back a 2nd time in March this year to win the Bb. Pilipinas World title (a dream come true she says) and now she is off to her international competition! Her first stop is London where she and the other contestants in the Miss World 2009 will participate in the charity auction. Her gift is a set of jewelry made of Philippine pearls.

From London, all the Miss World 2009 contestants will fly to Johannesburg, South Africa to begin the formal competition for the crown which will be given away on Dec. 12, 2009.

Is Marie Ann Umali ready for it? She says she is 99.9% ready after 7 months of rigorous training under Bb. Pilipinas Universe Pamela Bianca Manalo and other beauty experts. It was like being in college again with classes almost everyday. She had sessions on walking, posing, public speaking, grooming, hair and make-up and fitness.

Thanks to the internet, Marie Ann Umali has been able to check out the competition and although she isn’t too worried or nervous (yet) she feels that Ms Mexico is a strong contender for the Miss World crown, a crown that no Filipina has been able to bring home to date. Nevertheless, she has set her eyes on it and is believing she will be the first one to do so.

She is quick to admit that she will miss her family and boyfriend during her 5 week sojourn. But apparently they’re behind her all the way: Marie Ann Umali’s mother and boyfriend will fly to South Africa to watch her on pageant night.

Her message to all her fans:

Support me. Pray for me. I will try to make you proud and bring home the crown.

My message to Marie Ann Umali:

Whatever happens, you mean the WORLD to us. Go kick some pageant butt, grrrrl!

by Joyce Burton Titular, the blogging beauty queen

Farewell, Bb Pilipinas World Marie Ann Umali!!!

Abby Cruz: Breaking up with Paolo Bediones opened doors in showbiz

Abby Cruz

This story was lifted directly from this article by Philstar.com’s Ricky Calderon.

I am a strong believer that relationships should be prioritized over work. But sometimes a boyfriend or a girlfriend can get in the way of a rising career path. Its about time Abby Cruz starts flying!

Former beauty queen Abby Cruz had long wanted to give showbiz a try but she didn’t get the break that she had wanted. Although she was a runner-up to the Bb. Pilipinas pageant two years ago, Abby didn’t think that would lead to a career in showbiz. She confessed that she was kind of reluctant to give acting a try then. She did land a role in the TV series “Lupin” starring Richard Gutierrez, but this did not give way to major showbiz opportunities, apart from the appearances in several TV shows of GMA 7.

When Abby learned from a friend that there’s an audition for the role of Eunice in the ABS-CBN teleserye “Lovers in Paris,” she didn’t hesitate to give it a try. But the role was given to Assunta de Rossi. Abby was, nevertheless, elated when she was picked to play the role of Assunta’s friend. The role was created for her since there was no character as such in the original story.

“Maybe the production staff of Lovers in Paris liked what they saw when I auditioned so they offered me the role of Assunta’s friend,” said Abby who was pleasantly surprised to bag the role.

Aside from the ABS-CBN program, Abby also hosts “Home TV Shopping” for Solar TV. She also just finished doing a movie titled “Cordillera” as the leading lady of action star Roi Vinzon. She plays a city girl who gave up her life in the lowlands to be the wife of an Igorot chieftain. She’s also currently doing a solo indie film titled “Tanglaw” where she plays an OFW. She was very glad to have given the break to topbill the film produced by a new production outfit.

Even if Abby had broken up with Paolo Bediones due to personal differences which she declined to elaborate on, she said that she still communicates with the host of “Survivor Philippines: Palau” once in a while. But they have yet to see each other since they parted ways. But she noticed that ever since the breakup, she started receiving offers to do more movies and TV shows, something that didn’t happen when she and Paolo were still together.

Photo found on Pinay Pie’s blog “Pinoy Showbiz Chika”

Miss Earth Philippines Sandra Seifert Models GC Wooden Bags

Gionna Cabrera, Miss Universe Photogenic 2005 has launched new designs in her wooden bag collection and recently had a photo shoot featuring the new bags with our current Miss Earth Philippines Sandra Seifert. Here is what Gionna Cabrera has to say about it…

What was the photo shoot like with Miss Earth Philippines 2009 Sandra Seifert?
~ Sandra Seifert is a friend and has been in the modeling industry as a top commercial model for over a decade already–having extensive experience in fashion shoots here and abroad. I thought she would be the perfect model for my sustainable Acacia wooden bags/clutches since she is our bet for Miss Earth 2009, being one of the Philippines’ best representatives in years.

