MISS UNIVERSE 2012: Watchful Eyes Best 20 Show Girls In Las Vegas Holiday!

          I think for the first time in the history of Miss Universe, it was held in December, the happiest and fun filled time of the year and what is the perfect event to make the holiday season merrier and festive than Miss Universe. This year the most prestigious beauty pageant of all goes back to Las Vegas more specifically Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino after it hosted the competition back in 2010. I know Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood will surely kindle the fire of the season's spirit - making the event an unforgettable experience. This is second time Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino accepted to host the event while it is the fourth time for Las Vegas where they graciously welcome 89 gorgeous women from around the world to compete for the much coveted Diamond Nexus Lab crown. Leila Lopes of Angola, Miss Universe 2011 will crown her successor on December 19.
          A lot of contestants has some stunning images posted online before they arrive in Las Vegas and even during the time they won their respective national titles, they look absolutely stunning and beautiful that some fans take note of them as early favorites and contender for the crown however upon their arrival in Las Vegas, there are some changes and differences that make this competition even more exciting and suspenseful. Some contestants exceed others expectation while some are on their radar to watch out for. They even look so prepared, warm and impressive as the competition heats up and after I watched the preliminary competition on Thursday, I came up with my list of favorites and who I think will have a chance of at least making the cut. I observe that there are only quite a few gowns which I think are fabulous and stand out enough to have my good impression because most of them are just an imitation of previous contestant's gowns lacking in originality, creativity and innovation. What the contestants lack of fabulous gown, they made it up with an elegant classy presentation oozing with sex appeal and spell binding charm. Their overwhelming beauty and regal bearing with this gown is enough to make an impressive presentation. The strongest asset of these women lies in the swimsuit competition where they can pride themselves with those curvaceous figures, flawless skin and long legs complimented with great catwalk skills, runway attitude and confidence which include good command of stage, flirtatious moves, seductive pose and facial gestures.   
          With these things on mind looking at these incredibly gorgeous women, I came up with this list of best 20 contestants for this year's holiday-filled Miss Universe 2012. Although I must admit, it is difficult to choose which one will make it into my elite list, here now are my final chosen lovely women for the crown with their scores. Hope you enjoy!

1. Georgia - Tamar Shedania

2. Croatia - Elizabeta Burg

 

3. Puerto Rico - Bodine Koehler 

4. South Africa - Melinda Bam 

5. Philippines - Janine Tugonon 

6. Venezuela - Irene Isser 

7. Poland - Marcelina Zawadzka 

 

8. Australia - Renae Ayris

9. Czech Republic - Tereza Chlebovska 

10. Chile - Ana Luisa Konig 

11. Guatemala - Laura Godoy Calle 

 

12. Bahamas - Celeste Marshall 

13. Mexico - Karina Gonzalez 

14. USA - Olivia Culpo 

15. Thailand - Nutpimon Farida Waller 

 

16. Ecuador - Carolina Aguirre 

17. Jamaica - Chantal Zaky 

18. Vietnam - Diem Huong Luu 

19. Brazil - Gabriela Markus 

20. Sri Lanka - Sabrina Herft 

Special Mentions: 
Ukraine
Montenegro
Colombia 
Japan
Nicaragua

Photo Courtesy Of: Miss Universe

MISS UNIVERSE 2012 UPDATE: Watchful Eyes Favorite National Costumes

Aruba 

China 

Colombia 

Ecuador 

Honduras 

India 

Korea 

Malaysia 

Mexico 

Nicaragua

Panama 

Puerto Rico 

Sri Lanka 

St. Lucia 

Tanzania 

Trinidad and Tobago

Miss Universe 2012 Update: Fabulous Evening Gowns

Croatia 

Georgia 

Peru 

Venezuela

Photos Courtesy of:  MissUniverse.com

SLEEPING DRAGON OF THE SOUTH Iloilo The Next Big Thing Series Part 2: International Avenue, Santa Barbara, Iloilo

The INTERNATIONAL AVENUE 

by Global-Estate a Sister Company of Megaworld Corp. 

