In Random Order by JAG 20170228

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Conquering the Universe, Part 2
JANUARY 11, 2016JANUARY 11, 2016 JAGAFFUD 11 COMMENTS

A lot of pageant fans did not favor Pia to win it big on her third try. It felt like either she somehow lost the spark or maybe pageant
acionados were just not excited to see her for the third straight time. Many predicted her to place in the top 5 but not to take the Miss
Universe Philippines title. Even members of our own camp would pick dierent girls and Pia will always be consistent in our top four but
many did not think she would get the most prized plum. Pia, at some point, also wavered and would even say kahit anong crown na basta
may title na ako.
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She was still a bit overweight that time. I knew she was ge ing nervous and so were we. She would send me pictures of how she made up
her face all the time because we were working on her to look more Asian. I told her several times that I wanted her hair down and straight
during the nals of Bb. Pilipinas to make her look more Filipina (she sported waves the rst two times she joined).
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During the nal rehearsal of Bb.Pilipinas, my group was closely watching and we were still not decided who had the best shot at Miss
Universe Philippines. All I wanted then was to get back that title to our camp. I had it in my dreams. I was telling myself, if we get that
crown this time around, we will bring home the Miss Universe crown.
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Arnold Mercado (fondly called Mama Rua by the group) and Bessie Besana were with me during the rehearsals together with our friend
from San Diego, John Morante. Predictions came left and right dierent ones! We were trying to analyze everything. Ultimately, Bessie
told me, Mama J, please, ikaw na bahala kay Pia. To which I replied, Bahala na, Bessie. I will do my best.
Our tness trainor from Aces and Queens messaged me, Mama J, what do you think of Pia? I assured him that she still had that chance. I
was inspired with those messages you could feel that so many people regarded Pia so kindly and wished her all the best in spite of their
fears.
Heading into the pageant, Pia and I went through our pointers and I reminded her of the look I wanted for the local pageant nals.
Before I entered the coliseum, the sheer number of young people who were rooting for Pia took me by surprise. I was delighted to see that
Pia had developed a strong fan base, the Pianatics. I was very happy to share that moment with them even only for a while. During the
pageant night they tirelessly cheered for Pia. I was ecstatic!
When the pageant started and the girls came out, I immediately looked for Pia. When I saw her condently showing o the straight hair
look, I told myself, This is nally it.
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Pia in swimsuit from 2013 to 2015.
My nerves kicked in again when the special awards were being announced. When Pia scored a major sponsor award, I already knew that
she would get a crown that night. I knew she would breeze through the Q&A (like she did during her rst two a empts). And of course,
she did not disappoint with her memorable line: Think before you click.
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Think before you click, she just nailed the interview portion of the pageant.
When they were about to announce the winners, I hurriedly went outside the coliseum not knowing what to do. I was alone, nervous and
felt like I was about to faint. Fifteen years and counting - and I still feel the same. Every. Single. Time.
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After watching Miss universe 2014 in Miami, this was our

conversation before I came back to the Philippines.
Someone watching inside was texting me the results. I could not really understand my feelings that time. When they nally called out the
name of the girl who I felt was our strongest competition for Miss International, I almost cried because I knew it was already in the bag. I
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ran back inside, I was breathing heavily and I could hear my heart pounding. I was whispering her name: Pia, Pia its Pia, Lord. I knew
it! And before I even reached the entrance to go to my camps side, I heard the hosts announce her name. I held on to one panel of the
door, felt for one second I was about to fall down but still managed to run faster to make it to my group. They were already shouting with
joy!!! We hugged each other and had tears in our eyes. We revelled in the thought that we might just have our third Miss Universe.
(h ps://inrandomorderbyjag.wordpress.com/2016/01/11/conquering-the-universe-part-2/wpid-wp-1426496302964/)
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Pia during her coronation.
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Pia and I at the backstage after the coronation.
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Victory dinner with the Aces & Queens team and co-winners of Pia (L-R: Christi McGarry, Ann Colis, Pia Wur bach and Kim Suiza.
Conquering the Universe Part 1 (first of three parts)
JANUARY 5, 2016JANUARY 5, 2016 JAGAFFUD 23 COMMENTS

