Megan Young's Miss World Hosting Gain, Miss World Philippines' Loss

When Megan Young was crowned Miss World 2013 in Bali, Indonesia, she made a promise to be the best Miss World ever. That promise made sense when calamities struck the Philippines and other countries across the globe. Megan's reign as Miss World was the busiest in the modern Miss World history.

Miss World Chairman Julia Morley was all praises for Megan. Miss World Organization (MWO) capitalized on her hosting skills which she proved useful in the Mister World 2014 pageant. She was the first Miss World to present her turn-over show. And the streak went on up to Miss World 2016 Finals in Washington DC, USA. The same pageant where Filipino pageant fans got outraged about Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Gray -- a consistent stand-out and front-runner -- not making it in the Top 3.

When the Filipino pageant fans escalated their frustrations and directed it towards Julia Morley, this is what she had to say, "If you want another Miss World, then don't just send me a beautiful candidate, or even a very smart one. Send me another Megan Young with all her attributes."

As a pageant fan who can read between the lines, on a personal note, Julia Morley finally verbalized what my-long-harbored gut-feel that for as long as Megan Young is there hosting the Miss World pageant, she will always overshadow a Miss World Philippines contender for the Miss World crown.

True to her word, Megan Young is indeed the best Miss World from the Philippines ever. But while in Miss World, her Miss World gain would be another Miss World Philippines' crown-loss.

Kim Ross Delos Santos and the Binibining Pilipinas Disqualification Issue

A lot of Filipino beauty pageant fanatics rooting for a Miss Universe back-to-back win which only Venezuela has done thus far were disappointed to learn about Kim Ross Delos Santos disqualification from the Binibining Pilipinas 2016 pageant.

On the Binibining Pilipinas website, Delos Santos who was originally assigned the number Binibining 20 was removed and replaced by another hopeful from the wait-list named Geisha Naganuma. The disqualification grounds cited Delos Santos' photograph with an international model who was completely naked but not Delos Santos herself. And whilst the photo never came out in any publication which Jonas Gaffud contended, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) lawyers held her disqualification final and executory.

Although her die-hard fans were sad about her disqualification, some of them thought that this might be a blessing in disguise for her as she might be more fit to be the second Filipina Miss World. It should be noted that there were a lot of Bb. Pilipinas aspirants in the past who got disqualified from the pageant but snagged an international title from another beauty pageant.

Below are other notable Binibining Pilipinas aspirants who were disqualified from the Binibining Pilipinas pageants in the past.

Joey Mead King - Binibining Pilipinas 2001

Joey Mead King - Binibining Pilipinas 2001. When Miriam Quiambao failed to wow the judges with her answer in the Miss Universe 1999 Final Q & A, and the subsequent miss of Nina Ricci Alagao to the Miss Universe 2000 Top 10, Filipino pageant fanatics thought of no other candidate to represent Philippines in a total package than Joey Mead. A video jock for Channel [V] International in Hongkong from 1990 to 1996, Mead has modeled internationally for several brands including Heads and Shoulders and Lexus alongside.

Originally assigned the number Binibini 26, she was removed from the official list because of alleged citizenship issues. Eventually, it was Zorayda Ruth Andam who bagged the top title Bb. Pilipinas - Universe 2001.

Juliana Palermo - Binibining Pilipinas 2003

Even before the controversy between her and Cezar Montano blew up, Juliana Palermo, whose real name is Alvy July Juanico was already controversial when she was removed from the official list of Binibining Pilipinas 2003 candidates. While a beauty queen herself -- bagged Hiyas ng Kadayawan 2002 title --she was not given the opportunity to represent Davao City in the pageant for reasons not disclosed to public. The hype paved the way for her to be cast to a lot of appearances both in film and on television though.

Carla Gay Balingit bagged the top title Bb. Pilipinas - Universe 2003 title.

Sandra Seifert - Binibining Pilipinas 2009

A well-travelled nurse and international model from Bacolod, Sandra has been assigned the number Binibini 13 in the Bb. Pilipinas 2009 pageant. A few days before the finals, she was deemed disqualified because of her endorsement contracts conflicting with that of the pageant sponsors. Fueled by her fan-base support and prodding, she joined Miss Earth Philippines 2009 which she won. Eventually, she bagged the Miss Earh Air 2009 title.

Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2009 winner was Bianca Manalo.

Megan Young - Binibining Pilipinas 2012

While still with ABS-CBN and Star Magic in 2011, Megan Young has been undergoing training with Aces and Queens in preparation for the Bb. Pilipinas 2012 pageant. She appeared for screening and took all the hype away from Janine Tugunon and Mary Jean Lastimosa to be the next Miss Universe Philippines. However, prior to the announcement of the official list of candidates, Megan Young withdrew from the competition. But rumors has it that she was disqualified from the pageant because of her sexy cover photo for a men's magazine.

The withdrawal or disqualification paved the way for her to star in her first leading role in the soap Precious Hearts Romances: Hiyas. She joined Miss World Philippines the following year and made history by winning the first Miss World crown for the Philippines.

PBB Queens

In the history of the reality show Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) there were three housemates who were crowned-beauties prior to going inside the house, while two used their experience inside and eventually became beauty queens. Let's take a look at these ladies and let's get to know as to which national pageant they were declared winners.

Zephorah "Zara" Aldana Mayon (born April 17, 1989)  is a former Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific, winning the title in 2007. She gave up her crown in less than two months of her reign after controversies hounded her due to poverty.

She entered the PBB House on October 14, 2007 for the Celebrity Edition 2. On November 3. 2007, after twenty-one days inside the house,  Zara became the third celebrity housemte to be evicted.

In 2011, she joined the Binibining Pilipinas as Candidate No.1 alongside Shamcey Supsup, Diance Necio, Janice Tugunon, Mary Jean Lastimosa, and Queenierich Rehman but didn't make a placement in the semi-finals.

Riza Raquel Santos  (born August 30. 1986) is a Filipino-Canadian beauty queen and soldier trainee. She competed under the Canadian flag in the Miss Earth 2006 pageant and was adjudged Miss Photogenic. She ended up being the runner up to the grand winner Ruben Gonzaga during the Celebrity Edition in 2007. She placed the highest among the three beauty queen housemates that edition and the all-time highest placement by a beauty queen in PBB.

She starred in several television series like "Palos" starring Cesar Montano and Jake Cuenca but her career went lackluster prompting her to go back home to Canada. In 2011, she won the Miss Canada World title and went on to represent Canada in the Miss World 2011 pageant in United Kingdom.

Two years after, she went on again to represent Canada in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant but failed to place. She holds the distinction of being the only Miss Canada to win three national titles from three different franchise holders and being the only Miss Canada to represent the country in three of the four major international pageants.

Megan Lynne Young (born February 27, 1990) was an actress and former GMA Network talent when she entered BB Celebrity Edition 2 along with Zephora Mayon and Riza Santos. She was the first Starstruck star to transfer to rival station, ABS-CBN, in a bid to change her image from villain to a "nice girl".

On day 35, November 17, 2007, she was the fourth celebrity housemate to be evicted. She went on to co-star in television series after gotten evicted -- one of which is the Philippine remake of Betty La Fea which starred Bea Alonzo. It was on this series that she got close with Miss World 1993 Second Princess Ruffa Guttierez. Later on, when Megan Young got crowned Miss World 2013, she revealed in an interview that it was during her bonding days with Ruffa in the set that she realized she really wanted to be a Miss World. 

But prior to joining Miss World Philippines in 2013, and eventually snagging the first Philippine Miss World crown, rumors have it that she underwent training camps in preparation for Binibining Pilipinas 2012. Apparently, she was disqualified from the pageant because of some conflicts with her corporate endorsements.

Valerie Clacio Weigmann (born November 22, 1989) was 18 years of age when she entered the PBB house for the Teen Edition 2. She was born in Weisbaden, Germany. She was profiled as a "Daddy's Girl" currently trying to re-establish her ties with her Filipina mother since the death of her German father. Although she has lived most of her life in Germany, she has a great Filipina sensibility, visiting her mother's country very often. Regardless of her German tradition and heritage, she also has a good command of the Tagalaog language and has plans to enter Philippine showbiz. Valerie was evicted on Day 67. 

