But anyway, like I said, I was gonna write about this after witnessing how a beauty pageant in the international circuit is. Despite beauty pageants dating back into the 70s and 80s, no body really talks about the things that go on behind the scenes. What is it that makes a beauty pageant tick? What makes a winner? Call me curious. But when I went to compete internationally, it wasnt just about winning or making my mark, I genuinely wanted to see WHO would win and HOW people won.

Looking back into the history books of past pageants, it wasnt always the prettiest girls who won. And for this recent Miss Earth 2009, neither was it the girls who dressed the best, had the most luggages, stood out the most or had the prettiest, most perfect faces. We had girls who carried 11 luggages while others carried 2. Both, however, still made it to Top 16.

Why? What? Where? Who? How?

They say you should never judge a book by its cover. We are, however, IN a beauty pageant and beauty is probably only skin deep. Sure you can talk about inner beauty. But what’s the first thing that strikes you when you meet a person?

How he/she looks.

All those photos that are plastered on the Internet, in forums, in print of the various contestants. What do you look at when your eye catches a glimpse of a visual?

How white the teeth are. Whether they’re crooked or not. How big the eyes and nose are. How smooth the skin is.

All that boils down to?

How a person looks.

And guys, dont deny it. You look at how big the boobs are, regardless of whether you’re a butt or legs person.

You might not know it. But your brain actually has an in-built calculator that tells you if a person is attractive or not. Beauty happens to be a mathematical formula. Sometimes, however, the beauty goes beyond skin surface. We’re not just about someone’s personality. We’re talking just a tiny little bit below the epidermis to the dermis where collagen and elastic tissue are. Knowing the formula of beauty gives you the power to change it.

If I were to speak the truth, I would tell you that we ALL had things done to enhance our beauty during the entire pageant.

It was only a matter of how permanent these changes were.

Hair extensions, nail extensions, fake eyelashes and in particular, silicon bras were staples in our beauty arsenal. Especially when it came to the big shows. During bikini rounds, we’d all STILL lament at our lack of cleavage even with the help of the silicon bra. Even makeup was used to dramatically change one’s look; both body and face contours. We’d highlight our nose bridges, bronze our bodies, contour our abs and spray-on stockings so legs looked smooth and flawless. And what about that voluminious hair? You didnt honestly think it would be without hairspray and extensions did you?

You’d be surprised at how different some girls looked without makeup. Seriously, they were unrecognisable. Thus, clearly demonstrating the power of makeup. Probably a good reason why they had prejudging without makeup. Fake tans, spray-on stockings, coloured contacts, teeth whitening kits littered the bathrooms of our residences and makeup counters backstage. And this was on top of already some permanent changes for some girls.

You could TELL just by looking which girls had had plastic surgery. But there were those who openly came clean about it. Honestly, I wasnt surprised that girls in an international pageant circuit have had plastic surgery. Breast implants, Botox and nose jobs, you name it, they’ve had it. Some girls had the entire works done.

You know what’s the best part?

They were all sponsored by their organisers.

How to fight lidat?! THAT’S why they all look so gorgeous.

I’m in no way saying I’m pro changing one’s appearance. Neither am I against it. We do it all the time, anyway, with our dressing, with our hair and with makeup. Even exercising helps to keep your body looking a certain way. So, thinking about it, if you come from a country where the changing of one’s external appearance is looked upon as a no-no, then how is possible for one to compete with countries where plastic surgery cases are a dime a dozen, particularly in a beauty pageant. If you say you’re sending the most beautiful representative from your country, would you then forbid the delegate to do their very best in representing his/her own country even if it meant resorting to “alternative methods”?

Compare this to if one were to compete in a sport where the athletes have had training since they were born, a competitor who’s only had training since 15 would have missed out on crucial time that could be spent honing skills. See the similarities?

I’m not about to stretch my hand out and ask for any part of me to be augmented (although I’ll admit I would very much like proper double eyelids) because there WERE girls in the Top 16 who were completely genuine and real. They worked out, took good care of their skin and hair. Basically they took care of themselves from top to toe. These are true and genuine beauties. I think I was lucky to be one of them. HAHAHAHA.

But on a more serious note, we could tell right from the very start.

The Top 15 girls for swimsuit comprised of a good mix of both plastic girls and real girls. Here’s a little inside info: a lot of us were rooting for the real girls to win.

