Miss Ukraine dethroned for lying about civil status

MANILA, Philippines — Ukraine’s representative to Miss World 2018, Veronika Didusenko, was stripped of her crown four days after she received it because the competition later discovered that she is a divorced mother.

The pageant’s officials revealed that they found out that Veronika entered false information on her application form.


The Miss Ukraine organization released a statement, saying all participants of the contest must comply with their requirements.

“A person who wishes to take part in the National Beauty contest Miss Ukraine must comply, among other things, with the following requirements (valid for the period of the Contest): — not / was not married; — does not have a child,” the statement said.

“Dídusenko has provided inaccurate information, confirming that she was not married and has no children. Contestants may not be married or pregnant. They must not have never been married, not had a marriage annulled nor given birth to, or parented a child. The titleholders are also required to remain unmarried throughout their reign,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, in the Facebook account of Gennadiy Kurockha, boyfriend of Veronika, he confirmed that the beauty queen has a “wonderful four-year-old boy from her first marriage.”

Veronika Didusenko will make the first official statement regarding her disqualification and deprivation of the ‘Miss Ukraine-2018’ title, its causes and her subsequent actions.

The Miss Ukraine organization will announce soon who is will be its new representative for the Miss World pageant to be held this December in China.

source: philstar.com

WinWyn Marquez dead set on winning Miss World Philippines crown

Actress, dancer and TV personality Teresita “WinWyn” Marquez is no stranger to the pageant circuit.

Wyn, who is one of 35 candidates in this year’s Miss World Philippines pageant, previously won three special awards and finished in the Top 15 in Binibining Pilipinas 2015. Wyn joined Binibining Pilipinas on the same year Pia Wurtzbach won the title and, eventually, the Miss Universe crown.

In a media interview during the presentation of candidates for this year’s Miss World Philippines, Wyn talked about how Pia has been an inspiration to pageant hopefuls like herself. “Inspiration siya ng lahat ng girls. Siguro if there was a chance na makausap ko siya and ask her for advice, lalapitan ko na siya ngayon.”

It can be remembered that Pia joined Binibining Pilipinas thrice before she actually bagged the crown, and her story has served as a staunch reminder to pageant candidates to never back down from competing.

“She serves as an inspiration to us, lalo na because I lost the first time. And yun nga, you never give up on a dream. You try and if you give your best, talagang 100 percent, wala kang i-reregret,” Wyn shared.

Wyn returned to her television stints after joining Binibining Pilipinas, but now has her eyes on the Miss World Philippines crown. The statuesque morena beauty is dead set on winning the title, even if she does feel apprehension from time to time.

“You have to train your mind to be positive and you have to train your mind that you’re going to win. Actually, kinakabahan ako na sobrang excited. I have the chance to go back on stage and show everyone that I also deserve to win the crown. Yun naman ang aim ko. Pero siyempre kung ano ang ibigay ni Lord, kung anong ibigay ng judges, I would accept it of course,” she said.

If there is something in her that has improved, it would be her self-confidence.

She explains, “It was a challenge for me before to be positive everyday eh. I was attacked on social media. I was attacked because of my family. Alam mo yung, I joined just because I was part of a known family. Siguro ngayon I’m much stronger. And yung mindset ko is to win and just to focus there, and not to think about yung mga criticism na hindi constructive.

“Natutuhan ko yun sa sarili ko, to listen to constructive criticism, rather than those who just say stuff to break you.”

The 22-year-old daughter of Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno initially had mixed feelings about competing again, but was buoyed by the support of family, friends and her boyfriend, Kapuso star Mark Herras. It was Mark who convinced her to join Miss World Philippines.

Even her father, who initially disapproved of her desire to join beauty pageants, eventually gave in and offered his full support after she explained to him that competing in beauty pageants meant more than parading on stage in lavish gowns and skimpy swim attire.

“I explained to him that it’s not all about your physique, how you look like. It’s about voicing out something – ‘beauty with a purpose.’ And I think he realized that.”

“Coming from my dad who doesn’t like for me to join pageants, that’s something,” she said.