During her stay inside Big Brother house, she was linked to the eventual winner Ejay Falcon. The next few years after her PBB experience, Valerie went totally off the radar and concentrated in her studies. She resurfaced as the mestiza host wannabe in Eat Bulaga's Juan for All, All for Juan barrio sorties. It was her exposure in the GMA Network shows that put her in a very good position comes Miss World Philippines 2014 pageant. Apparently, a former PBB housemate was destined to inherit the MWP crown from a fellow PBB alumna.

Vickie Marie Milagrosa Sausa Rushton (born May 8, 1992) is a half-Pinay, half-British Bacolod-based model who also wants to pursue a career as a flight attendant so she can travel. She joins beauty pageants for the prize money and to make her visually impaired mother proud. 

In 2011, she bagged the Mutya ng Pilipinas International title alongside the would-be Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago who was assigned a special title of Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas. Because of conflict in the pageant schedule, Vickie wasn't able to represent the Philippines in the Miss Intercontinental 2011 pageant held in Alicante, Spain.

During the PBB All In edition, Vickie was only nominated once but was eventually saved. She is the 4th Big Placer during the season. She was linked to the eventual winner Daniel Matsunaga. The loveteam did not prosper as Vickie was already committed with actor Jason Abalos.

2013: A Lucky Year for the Philippines

2013 was indeed a lucky year for Philippines in the international pageant arena. Lucky, not because our representatives brought home crowns left and right but because we have achieved a certain level of brand stability.     

When judges make a shortlist of Final candidates (placers), they make it a point that the final list is balanced in terms of culture, race, geographical location, potential market for sponsors, and most of all, a story which could sensationalize the win.

Having said that, there are countries which define the competition. In the case of Miss Universe; Venezuela, USA, Colombia, Australia, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. India achieved the same status in the 90's but after the Miss Universe pageant was reformatted in 2001, India's performance has been very dismal for failure to re-brand their candidates too. Philippines was once a powerhouse in the 70's too. But when latinas were considered IN, Philippines lost it's ground and took awhile to regain it.

Whilst most of the time the ladies from these countries do not emerge as winners, they always make the cut and help define the dimension of the competition. Take the case of Venezuela who placed 2nd Runner Up consecutively in 1993 and 1994, while Colombia making a three-peat as 1st Runner Up in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

This simply means that, comes deliberation on the final round, there's always a contestant who stands out amidst these powerhouse countries ready to snag the crown. In the event that this stand-out or early favorite fails to sustain the competition, that is when an accidental winner is chosen -- Gabriela Isler, Miss Universe 2013 and Mpule Kwelagobe, Miss Universe 1999 among them.

What's the common ground between Miriam Quiambao and Ariella Arida then? The hesitation in the eyes when answering the question. The question and answer portion is not about who speaks better English than another. It's all about taking on the challenge wholeheartedly without hesitation. This holds true with other international beauty pageants.

International beauty pageant winners in the past and even the most recent have the same pattern and strategy in answering the question - being conversational and exuding confidence and grace amidst pressure. Melanie Marquez,Chelsea Smith, Alicia Machado, Brooke Mahealani Lee, Mpule Kwelagobe, Lara Dutta, Riyo Mori and Olivia Culpo. If their names don't ring a bell, look them up on Youtube and see for yourself how an eventual winner acts and looks like.

Hopefully, we stop the argument that just because our representative is making it to the Top 5 (especially in Miss Universe) is already good enough. We have to the make sure that in the event the dimension of the competition changes from how they look to how they talk, we can take up the challenge and bring home our third Miss Universe crown.

Ariella Arida Under Intense Pressure

Having to represent the country into an international beauty pageant is both an achievement and a challenge in itself, especially when a representative do things on her own, without the benefit of familial influence, or a fan base so to speak. It's undeniably an advantage when a beauty pageant contestant has already established a name for herself like the late Rosario "Chat" Silayan, Melanie Marquez, Ruffa Gutierrez and Megan Young. By virtue of their family or stardom, catching the judges' fancy in the local pageant seems to be a given.

With that, when in international pageant scene, they easily stand out and most of the time end up being crowned or being runners-up.