It takes a LOT of hard work maintaining one’s appearance I must say. After all that scrubbing, buffing, running, exercising and eating right, I WOULD know. But not everyone has the time and energy to lead such a lifestyle. They thus opt for the fastest, least time consuming method.

I’m not insinuating that this year’s Miss Earth 2009 winner had anything changed. But, despite already having gone under the knife, if we can honour and crown these girls in various other international beauty pageants because they epitomise the beauty of women around the world, what does that say about us and our standards of beauty?

The person who said it must have been a beauty queen of some sort.

The last time we were so sleep deprived was the time we travelled 8 hours on the bus from Subic to Mamburao. If my sleep-deprived-working-in-safe-mode brain still serves me well that is.

We had our final long gown competition last night in Pagcor and Sandra, Miss Philippines, definitely had the most outstanding gown among the top 15 finalists. We were blown away the moment she stepped on stage. Alongside Best in Swimsuit, she thus also bagged Best in evening Gown.

3am and we leave for the airport to Iloilo. A convoy of buses carrying girls in states of unconciousness blazes through the surprisingly still busy streets of Manila. We arrive at the airport and everyone files out. You’d think that a bunch of Hollywood celebrities have arrived since almost 80% sport large sunnies. But really we’re all hiding behind our oversized shades trying to conceal our fatigue.

Iloilo’s CPU was the venue for the talent competition tonight. It was a tough fight but Tahiti danced her way amidst other hiphop, traditional and song performances. She definitely wow-ed the audience and the judges with her nimble hips.

As I was watching the contestants, I did wish I had continued with dance more. Haha. I miss dance so much! Especially my loves jazz and hiphop. I could have been up there with a fighting chance. LOL.

But I’m so proud of Neu!! And so happy for her. She is such a sweetheart. Tonight she was excellent on stage. Not only were her moves fantastic she won the judges over with her beautiful smile. Yayyy!!! Group 3 for the win! So far we’ve got Best in Talent, Best in National Costume and Miss Congeneality to our group’s name. Wo00ot! I hope somebody from our group gets Top 4 spots.

Just a couple more days to Coronation before a new queen is crowned. It’s tiring but hang in there girls. This will probably be the only time in our lives we do something like this.

No one ever said being beautiful was easy.

The same thing happened before lunch. Haha. Bleary-eyed and eyes glued shut, we had to attend a luncheon at a very nice country club aptly named The Palms. We had to meet the mayor in our semi-conscious state. The great food, however, immediately woke us up.

Then there’s the ambushing when you are alone trying to shovel some grub into your mouth. People come up and ask for pictures. We really dont mind, but sometimes all we wanna do is eat in peace before we pass out. It’s a wonder they dont wonder where the growling dog is when they take pictures with us. For a beauty pageant, we girls sure are a hungry lot.

Tip: Best to stay in groups so it’s harder to ambush you for a picture.

This morning, we went on a tree top adventure and got to experience free-fall rapelling ala Mission Impossible style, sending screams through the tree top canopies. It was scary at first because it truly felt like you were falling with no parachute, but at least for me, nearing the ground it became a lot better and the fear subsided. I really enjoyed it. Then there was the Superman ride which saw 2 girls zip thru the air forwards and backwards. Now, that was super fun. Hahaha. I caught Miss Switzerlands’s and my expressions on video. Haha.

The adrenalin rush was amazing but short-lived. We had to quickly leave for our preliminary swimsuit competition at Lakeshore.

We had no time to spare. The girls from Group 3 rushed to do their own hair and makeup before going on stage. But as is expected, the actual show always seems to pass in the blink of an eye. The judges picked 5 girls and they will be competing with the other 10 girls from Group 1 and 2 to land the title Best in Swimsuit. These girls are: Miss Mexico, Miss Switzerland, Miss Brazil, Miss France and Miss Paraguay.

Most of us are just really glad that the swimsuit competition is finally over because we’ve been so worried that we’d be eating ourselves fat. The hospitality of the people of Iloco Norte has been absolutely amazing. They feed us non-stop! I think we get at least 5 meals a day: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, snack, dinner.

But we’re back in Manila now and leaving in a couple of hours for another province. I think our group has the best itinerary because we get to explore the lesser seen side of the Philippines. Despite the fatigue, viewing the untouched civilisation and serene beauty of nature is mind-blowing. But let’s not forget the competitions.