Pia and I had three encounters in 2012 before I took her under my wing as an aspiring beauty queen. I rst saw her in a restaurant with her
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friends. I told her she could join a pageant but she had to undergo series of trainings. She said yes, but I never heard from her again. I saw
her for the second time during the Star Magic Ball. She was a young, carefree, happy-go-lucky girl. She did not even recognize me, so I
assumed she really wasnt interested. Her ambition was to become a TV and movie star.
The third time I saw her was in a mall in Makati City, my favorite hangout with my friends after work. I saw her walking with her friend,
Harley. I called her over and scolded her for snubbing me at the ball and she apologized. Then I asked her, Are you serious about the
pageant? You could win you know. To which she replied, Really? I could join? This was the rst time I saw her eyes sparkle with
genuine enthusiasm.
I assured her she could win, but not without conditions. I told her she had to train very hard. I was quite surprised when she exclaimed,
Finally I have something to do with my life! because she was already in showbiz that time, but I later found out that she just nished
shooting a soap opera and did not have any other project anymore.
We called all the girls who wanted to join our camp, Aces and Queens, to be briefed about our scheduled trainings in poise, walking,
interview and tness. One of those girls was Ariella Arida, who came to my oce to apply as a model. I told her I wanted her to join the
local pageant instead.
We began training the girls later in 2012 but we had to cut it short because we were prepping Janine Tugonon for Miss Universe which was
to be held in December of that year. I had high hopes for Janine to win the Miss Universe crown because I was condent after nishing
strong two years in a row (Venus Raj and Shamcey Supsup). I felt I was nally beginning to gure out how to train the girls to be their best
for this particular title. Of course, as we later on witnessed, Janine almost won the crown and se led for First Runner Up.
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Ge ing so close really made me hungry for that crown. During the 2013 screenings, it was Ariella and Pia who went rst. I knew that they
would get noticed by pageant fans and organizers already.
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During the course of the pageant from January to March, Pia would always top our list of contenders. The only reservation we had was
that she looked very mestiza (because of her half-Fillipino, half-German lineage). We thought that a dusky girl would have be er chances
of winning the Miss Universe Philippines title. That was Bb. Pilipinas 50th year and we really prepared our best. I was gunning for a
fourth shot at the top title.
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Team Aces & Queens 2013. On my left is Pia wearing white.
We were thrilled that a handful of our girls made it to the top 5: Pia as First Runner Up, Cindy Miranda as Miss Tourism and Ariella Arida
as Miss Universe Philippines. (Ariella eventually got the third runner up honors in Miss Universe held in Moscow, Russia, our countrys
fourth consecutive top 5 placement quite an impressive feat already at that time).
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Left to right: Bb Pilipinas 2013 First Runner-up Pia Wur bach, Tourism Cindy Miranda and Universe Ariella Arida.
I advised Pia to be a good rst runner up. I encouraged her to consider another shot. She told me Sasali talaga uli ako hanggat makakuha ako
ng korona. (I will keep on joining until I win a crown). So in 2013, she was the dutiful and adorable rst runner up.
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In 2014, we lined up another formidable batch of girls who vied for the four titles and two runners up positions in Bb.Pilipinas. We were
still under the presumption that a dusky Filipina would represent the country in Miss Universe. We were hoping that we will still capture
that coveted title and our hopes were higher for Pia. However, our camp was not fortunate enough to get the top title but we scored Miss
International, Miss Supranational and First runner up. To make things worse, Pia was not even included in that roster. I was terribly
disappointed. I thought to myself, I had it going, that winning streak, that motivation for the Miss Universe crown! I had it in my head, it
was my dream, I was prepared for another ba le! But it didnt happen and I had to wait another year to prepare another batch of girls to
join the pageant.
Aces & Queens winners of 2014

(L-R) Laura Lehman, Yvethe
Santiago and Bianca Guido i.
We were all heartbroken for Pia that time.
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Pia praying so hard to get the crown in 2014.
I told her to model for my company, Mercator Artist and Model Management
(h p://www.mercatortalents.com/) (www.mercatortalents.com (h p://www.mercatortalents.com/)) rst. She was living on her own and I
knew she needed money to survive. I would check on our bookers and look for jobs for her. But we also had to be very careful with the
projects we signed for her to make sure that there will be no issues in case she decides to join Bb.Pilipinas again.
In our rst photoshoot with my cousin Vince, I remember nding her so beautiful. I was thinking, how could they let her go? But anyway
fate had its own way of making things happen.
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As we were preparing our girls for the 2015 tilt, Pia was in London healing her broken heart. I knew she wanted to join for the last time
because of the age limit. We were just waiting for her to say so but we already went ahead and trained other girls.
When she came back, she was out of shape, as she gained a lot of weight while she was away. I was very disappointed and was very frank
with her. I asked her how come she wanted to join again but did not have the discipline to keep herself in shape. I guess my
disappointment was magnied because we really wanted her to win and it was her last chance! So we took her in again anyway and just
hoped for the best. We knew it was a tough ba le because that batch was particularly strong.
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I went to the Miss Universe Pageant in Miami earlier this year (January), to accompany Ariella Arida who was picked as the Miss Universe
web host. Our representative that time was not from our camp and it was a blessing in disguise because I was not under any pressure. I
was able
to have access as an insider and I got to be more objective about how the whole thing goes. While watching the nals, I kept imagining
who was the strongest girl in our camp that year, and who has the best chance to be Miss Universe.
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Ara Arida and I at the Miss Universe pageant in Doral, Florida.
The questions kept oating in my mind -until a friend in Los Angeles, Renz, asked me the same question aloud: We have been doing
great in Miss Universe lately, so who do you think is likely to get that elusive crown?
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All of a sudden, the picture was ge ing clearer and clearer, I closed my eyes, I remembered her face, and slowly I answered back, Its Pia
Wur bach.
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The Story Of Our World
OCTOBER 26, 2015JANUARY 4, 2016 JAGAFFUD 5 COMMENTS