When were the pics taken and who was the photographer?
~Top fashion photographer Dr. Malon Pecjo (who is responsible for billboard campaign shots and cover magazines in several magazines) took time off from his uber-hectic sched (having an average of 3 shoots a day) to work on my new campaign. It was shot in his residence studio at Ayala Heights–ABSCBN publications accounnts are shot by Marlon Pecjo.

Which is your favorite bag in your new collection?
~The Venezia bag. It’s easy to match with other solid colors being a black and white bag–the shape is frame-like rectangular, and the V-pattern makes it sharp and classic. It’s a piece you can wear forever.

Why are wooden clutches better than the regular cloth or leather bags?
~They last a lifetime. Think of your furniture in the house. Plus the lacquered wood is just so elegant–from day to night, you can pass for unique style.

Where are they available now?
~In FIRMA Greenbelt 3, I also have the Corazon Canary bag, as I was inspired by Pres.Aquino, at the shop, and a different set in Felicity boutique in Shangri-la Edsa mall, 3/f beside Liz Claiborne. Its a perfect Christmas/birthday present–to whoever loves bags and loves feeling “green” because you know what you bught is eco-friendly.

How can people abroad contact you for orders?
~They can email or call my business number. My website is http://www.facebook.com/l/b3631;www.gionnacabrera.com for the contact details.

Click here to read my interview with Gionna Cabrera on her wooden bags

Gionna Cabrera Wooden Clutches

Bb. Pilipinas 2009 Queens Bianca Manalo and Melody Gersbach Join the Araneta Christmas Tree Lighting!

The reigning Bb. Pilipinas 2009 winners will take part in the lighting of the Giant Christmas Tree at the Araneta Center this Saturday Friday, November 6, 200.

This is your chance to see in person Bb. Pilipinas International Melody Gersbach before she leaves for the Miss International competition in early November. Together with Melody is Bb. Pilipinas Universe Pamela Bianca Manalo. and Marie Ann Umali (Bb. Pilipinas World) erratum: Marie Ann Umali leaves for the Ms World competition on the Thursday before the tree  lighting so she will not be in attendance.

The traditional lighting of the Araneta Christmas Tree has been a family favorite since 1981 and is patterned after the Rockefeller Center’s Giant Christmas Tree in New York. This year’s Giant Christmas tree is 100-foot wonder and will be decked in huge ribbons and colorful gift boxes.

Aside from Bb. Pilipinas winners Bianca Manalo, Melody Gersbach and Marie Ann Umali, the biggest stars of ABS-CBN will take part in the event – stars likeAnne Curtis, Erik Santo, Karyll, Gretchen Baretto, Sheryn Regis, Nikki Gil, Rachelle Ann Go, Rhap Salazar, Gab Valenciano, Sinosikat, Kris Lawrence, Yeng Constantino, Claire dela Fuente, Princess Velasco, Mickey Perez and Sam Concepcion. Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte will lead in the lighting of the tree.

For more details log on to www.aranetacenter.net.

Thanks to this article for the information!

Beauty Pageant Winner Abby Cruz Acts in Indie Film

Abby Cruz, Best in Swimsuit winner and 2nd runner-up in the 2007 Bb. Pilipinas pageant, is featured in this Manila Bulletin Article written by Alex Valentin Brosas. In it she talks about:

- why she refuses to appear on the cover of men’s magazines even if she has a perfect swimsuit body…

- her latest project, an indie film titled “Tanglaw” where she plays a teacher turned domestic helper…

- and why she and TV host Paolo Bediones split up.

Abby Cruz’s other acting credits include “Lovers in Paris” where she plays the best friend of Assunta da Rossi and in GMA-7’s “Lupin”.

Photo of Abby Cruz from this GMA7 ARticle

Click here to see Abby Cruz (Candidate #24) in the Long Gown competition of Bb. Pilipinas 2009.

Abby Cruz was one of my TOP 7 Choice in the Bb. Pilipinas 2009 competition.

I also included Abby Cruz in my list of TOP 6 Candidates in the Century Tuna Superbod’s competition.

 

Friends @ Fashion Week!

Click here to read an article on designers who are fed-up with skinny models…

Making a modeling comeback in your 40s is NO JOKE!

I felt like a Frankfurter next to all those lovely young things in Fashion Week and was half-expecting a cane to be included in my pile of fashion accessories. Although many people think I’m well put together, deep down inside I am unsure of myself. So when I start feeling like the letter L is seared on my forehead, I turn to my friends because they always remind me in so many ways that I’m actually a Red Hot Mama, LOL!

So I just want to thank the friends that supported me at Fashion Week:

My Ronster – thanks for being so understanding when I am stressed out over shoes and a late daughter.