Haha. I think it’s funny how we switch from being all road-trippy/girls day out to competition mode in an instant when the time calls for it. But that’s probably the mark of true beauty queens.

We had our press conference today. More a press presentation to be exact. We had to be ready by 7am, dressed and madeup before the bus could ferry us to our destination. Huge bags aside, many of us didn’t have time to get breakfast.

If you do the math, 80 hungry girls waiting for 5 makeup artists to do their hair and makeup does not equate a show that will start on time

Lesson 1: Always be prepared to do your own makeup and hair. And you better bloody make sure you have good makeup skills.

Then comes some circumstances that are beyond your control – the weather. We were scheduled to do an outdoor presentation on a makeshift stage. Girls in bikinis, you’d think that since we were in swimwear there be SOME water right? Well the heavens gave us exactly that: a heavy downpour. We thus had to learn another choreography JUST IN CASE it kept pouring.

Lesson 2: Be quick and flexible and you better hope you learn choreography at the drop of a hat.

Thank goodness this was a gathering of 80 beauty queens, all winners in their own countries, so choreography was a breeze.

When show time came, it was still raining and the presentation was held indoors. But the final group picture was outdoors….. Until the rain came pouring down again. Despite the gloomy weather, the cameras never stopped flashing and smiles never waned.

Lesson 3: Keep smiling through the darkest or in this case, wettest of situations.

What did I tell you? It’s not all about looking pretty. Pretty girls who don’t have resolve wouldn’t be able to stand in the rain without complaining. Oh I’m not saying there weren’t any around but most people endured it without throwing a hissy fit.

Anyhoos, it’s off to the theatre we go for the National Costume competition. But before that ima power nap on the bus. Oh and that’s a very important lesson 4.

You must be able to sleep anywhere, anytime. Especially on the bus. Long travelling times from one destination to another are good opportunities to catch up on some shut eye and recharge for the next event.

Haha. I’ve just spent an entire day filled with nothing but fun in the company of 11 other girls in one of the best themes parks in Philippines – Enchanted Kingdom.

We were first part of the parade with our little charges. I was paired up with a 4 year old bundle of energy and we had an awesome time waving to the crowd, dancing, jumping over cracks and fake racing each other when there was space in front of us. It was hot out but we quickly returned to the performance tent for a story-telling session by Miss Karla, the reigning Miss Earth 2008. The Frog Prince was told alongside an entertaining drama performance on stage.

Then came the fun part!! After the story-telling, we girls got to roam the theme park and experience whatever ride we wanted! I paired up with Miss Hungary and we went on the most exciting rides like a roller coaster, the Viking boat and a mechanical hot air balloon that left me breathless from its powerful centrifugal force. Haha. Dont forget the thrilling water rides that got us ALL squealing as water splashed about and soaked us to the bone. Haha. My favourite ride had to be the Flying Fiesta though. You were strapped to a seat and lifted off the ground with absolutely nothing below your feet. Haha. It was such an exhilarating experience that one. With nothing below you, your feet dangling high above the ground and the wind running its warm gentle fingers through your hair, it’s a liberating yet adrenalin pumping experience.

I could surely ride the Flying Fiesta a million times over and not get sick of it. Theme parks always brings out the kid in me. And with the little angel with a sunshine smile by my side, I felt like I was 10 all over again.

As I write this on the bus ride home with lights dimmed to stimulate a conducive sleeping environment, the biggest testament to how much fun we had would be the sleeping 4 year old in my lap. My present to her before we left the theme park was a flashing light wand with a star tip because I want this experience to be that bright shiny star that makes her smile every time she thinks of the time she spent an entire day with Miss Earth 2009 delegates in Enchanted Kingdom. I know it’ll definitely feature prominently in my mind in time to come.

Enchanted Kingdom has definitely got me under its spell with its exciting rides, yummy food (we had fried chicken for dinner!) and of course the friendly people, all who came up and clamoured to take pictures with us girls because it’s a rare opportunity to have girls from all over the world together in your country for an international pageant.

Thank you all the staff at Enchanted Kingdom for having us. Thank you the security for taking care of us. Haha. I found it highly amusing that people had to be turned down as we were ushered away when people asked for photos. So this is what it’s like being a mini celebrity. Haha. Might take some time getting used to.

It’s not, however, all fun and games. The other girls went through their interviews as we spent our time in the sun. Also, the National Costume competition comes up in about 2 days time.

