How Miss Global Philippines differs from other beauty pageants

There are so many beauty pageants in this beauty-crazy country, so you tend to confuse one with the other, don’t you?

So what makes the two-year-old Miss Global Philippines different from the others?

“Ours is the only contest that allows single moms to compete as long as they are not married,” said Pauline Sofia Laping, CEO/national director of the pageant which has just named Candice Ramos of Vigan City as its second winner recently. “We have also set the minimum age at 27, but in the international counterpart, the age limit is 35. We want to give, especially single moms, a chance to show the world how they keep themselves fit and fabulous. It doesn’t matter how many children a single mom has as long as she is not married.” 

It was Pauline’s mom, Rizza Lao Laping (chairman and founder), who assigned Pauline to be in-charge of the pageant which they put up with the encouragement of their friend, one-time beauty queen Lorraine Schuck (now behind the annual Miss Earth-Philippines search).

“One of last year’s finalists was a single mom,” added Pauline. “There were two single moms in this year’s batch but you can’t really tell even if you look closely at them.”

“There are girls who get pregnant as early as age 18,” explained Catherine Marie Saab Almirante, last year’s winner who placed second runner-up to Miss Australia in the Miss Global International pageant. “But that shouldn’t stop them from realizing their dream of becoming a beauty queen. Abroad, people are amazed how Filipinas take good care of themselves even if they already have babies.” 

A native of Cagayan de Oro, Catherine would like to venture into showbiz. She auditioned for PBB (Pinoy Big Brother) twice but backed out at the last minute. If ever, she said she would love to work with Enrique Gil, James Reid and Alden Richards.

“Yes, I have a boyfriend,” she admitted, “but he’s not strict. At hindi siya seloso.”

Meanwhile, Catherine is helping prepare for the 2015 Miss Global International which will be held on Oct. 22 at The Theatre of Solaire, with more than 40 candidates from other countries. There will be a “Battle of Talents” with Manny Pacquiao as host while the swimsuit competition will be held in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, with Gov. Migz Villafuerte as host.

“Hosting the event is a tough job,” said Pauline, “pero okey lang because we want to help show the world how beautiful our country is.”

Another Pinoy designer making waves abroad

Photo from Galon’s Instagram

The evening gown of newly-crowned 2015 Mrs. Universe Ashley Calling Burnham worn during the finals was designed by Joey Galon, a Fil-Am fashion designer and pageant coach based in Las Vegas.

Galon was born in the Bay Area, San Francisco. His mother hails from Cebu and his father from Bohol. Also an event producer and motivational speaker, Galon has dressed up several celebrities and beauty queens including some contestants of Miss Philippines-USA pageant and recently, 2015 Miss USA third runner-up Brittany McGowan of Nevada and 2014 Miss Earth USA Andrea Neu who placed first runner-up (Miss Air) to our very own Jamie Herrell.

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