It's More Fun In Iloilo 

Because We're BOOMING Non Stop. 

ILOILO means BUSINESS. Invest Now! 

Western Visayas To Experience Global-Estate Resorts, Inc.'s 'Township' Lifestyle 

       Something new is coming to the shores of Western Visayas – the 'township' lifestyle. This 'township' lifestyle brought by Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI) to the Sta. Barbara Heights development will follow after the “live-work-play” concept pioneered by its sister company, Megaworld. 
       Sta. Barbara Heights is a mixed-use development that will consist of residential spaces, a town center, an IT park and various establishments. The 170-hectare property, which is the first of its kind on its region, is poised to propel Iloilo into a future 'central business district'. 
       “As pioneers of the township concept in Metro Manila, we would like to revolutionize how our fellow Filipinos live in other parts of the country, starting with Sta. Barbara Heights in Iloilo,” says Noy Mercado, GERI's Head of Sales and Marketing. 
      The residential estates signify the 'live' component of the township. All are residential lots, complemented by Sta. Barbara's expansive rolling hills and natural lake as backdrop. Topnotch amenities include a multi-purpose clubhouse with a 260 square-meter swimming pool and tennis and basketball courts, children's parks, a picnic area and other activity areas. 
      The 'work' and 'play' element, on the other hand, will be incorporated in the upcoming Iloilo International Business Park. This six-hectare park will be home to an IT cyberpark, BPO centers and various office strips. Future residents will benefit the ease of access with the 2.7-kilometer Iloilo International Avenue that runs through the township, bringing the nearby Iloilo International Airport closer. Adjacent to Sta. Barbara Heights are the historical landmarks of the Iloilo Golf Course and Country Club as well as the Santa Barbara Church and Convent, to the advantage of its future tourists. 
      Other projects on the pipeline for the development include commercial strips, food chains, hotels, an international school and a football field, with the aim of fusing business and pleasure into one hotspot. 
      “By putting the 'live', 'work' and 'play' aspects side by side, we are bringing a new lifestyle that's tailor-made for the fast-paced lifestyle of the Ilonggos,” Mercado adds. 

About Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. 

Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI) is a subsidiary of Alliance Global Group, Inc., (AGI) one of the Philippines' largest conglomerates, under the leadership of its Chairman and CEO Andrew L. Tan. The company handles the development of the country's world-class tourism estates such as those in Boracay (Boracay Newcoast), Tagaytay (Twin Lakes) and Iloilo (Sta. Barbara Heights), all marketed by Megaworld Global-Estate, Inc.

SLEEPING DRAGON OF THE SOUTH Iloilo The Next Big Thing Series Part 1: Proposed Iloilo Central Market

Iloilo Central Market Promenade View From The Podium

           The Iloilo Central Market is a proposed building construction project with a heritage restoration feature for its front facade. The present structure occupies 1.37 hectare and is bounded by major avenues in the city such as Iznart, Rizal, Aldeguer and Guanco streets. 
        Once completed, much of the area of the central market will be occupied by a 3 five-storey mixed-used structure that will be leasable to private establishment and businesses. It will also include a parking building and internal roads to improve traffic and accessibility. 

Land use components are the following: 
a) Commercial arcade for the existing Heritage building; 
b) Office/residential towers and a parking building linked by a podium for the main area behind the Heritage building; 
c) Wet market and dry goods area under the podium; 
d) Open public promenade adjacent to the Heritage building; and 
e) Miscellaneous commercial stall strip along Aldeguer and Guanco strips. 

           The beautiful art-deco 2 storey V-shaped facade of the central market will be preserved and restored. Between the retained facade and the main complex will be a promenade that will include open spaces, restaurants, and possibly an activity center. 
           The project also calls for another effort to take the welfare of present vendors into consideration. The pre-feasibility study suggested the creation of training and organization programs with the help of NGOs, including microfinance mechanisms, in order to enhance business practices and consumer services of local vendors or “hawkers”. 
            It is important to note that the basic concepts of this project is to improve infrastructure and utility to make the present market an interesting and convenient urban consumer area while preserving the city’s heritage. By making the heritage feature an integral part of this redevelopment effort, the city hopes to attract more tourists and foster a pride of place for Ilonggos in general. 