Ariella Arida however did it all on her own. Aside from coping with the rigorous training and make-over, bashes and criticisms are also just around the corner. Not only that, having to represent the country after a successive Final 5 placement by the three previous representatives adds up to the pressure. Beauty pageant fanatics are expecting her to step up the game even more.The positive progression that Venus Raj's 4th Runner Up, Shamcey Supsup's 3rd Runner Up and Janine Tugunon's 1st Runner Up placement should -- by expectation --end up towards winning the third Miss Universe crown for the country. A dream we've been trying to pursue since Margarita Moran's win forty years ago.

Outside Miss Universe, fellow Binibining Pilipinas Mutya Johanna Datul's win as the first Miss Supranational and Megan Young's achievement as the first Miss World from the Philippines is another form of pressure for her.

The bashes she has been getting the past week is actually more than just a bash. It is actually a sense of worry that what if Ariella Arida doesn't replicate the same standing the previous representatives had? It's actually a fear that in the event Ariella Arida fails to step up the placement, Philippines would totally have to start from scratch like what happened after Miriam Quiambao's first runner up placement in 1999. It took 11 years for the Philippines to comeback into placement.

"When it rains, it pours", they say. In the past, Philippines got successive semi-finals placement not just in Miss Universe but Miss International and Miss World pageants as well.

Miss Universe

1969 - Winner - Gloria Diaz
1971 - Miss Photogenic - Valentina Vida Doria
1972 - Top 12 - Armi Barbara Crespo
1973 - Winner - Margarita Moran
1974 - Top 12 - Guadalupe Sanchez
1975 - Fourth Runner Up - Rosemarie Brosas

Miss World

1970 - Top 13 - Minerva Manalo Catagao
1972 - Top 13 - Evangeline Reyes
1973 - 1st Runner Up - Evangeline Pascual

Miss International

1969 - Top 15 - Margaret Orbe Montinola
1970 - Winner - Aurora Pijuan
1971 - 2nd Runner Up - Evelyn Santos Camus
1972 - 2nd Runner Up - Yolanda Adriatico Dominguez
1973 - 4th Runner Up - Maria Elena "Marilen" Suarez Ojeda

It was at this time 40 years ago that Philippines was considered a beauty pageant powerhouse. That prestige was snagged by Venezuela in early 80's and India in the 90's. Philippines has already gained momentum in getting this  accolade back.

Hopefully Ariella Arida doesn't get affected by the bashes being thrown at her the past week. With her showmanship in the pre-pageant modelling events, despite her not so impressive conversational skills, I begin to look at her as a strong contender for the crown. No doubt she'll advance to the Top 15 and should be making it to the succeeding cuts. Comes Final 5, she just have to enjoy the experience and claim the title subconsciously. When there is righteousness inside, it radiates a beautiful persona outside.

The question and answer portion is not all about wit, it's also about charm and being able to exude charm and grace under pressure.

A Miss World and Miss Universe Back to Back Crown

Although Miss Earth and Miss International are considered part of the Big 4 of the international pageants -- with Miss Supranational emerging as a major pageant as well -- in terms of prestige and patronage, the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants are considered to be most coveted.

But because of the difference between the vision of the pageant organizers, it rarely happened that a country bags both Miss World and Miss Universe pageant title in the same year. One possible explanation for this is because of the difference with the pageant format. Another reason is a possible conflict of interest. When a Miss Universe or a Miss World is crowned, most of the charity projects they have are poured in to the winning country itself.

Also, the Miss World pageant is run by Julia Morley with its headquarters based in England. Looking at the pageant history, the panel of judges pick the winner form a third-world country if not from a pageant powerhouse country. Most of the winners are from Asia, or black representatives from Jamaica and Africa. Venezuela of course is an exception as candidates from this country, almost and if not always define and set the dimension the competition in a beauty pageant.

Miss Universe on the other hand is based in USA. Whilst the pageant is consistent with it's format, the judges' decision is based on the merit of the competition.That means that it's anybody's ball game as the competition goes along.

But comes deliberation, it seems it's an unspoken rule that there should be no Miss Universe and a Miss World from the same country for the same year.

Miss World started in 1951 while Miss Universe in 1952. With it's more than 60 years of pageantry, there are only 5 instances that both a Miss World and a Miss Universe hailed from the same country.