Aunt and former Miss International Melanie Marquez has been supportive of Wyn’s aspirations to follow her footsteps and win a beauty title from the start. The former beauty queen and model stands by her niece’s decision to compete in Miss World and promised to support her every step of the way.

Wyn recalls a previous conversation with her aunt. “Actually I was consulting her if I should join again. Isa lang yung sinabi niya sa akin. ‘Join if you want to, if your heart is set to win. Go and join.’”

Wyn has been constantly updating her Instagram with pageant updates with the hashtag #ForTheWyn, putting emphasis on her drive to win the crown.

A production of ALV Events International, the Miss World Philippines grand coronation night will take place on September 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The event will be hosted by Iya Villania, KC Montero and Carla Abellana, with special guests Jay-R, Kris Lawrence and other surprise guests.

Aside from the country’s past Miss World Philippines titlists such as Gwendoline Ruais, Queenierich Rehman, Megan Young, Valerie Weigmann, Hillarie Parungao and Catriona Gray, this year’s pageant will also be highlighted by the presence of Miss World founder and CEO Julia Morley and her entourage.

They include reigning Miss World Stephanie del Valle, reigning Mr. World Rohit Khandelwal, Miss World Caribbean Yaritza Reyes, Miss World Asia Natasha Manuella, Miss World Americas Audra Mari, Miss World Europe Lenty Frans, Miss World Africa Evelyn Njambi, Miss World Oceania Madeline Cowe, and special guest of honor Chief Zwelivelile Mandelsizwe Mandela, the eldest grandson of former South Africa president Nelson Mandela.

source: interaksyon.com

Venezuela's Edymar Martínez crowned Miss International 2015

MANILA, Philippines - Edymar Martínez of Venezuela was crowned Miss International 2015 held at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday.

"What I'm feeling is the best feeling ever," Martinez said. "Venezuela, we did it!"

Philippine bet Janicel Lubina made it to the top 10 but failed to enter the pageant's top five.

Rounding out the top five are:

First runner-up: Honduras
Second runner-up: Kenya
Third runner-up: Vietnam
Fourth runner-up: Miss USA

The top 10 candidates are: Brazil, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela and Vietnam.

While failing to make it to the top five, Lubina won the Miss Best Dresser special award.

Here is the list of special award winners:

Miss National Costume: Miss Japan
Miss Perfect Body: Miss Venezuela
Miss Best Dresser: Miss Philippines

Miss International Asia: Miss Korea
Miss International Europe: Portugal
Miss International America: Aruba
Miss International Africa: Kenya
Miss International Oceania: Hawaii

In a previous interview, the 20-year-old native of Narra, Palawan said she hopes to follow the footsteps of Bea Rose Santiago, the Filipina beauty queen who won the Miss International title in 2013.

Janicel failed to the join the ranks of fellow Binibining Pilipinas beauty queens Ann Colis, who won Miss Globe 2015 in Canada, and Parul Shah, who was named third runner-up in the Miss Grand International 2015 earlier this year.

source: philstar.com

Can Christi Lynn McGarry compete in Miss Intercontinental again?

It seems that almost year in and year out, the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant never runs out of controversial issues.

Christi Lynn McGarry was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2015 Sunday night. However, it turned out that she had already competed for the Miss Intercontinental title in 2010 when the local franchise was not yet under the fold of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.

Alerted by InterAksyon, BPCI immediately acknowledged the potential conflict on Monday and furnished us this statement: “The Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated is studying the issue about Christi Lynn McGarry who then competed for Miss Intercontinental 2010. We will update everyone should we arrive at anything final.”

McGarry, who listed Nabua, Camarines Sur as her hometown in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas, represented the Filipino Community of East Coast, USA back when she competed in the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2010.

As the winner of the Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific title in that pageant, the 24-year-old stunner earned the right to represent the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Intercontinental contest where she finished among the Top 15 semifinalists and also won the special award, Miss Asia Oceania Intercontinental.

A check with Miss Intercontinental’s official website states that delegates should be “at least 18 years old and under 27 (in the year they participate in the telecast).” Pageant rules are not posted in detail so it is not known if contestants who already participated in previous pageants are allowed to compete again.

If McGarry can’t compete anymore in Miss Intercontinental, would she forfeit her Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental crown?