My interest with Miss World began when 18 year old Sharmaine Rua Gutierrez won the Bb.Pilipinas-World title in 1993. I was
disappointed that time because I was rooting for her to be our representative for Miss Universe. A lot of pageant fans were predicting her
win but the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe crown went to Melinda Gallardo. (Whom I liked eventually by the way).
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Dindi and Rua were the top two contenders in the Bb Pilipinas pageant back in 1993.
Rua at the evening gown competition (photo courtesy of Tony Paat)
I followed Ruas Miss World journey through newspaper photos and TV news updates (no social media yet!). I was happy she placed
Second Princess but at the same time was still mildly disappointed because I felt she deserved to win. From that point forward, I
anticipated watching the pageant year after year.
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Rua with the First Princess Miss South Africa and the winner Miss Jamaica
I was a bit anxious training for Miss World because it seemed to be the most elusive to us among all the beauty titles. We never had a
winner since its inception in 1951. The closest was Evangeline Pascual as First Runner Up in 1973.
My rst Miss World candidate was Maria Rafaela (Mafae) Yunon from Australia. I saw her at a club. She was this young girl from the
land down under who was outgoing, and loved dancing. I was a bit hesitant at rst because she might be too much to handle, liberated
and didnt speak Filipino, despite being a full blooded Filipino with a gorgeous dusky complexion.
The charming Mafae Yunon at the pageants introduction.
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I asked her if she wanted to join and she said yes. It runs in her blood her aunt was Desiree Verdadero (Bb.Pilipinas Universe 1984 and
Miss Universe 3rd runner up).
I thought she would not need me after all. But whenever I would ask her to meet with me for catwalk and Q&A training, she would
oblige. We eventually developed a deep friendship that has lasted until now. She joined BbPilipinas in 2003 and got the BbPilipinas
World crown.
Mafae was at the top ten for Beach Beauty category.
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Mafae in her evening gown.
I remember watching her on TV live that time from Sanya, China. I was expecting her to be called as a nalist because she exuded that
enigmatic and exotic vibe that the judges would like. She made it all the way to the top 5 (a feat last achieved in 1993).
Miss Philippines upon being called to the top 5.
There was not much publicity about what she achieved because Filipinos were more familiar with Miss Universe then. But come to think
of it, that was no small feat! Miss World has more candidates than Miss Universe, and there was no preliminary competition (like in Miss
Universe) so nobody has any idea on how one would fare at the pageant until the coronation.
I got another chance to be a mentor for Miss World in 2008, when then rst runner up Danielle Castao replaced Janina San Miguel. The
following year we had Mari Ann Umali, one o Mercators (my modelling agency) top models. I was also hoping for them to place high
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but we were not fortunate enough to make it happen.
Dani Castao competing for the Top Model Category in South Africa in 2008.
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The very beautiful Ann Umali won BbPilipinas World in 2009.
In 2011, the Miss World franchise went to Cory Quirino. The past years of my pageant history, the three major titles for Miss Universe,
Miss World and Miss International, were under Bb. Pilipinas. I had mixed emotions that time because we did not know how she and her
group would handle it. Nevertheless, we elded two girls in the new edition of Miss World Philippines, Nicolle e Henson, who was Bb.
Pilipinas Second Runner Up in 2011, and Gwen Ruais, a top 10 nalist also in 2010. They ended up as First Runner up and Miss World
Philippines 2011 respectively.
The tall and statuesque Gwen Ruais.
I learned so much more when I got involved in training Gwen Ruais (for Miss World 2011).
Since it was Corys rst year, she asked for my help, perhaps because of my experience. The new management gave us the opportunity
to use our perspective on how to transform a girl to become a good contender for Miss World. Together with her Mom, International
fashion designer Oliver Tolentino, our camp, Aces and Queens, and Gian Quiballo (Gwens friend), we prepared her for the Miss World
pageant in London.
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Gwen as First Princess and runner up to Miss World 2011, Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela and Second Princess, Miss Puerto Rico.
After 38 long years, The Philippines got the First Princess honors (runner up to Miss World). Gwen was the epitome of a great Miss
World representative with her towering height, great communication skills, and imposing presence.
We were excited again in 2012 when we elded three girls for the local pageant. With the same fate in 2011, we ended up ge ing the rst
runner up place with Mary Ross Misa, and the title, Queenie Rehman. Queenie was so stunning in Miss World 2012, and made it in the
headlines with her talent in beat boxing and singing.
Queenie and I after the talent showcase.
I and Bessie Besana even went to Ordos, Inner Mongolia in China just to support her. That was also the rst time I would watch Miss
World live.
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This was the rst event I a ended and I saw Miss China together with Miss Norway.
We were the only pageant fans who would patiently wait for the girls and take photos of them. It was so funny that the girls already
recognized who we were. The moment we arrived at the hotel venue, I already saw Miss China and knew she had a great chance to win
