THREE TIME'S A CHARM: Determined Woman Wins Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2014!

Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Winners: (From Left To Right): Hannah Ruth Sison (2nd runner-up), Parul Shah (Binibining Pilipinas Tourism 2014), Kris Tiffany Janson (Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014), Mary Jean Lastimosa (Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2014), Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti (Binibining Pilipinas International 2014), Yvethe Marie Santiago (Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2014), Laura Victoria Lehman (1st runner-up) (Rappler)

Announcement of Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Winners (ABS-CBN Online)         

          A strong-willed, determined woman was crowned Binibining Pilipinas 2014 in a glittering ceremony Sunday, March 30 held at the Araneta "The Big Dome" Coliseum filled with screaming, adoring fans. A pageant veteran, the 26-year old Mary Jean Lastimosa from Tulunan, North Cotabato bested 39 other lovely contestants to finally capture the elusive Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2014 on her third and last attempt. Visibly shaken when she was announced as the winner, she was crowned by reigning Miss Universe 2013, Gabriela Isler of Venezuela and Binibining Pilipinas 2013 and Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up, Ariella Arida. On her final question asked by the reigning Miss Universe 2013 about the advantage of a woman, she talked about composure of standing firm in front of the audience despite the yells and rants celebrating womanhood. This is her third attempt at the Binibining Pilipinas crown. She previously competed at Binibining Pilipinas 2011 and 2012 editions earning her a second runner up and Top 15 finalist finish, respectively. She was also Miss Kadayawan 2008 in Davao City and Reyna ng Aliwan 2008 in Intramuros, Manila. She represented the Philippines in Miss ASEAN 2012 in Thailand where she was among the Top 10 finalists.  Earlier in the night, she also garnered the special award Best in Swimsuit. Binibining Pilipinas International 2014 went to Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti from Taguig City, Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014 went to Kris Tiffany Janson of Cebu, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2014 went to Yvethe Marie Santiago of Albay and Binibining Pilipinas Tourism 2014 went to Parul Shah of Pangasinan. 1st runner-up went to Laura Victoria Lehman and second runner-up is Hannah Ruth Sison both from Makati City. The singer who performed at the Miss Universe 2013 in Moscow, Azerbaijan-born Emin serenaded all the forty (40) contestants in the evening gown shortly before the announcement of Top 15 finalists who will answer the final question. The pageant was hosted by Anne Curtis and Xian Lim with color commentators Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon with telecast by ABS-CBN and The Filipino Channel worldwide. Paula Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization was among the special guests. Here is the complete result:

Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2014 - Mary Jean Lastimosa of North Cotabato

Binibining Pilipinas International 2014 - Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti of Taguig City

Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014 - Kris Tiffany Janson of Cebu

Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2014 - Yvethe Marie Santiago of Albay

Binibining Pilipinas Tourism 2014 - Parul Shah of Pangasinan

1st runner-up - Laura Victoria Lehman of Makati City

2nd runner-up - Hannah Ruth Sison of Makati City

Finalists:

Binibini No. 1   - Julian Aurine Flores - Manila
Binibini No. 3   - Joanna Angelica Romero - Camarines Sur
Binibini No. 8   - Pia Wurtzbach - Misamis Oriental
Binibini No. 23  - Nichole Marie Manalo - Parañaque City
Binibini No. 16  - Zahara Soriano - Pasig City
Binibini No. 14  - Emma Mary Tiglao - Pampanga
Binibini No. 20  - Kenneth Santiago - Nueva Ecija
Binibini No. 19  - Mae Liezel Ramos - Camarines Sur


Special Awards:

Ambassadress of PLDT Home DSL    - Binibini #25 – Mary Jane Lastimosa (North Cotabato)

Binibini Friendship   - Binibini #21 - Racquel Kabigting (Bataan)

Binibini Talent          - Binibini #33 - Gabrielle Erika Tilokani (Mandaluyong City)

Binibini Best in National Costume  -Binibini #13 - Kris Tiffany Janson (Cebu)

Face of Bb. Pilipinas (Photogenic) - Binibini #13 - Kris Tiffany Janson (Cebu)