Would this pave the way for 1st runner-up Hannah Ruth Sison, who was reportedly heartbroken after her three-year campaign for a Binibining Pilipinas crown fell short for the third and final time on Sunday? Pageant insiders feel that this is an unlikely scenario and point to McGarry switching titles with Binibining Pilipinas-Supranational Rogelie Catacutan as a more plausible solution.

For now, the issue remains unresolved as there is no scheduled date yet for Miss Intercontinental 2015. Last year, the pageant was won by Thailand’s Phataraporn Wang while Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2014 Kris Tiffany Janson won 2nd runner-up—the country’s best finish in the pageant’s 42-year history.

source: interaksyon.com

Megan Young leaves for Bali to compete in Miss World pageant

Notwithstanding talks of a possible cancellation of the Miss World beauty pageant, there was no stopping actress Megan Young in her quest to bring home the crown.

Young flew to Bali, Indonesia on Tuesday night on board Philippine Airlines flight PR537, which left the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 2 at 8PM.

Before boarding her plane, she told media that she was proud to represent the Philippines in the the world’s oldest international beauty competition. She also asked her countrymen to vote for her in the ongoing online poll, a side event of the contest, at www.missworld.com.

The application is available on iStore for Apple and Google Play for
Android users.

No Filipina has won the Miss World crown. The first time an established actress represented the country in this event, Ruffa Gutierrez won the second runner-up prize (Miss World Second Princess) in 1993.

The coronation night will be held in Jakarta on September 28.

source: interaksyon.com

Celebs, fellow beauty queens toast Miss World PH Megan Young

Although it has become fairly common for showbiz personalities to join beauty contests, only Ruffa Gutierrez actually won a major title when she was already an established young actress — the Binibining Pilipinas-World title in 1993.

Hence, all this talk about Megan Young being heavily favored because of her celebrity was not unprecedented.

A rare combination of beauty, brains and spunk, the very competitive Megan had actually lost when she competed in two reality series: first in GMA’s “Starstruck” Season 2 in 2004 where her batchmates included Mike Tan, C.J. Muere, LJ Reyes and Ryza Cenon.

Then she got eliminated early in ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition” in 2007 where Gaby Dela Merced, Will De Vaughn, Yayo Aguila and the controversial Baron Geisler fared better.   







But there is a right time for everything and Megan finally hit her stride in the Miss World Philippines 2013 pageant on Sunday. Now 23, the Fil-Am actress never stopped persevering and kept accepting acting projects that kept her busy and allowed her to keep herself in shape in addition to learning more and more about her craft.

In one of her popular teleseryes, 2008’s “I Love Betty La Fea”, she played the younger sister of Ruffa. Five years later, she won the same title that her older TV sister won. Ruffa, like many other celebrities including several other beauty queens, was delighted with Megan’s win and was more than happy to congratulate the latter in her tweets.

The Philippines has never won the Miss World crown. Ruffa came close with her Second Princess finish 20 years ago. Will Megan finally clinch the title?

source: interaksyon.com

Slimmers World shapes bodies –– and brighter futures

MANILA, Philippines - Eighteen-year-old morena, Janicel Lubina stood out in a sea of 35 contestants at the recent 2013 Miss Bikini Philippines Pageant staged by Slimmers World International for the sixth consecutive year.

Janicel admits that the Miss Bikini Philippines contest was the toughest hurdle she had to go through in her young life. But in the end, she won the crown because of her almost perfect figure (34-22-35), towering height (5’10”) and a strength of character that could only be the product of a tough life in her hometown, Palawan. But Janicel still sees a positive side to it. “Poverty is the best diet,” she proclaims almost defiantly, refusing to look pitiful and pathetic. 

As this year’s Miss Bikini Philippines, she won half a million pesos in cash, plus other prizes in kind. Like her predecessors, she was initially given P100,000 that she promptly sent to her parents in Palawan. (The rest of the cash prize will be given to her in the succeeding months up to the time she finishes her reign.)

After her reign is over, her option is to pursue modeling full-time. However, she knows that going back to school and earning a diploma is her only chance at stability. It is her dream to become a teacher and she doesn’t mind being a working student while pursuing tertiary education.