the crown. I looked at her and told her, If you will not win Miss World, then you can become a Superstar. Cory and Bessie didnt
believe me at rst but I just had that feeling about Miss China. Luckily, during the nals night, we were seated beside her relatives. We
cheered for Miss China and they also cheered for Queenie. That second year experience in Miss World was a turning point because it
made me realize what they were looking for someone who has a sweet aura (not erce), but has a commanding presence.
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With Miss World 2012 from China.
The next year, when Megan Young was not able to join Bb. Pilipinas due to her commitments and priorities, we were almost
heartbroken because we had been prodding her to join the pageant since 2011. All of a sudden, she messaged me one day that she would
like to pursue joining a pageant, which turned out to be Miss World Philippines. Perhaps she saw how we were involved in everything
even in the international pageant. I had so much high hopes for her that believe it or not, she was the lone candidate from Aces and
Queens to join that year. And, well, she won!
Megan during her rst application for Miss Wirld Philippines 2013.
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The ever supportive Mama Rua showing up during screening.After she was crowned Miss World Philippines, I told Cory Quirino
(her third year as National Director) that she was the girl we might have been waiting for. All these years with The Philippines sending
girls, we never won the top plum. The same way I felt about Miss China in 2012, I really had that instinct about the elusive blue crown.
Bessie and I during Megans send o at the airport before leaving for Bali, Indonesia.
Our preparations like the previous years were the same. Bessie would list everything important from wardrobe to accessories; Albert
Kurniawan would teach her makeup; John Cuay for tness, Nad Bronce for interview and answering questions. As usual I taught her
runway. She slowly improved on her catwalk skills and even won the fast track event as Top Model winner (that was a surprise!). We
were a big contingent in Bali, Indonesia as four of us from Aces and Queens (Arnold, Nad, Bessie and I) and many Filipinos, travelled to
support her.
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Team Aces and Queens in Bali.
The big Filipino contingent supporting Megan in her quest for the crown.
Megan would always keep us posted via skype. A few days before the nals, there were many preditions declaring her as the possible
winner. Megan didnt rest on her laurels. She would conde in us and ask for some advice from interviews to the simplest of things like
what earring should she wear and even lipstick shade during the nals.
We were in high spirits during that memorable day. Before they announced the Top Five, I ran out of the theater. I could not handle the
stress anymore. I went to the farthest toilet just so I could not hear it. After a few minutes I saw the Filipino crowd cheering for her.
During the nal speech, Megan was so sincere, commanding yet sounded compassionate. On August 18, 2013, in Nusa Dua, Bali,
Indonesia, The Philippines nally had its rst Miss World crown.
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Megan wins the rst Miss World crown for the Philippines.
Bessie, Cory Quirino and I at the stage of Miss World 2013 in Bali.
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2014 was a bit sad for Aces and Queens because the reliable member, Bessie, decided to leave his job and nd a more lucrative work
overseas. The good thing is prior to leaving, he recommended another dependable person, Carlos Buendia, an architect, to take over his
place. We needed people like them because of the stress in elding girls in these pageants.
We sent three girls at the local pageant in 2014, and eventually got the title through Valerie Weigmann, whom our group has been
pushing to join for years. I knew from the start that she would be proclaimed Miss World Philippines of 2014.
Valerie was the sure winner at the Miss World Philippines in 2014.
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So happy seeing this moment year after year for ve years in Miss World Philippines.
I had high hopes for Valerie too but we knew it might be a long shot because the reigning queen is also from the Philippines. We went to
London in December 2014 to support her. She really worked hard for the Beauty with A Purpose segment of the competition. Good
thing Valerie made it to the seminals of the pageant but I honestly expected her to be at the nals. Again, this was yet another
experience. We wanted to analyze what went wrong and learn from it.
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Megans successor was Rolene Strauss from South Africa.
In all the four years we have been winning the Miss World Philippines title, we have been so blessed to have good friends in the fashion
industry. Since we did not have any wardrobe stockroom, we have been borrowing from world class designers: Oliver Tolentino, Veejay
Floresca,Eric Delos Santos, Jontie Martinez, Michael Cinco, Bing Cristobal, Sheryl Vicente, Mimi Ferrera, Francis Libiran, Randy Ortiz,
Jun Escario, Leo Almoda, Ivan Raborar, Lulu Tan Gan, Vania Romo, Boom Sason, Christopher Munar and Eric Manansala. It has never
been easy coming up with outts and accessories but the help they extended is very much appreciated.
This year was nerve wracking for us in Aces and Queens. We elded the most number of girls (8) for the pageant. The good thing about
this was, we also evolved about how we perceived the pageant and asked the girls to come up with genuine advocacies to enlighten
them and instill more knowledge about the contest. That is beauty in giving, and beauty with a purpose. So no ma er what the results
