Binibini Bets (Part I)

Venus Raj's triumph at the Miss Universe 2010 pageant sparked renewed interest and hundreds of gorgeous Filipinas lined up at Araneta to get screened for the Binibining Pilipinas Pageant. After 2 screenings the girls were narrowed down to the top fifty, and after another cut this Saturday- will emerge the official 24 candidates.

This is probably my second post on beauty pageants (the first one being Venus' Q & A at MU), and I've chosen my top 24 candidates out of the 50. The ones colored red are possible semi-finalists.

Isabella Manjon - 5’7” / 125 lbs / 35.5-25-36

This girl is a strong contender for the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe crown, with great potential at the MU Pageant in Brazil. Dusky, classic features, with height and eloquence to match. She just needs to tone her body (as I observed with most of the girls), and train to have a fierce catwalk like Raj's. This girl is the total package- she even speaks Spanish!

Jennielyn Natividad

Second runner-up in the 2009 Mutya ng Pilipinas.

Jenette Mieko Noguchi - 5’10.5”/ 128 lbs / 34-25-35.5
I watched her video and this statuesque beauty stands out among the girls.
Confident when she speaks, and just as sweet when she sings.

Reneee Houssani
A half-Iranian beauty.

Shamcey Supsup - 5’7.25” / 105 lbs / 32.5-23.5-33.5

A topnocher in the Architecture Board exam (whew!) and a UP Grad, she also has a fierce catwalk and an aura that exudes class. Shamcey is a formidable contender for the crown!

Patricia Tumulak - 5’5” / 113 lbs / 33-23.5-35

This girl lives and breathes Binibini. She really had a spectacular transformation (see her pics years ago and you'll get what I mean) and she has that latina vibe. Her only downfall is her height- which under MU standards under Trump doesn't make the cut. Still, she is a top contender for the other crowns.

Martha Chloe McCully

If this girl loses 10-15lbs by the pageant night, she may very well be my MU bet. She appeared self-conscious in the screening video,her catwalk awkward- still her face is undeniably the loveliest, and she has the height.

Paula Camille Figueras - 5’9.5” / 136 lbs / 32-26-38
Another girl with a latina vibe. She joined Miss Philippines Earth in 2009.

Luzelle Felipe - 5’7.75” / 108 lbs / 34-23.5-31
If all the tricycle drivers looked this good, I doubt if people would still ride
jeepneys or buses! Another dusky beauty with a Cinderella story- if she wins
any of the major titles.

Mary Jean Lastimosa - 5’5.5” / 111 lbs / 33.5-24-34
This girl kills in the swimsuit department with her vavavoom figure.

Diana Arevalo - 5’6.25” / 107 lbs / 31.5-23-33
Returning from last year's Binibini- revamped and restyled.

Sabrinne Al-Tawil - 5’8” / 126 lbs / 34-25-35

She looks elegant and she expresses herself well in interviews. She needs to work on her body and her poses, she appears flat and uninterested in some of her shot. An MU material should be charismatic and fierce!

The Next 12 in Part II
Photo credits:Mabuhay Beauties, Missosology, OPMB, and Binibining Pilipinas

Luxury at your Fingertips

Dubai is now one of the trendiest and most opulent travel destinations in the world. LetsGo 2 Le Royal Meridien Dubai and experience a 500 room luxury hotel overlooking the stunning Jumeirah coastline. The hotel also boasts of the Caracalla Spa and Health Club, a Roman themed spa fit for royalty- with Hammam pools, saunas, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, state-of-the art gym and aerobic center. Try innovative treatments like Elemis Visible Brilliance Advance Facial to combat aging, or a relaxing massage. What is truly unique is that there is something for everyone- from an Exotic Frangipani Body Nourish Wrap to moisturize skin for a tired urban dweller to a Nurturing Massage for Mother-to-Be which is safe for pregnancy.

Accommodations range from a heavenly Deluxe Suite, a Tower Suite with its understated luxury, the Royal Suite with a 24 hour butler service, and of course Standard Rooms with unparalleled quality. The are a myriad of activities for one to do to sample the local life- explore the arts at the Dubai Museum, or be entertained at the Madinat Theatre, for Golf enthusiasts the is the Emirates Golf Club, there are also recreation sites nearby like the Aquaventure, and finally shopping at the Mall of the Emirates, Gold & Diamond Park, and even the hotel's very own Shopping Arcade.

Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort And Spa- truly heaven on earth!

Rest in peace, Papa.

Papa, I miss you and I love you. Last time we talked it was before Thanksgiving and you sounded happy to be visiting California to see Ted. Wherever you are now, I hope you know without you we wouldn't be where we are. You have been selfless and sacrificing, and I'm sorry for the times that I was hard headed and caused you pain. You have been the best father to us. I'll always pray for you and Mama, I love you both. May God receive your soul Papa, I love you.

Danilo "Danny" Hinunangan's memorial will be at 2 PM Sunday, December 5, 2010 from the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Columbia, Louisiana. His remains will be transported to the Philippines at a later date. His wake will be at his home in Banezville, and a few nights in Sta. Fe Abuyog Leyte, at the Hinunangan family's ancestral home, and his interment is at Abuyog Cemetery.