Lactacyd's Binibini Best in Swimsuit - Binibini #25 - Mary Jean Lastimosa (North Cotabato)

Binibini Best in Long Gown - Binibini #22 - Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti (Taguig City)

People's Choice Award - Binibini #25 - Mary Jean Lastimosa (North Cotabato)

Miss Philippine Airlines - Binibini #8 - Pia Wurtzbach (Misamis Oriental)

She's So Jag Award  - Binibini #8 - Pia Wurtzbach (Misamis Oriental)

Binibining Avon  - Binibini #35 - Yvethe Marie Santiago (Albay)

Miss Creamsilk  - Binibini #35 - Yvethe Marie Santiago (Albay)

Bb. Manila Bulletin Readers' Choice Award - Binibini #39 - Ladylyn Riva (Aklan)


Judges:

Gabriela Isler – Miss Universe 2013 from Venezuela
Jeron Teng –  De La Salle University Green Archers UAAP men's basketball player
Adam Laker – General Manager, Sofitel Philippine Plaza
Cory Vidanes – Channel Head, ABS-CBN
William Christopher – Consul Officer, United States Embassy
Gregory Domingo – Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry
Kevin L. Tan – Vice President, Megaworld Corporation
Korina Sanchez – News Anchor and Chief Correspondent, ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs
Carlo Katigbak – CEO, Skycable
Julio Camarena – Mexican Ambassador to the Philippines
Juan Edgardo Angara – Senator


Hosts:

Anne Curtis - Showtime host and actress, Dyesebel
Xian Lim  - actor


Color Commentators:

Venus Raj - Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up
Shamcey Supsup - Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up
Janine Tugonon - Miss Universe 2012 1st runner-up

Telecast: ABS-CBN, The Filipino Channel
 

Photo Source: 

Rappler

20 Years Of Internet Connection In The Philippines

It's the 20th year anniversary of Philippines connection to the world through Internet started on March 29, 1994.

Altavista, Lycos, Yehey, Webcrawler are just some of the Filipino search engines in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Mozcom is the first commercial Internet service provider in the Philippines founded in 1994 by William "Bill" Torres, regarded as the Father of Philippine Internet and Willy Gan.

 mIRC, is the most popular Internet chat room in the Philippines

          Twenty years ago on March 29, 1994, the Philippines finally gets connected to the world through the Internet. The Internet first made its connection to the Philippines on March 29, 1994. On that date the Philippine Network Foundation (PHNet) connected the country and its people to Sprint in the United States via a 64 kbit/s link. 

          Here are just some of the significant dates in the history of the Internet in the Philippines: 

August 1986: The first Philippine-based, public-access BBS [bulletin board system], First-Fil RBBS went online with an annual subscription fee of P1,000. A precursor to the local online forum, it ran an open-source BBS software on an IBM XT Clone PC with a 1200bps modem and was operated by Dan Angeles and Ed Castañeda.

1987: The Philippine FidoNet Exchange, a local network for communication between several BBSes in Metro Manila, was formed.

1990: A committee helmed by Arnie del Rosario of the Ateneo Computer Technology Center was tasked with exploring the possibility of creating an academic network of universities and government institutions by the National Computer Center under Dr. William Torres. Recommendations were made but not implemented.

1991-1993: Emergence of email gateways and services in the Philippines, including some from multinational companies like Intel, Motorola, and Texas Instruments, which used a direct Internet connection, X.25, or UCCP protocol. Local firms ETPI, Philcom, and PLDT also operated commercial X.25 networks. Another milestone: Local and international email to FidoNet users was introduced.

June 1993: With the support of the Department of Science and Technology and the Industrial Research Foundation, the Philnet project (now PHNET) was born. The Philnet technical committee, composed of computer buffs working at the DOST and representatives from the Ateneo de Manila University (Richie Lozada and Arnie del Rosario), De La Salle University (Kelsey Hartigan-Go), University of the Philippines Diliman (Rodel Atanacio and Rommel Feria), and University of the Philippines Los Baños, would eventually play a significant role in connecting the Philippines to the World Wide Web.

July 1993: Phase one of the Philnet project shifted into full gear after receiving funding from the DOST. It proved to be successful, as students from partner universities were able to send emails to the Internet by routing them through Philnet's gateway at the Ateneo, which was connected to another gateway at the Victoria University of Technology in Australia.