would be, I believe all our girls were trained to be their best and learned to be more responsible women, something they can take with
them for the rest of their lives.
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Our eight girls in Miss World Philippines 2015: Hillarie, Avonlea, Christelle, Janelle, Monas, Cassy , Jeddah and Jane e.
Hillarie Parungao (left) and Cassandra Naidas (right).
In the end our camp got the top two places again, First Princess went to Cassandra Naidas and Miss World Philippines 2015, Hillarie
Parungao. Cassandra was discovered by Bessie in La Salle, while I saw Hillarie in one of the restaurants in BGC (yes I never stop
scouting). It just so happened that I was heartbroken with so many things (yes, that was in July), and I invited my friends to go out
with me almost every night for a week. When I nally recovered, I asked them to celebrate but in another restaurant which our group
does not go to frequently (so they wont get bored with me). It was destiny! I saw this girl and asked Edda Galoy (my friend and Aces
and Queens supporter) to introduce her to me. I told her to join Miss World Philippines, and there she was, a carefree lady who giggled
and looked so thrilled! She told me she has been waiting for someone like me to tell her and believe in her.
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Me and Hillarie after the coronation.
The beautiful Hillarie Parungao, Aces and Queens ve peat winner and seventh Miss World Philippines.
The rest is history and again I told some people, including Cory that this girl might also have what it takes. Hopefully in December in
Sanya, China, our Miss Philippines will bring home the crown again.
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The Aces and Queens: A Group Bound by Passion for Pageants
SEPTEMBER 28, 2015JANUARY 4, 2016 JAGAFFUD 6 COMMENTS
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/2015/09/fullsizerender.jpg)
New logo of the group
Aces and Queens is a group of professionals who work together training Filipinas to compete in Miss Universe, Miss World, or Miss
International and other prestigious pageants. This extremely diverse group includes a banker, an award winning movie director, a
lawyer, an engineer, a tness instructor, a make-up artist, an architect, a nurse, a fashion designer and a talent manager.
/2015/09/img_5831.jpg)
Team Aces and Queens as of 2015.
In spite of our busy schedules, we stay true to our mission every year: to scout and train girls who want to join beauty pageants (the
highlight of which is Bb.Pilipinas). We only select a handful each time because we really could just handle so much. There are a lot of
pre y girls, but unfortunately, between our work and other responsibilities, we need to whi le down our list every year.
We used to screen once a year (anytime between September to October), and ever since Miss World became an independent franchise,
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we go through this exercise twice a year already.
I was lucky to have gained friends early on in my foray into the world of pageantry. These people are still my support until now. First
was the team of Mabuhay Beauties headed by Boyet Blas; important people like celebrated lm and TV Director Jerey Jeturian, who
has always had an impeccable taste in beauty and who really believed in me; Wendell Capili, a professor at CAL in UP Diliman,
executive banker Gerry Diaz, blogger Norman Tinio, law instructor/ professor Nad Bronce, lm director and entertainment editor Ces
Evangelista, talent manager Cesar Buendia, make-up artist Jay Lozada, and fashion designer Peter Lim.
Our group was then called Mabuhay Beauties. We were not yet known then as a beauty camp. We just met every beginning of the year to
check if we had girls who can join the national pageant. After Nina (2000 Miss Universe Philippines) and Zorah (2001 Miss Universe
nd
Philippines) , we elded three girls in 2002, but our best place that year was 2 runner up. We learned new things every year. Nad and I
became extra critical. I developed an expertise for posture, walking and presentation, while Nad took care of Q&A.
We were trying to discover things, learned as we went along. I observed everything and everyone.
After 2002, it seemed that two major groups were forming. We just called ourselves Mabuhay Beauties. All was healthy
competitionsharing stories and laughing at simple things all the time. Those were happy years without intrigues or people making it
seem that there was something else other than good natured.
In 2003, we elded four candidates. We were able to get the Bb.Pilipinas World (Mafae Yunon) and Bb.Pilipinas International (Jhezarrie
Javier). The lady who bagged the Bb. Pilipinas-Universe title didnt belong to any group.
2004 was a turning point because both camps decided to support one girl, Maricar Balagtas, for Miss Universe. She became a very good
friend to me and she was like a daughter to Rodgil Flores. Rodgil and I even watched Miss Universe together at the New World Hotel.
By 2005, it became clear that two major groups have emerged. One was the group to which I belonged, and the other one was led by
Rodgil Flores. That became the pa ern for four consecutive years. From 2005 to 2008, we won the Universe title and they won the World
and International (except in 2008 when the infamous Janina San Miguel snatched the Bb.Pilipinas-World crown, who was eventually
replaced by our candidate, Danielle Castao).
In 2006, we asked Arnold Mercado to join the group. He caught our a ention because he would always be able to accurately predict
winners. We thought he would be a great asset to us. He was fondly called Mama Rua, a nickname that has stuck up until this day.
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/2015/09/img_5829.jpg)
Screening of Ara (left) and Pia (right) in