When Slimmers World learned about Janicel’s wish to study, the company officials asked STI (an events partner) to give the newly-crowned Miss Bikini Philippines a scholarship. She is also enrolled at John Robert Powers, which granted her a personality development course that will come in handy when she competes in the Miss Bikini International contest in China last quarter of this year.      

Regardless of the outcome of the international pageant, Slimmers World will be behind her in the quest for a brighter future for her and her siblings in Palawan.




Janicel will not be the first Miss Bikini Philippines to be empowered through the help of Slimmers World. Miss Bikini Philippines 2008 Yen Lopena also came from humble beginnings. Although she finished Hotel and Restaurant Management cum laude at the Philippine College Technology in Davao, she had to work at the Marco Polo Hotel as a lounge attendant for which she was way overqualified because there were no other job opportunities that came her way.

Her winning Miss Bikini Philippines changed all that. She was trained directly under the supervision of lady boss, Helen Camacho. Today, Yen is the manager of Slimmers World Binondo center.

Another success story was that of Astrid Hernandez, a former Miss Bikini Philippines candidate who later became the manager of the Slimmers World Cebu branch. Also farmed out in Slimmers World’s various branches and assigned to different departments are other alumnae of Miss Bikini Philippines.

Miss Bikini Philippines was originally envisioned to promote health and fitness. But through the years the contest helped transform for the better the lives of several young women by molding their personalities, boosting their confidence and opening concrete career opportunities for them.

The Slimmers World formula for helping improve the lives of these ladies is simple: unlike in other beauty pageants where the “thank you” girls are sent off the stage after the proclamation of winners, Helen Camacho and her staff try to spot contestants with career potential (even those who did not make it to the finals) and, if amenable to working for the company, are absorbed by Slimmers World, and this eventually becomes their training ground.

Slimmers World has branches in Adriatico, Alabang, Binondo, Caloocan, Cebu, Greenhills, Legaspi, SM Megamall, Pasay Road, Pasig, SM City, Subic, and Trafalgar Plaza in Makati. For information, call 536-3333, 525-8771 or 091-SLIMMERS.

source: philstar.com

3 Filipinas to compete for Miss Universe 2013 crown

At least three Filipinas will be competing for the Miss Universe 2013 crown later this year.

Besides the Philippines’ official bet, Binibining Pilinas-Universe 2013 Ariella Arida, the representatives from Canada and Gabon both have Filipino ancestry.

The Canadian bet is a familiar face to Filipino audiences. Riza Santos — a former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate and FHM Philippines cover girl — was born to Filipino parents in the Philippines but grew up in Calgary, Alberta in Canada.

Santos already had two national beauty titles tucked under her belt — Miss Earth Canada 2006 and Miss World Canada 2011 — before she won the Miss Universe 2013 crown under unusual circumstances over the weekend.

In an embarrassing gaffe, organizers crowned the wrong winner, Denise Garrido, on Saturday but discovered later that a typographical error had caused a mistake in the tabulation of the scores.

The corrected tally sheets revealed that Garrido was only good enough for a third runner-up finish and Santos was the rightful winner.

“I would like to say thank you to God, my family, friends, and all of my supporters during this humbling yet rewarding journey to become Miss Universe Canada,” Santos said on her webpage after being informed of her victory.

“I can’t begin to express my gratitude and excitement to represent Canada on the international stage. It’s an honour to represent our country and I ask you for your continued support and prayers,” she added.

Ruth Jennifer Ondo Mouchita — the representative from the western African state of Gabon — is half-Filipina, born to a full-blooded Filipino mother. Her Wikipedia entry says she stands half an inch shy of six feet.

Ariella Arida is a Chemistry graduate of the University of the Philippines Los Banos. She stands almost 5’8″.

source: interaksyon.com

Philippine transgender, crowned 'Miss International Queen' in Thailand, hopes for dad's acceptance

A 21-year-old transgender beauty from the Philippines was crowned Miss International Queen 2012 in Thailand's seaside resort Pattaya, on Friday - and expressed wishes of finally being accepted as her father's "daughter".