November 1993: An additional P12.5-million grant for the first year's running cost was awarded by the DOST to buy equipment and lease communication lines needed to kickstart the second phase of Philnet, now led by Dr. Rudy Villarica.

March 29, 1994, 1:15 a.m.: Benjie Tan, who was working for ComNet, a company that supplied Cisco routers to the Philnet project, established the Philippine's first connection to the Internet at a PLDT network center in Makati City. Shortly thereafter, he posted a short message to the Usenet newsgroup soc.culture.filipino to alert Filipinos overseas that a link had been made. His message read: "As of March 29,1994 at 1:15 am Philippine time, unfortunately 2 days late due to slight technical difficulties, the Philippines was FINALLY connected to the Internet via SprintLink. The Philippine router, a Cisco 7000 router was attached via the services of PLDT and Sprint communications to SprintLink's router at Stockton Ca. The gateway to the world for the Philippines will be via NASA Ames Research Center. For now, a 64K serial link is the information highway to the rest of the Internet world."

March 29, 1994, 10:18 a.m.: "We're in," Dr. John Brule, a Professor Emeritus in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Syracuse University, announced at The First International E-Mail Conference at the University of San Carlos in Talamban, Cebu, signifying that Philnet's 64 kbit/s connection was live.

2012 - The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, codified as Republic Act No. 10175, criminalized cybersquatting, cybersex, child pornography, identity theft, illegal access to data and libel. The act has been criticized for its provision on criminalizing libel, which is perceived to be a curtailment in freedom of expression. After several petitions submitted to the Supreme Court of the Philippines questioned the constitutionality of the Act, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on October 9, 2012, stopping implementation of the Act for 120 days.

2013 - A Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom has been filed in the Philippine legislature to, among others, repeal Republic Act No. 10175.


Source:

Wikipedia

BINIBINING PILIPINAS 2014: WOMEN ON TOP

          Just a week from now, Binibining Pilipinas 2014 will take place on March 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Forty (40) contestants from around the Philippines will compete for the following titles: Binibining Pilipinas-Universe, Binibining Pilipinas-International, Binibining Pilipinas-Supranational, Binibining Pilipinas-Tourism and the newest title up for grab is Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental. The two month long competition saw the girls actively participating and enjoying some of the activities of the pageant most especially socio-civic activities as well as fashion shows and sponsors visits. After most of the activities has just concluded, there are consistent stand out in the bunch of beautiful ladies. Although, some Binibini contestants who were not included in this list were just a little bit short of making a good impression to make it they might still pull some surprises in the finals since all of them will compete on March 30 finals in both swimsuit and evening gown competition to find out who will make it as finalists who will answer the final question and from there, the Top 5 who will get the five (5) coveted titles. There are still possible spoilers and usurpers in the finals. 

          Here are the Binibini women to watch out for whom Watchful Eyes Of A Silhouette blog believe gave some stunning impressions towards the conclusion of the event and my ratings for them. 

Note: Play the Youtube music video of Kylie Minogue's Into The Blue while reading this article. See also all of the contestants in the Youtube video below.

The HOT FIVE To Watch Out: 

North Cotabato - Mary Jean Lastimosa (Binibini No. 25) - 92.359

Misamis Oriental - Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (Binibini No. 8) - 90.53

Mindoro Oriental - Diana Arevalo (Binibini No. 17) - 89.871

Taguig City - Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti (Binibini No. 22) - 89.83

Albay - Yvethe Marie Santiago (Binibini No. 35) - 89.734

Barging / Closing In 

Pangasinan - Parul Shah (Binibini No. 4) - 89.59

Makati City - Hannah Ruth Sison (Binibini No. 27) - 88.682

Mandaluyong City - Angelique Celine De Leon (Binibini No. 31) - 88.293

Marikina City - Kimverlyn Suiza (Binibini No. 15) - 88.28

Makati City - Laura Victoria Lehmann (Binibini No. 11) - 87.811

Nueva Ecija - Kenneth Santiago (Binibini No. 20) - 87.615

Manila - Julian Aurine Flores (Binibini No. 1) - 87.489

Las Piñas City - Ellore Noelle Punzalan (Binibini No. 18) - 87.393

Aklan - Ladylyn Riva (Binibini No. 39) - 87.159

Pangasinan - Joy Antonette Diaz (Binibini No. 9) - 87.069

Special Mentions: 