2013. Ara won Miss Universe Philippines
and Pia as First runner up. Two years later
she became Miss Universe Philippines.
/2015/09/img_5828.jpg)
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Our four girls in 2006 at the screening. L-R:

shiela, lia andrea ramos (winner of Miss
Universe Philippines), Joanna, and April.
/2015/09/img_5821.jpg)
A&Q class of 2010: Nicole e Henson, Gwen

Ruais, Venus Raj and Ross Misa
That year, we also renamed the group to JNR (short for Jonas, Nad and Rua) as the core members of the team, while the veterans (
thats how we call Jerey, Ces, Gerry and Boyet) remained as our mentors/advisers/critics. Boyet had become busy with his businesses
and travelling so he decided to take down the beauty pageant page, Mabuhay Beauties.
We also met John Cuay of Golds Gym, who became our resident tness trainer. So in 2007, another le er was added to that name as we
became JJNR (Jonas, John, Nad, Rua).
Celebrity make up artist Albert Kurniawan and then corporate employee Bessie Besana joined us in 2008. Bessie and I have a somewhat
interesting history. I once got mad at him for saying something I wasnt too happy about. I even confronted him in public! Obviously, it
ended amicably, as I soon introduced him as part of our group shortly after. He was young and very excited about pageants and now
fullling his dream as a fashion designer.
It was also in 2008 that we decided to nally formally name our group. We wanted something that sounded classy and top-caliber. After
a few brainstorming sessions, Mama Rua suggested Aces and Queens. The Aces were the trainers and the Queens were the girls we
57 of 68 2/28/2017 1:14 PM
train. That suggestion was unanimously approved by all the members.
/2015/09/img_5817.jpg)
JJNR in 2008: l-r Nad, BbPilipinas World

Dani Castao; John Cuay, me, Barbie
Salvador, Mama Rua, and BbPilipinas
Universe Jennifer Barrientos
As the group grew bigger, we also saw our individual careers ourish. There are times we fail to meet due to hectic schedules. There are
also bumps along the way such as pe y quarrels, and other issues. But eventually, our passion for pageantry wins out in the end and we
rise above personal dierences to remain steadfast in our mission.
/2015/09/img_5844.jpg)
Aces & Queens Batch 2014 Screening
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I still cannot help but get aected when I encounter bashers in pageant forums and everywhere else but it does not make me stop. Every
year is faced with the same anticipation that we had back in the days when we would patiently wait by the sidewalk and gu ers of
Cubao then eagerly rush to the girls as they emerge from the building where the screenings were held. We would bombard them with
questions asking how they think they did and how the judges responded to them. We would try to squeeze out every single detail. (You
can ask the girls how we would overwhelm with our never-ending queries). We no longer loiter at the sidewalks and gu ers of Cubao
for we have discovered far more comfortable places (thank God), but none of the excitement has zzled out. It will take a lot more than
negative comments to extinguish our passion for pageants.
/2015/09/fullsizerender_1.jpg)
At Boyet Blas place , Greenbelt Residences

for a reunion in 2012
Aces and Queens is not a business. We spend our own money, and invest our time (six months a year!) tirelessly helping women from all
walks of life to achieve their dreams of becoming a beauty queen.
/2015/09/image21.jpg)
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Aces and Queens now (missing Director

