Miss Philippines is crowned Miss Universe 2015

Mabuhay Miss Universe 2015! Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzback was proclaimed the 64^th Miss Universe on Sunday night, December 21, 2015 at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas Resort and Casino, USA. Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez was named 1^st Runner-up and Miss USA Olivia Jordan was 2^ndRunner-up.

In the top five are Miss Australia Monika Radulovic and Miss France Flora Coquerel. Breaching to the top ten are Miss Japan, Miss Thailand, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Curacao and Miss Venezuela while completing the top fifteen are Miss Mexico, Miss South Africa, Miss Belgium, Miss Brazil and Miss Indonesia.

Something different about Mr. Universal Ambassador, the pageant

Something about Mr. Universal Ambassador sets it uniquely apart from other known mister pageants in the world today that follow the basic national costume, fashion, swimwear, formal wear and interview format. To some extent this pageant follows the same format but with a wee bit more than the usual, and a unique quality and flavor of its own.

This brand-new pageant just concluded its first edition in Surabaya, Indonesia November 3-13, 2015. And if you had followed the proceedings, you may have had noticed some discernible differences in its thrusts and mix of activities from other established pageants. Over and above the openly stated objectives and visible conduct of the pageant, something far more insightful and well known of Indonesia in character and perspective, governs this pageant.

Switzerland prevails! Pedro Mendes is Mister International 2015

The grueling wait is over. After religiously watching two weeks of nonstop pageant activities and finals that lasted close to five hours, the 10^th year edition of Mister International is finally over. In what could be the most frustratingly unpredictable edition of the pageant where picking the candidates most likely to win was everyone’s guessing game, the final crop of winners is out. The die is cast and everyone can now put behind the never-ending squabbling, heckling, guesstimating and recalculating of outcomes.

Now it can be told, Switzerland’s Pedro Mendes came out on top of the heap. He is Mister International 2015, taking over the helm from Mister International 2014, Philippines’ Neil Perez. In his trail are Brazil, Anderson Tomazini – 1^st Runner-up; Korea, Sang Jin Li - 2^nd Runner-up; Panama, Julian Javier Torres, 3^rdRunner-up; and Czech Republic; Jakub Kraus - 4^th Runner-up.

Miss Philippines baits Miss Scuba International 2015

Congratulations to Cindy Pacia Madduma who fished one more pageant crown for the Philippines this year after she was adjudged Miss Scuba International 2015 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on Friday, November 27, 2015. She takes over the crown from Miss Scuba International 2014, Tabitha Lipkin of the United States. Members of her court are the sea nymphs from Venezuela, Kiara Aiello Holden; United States, Tessa Ptacek; Latvia, Ilzze Jankovska; and United Kingdom, Sarah Mariko Winterbottom in that order.

Recipients of special awards are Miss Philippines – Miss Marine Conservation and Best in National Costume, Miss Latvia – Miss Photogenic and Best in Talent, and Miss Venezuela – Miss Congeniality. The event was the 5^th edition of the pageant anchored on scuba diving and marine conservation while celebrating the inner beauty and courage of today’s women. Apart from the staple swimsuit, evening gown and interview portions, the candidates were also judged on marine conservation advocacy and safe diving practices. Way to go Ladies and all defenders of the Earth's seas.

Fantastic Five for Mister International 2015

In a flight of fancy, we came up with our fearless forecast of the winners in the title fight for Mister International 2015, actual results to be known five days from now. (L-R) Brazil, Anderson Tomazini – 3^rd RU; France, Bryan Weber – 1^st RU; Spain, Daniel Barreres – Mister International 2015; Switzerland, Pedro Mendes – 2^ndRU and Panama, Julian Javier Torres – 4^th RU. The following five will constitute the top ten: Puerto Rico, Philippines, Italy, Australia and the Dominican Republic. Tickle your fancy!  

How good grooming can do wonders to a candidate's pageant bid

Perhaps we are being overly simplistic or even nitpicky but sometimes basic grooming and neat appearance can spell the difference whether you make it or break it in pageant battlefield. Assuming that one is not hopeless in other respects, the look or style of the contestant can be crucial in judging. A pageant entrant’s look should not only catch the judges attention but more importantly match the pageant’s image and gain the judges approval. We suppose such was the case with our reigning Mr. Universal Ambassador, Daniel Christian Ortiz of Puerto Rico.

Going loco over Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is really showing off its pageant muscle, scooping up one mister pageant title after another - all in a single pageant year. The best we’ve seen so far. It’s not like winning one or two pageant titles one year after another. It’s record breaking in more ways than one. This is nuts!

Three in a row for Puerto Rico as it captures Mister Model International 2015

Puerto Rico assumes supremacy in a stunning sweep of mister pageant titles this year. Melvin Roman captures yet another title for Puerto Rico as he emerged winner of Mister Model International 2015, coming on the heels of Daniel Christian Ortiz as Mr. Universal Ambassador 2015 and Jose Alfredo Galarza as Mister Tourism International 2015.

Puerto Rico cops Mr. Universal Ambassador 2015

Daniel Christian Ortiz of Puerto Rico becomes the first ever Mr. Universal Ambassador winning the 1^stedition of the pageant at Gedung Kesenian Cak Durasim in Surabaya, Indonesia on November 11, 2015. Members of his court are Brett Murray Stratton, Oceania Federation – 1^st Runner-up, Izuchukwu Anoelifo, Nigeria – 2^ndRunner-up, Jagjeet Singh, India – 3^rd Runner-up, and Reinukky Abidharma, Indonesia – 4^th Runner-up.