Source: Iloiloilove.com

SLEEPING DRAGON OF THE SOUTH ILOILO: The Next Big Thing Series

The Proposed Iloilo City Bridge at the Diversion Road 

Iloilo City by Night featuring the Iloilo Customs House (right) and Iloilo City Hall (left) 
 

I will be featuring a few series of proposed, planned and on-going projects and investments for Iloilo in the next few years for this decade. The real "Queen City of the South" also known as the "Sleeping Giant of the South" is waking up and is now gearing towards being one of the most livable and elegant city in the Far East. We are hoping that more big businesses and investments will come into the province providing more jobs and opportunities to the people.

Miss Universe 2012 Coverage: Watchful Eyes Best Lingerie Portraits

Here are now my choices and are my Best 10 Official Lingerie Portraits: 

Georgia - Tamar Shedania 

Australia - Renae Ayris 

Czech Republic - Tereza Chlebovska 

Malaysia - Kimberley Leggett 

South Africa - Melinda Bam 

Philippines - Janine Tugonon 

USA - Olivia Culpo 

Indonesia - Maria Selena 

Mexico - Karina Gonzalez 

Croatia - Elizabeta Burg 

Photos Courtesy of: MissUniverse.com

If You Can Be A Miss Universe 2012 Contestant, Answer These

Let's say you are a Miss Universe 2012 contestant competing with 88 other contestants, (the REAL contestants that are NOW in Las Vegas, Nevada) representing your own country instead of your current representative (put yourselves in their shoes temporarily), can you answer the following: 

1. How will you prepare yourself for the upcoming competition? 

2. Do you have any routine, exciting or unusual prior to competing in the Miss Universe 2012? 

3. Upon arriving in Las Vegas, what is the first thing you will do? 

4. Is there anything you do prior to walking up to the stage? 

5. Aside from your current roommate, who else among the 88 contestants would you like to be your roommate? 

6. Who among the other 88 contestant would you like to make friends with, talk to and learn from? What do you want to talk to and learn from her? 

7. What would be your assets / strengths that can give you an edge over the others? ( you can answer this with reference to your country's Miss Universe 2012 contestant ) 

8. What would be your flaws / weaknesses that you want to improve? ( you can answer this with reference to your country's Miss Universe 2012 contestant ) 

9. What interesting things about you that you would like others to know? 

10. What interesting, beautiful things about your country that you would like to share with all of the contestants? 

11. What country would you like to visit or live aside from your country? 

12. Do you have any memorable moments in life would you like to share? 

13. What would you consider as your defining moment as a woman/man? 

14. If you win, what advocacy, programs or causes you want to pursue? 

15. Why you should be the next Miss Universe? 


Now if you are going choose among the other 88 contestants (except yourself of course and your country) which of them: 

has the most perfect figure / you want to have 
has the most beautiful face 
has the most luscious lips 
is the most friendly, warm and sincere 
is the most Photogenic 
is the Smartest 
is the Funniest 
is the Sexiest in All Aspects 
is the most Interesting contestant 

would you like to be with you as the "last two women standing" 

would be the most likely to be the next Miss Universe 

would be the dark horse who can snatch the crown from favorites 

would be the underdogs or the least favorite contestants you would like to make it to the Top 16 

Choose only one... 

