The infamous graphic designer tag

I don't know if I should create a big deal of this some kind of extraordinary incident which happened few days ago. Well, as if you know, I am bestowed upon the infamous tag as "graphic designer" in the ever coveted missosology.org forum almost a year ago.

It all started with a not so official contest of creating a web banner by a forum administrator. This contest created loud buzzes as the winner will be given the tag and the chance to contribute for the graphic presentations of the site. Though rules are not clear, this administrator then posted designs which he thinks were qualified for the contest, and without any of my posted designs. Shocked a bit, I went on to post some of my bitterness and trying to calm myself. To make the story short, the supreme administrator changed my tag and my other fellow forum buddies, who joined the contest, into graphic designer. Some administrators are against it but seems the contest is not pursuing itself, anymore.

Happy as I am, I wholeheartedly followed errands of creating designs for the website. I know it is not of the eye-popping bestest design ever created but I know the efforts are some kind of the best I given. Upon having this tag we are entitled to give such enormous talent of graphic skills to beautify the forum and the site as well, all pro bono. (Although, only one banner I created was posted on the site and that is the big 4 banner, I also created banners for the MissUSA 2011 contestants. I don't know what happened with those designs.)

Lately, I have been busy for my work and will not be able to create a design for them for months now. I received messages from the admin and some members tagged as "experts" to create banners and designs but I really have don't much time to fulfill my duties.

A few days ago, I received a group message again and this includes a warning that some designers are in danger of getting demoted. Plus, another message asking for a banner design to be given within 24 hours. Much as I am preoccupied with other errands I failed to do so. Least to my expectation that I am one of those "graphic designers" who will be dethroned based from the said posts.

SHOCKWAVE. MISSOSOLOGY BIG 4

My work is still on the missosology website. This is not bragging or anything because I know the graphics are of poor quality but I had a contribution once for the website. Not of the excellent quality they expected but worth of time and effort to compensate my egoistic sense of having the "graphic designer" tag, all for the love of voluntarism.

As a regular member who passioned to be of great help, this simple "tag" of course is one way or another the best reward a member could get. But now that they already took it away, I rather accept the fact that in some ways, efforts exerted are of least appreciated. Now, I am okay to be a regular member. At least, the only pressure I will think of is my regular job, and just set the forum as an outlet to have fun, relax and enjoy one of my passions: pageantry at its best.

Miss Universe 2011 personal choices

So this is it, months before the pageant itself, I post here my choices whom I thought are big contenders for the title. Just wait and see. lol.

Stunning new decade: Miss Universe 2010

SEE PART 1

After the gruesome and nerve-wracking announcement, this is crucial for all candidates as they realized mixed emotions: some were defeated and the others tasted a sneak of winning; but the contest was just starting. The girls then went backstage and started to prepare for another exciting part of the evening: the swimsuit competition.

Reigning Miss Universe. Stefania Fernandez won as Miss Universe 2009 staged in the exotic islands of the Bahamas. All her achievements within her reign underscored the AIDS awareness cause of Miss Universe along with her numerous travels all over the world.

The judges. Before the competition started that evening, hosts Natalie Morales and Brett Michaels introduced the judges one by one:

They are: Nikki Taylor (international supermodel), William Baldwin (actor-producer), Chynna Phillips (singer-songwriter), Evan Lysacek (Olympic champion), Tamron Hall (NBC anchor), Chazz Palminteri (Oscar nominee), Jane Seymour (Golden Globe and Emmy winner), Criss Angel (master illusionist), and Sheila E. (queen of percussion).

Swimsuit competition. The ever-stunning swimsuit competition was accompanied by the stars of "Viva Elvis" by Cirque du Soleil - a perfect soundtrack for this year's swimsuit parade. The candidates wore swimwear of Dar be Dar by Tala Raasi and footwear by Nina. They look great in lavender bikinis ornamented with silver designs. The average combined scores were shown to home viewers.

Puerto Rico sported a wave-curly hair. Her catty look and flirty moves created sexy ambiance on stage. This excellent move scored 8.443 and not bad for a start.

A pretty face combined with a nice body, that is Ukraine. Although she failed to create a little play with her silver robe, she managed to mesmerize the audience. Those tiny efforts scored 8.333.