Pampanga - Emma Mary Tiglao (Binibini No. 14) - 87.067
Sultan Kudarat - Aiza Faeldonia (Binibini No. 7) - 86.987
Cebu - Kris Tiffany Janson (Binibini No. 13) - 86.961
Bulacan - Krystal Alonday (Binibini No. 36) - 86.683
Benguet - Shauna Indra Salina Curran (Binibini No. 10) - 86.476

 

Photo Source:

ABS-CBN Official Youtube Account - Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Promotional

JAG JEANS Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Official Glamshots 

Binibining Pilipinas Inc. 

Beauty Pageants Types Of Questions And Strategy To Answer

Miss Universe 2013 - Spain's Patricia Yurena Rodriguez Interview 

Miss Universe 2000 - India's Lara Dutta Interview 

The most grueling and the most crucial part of any beauty pageant competition is the final question and answer portion to decide which one will win the title. This part of the competition can make or break a contestant whether the heavily favored or the dark horse will win depends heavily on the way they convey their answers. The finalist will be asked a randomly selected question to answer impromptu in front of the judges and the audience. The format of the final question varies from time to time and according to the preferences of the respective pageants. Back in the old days and in some pageants like in Miss International, finalists must deliver a speech based on a specific topic. In Miss World,  there is a permanent question similarly asked to each one of the finalists - why you should be the next Miss World? In Miss Earth, finalists were shown either a painting, picture or series of videos in which they have to interpret or tell the message it conveys. Another format is that one question is similarly asked to each of the finalists one at a time. While one contestant is answering the questions, the other finalists who haven't answered the questions yet is either put on a sound proof booth (during the old days) or listen on a very loud music on a headset so they cannot hear the other contestant's answer. The most common format of the final question is that each of the finalists were asked different questions on news and currents events or relevant questions happening in the world. The questions they were asked were handpicked by the contestants themselves in a fishbowl.

Today, contestants handpick a judge name on the fishbowl with whom they will be asked a relevant current events question.

So regardless of the question is, the key to winning is how you answer the question. There is always a strategy on how to construct a concrete message to deliver a potent answer that will capture the hearts of many based on the type of question of being asked. Here are just some types of questions being asked.


Personal Questions like what do you want to change in your body needs a specific answer not just an answer in a neutral tone. Answer the question honestly and sincerely. For example, you  need to point out which part of your body you are most insecure of, envious of someone else or something that needs improvement or to be enhanced to boost your self-esteem or confidence and put more dramatic twist to it and end it with an impressive, lasting message like you want to inspire others by being beautiful, by being a better person than you previously are.
 
Being neutral or complacent in that kind of question is oftentimes weak and condescending and doesn't make much of an impact like I am happy with myself and I don't want to change a thing not unless if you can justify your satisfaction and contentment like what Binibining Pilipinas 2012 contestant Sherilyn Gonzales says,  then that could give you a merit. Anyway, the question itself is obsolete, tacky and abused that it should never be asked ever again.

Another beautiful personal question to note is the question about personal issues, problems or past mistakes or failures just like the question asked to Olivia Culpo, Miss USA who later became Miss Universe 2012. She was asked what and answered. This type of question also requires specific answer with sincerity and conviction like confessing your past mistake,  anything that you did to fix it and that you learn from it never to let it happen again. This question validates a contestant's frailty. It will test how human you are, that we have some imperfections that we need to admit. Answering the question in an arrogant way or in a neutral tone like I don't have any big past mistake  or if there is a mistake in the past shows that you are too good to be true or too perfect to be a human or people will ask you, are you real? and also vague answers like I already fix it and learn from it is like giving a blank or empty answers because you give no idea about you to others. It is like they are interested to know more about you but you just give them a blank stare and you tell them nothing. It gives them a negative impression about you therefore disappointing the  judges much more the listening crowd.