First was France in 1953. Christiane Martel was crowned Miss Universe on July 17 while Denise Perrier became Miss World on October 19.

Second was Australia in 1972. Kerry Ann Wells became Miss Universe on July 29, while Belinda Green was crowned Miss World on December 1.

Third was Venezuela who made it back to back in 1981. Irene Saez was crowned Miss Universe on July 20, while Pilin Leon became Miss World on November 12.

Then India who made it twice in 1994 and 2000. Miss Universe Sushsmita Sen on May 20, and Miss World Aishwarya Rai on November 19, 1994. In 2000, Lara Dutta became Miss Universe on May 12, while Priyanka Chopra was adjudged Miss World on November 30.

It's interesting to note that India garnered the Miss World crown 4 times in a span of seven years; 1994, 1997, 1999 and year 2000.

Philippines almost had the same feat in 1973. Margarita Moran was crowned Miss Universe on July 21 while Evangeline Pascual became the 1st Runner Up in Miss World on November 23.

On that year however, whilst a lot were expecting for that pattern, a different trend happened. Philippines' 1st Runner Up in the Miss Universe 1973 pageant was USA's Amanda Jones, while Miss World 1973 Marjorie Wallace's 1st Runner Up was Philippines Evangeline Pascual.

It's also on this year that the Miss World was dethroned but the title was not offered to the 1st Runner-Up. Evangeline Pascual was offered the function and the responsibilities, but not the title itself. When she declined the offer, Jamaica's Patricia Teresa Yuen Leung took over, being the 2nd Runner-Up. Had the crown been offered,  it would have been a back-to-back title for the Philippines that year.

Now, what's the point I'm raising all these? Philippines has been associated with the Miss Universe pageant which means that there's no point for Miss World to choose Philippines for the title as it wouldn't be that sensational. But with Philippines trailing behind for the crown the past 3 years, isn't it coincidental that the Miss World 2013 pageant was held ahead of the Miss Universe pageant, which in past history always held in November? Isn't it providential that this is to pave the way for Miss Universe Organization to give Philippines it's long awaited 3rd Miss Universe crown?

Or, could it be that Philippines chance for the 3rd Miss Universe crown has been diminished because of the us getting the elusive Miss World crown earlier on?

Well these are just analyses based on patterns in the past. If in fact these coincidences in the past has a semblance of that happening in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant, hopefully it would be for the best of Ariella Arida. I was right with my forecast of a first Miss World crown by Megan Young this year. Getting it right with a possible back-to-back this time might be another feat.

Miss World Philippines 2013 Official Candidates

The Miss World Philippines organizer Cory Quirino Global Quest Incorporated has announced the official candidates and the date of the coronation night of the new Miss World Philippines. The pageant will be on August 18, 2013 with the venue to be announced soon. This is the 3rd edition of the Miss World Philippines pageant under this franchise.

Previously, the local pageant which determines the country's representative to the Miss World Pageant was the Binibining Pilipinas.

It started in 1992 with Marilen Espino but was replaced by Marina Benipayo weeks before the send-off party. Marina Benipayo made it to the Top 10. The next year, 1993, Sharmaine Ruffa Gutierrez made it as the 2nd Princess. In 1994, Cara Subijano made it to the Top 10 again.

CQGQI also made a bang on its first year of handling the local Miss World Philippines pageant. Gwendoline Ruais bagged the First Princess title, the highest placement Philippines achieved since Evangeline Pascual in 1973 who was also First Runner-Up. On it's second year, 2012, Queenierich Rehman also placed in the Top 15. Hopefully this year, Philippines would have a three-peat appearance in the Top 15.