Even if she looked small onstage, Mexico exuded her sweetness all throughout the swimsuit parade. Her shoulders played a big part for a successful catwalk. The 9.265 score is really sweet for her.

Quite pale performance for Belgium. The strokes of her hips seem slow and less energetic. The judges might came boring with her to score 7.571 in average.

Stunning, that is the word for Ireland. She knew what she had to do onstage while wearing a swimsuit plus high heels while carrying a silver cloth. A great projection deserve a high score, more than 8.784.

Not that whistle-blowing and a little stunner, South Africa's posture probably saved her in the competition. She looked good in a swimsuit yet not of her best. Well, she deserve the judges' 8.229 for an average score.

Just too fast for France. A short runway might be not suited for her. Great hair, pretty face but speedy walk. Running the runway ended with 7.586 for the judges.

Ending the first half of the swimsuit parade is Australia. Young, fresh-looking... a little chubs yet with an innocent face, that would smash a powerful aura. Scoring 8.543 was a proof of a youthful catwalk.

Jamaica knew how to drop off with the music. Great catwalk synchronizing with a smooth turn was her big plus in this swimsuit competition. With an excellent performance, a score of 9.426 is well-deserved.

Less energetic Russia came down the stage. Still, her curves managed to do it. But somehow, her overall performance was less impressive finishing a score of 7.843.

The performance of Albania is not of an extraordinary but her flowing hair plus curvaceous hips is barely noticeable. Moreover, a pouting 8.229 score help a lot in exuding stage attitude, a tie with South Africa.

Rehearsed-style of swimsuit catwalk might seem not work that night for Colombia. A great body of less presentation was not that much effective with a score of 7.643 - stating there are lesser impressed judges.

Much to everybody's surprise, Guatemala showed maximum improvements in the entire pageant. She was much beautiful during the finals compared to preliminaries and 8.071 score was surely a consolation.

The fighting spirit might be off for Czech Republic. Her face somehow was in the fighting form. Her nervousness sprung her luck to a score of 7.429 and locking her to a big time low.

When you speak of fighting form, here was the Philippines. A very confident lady boomed the runway and wowed the audience with her exotic beauty. Ever wonder if an 8.957 score suited her performance.

Viva Las Vegas! The music suits the swimsuit parade very well. After the eye-popping swimsuit was the announcement of the top 10 ladies who made it for the next cut. A much more intense competition came right after.

TO BE CONTINUED...

What made them fail in the pageant

The Miss Universe 2010 is over yet the results show never fails to be on headlines. The pageant is still talked about in several websites and forums especially the crown that slipped away from Miss Philippines' hands. Actually, the controversial final question-and-answer portion is forever mentioned every time the newly-crowned Miss Universe Ximena Navarette is interviewed in America.

Well, everybody knows that I rooted to our very own Venus Raj of the Philippines and continued supporting her all throughout the pageant so I came by to notice that the results may sound unfair to some of the candidates that for me may seem more deserving to be at least on the semi-final round. Never get me wrong, but at first I am happy that most of them failed to the first cut because that gave Venus a big chance to shine in the finals. But somehow, it was disappointing not seeing them after their performance all throughout the pageant.

Rima Fakih, USA. As soon as she was crowned Miss USA, Rima adorned newspaper headlines and several websites about her controversial winning of the pageant. Aside from being an Arab descent, she was scrutinized and accused of degrading the Muslim culture.

Like Venus Raj, Rima also defended herself with these issues and proved that she deserves to be Miss USA, although not as close of losing the crown like Miss Philippines. She then represented USA in the pageant. But, as the contest transpires, Rima started to get away of her own spark. It started when she, along with some other contestants, posed half-nude in the official glamor shot. Rima made noise but not as loud as before. Also, her get-to-know video is not that impressive as she prompted her close-to-whisper voice and have to sing a lion sound. A little not impressive again.

During the preliminaries, she was energetic in the presentation portion and stunning in swimsuit. Her red evening gown failed to save her, I think. At the semi-final announcement, I was still confident that USA will be called in the top 15 just like every other Miss USA did in the previous years.

"And the final spot, are you ready, in the top 15 is for the Philippines," the host exclaimed.