Honduras' Kilber Gutierrez goes for the Globe

After not having placed in Mr. Real Universe 2015 in spite of being among the early favorites a month ago, Honduras’ Kilber Benjamin Gutierrez Ponce is not dampened as he sets sights on Mister Globe 2016 coming this November 14-22, 2015 in Paris, France. (Unlike many pageants, this one is an early bird. The winner of Mister Globe 2015 is Madagascar's Ismael Aiaz. See our March 26, 2015 post.) Nothing to be frowned upon, after all Mr. Real Universe 2015, Cristobal Alvarez Leiva from Chile was also a crossover candidate from Mister Global 2015. So who knows, things can turn up as brightly for him this time around.   

Miss Philippines is crowned Miss International Queen 2015

Hurray to Miss Philippines Trixie Maristela for gaining back the crown of Miss International Queen which three years ago topped the lovely tresses of another Miss Philippines, Kevin Balot, Miss International Queen 2012. She was flanked by Miss Brazil, Valesca Dominik Ferraz and Miss Thailand, Sopida Siriwattananukoon who were named 1^stand 2^nd runners-up respectively.

The case of the paired pageants

At the height of Mister Model International and Mister Universal Ambassador competitions which are simultaneously rolling in Florida, USA and Surabaya, Indonesia respectively, we veer off to take a cursory look instead at two little-known newly evolved mister pageants with almost identical names as the aforementioned two.  We are speaking of Mister Model Revolution International and Mister Universal World. Duh! Doesn’t that make you think they are close relatives of each other or clones of sorts?

Venezuela's most handsome

His name is Henry Yoel Licett, time and again referred to in Hispanic media as Venezuela’s most handsome man. A model, actor and singer, he hails from El Tigre, Anzoátegui state in Venezuela. He is very appreciated in his native Venezuela as a man who has transcended borders with the weapons of rigor and work well done; someone who has created his own brand and style.

Jose Alfredo of Puerto Rico is new Mister Tourism International 2015

Jose Alfredo Galarza Vargas of Puerto Rico was proclaimed winner of Mister Tourism International 2015 on October 25 at Blue Bay City Hotel in Panama City, Panama. He was chosen from a field of 17 candidates from around the world. 

The winningest country in Mister International

This country is making a habit of winning in Mister International. It has the highest number of victories in this pageant with two winners and five finalists. All in all that makes seven placements in the hitherto nine editions of the pageant which started 2006. That is to say, it had earned a spot in the finals practically every year other than 2006 and 2009.

Cowboy cool Andrio Frazon

After featuring Mister Model International 2014 Victor Zanatta, we felt somewhat guilty not featuring his fellow Brasiliero Mr. Tourism International 2014 Andrio Frazon. They made it to pageant center stage in about the same time after winning their respective titles last year and both are in the final stretch of their reigns.

They must be really close buddies by now, gracing the international pageant circuit together during their term as spokespersons for their individual pageants and as ambassadors at large for Brazil. The two titlists had just attended the Grand Finals of Misters of the Philippines 2015 in Manila, joining up with Mr. International 2014 Neil Perez of the Philippines, where expectedly they created a bit of a splash.

Chile wins Mr. Real Universe 2015

The winner of Mr. Real Universe 2015 is Mr. Chile, Cristobal Alvarez Leiva. He bested 25 other contestants in the 2^nd edition of the pageant held at Plaza Rodolfo Baquerizo Moreno in Guayaquil, Ecuador on October 17, 2015. He was among the early favorites to win in the competition. Whereas early favorites Mr. Honduras, Kilber Gutierrez and Mr. Bolivia, David Fernando Suarez failed to make it to the top 13. Prior to his success in this pageant, Alvarez competed in Mr. Global 2015 where he placed among the top 13 finalists. He takes over the reign from the first winner of the crown Mr. Real Universe 2014 Gabriel Burgos of Ecuador.

Victor Zanatta and Fernando de Noronha

If you have never heard of those names before, who or what would you think are they? Perhaps because we are a pageant blog, you’d probably think they are two male pageant personalities from some Latin American countries. If you dig adventure-fantasy kind of stuff, you might imagine them to be some Old World seafaring heroes like pirates or explorers. And if you are fond of pocketbook romance and high society drama you might take a crack at - some illustrious gentlemen or possibly royal luminaries.  

The friendly face off between Philippines and Lebanon

The dead set killer looks of Arcel Yambing, Philippines and Rabih El Zein, Lebanon will be put to litmus test this coming November 10 Miami Men's Fashion Week show and November 11 pageant finals at the Flamingo Theater Bar in Miami, Florida when they face off for the sought-after title Mister Model International 2015. These are just two exceptional specimens in a bevy of delectable hotshots in this year’s 3^rdedition of the pageant who in our assessment are safe bets and with odds-on chance at the crown.

Lebanon's Kamel Raad continues to make waves

From a country that produces searing hot men, comes another international titleholder. Kamel Raad, 28, from Beirut, Lebanon secured his place in mister pageant history as first ever Mister United Continents, marking the maiden edition of the Philippines’ first homegrown international mister pageant. He bagged the title Mister United Continents 2015 in a tightly contested finals night last May 29, 2015 in Manila, Philippines overcoming sixteen other delegates from across continents.