Jerey Jeturian) l-r : Carlos Buendia, Pao
Baysa , Ces Evangelista, Arnold Mama
Rua Mercado, me, Nad Bronce, Bessie
Besana, Gerry Diaz, John Cuay, Jim, Cielo.
I have come to accept that one cannot please everybody. As long as we want to do this for the country and help young ladies achieve
their dreams whether it is to become a beauty queen or to mold her into a professional, then we are blessed. In the end our team is not
just a camp. We are a FAMILY. Beyond the world of pageants we have become friends, mentors, ninongs, and ninangs
(godfathers/godmothers to weddings and baptisms). We have forged something far more valuable than crowns we have developed
deep and meaningful relationships.
/2015/09/img_5843.jpg)
At the wedding of Shamcey Supsup and

Lloyd Lee
How It All Began
SEPTEMBER 14, 2015JANUARY 4, 2016 JAGAFFUD 11 COMMENTS
60 of 68 2/28/2017 1:14 PM
Pu ing the Philippines on the Map one Beauty Queen at a Time
When I was a kid, only two things fascinated me: geography and beauty pageants. As early as the age of 5, I would sketch the world map
dierent continents and countries. I would get thrilled whenever dierent countries were introduced in the Miss Universe pageant. Id
be glued to the television, watching excitedly. I would even browse my moms magazines for pageant updates and stories about beauty
queens.
I also staged my own beauty pageants! I would draw faces of girls (that would serve as headshots) from dierent countries and judge them
one by one. I would choose the top ten and have them change into gowns and swimsuits. And of course, I would eventually crown the
winner. That was a habit until I nished high school. Some might think that was crazy but looking back, those silly fantasies trained me
how to spot potential beauty queens.
In 2000, I found myself at a loss on what to do after nishing Geography in UP Diliman. One Christmas gathering with my colleagues at
the Student Council, our student adviser asked me what my plan was. I jokingly replied, I want to become a beauty queen. At that time I
was so devastated that Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2000, Nina Alagao, didnt place at all at the Miss Universe pageant. She was the perfect
beauty queen for me, and could have won the title. She was intelligent, sexy, smart, and beautiful.
/2015/09/img_4954.jpg)
BbPilipinas Universe 2000

Nina Ricci Alagao was very
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famous among pageant fans in

The Philippines.
My adviser somehow took me seriously and mentioned that she has a friend from the UP College of Law, who wanted to
join Bb.Pilipinas but didnt know how to go about it. That girl was Zorayda Ruth Andam.
/2015/09/im1.jpg)
Zorahs rst headshot as a

BbPilipinas aspirant in 2001.
I decided to meet Zorah at the Faculty Center in UP. I told her I knew some people (it wasnt entirely true! I did not know exactly what I
was doing). One of her friends, Nad Bronce, then a Public Administration graduate (and now an Instructor of Law at the Far Eastern
University and the University of the Philippines and also a sta at the House Speakers oce), checked my background. I just said I
knew Direk Je Jeturian, who I met during my stint as a volunteer at the Cinemanila International Film Festival, who was also part of the
group that supported Nina Alagaos quest for a title.
So I called Direk Je for a meeting and he and his group including Ces Evangelista, Boyet Blas, and Wendell Capili met me and Zorah.
They loved Zorah the rst time they saw her. They also introduced two other girls, Imee Martinez (a Chemistry graduate from UP) and
Michelle Reyes (a nurse at UST Hospital).
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We started training the girls. I trained them how to walk in the hallowed corridors of the Faculty Center
/2015/09/im2.jpg)
The second oor of the Faculty Center in

UP was my rst training space for beauty
queens.
Direk Je designated me as the catwalk trainer since he had previously witnessed me execute a beauty queen walk.
We also met other friends of Direk Je like make-up artist Jay Lozada and fashion designer Peter Lim and banker Gerry Diaz. Our group
was then called Mabuhay Beauties because Boyet was the admin of the pageant forum page of the same name.
/2015/09/img_5058.jpg)
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Our tambayan was at the Geographic

Society of UP where I was President for
two years. L-R Zorahs brother, UP College
of Arts and Le ers Professor Wendell
Capili, Zorah, yours truly with a 22 inch
waistline, Michelle, Direk Ces Evangelista
and Nad Bronce.
/2015/09/img_5060.jpg)
Movie and teleserye award winning

Director Jerey Jeturian (leftmost) and
make up artist Jay Lozada to his left, with
Zorah and Michelle together with Zorahs
Mom (deceased).
Everything happened so fast and before i knew it we were already at the screening at The Expo in Cubao until almost 3am.
64 of 68 2/28/2017 1:14 PM
/2015/09/im3.jpg)
Our rst three girls as a group in