Owie Burns, Joshua Tongol, Ahmi Chouravong and company – thanks for being there through thick (Fashion Week) and thin (Ondoy). I love you all!

Im in the colorful top, next to me in black is Ami, Owi is on my other side and next to her is Josh Tongol...

Chin – my dear friend who helped take care of my stuff in the make-up room and during the show. I love you!

Chin with Diandra in the Make-Up Room

Tony Paat – one of my favorite Missosologists actually visited with some old old photos! Thanks for the love TONY!!!

Me with Tony Paat before...

Tony Paat with me NOW! He lost weight. I am beautiful. LOLOL!

Wow, this is ME 30 lbs ago!!! Thanks Tony for bringing great memories!

Diandra’s Classmates and Friends – Migo (her love), Jeng, Ia and Charlie, Annika and Arden. I heard you guys cheering for me You guys RAAAWWWK!!! IF I FORGOT SOMEBODY PLEASE LEAVE ME A NOTE IN MY FACEBOOK!!!

Four beauties!!! Jeng, Diandra, Me and Ia

Me on the Catwalk by Arden Ysais

My second ESAC+ oufit

In the middle of a SPIN!

Fashion Week: ESAC Plus Launch

Philippine Fashion Week 2009

Fashion model and make-up artist Lou Bunyi asked me in the make-up room how it felt to be modeling on the runway again after all these years. I told her that I felt so thrilled and so excited!!!

I also felt SO retro, like an Air Supply song on the radio. So MANY things were different…

Like for instance the WALKING STYLE. In our day we tried to walk as smoothly as possible – like ghosts gliding on the floor. And the choreography was so detailed that we often had 2 to 3 days’ worth of rehearsals. I EVEN kept notes so as not to forget all the steps. But the more ‘mathematically’ minded models like Desiree Verdadero and Ping Federis could go through the sequences once and perfectly recall every cue, turn and pose. Minus the pen and paper!

Today’s models bounce and flounce and totally ignore the beat of the song. Choreography is kept to a minimum and rehearsals are done in a snappy 2 or 3 hours. The girls don’t do as many turns as we did and the ‘mathematically’ challenged will have NO trouble with directions like: go forward. Pose. Go back. Exit.

I could easily get into THAT! Now if I could only get into those skinny pants they wear…

There were so many other differences I noticed – the models today don’t use pantyhose and they actually have make-up artists and hair dressers at their beck and call. We ’senior’ models on the other hand did not have such benefits; pantyhose and self-beautification were realities we had to deal with day in and day out.

Here’s another funny one – models in the 70s and 80s (at least here in the Philippines) faithfully carried a pair of GOLD HEELS in their rehearsal bags; there seemed to be some tacit rule among everybody that GOLD HEELS looked good with ANY outfit… LOLOL! Now if the show was EXTRA SPECIAL, we’d be required to bring SILVER HEELS and maybe even BLACK ones.

Designers today are far more finicky – many of them supply the shoes (and accessories) that go with the outfit so the model doesn’t have to worry about all that. Shoe lovers in the audience will NOT be left wanting.

But of course the most exciting change is the arrival of the PLUS SIZE MODEL. In my time, you had to be a size 8 PERIOD if you wanted to be a mannequin. I was a 10 and was VERY lucky to be invited to do catwalk shows. I eventually developed some awesome Houdini moves and could squeeze into tiny outfits in the blink of an eye. Then there was my Anorexia/Bulimia season when I dropped down to 108 lbs and could wear any piece of cloth they threw at me. But of course THAT is another story.

So, with the arrival of the PLUS SIZE MODEL, things look hopeful for girls like me who love the catwalk but are NOT skinny.

At Fashion Week, ESAC launched it’s PLUS LINE and I was invited by Cesar Obrero to join the team of models to debut the clothes. After he saw some fashionista photos of my daughter Diandra Zach, he invited her as well!!! And together with 8 other models – Ping Federis, Desiree Verdadero, Lorna Legaspi, Duday Mandanas, Dana Narvadez, Gigi Bautista, Michelle B and her daughter – we presented ESAC+ last night at the SMX, Mall of Asia.

Ahhh…  I can’t tell you how good it feels to be able to have your cake and eat it the night before the show. It is HEAVEN!

by Joyce Burton Titular, the blogging beauty queen…

Here are some photos from the ESAC+ debut runway presentation:

Joyce Ann Burton (me) in a stripey affair

Ping Federis glides down the runway

Leggy Diandra Zach in a cotton purple number

Diandra Zach makes a pose

Joyce Ann Burton (c'est moi!) in a fringe-y dress

Desiree Verdadero whips up a storm on the runway

ESAC PLUS Size Models and company!