Coke or Pepsi 
Apple or Samsung 
Blush on or Lipstick 
Miss Universe or Career 
Survivor or The Amazing Race 
PC or Smartphone 
Dance or Sing 
Talent or Skill 
Music or TV 
Facebook or Twitter 
Beach or City 
Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates 
Shoes or Barefoot 
Hot Guys or Rich Guys 
Sexy But Very Ugly or Beautiful But Very Fat (both are poor; not wealthy)

Bwakaw: Will This Be The First Philippine Entry to Oscar Academy Awards

Bwakaw Movie Starring Eddie Garcia in the Lead Role 

  
          Will Bwakaw be the first Philippine Entry which will SUCCESSFULLY make it as a nominee to the Best Foreign Language Film of the 85th Academy Awards on February 24, 2013 in Kodak Theater, Los Angeles, California and if ever win the coveted golden statuette, Oscars. It is now competing among other international submissions from 71 countries to be shortlisted to nine (9) and finally only 5 will be the official nominees for the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. The Philippines has never been an awarded nor a nominee in the Academy Awards for Foreign Language Film but in Asia, Japan, China, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and Israel has so far only won for Asia. Usually, the awards show happens last week of March in the 1990s and early 2000s but lately it is moved early in February for unknown reason (much better if its in late March) and people in the Philippines slowly losing interest in the Academy Awards because no Philippine entry has made it or even won the award and maybe considering boycotting or will not send an entry for some years and some other countries are also losing interest in the event. 

          Bwakaw is a drama-comedy about growing old, and everyone's fear of growing old alone. Rene is a gay man who came out of the closet at age 70. Ailing in his twilight years, he thinks it is now too late for love, even companionship, and that all there is to look forward to is Death. He has made a will, bequeathing his few possessions to his even fewer friends. Everything is packed and labeled, ready for distribution. He has even paid for a coffin, taking advantage of a funeral home's Summer Sale. Nowadays the only companion Rene has is Bwakaw, a stray dog that hangs around his house and follows him wherever he goes. As Rene waits for the day of his death, he gets the surprise of his life when it is Bwakaw who suddenly falls ill and is diagnosed with cancer. Rene is surprisingly affected, and he realizes that he values Bwakaw more than he thinks. In his struggle to get Bwakaw cured, Rene finds comfort in the most unlikely person: Sol, a tricycle driver who helps him bring Bwakaw to the vet and befriends him. Buoyed by Sol's friendship, Rene starts living. Little by little he discovers simple joys. To the surprise of his friends, he even has his hair dyed to look younger. One day, he finally decides to make a move on Sol. The revelation that Rene is gay and has feelings for him surprises and disgusts Sol. He rejects Rene and leaves in anger. In the meantime, Bwakaw's condition gets worse. Not even Rene's ancient Santo Entierro (a supposedly miraculous statue of Jesus Christ) can save Bwakaw. Bwakaw dies, and Rene's neighbors help him bury the faithful dog. But Bwakaw's death, even while it was still only imminent, has made a difference. Rene has found a new appreciation for life and what is most important. He decides to unpack the things that he has already willed to other people and make his house more inhabitable. He is, after all, still alive. 

          Bwakaw has received rave reviews and positive responses from critics around the world and many insiders says that this one to watch out for movie has a high chance of making it at least as one of the five official nominees for the 85th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film and hopefully it will and the outcome will determine if we still have to submit entries to the Academy Awards or not. By the way, Philippines will never make it to the Academy Awards because most members of the academy are British who hates the Philippines so much. I don't know why British make it as members of the Academy since it is America and not British. Does that mean British are so insecure with America that they interfere and participate in America's affairs and events?

Miss Earth: Donald Trump Next Big Project?

Since Miss Earth is becoming bigger and its very significant and important advocacy and awareness campaign for the environment is taken seriously by people around the world, the beauty pageant competition looking for an ideal woman who will serve as a good ambassador for environments needs an upgrade and improvement so therefore needs a lot of help it needs to make it more prestigious, more grander as well as more effective beauty pageant. It needs a lot of money to upgrade and improve this beauty pageant and the ideal person to help this important beauty pageant is Donald Trump who is also co-owner of Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty pageant. I think it is fine if we seek the help of Mr. Donald Trump to help upgrade and improve the competition as it grows older. Miss Earth has a lot of promises and good things to come. Good luck and god bless!