There are also questions about news, current events and about the world. You need to be well informed, updated about the news and current events and aware of your surroundings. You also need to do some research about some particular topics mentioned in the news. Once you are updated and well informed about the news which were asked in your question, then you can give a solid concrete answer giving your detailed, in-depth insights, views or opinions on that particular topic. You can say your opinion or even cite a trivia or statistics to give color and details to your answer. This type of question will test your knowledge on news and currents events and your awareness of your surroundings and the world.

Questions like if you could have a superpower what would it be and why or if you could make a new law, what would it be and why are questions that incite people's interest. They are the kind of questions that the judges and people would like to measure your creativity and cleverness. To nail these kind of questions, the contestant should be very witty, innovative, and so clever to give an astounding choice with very witty explanation. End the question with a quote or a potent statement to give a lasting impression. 


Photo Source:

concoction.in

WATCHFUL EYES BINIBINING PILIPINAS 2014 BEST NATIONAL COSTUMES

Binibining Pilipinas 2014 National Costume Presentation was held last Thursday evening, March 6 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Forty (40) lovely contestants of Binibining Pilipinas 2014 glided through the stage with sheer elegance, poise and grace only to be overwhelmed by their captivating smile give their best portrayal of a typical Filipina native costumes. All of these costumes were created by Filipino dress designers whereas Philippines' national costumes in Miss Universe in recent years were designed  by Colombian designer Alfredo Barazza.

After seeing all the contestants who look so stunning and fabulous in eye catching, impeccable native Philippine costumes, Watchful Eyes Of Silhouette blog scored and ranked them based on portrayal/depiction, design (creativity, finesse, difficulty or intricacies), historical significance or accuracy, fabric or textile used and over-all elegance and sophistication reminiscent of a typical Filipina. So here are the national costumes which captured the attention of the Watchful Eyes ranked accordingly.

1. Rizal Province - Vanessa Saliba (Contestant No. 37) 

Costume Designer: Clod Berlandino 

2. Pangasinan - Parul Shah (Contestant No. 4) 

Costume Designer: Edwin Uy 

3. Bataan - Racquel Kabigting (Contestant No. 21) 

Costume Designer: Chico Estiva 

4. Aklan - Ladylyn Riva (Contestant No. 39) 

 Costume Designer: Cherry Samuya Veric 

5. Bulacan - Krystal Alonday (Contestant No. 36) 

Costume Designer: Chico Estiva 

6. Cebu - Kris Tiffany Janson (Contestant No. 13) 

Costume Designer: Cary Santiago 

7. Misamis Oriental - Pia Wurtzbach (Contestant No. 8) 

Costume Designer: Albert Andrada

8. Nueva Ecija - Kenneth Santiago (Contestant No. 20) 

 Costume Designer - Joel Acebuche 

9. Camarines Sur - Joana Angelica Romero (Contestant No. 3) 

Costume Designer: Ariel Alvarez 

10. Albay - Yvethe Marie Santiago (Contestant No. 35) 

11. Metro Manila - Ellore Noelle Punzalan (Contestant No. 18) 

Costume Designer: Jontie Martinez 

12. Metro Manila - Gabrielle Erika Tilokani (Contestant No. 33) 

13. Metro Manila - Carla Jenina Lizardo (Contestant No. 28) 

Costume Designer: Jot Losa 

14. Camarines Sur - Mae Liezel Ramos (Contestant No. 19)

Costume Designer: Ariel Alvarez

15. Metro Manila - Nichole Marie Manalo (Contestant No. 23) 

 Costume Designer: Roland Lirio     Accessories: Christopher Munar 

16. Metro Manila - Julian Aurine Flores (Contestant No. 1) 

Costumer Designer: Albert Andrada 

17. Metro Manila - Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti (Contestant No. 22) 

Costume Designer: Eric De Los Santos 

18. Isabela - Joy Marie Gangan (Contestant No. 30) 

Special Mentions: 

Metro Manila - Mary Ainjely Manalo (Contestant No. 2) 

Zambales - Janine Asanion (Contestant No. 38) 



Photo Source: 

Jory Rivera, OPMB Worldwide