Fashion Week 2009: In the Make-Up Room

It felt like the good old days except everybody was MUCH nicer!!! LOL!!!

Yes, it’s true, the models from the 70s and 80s were VERY ‘mataray’ (diva-like) and it took me years to adjust to that kind of temperament and humor. But the top runway models of my day weren’t just ‘mataray’, they were also women who worked their butts off with astonishing professionalism and were the most loyal of friends. And here I was in the make-up room hanging out with these amazingly colorful women, listening to their crass jokes and funny stories being traded across the floor and roaring in laughter…  er…  well, cackling loudly, actually…

But the BEST thing about it all is that my lovely 19-year-old daughter Diandra Zach (who was going to make her runway debut with us senior models) got to see a ‘gentler’ version of what life was like for me when I was her age.

Here are some of the scenes in the make-up room at Fashion Week 2009…

Joyce (me) and Diandra BEFORE

Joyce and Diandra AFTER!

Diandra Zach being dolled up...

The phenominal Jinky Ilusorio works on my foundation...

Ping Federis and me... turns out that we're related! She's cousins somehow with my hubby

Lorna Legaspi, Dana Narvadez, Joyce Ann Burton (me), Desiree Verdadero and Gem Padilla who was visiting us...

Me with Duday Mandanas and Desiree behind us!

Diandra Zach horsing around with a friend

Michelle B and me

Me with Gigi Bautista

Diandra Zach

Diandra Zach with Audie Espino

Jerome Del Prado with Diandra Zach

Diandra Zach with her Lola Cesar Obrero - Thanks Cesar for asking me to be part of Fashion Week and for giving my lovely daughter Diandra Zach a chance to model with me. This is a highlight of my LIFE, Cesar, and I will NEVER EVER forget it!

Chat Almarvez wins the Super Model of the World Philippines 2009!!!

Charlene "Chat" Almarvez wins the Super Model of the Philippines 2009!!!

Congratulations and warm warm hugs to Charlene “CHAT” Louise Alagon Almarvez, the female skyscraper who won the right to represent the Philippines in the Super Model of the World competition which takes place in the US Brazil this January. (If anyone can tell me what her last name is, please drop me a note in the comment section!) (Thanks to Aina and Karl for Chat’s complete name!) Although I prefer the build-up of excitement in traditional beauty pageants, I enjoyed the laid-back presentation of haute couture and the heart-felt speeches given by the organizers Joey Espino of Runway Productions’ and Katie Ford of Ford Models.

Mykiru has more info on Chat Almarvez and the Super Model contestants here…

Joey Espino, who started his career as a talent scout and choreographer, talked about how his dream came true – making it BIG in the fashion industry. If I wasn’t mistaken, Joey got a bit teary-eyed at one point of his speech but was able to keep his emotions in check. I remember working with Joey Espino in several fashion shows – he was (and still is) small but terrible!!! All the models, even the senior ones would do their best NOT to get his knickers in a twist or else they’d never hear the end of it.  But we ALL loved him because behind that tough veneer was a soft heart.

Joey, together with his brother Audie Espino are the moving forces behind Philippine Fashion Week and the Super Model Philippines franchise.

Katie Ford, whose parents founded the famous Ford Models, shared her passion too – the fight against Human Trafficking, also known as SLAVERY.  The Philippines, she said, was the third largest “supplier” of migrant workers and therefore is vulnerable to such abuse. Katie Ford also talked in great length about Visayan Forum, a group that helps people who have suffered in the hands of unscrupulous “employers”. This is an issue that is also close to my heart; I treat my house-helpers like family and have even rescued a few girls from bad situations.

Congratulations to Katie Ford and Joey and Audie Espino and the team behind Runway Productions for a VERY successful Super Model of the World Philippines 2009 presentation at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia on October 23, 2009!!!

Check out OPMB for photos of the contestants

Here are photos of the presentation, I hope you enjoy them!

The 10 Finalists - Super Model of the World Philippines 2009

Charlene "Chat" Almarvez, Super Model of the World Philippines 2009

Top 3 Finalists, Super Model of the World Philippines 2009

L-R: Joey Espina, Chat Almarvez, Katie Ford and Audie Espina

Chat Almarvez seems dazed after winning Super Model of the World Philippines 2009!

L-R: Joyce Burton Titular (me), Katie Ford, Mrs. Espino (Mom of Joey and Audie) and Joey Espino