Here's the complete list of the Miss World Philippines 2013 hopefuls:

 No.....Contestant .............................. Age......... Height............ Hometown

1.  Nicole Marable                         19                5'5"               Makati City 
2.  Roselle Marie Ferrer                 22                5'5"              Valenzuela City 
3.  Princesslyn Dignadice              24               5'6"                Negros Occidental 
4.  Khadija Nasser                          23               5'6"               Rizal 
5.  Zahra Bianca Saldua                 21               5'7"               Las Piñas City 
6.  Karla Patricia Alas                    21               5'6"               Las Piñas City 
7.  Samantha Mae Bernardo          20                5'7"               Puerto Princesa City 
8.  Frances Claire Vintola               19               5'7"               Dumaguete City 
9.  Pia Kamil Ochengco                 20                5'7"              Caloocan City 
10.  Janicel Lubina                            18               5'8.5"            Palawan 
11.  Mercegrace Raquel                   20                5'8"               Laguna 
12.  Angelica Lopez                         17                5'8"              Pasay City 
13.  Maria Paula Estenzo                 21               5'11"             Caloocan City 
14.  Vina Openiano                          21                5'9"               Laguna 
15.  Maria Lily Teresa Salazar         21                5'9"              Isabela 
16.  Aikah Dindah                            18               5'8"               Zamboanga City 
17.  Jennifer Hammond                    22              5'8"                Laguna 
18.  Omarie Linn Osuna                   20              5'7"                Olongapo City 
19.  Maria Paula Bianca Paz            24               5'7"               Nueva Ecija 
20.  Megan Lynne Young                 23               5'7"              Olongapo City 
21.  Jennyline Carla Malpaya          22               5'6"               Ilocos Sur 
22.  Patricia Lae Ejercitado             24               5'6"               Rizal 
23.  Ria Rabajante                            23              5'6"                Albay 
24.  Zandra Flores                            24              5'6"                Pasig City 
25.  Melanie Barret                          23               5'6"               Pampanga 
26.  Henna Kaizzelle Cajandig        21               5'6"               General Santos City

As to who among these ladies get to represent the Philippines in the Miss World 2013 pageant in West Java, Indonesia, we'll find out on August 18, 2013.

Miss World might have been waiting for Megan.

After having been disqualified to join the Binibining Pilipinas 2013 because of  the artistic pictorial for a magazine controversy, Megan Young decided to eye for the Miss World 2013 instead.

Young, who also signed up for the Binibining Pilipinas 2012 pageant but apparently withdrew for unknown reason, showed up on July 21,2013 for the wave of Miss World Philippines audition.

As early as now, beau-con fanatics are already excited about the possibility of Megan Young eventually bringing home the first Miss World crown for the Philippines.

Whilst Megan Young has been vocal about her dream of joining the Miss Universe pageant in several interviews since her showbiz debut in 2005 via Starstruck Season 2, her Miss World audition timing is believed to be bringing about positive results.

As a beau-con analyst myself, I can see that Megan is already made for the Miss World competition format.

Unlike the Miss Universe pageant wherein the odds of making it to the Top 15 relies solely on the impression a candidate sets to the preliminary judges, the Miss World format gives a fair chance to all candidates by earning points for themselves through the various preliminary competitions, the Beach Fashion, Performing Talent, Sports Fitness, Top Model, and Beauty with a Purpose among others.

The total scores the candidates accumulate still has bearing until the end of the competition. Hopefully, Megan Young's training team gets to take her exposure to the showbiz industry to her advantage.

Well, it's too early to talk about this as Megan Young needs to win the local title first, but, if you look at the beauty pageant powerhouse country of Venezuela, the secret of their success in any beauty pageant is the fact that they are consistent with their brand and by carefully adjusting their delegate's personality with the format of the pageant.

Hopefully, Megan eventually makes it straight to the Miss World 2013 pageant. 

Just a piece of trivia, in 45 years that Philippines has been sending a delegate to the Miss World Pageant, there were only four (4) instances that Philippines made it as runners-up. That was in 1968, 1973, 1993, and 2011. These 4 ladies have one thing in common, their first names ends with an "N" sound. ARENE Cecilia Anas Amabuyok (4th Runner-up) in 1968, EVANGELINE Luis Pascual (1st Runner-Up) in 1973, SHARMAINE "Ruffa" Rama Gutierrez (2nd Runner-up and Asia & Oceania's Queen of Beauty) in 1993 and GWENDOLINE Ramos Ruais (1st Runner-Up) in 2011.

Besides, on years ending in 3, with the exception of 1983, Philippines have been consistently placing in the Finals. Hopefully, MEGAN is the lucky name to claim the first Miss World crown for the Philippines.