Kevin Balot was crowned winner at the Miss International Queen 2012 transgender/transsexual beauty pageant in Pattaya on November 2. Some 21 contestants from 15 countries, all of them born male, competed in the week-long event for the crown of Miss International Queen 2012.

"Someday I want to go to Europe and to represent my country the Philippines. So I'm so proud to present the beauty of the gays back to our country, the Philippines."

Seri Wongmontha, head of the panel of judges, said: "We really looked at her at the first round, because she's lovely, and her personality is very personable, and the way she answered the question. She's really smart."

After the pageant, Balot said:

"I'm very proud to be the first here, and I hope my dad will accept me. Because in the family I'm the only boy, and my dad has big expectations of me. I made it. I won the International Queen Pageant, and I believe that my dad will accept me not only as his son but also as his daughter."

21 contestants from 15 countries dazzled at the Miss International Queen 2012 pageant held in Thailand's seaside resort Pattaya on Friday, vying for the crown in the annual competition for transvestites.

The final contestants were selected from more than a hundred entries from nearly 30 countries, and one contestant said the competition offered transvestites and transgenders a chance to show off their potentials.

"Someday I want to go to Europe and to represent my country the Philippines. So I'm so proud to present the beauty of the gays back to our country, the Philippines," said Balot, who had participated in three transvestite pageants in Philippines but was competing abroad for the first time.

As the winner of the Miss International Queen, Balot will travel to represent the transvestite pageant. She will also receive $10,000, a crown from a well-known gems store in Thailand and other gifts.

There were four Filipino transvestite contestants in the final stage, but only two made it through to the final ten.

source: interaksyon.com

Bb. Pilipinas Now Open To Transgenders

MANILA, Philippines — The Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI), which sends representatives to the Miss Universe beauty pageant every year, said Thursday it will respect the decision of the Miss Universe Organization to allow transgenders to compete starting next year.

“We respect the decision of the Miss Universe Organization to change its policy regarding transgender participation in the pageant. At the moment, however, we are still awaiting the guidelines of this policy decision from the Miss Universe Organization,’’ said Tessa Mangahas, Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager of Araneta Center, Inc.

This developed as officials of the Miss Earth beauty contest said transgenders are not allowed in the Miss Earth pageant, one of the contests rivaling the Miss Universe competition.

"We have religions here that are really conservative. We're talking about Muslims, Christians, Catholics. So I don't think it will happen in the near future," said Lorraine Schuck, chief executive officer of Carousel Productions, which handles the Miss Earth pageant.

"I don't think we're ready for that yet, especially the Philippines," said Peachy Veneracion, vice president of Carousel Productions, in an interview over ABS-CBN.

Last Tuesday, the Miss Universe contest changed its rules and allowed transgender women to compete in the pageant starting in 2013.

The new rule came after Jenna Talackova, 23, a contestant in this year’s Miss Canada Universe pageant, was disqualified because she was not a natural born female.

Billionaire Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe franchise, reinstated Talackova after she showed documents that identify her as a woman.

"We have a long history of supporting equality for all women, and this was something we took very seriously," said Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization.

The historic decision of the organization drew varied reactions from beauty queens here and abroad.

1999 Miss Universe first runner-up Miriam Quiambao criticized the decision, saying the pageant has lost its essence of being an event for women.

“In my humble opinion, the decision to include transgenders in the Miss Universe pageant sends a wrong message. Whatever happened to the essence of a woman? This may set a precedent that one day most participants in the pageant are transgenders. I’m not judging gays/transgenders. I love them anyway, but Miss Universe should be for natural born women only,’’ Quiambao posted via Tweeter.

2011 Bb. Pilipinas-International Diance Necio expressed concern that most of the contestants in local pageants in the future would be transgenders.

“It would definitely be more exciting to have transgenders compete in a prestigious pageant such as Miss Universe. And I'm sure if they would allow this in the Philippines, three-fourth of the candidates will be transgenders. That's why it should not be implemented. Naturally born women will lose their chance to compete in Miss Universe. Miss Universe Organization should make another pageant for transgenders and make it as prestigious as the said pageant,’’ said Necio, one of the semifinalists in the 2011 Miss International pageant held in China.

source: mb.com.ph