BbPilipinas 2001. L-R Imee, Michelle and
Zorah.
When the three girls walked in, we started analysing how they will fare at the pageant. I felt like an expert! All my sketching and research
since I was a kid just came ooding in! I belonged and nally found my passion. It simply felt right.
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/2015/09/img_4943.jpg)
During the Parade (L-R) Zorah,

Michelle and Imee
I observed everyone and everything. I mingled with the parents of other girls, I found myself in the presence of people who have been
involved in pageants for a long time luminaries like Rodgil Flores, Felix Manuel, Gerry Yumping, blogger Norman Tinio, Tony Paat and
Aces and Queens Arnold Mercado.
I met the people from GMA involved in the production, BPCI, and most specially the icon of Philippine pageantry, Mrs. Stella Araneta.
I did not have a job at that time. I received allowance from Direk Je for me to go to Araneta Center almost everyday to watch our girls.
I had so much fun I did not care about the money or what to do next. I would always go to Wendys near the South Gate of the Araneta
Coliseum, which was our regular meeting place. I felt like living the dream that I always had since I was just a kid reading about pageants
and cu ing gures from magazines. It seemed like I was dressing up human Barbies, knowing them, also ge ing to help them. The
experience transformed me and forever changed the course of my life.
I was absolutely certain that time that we were going to win but I was nervous and thrilled. All I wanted was for our three girls to win any
of the crowns. Lo and behold, the rst lady I ever trained to join a national pageant went on to become Bb. Pilipinas Universe of 2001!
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/2015/09/img_4946.jpg)
Zorahs crowning
moment in 2001.
/2015/09/image1.jpg)
Zorah competing in the

evening gown segment at
The Miss Universe pageant in
Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
67 of 68 2/28/2017 1:14 PM
/2015/09/image2.jpg)
Zorah is now a lawyer, worked at

ACCRA but is now based in
Chicago, USA with a her husband
and child.
This was just the beginning of what has become the story of my life from Zorah Andam to Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Ariella Arida,
Janine Tugonon, Megan Young and other beauty queens. Find out more next week when I talk about how our beloved group, Aces &
Queens came to be.
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Conquering the Universe, Part 2

JANUARY 11, 2016JANUARY 11, 2016 JAGAFFUD 11 COMMENTS

Pia in swimsuit from 2013 to 2015.

After watching Miss universe 2014 in Miami, this was our

Pia and I at the backstage after the coronation.

Conquering the Universe Part 1 (first of three parts)

JANUARY 5, 2016JANUARY 5, 2016 JAGAFFUD 23 COMMENTS

Team Aces & Queens 2013. On my left is Pia wearing white.

Aces & Queens winners of 2014

We were all heartbroken for Pia that time.

Pia praying so hard to get the crown in 2014.

Ara Arida and I at the Miss Universe pageant in Doral, Florida.

The Story Of Our World

OCTOBER 26, 2015JANUARY 4, 2016 JAGAFFUD 5 COMMENTS

The charming Mafae Yunon at the pageants introduction.

Mafae was at the top ten for Beach Beauty category.

Mafae in her evening gown.

Miss Philippines upon being called to the top 5.

but we were not fortunate enough to make it happen.

The very beautiful Ann Umali won BbPilipinas World in 2009.

The tall and statuesque Gwen Ruais.

With Miss World 2012 from China.

Team Aces and Queens in Bali.

Hillarie Parungao (left) and Cassandra Naidas (right).

Me and Hillarie after the coronation.

The Aces and Queens: A Group Bound by Passion for Pageants

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015JANUARY 4, 2016 JAGAFFUD 6 COMMENTS

New logo of the group

Team Aces and Queens as of 2015.

we go through this exercise twice a year already.

Screening of Ara (left) and Pia (right) in

Our four girls in 2006 at the screening. L-R:

A&Q class of 2010: Nicole e Henson, Gwen

train. That suggestion was unanimously approved by all the members.

JJNR in 2008: l-r Nad, BbPilipinas World

Aces & Queens Batch 2014 Screening

At Boyet Blas place , Greenbelt Residences

Aces and Queens now (missing Director

At the wedding of Shamcey Supsup and

How It All Began

SEPTEMBER 14, 2015JANUARY 4, 2016 JAGAFFUD 11 COMMENTS

Pu ing the Philippines on the Map one Beauty Queen at a Time

BbPilipinas Universe 2000

famous among pageant fans in

Zorahs rst headshot as a

The second oor of the Faculty Center in

Our tambayan was at the Geographic

Movie and teleserye award winning

Our rst three girls as a group in

During the Parade (L-R) Zorah,

Zorah competing in the

Zorah is now a lawyer, worked at

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