Miss USA, just a few steps away from Venus, seems disappointed. Rima never clapped right away after the announcement. But I know she carried on well, she is beautiful with that long straight hair as she performed with the girls before the swimsuit parade. She is the fourth Miss USA who failed to be in the finals (1976, 1999 and 2002).

Marelisa Gibson, Venezuela. After winning the crown as Miss Venezuela, the pressure is then on for Marelisa. Nevertheless, two consecutive wins for her country is not an easy task to bare with. Yet, no one underestimates the capability of Venezuela to have a three time win with her. The world knows how serious they are in producing the best beauty queens in the universe.

With a beautiful face, who can never adore Marelisa. But, photos of her before joining the local pageant eventually became viral in social networking sites. A lot of enhancements, they say, had been made to sculpt that beautiful face. Well, with her get-to-know video, I can say this girl is real inside. She answered very well and very spontaneous, jolly and fun to watch. Just set aside those physical attribute issues and she is definitely it.

I do not love Marelisa but I do not hate her either. Well, thanks for the Venezuela sash, I constantly notice her in every pre-pageant activities' updates on the net. She did very well in the preliminaries. Personally, I was mesmerized by her beautiful smile that made me decide, she will be on the top 15. Well, all balls have turned for Venezuela, I guess having two wins back-to-back shall gave them a break for 2010. Miss Gibson is now added to the list of Venezuelans who broke their pedestal in the pageant, same in 2004 and 2006.

"And the final spot, are you ready, in the top 15 is for the Philippines," the host exclaimed.

Miss Venezuela, at the centerstage, also can't hide her disappointment inspite of her smile. Marelisa was still composed and smiling onstage but her smile reflects how she was defeated. Could it be her sash Venezuela saying that her country needs a rest after winning back-to-back?

The Philippines made it! (yes, after 11 years)

This is one good thing to celebrate. The Philippines made it to Miss Universe after a decade of non-placement to the semi-final round of the most prestigious pageant. I actually set aside my blogging responsibilities just to follow updates about her on Twitter, Facebook fan pages, and pageant site forums. Indeed, the time I spent over it did not put into waste. After all, it is only now that our country had a very strong candidate for Miss Universe.

Pageant fans were all rejoicing as Venus Raj was last called during the top 15 announcement. I myself got nerve-wracked when all 14 girls were called plus USA, Venezuela, and some strong Latin countries were not still there. I was watching alone simultaneously checking updates on the web and on the delayed television broadcast. Somehow, if I also video-taped myself I may look like these guys jumping all over as Philippines made it to the semis.



During the swimsuit, Venus did her best. I love her walk here compared to the preliminaries. She boosts a lot of confidence. The pony-tailed hairstyle really helped a lot emphasizing her face and great figure. Her evening gown design is not quite impressive for me but with the way she carry it have her a ticket for the top 5.

Photo courtesy of missosology.org

After announcing the finalists, every Filipino is now expecting her to win. She has it all. Until there is the final question which is the game-changer, as the host said in the pageant. The Philippines finished fourth runner-up, the highest achievement after Miriam Quiambao, first runner-up 1999.

"What is one big mistake that you did in your life and what did you do to make it right?" This question blocked the chance of the Philippines to have its third Miss Universe. According to some reviews, this question seems easy but even persons of higher positions had a hard time answering this. To mention, even former US President George Bush is glued when given this question.

Her answer became an instant hit and a trending topic on Twitter for hours. She goes, "In my 22 years of existence I can say that there is nothing major, major... problem that I did in my life because I am confident with my family and the love that they are giving to me." There is no wrong in her answer but I guess everyone expects more from her answer.



Congratulations Venus Raj!

Campaign for Venus Raj, 22, Philippines

Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj is currently leading in the online ratings provided by the official website of Miss Universe. (See related article.)

Although these ratings have no bearing at all in Raj's possible inclusion to the semi-finals, at least we can somehow prove the Miss Universe Organization and the world that we are in full support of a deserving winner for the title. Later on, NBC will also provide online polls for Miss Photogenic Universe 2010. We shall all watch out for that and support Venus Raj all the way.

We hope to maintain Philippines at the top!