Time to rest up now.

Everyone loves good service. But that was not what I expected when I got my Gmask done at Plaza Singapura. They offered a 1 month warranty after masking covering defects including workmanship and I thought I’d go back and get my mask done again because the prints had somehow faded even though I put my Berry back in its case after I got the mask done. In my mind, it probably was something she didnt do that caused it to fade because I’m careful when it comes to my gadgets.

I mean, I’d used the magic Berry case EVEN after masking. Double protection yknow. Wanted to protect both the mask and the phone.

However, I was sorely disappointed when I went back there. After explaining my situation to the girl at the counter, the salesgirl said that the fading of the print was due to the fact that MY BERRY PLUS THE INSIDE OF THE CASE WAS DIRTY! Hello a 2-month old Berry is not DIRTY. It’s not like I use it while bathing in mud either. I obviously wasnt pleased with her “reason” of my Berry being dirty.

I’d paid good money for this. But sadly, it didnt deliver and live up to my expectations. But hey, since I’d already covered up the original backing (albeit with a high price), I might as well zhng it the way I want it right? Turn the BlackBerry into a BlingBerry without ruining the original cover.

Rummaging through my DIY box, picking up scraps and a couple of hours later, my Berry is now a chio BlingBerry.

But as Murphy would have it, happy with my BlingBerry now, the owners of Gmask themselves actually contacted me via email and offered to remask my berry for me at the original boutiques in either Junction 8 and Suntec!

click to enlarge

I’d first said thank you and turned down his kind offer since I’d already covered the mask with my own handicraft. But it was his persistence and strong belief in his own product that impressed me. He honestly didnt have to contact me; he didnt have to offer an explanation that included shouldering the blame and explainiing thoroughly the masking process because the branch I went to at Plaza Singapura was only a franchise and not directly managed by the owners themselves. They dont have direct control over the staff working there.

Despite that, he humbly apologised on behalf of the girl although it was not his responsibility to. It was his sincerity and faith that impressed me. The fact he was able to eat humble pie, unlike so many we usually encounter, is what I called putting service above self. One is able to see that he truly believes in what he’s selling. He even asked for suggestions and feedback with regards on how they could improve. And for someone like me who’s worked in service, I’d never sell anything that I dont personally use or believe in.

So now, my question is what do I bring down for them to remask? My iPod Touch is already blinged up as is my Berry Bold. Maybe I might just get my camera done. Hrm…

4 prominent trends were spotted on the runway from top designers and trust M.A.C to come up with collections that will help you achieve these hot looks.

I got a sneak peek of the collections that will be launching in Sept/Oct and I WANT EM ALL! Gregory Arlt, Director of Makeup Artistry from M.A.C, was down in Singapore a couple of weeks back to show us how to achieve these runway inspired looks.

The first of 4 prominent trends where strong eyes were the main focus was aptly titled LID VICIOUS.

Think smudged, greasy, morning-after eyes and you have this season’s attitude driven and deliberate darkness. This is definitely my favourite style because I’m such a sucker for dark, smoky eyes.

With their launch of Style Black come October, I am going to dance in darkness with their Mineralise Eyeshadow in Blue Flame and Cinderella and Greasepaint Stick. The latter promises to spin you right to the depths of smoky, punky glamour. Just look at how he demonstrated the use of the eyeshadow on the model. So punk rock-chick. I’m loving it!

Who’s That Girl? with the red, hot lips?

The next trend Greg spotted on the runway this season was a flamboyant, neon lip contrasted against satiny skin. When it comes to pulling out that individual element, the rule this seasons appears to be: if in doubt, do a lip. And a perfectly lined, exorbitantly coloured one at that.
I’ve always wanted to do a traffic red stopping lip, but never had to guts to.

Greg shows how to transform your matt red lipstick from flat to fab. Instead of your usual matt red lipstick, you can make yourself runway ready, with a hint of Dazzleglass Creme. It makes the models lips super shiny and look like it’s bee-stung! I totally want that! I can’t resist super shiny gloss. It’s hard to say no to lips looking like they’ve been injected with too much silicone.

I get free massages when I have dinner. Hahaha.

Disclaimer: No children were hurt in the taking of this photo.

A dance should speak to you. And this one spoke volumes. You can practically feel the emotion through the screen! Of course it helped that both of them are incredibly strong dancers.

This video made me miss dance so much. Speaking with your body because words are always never enough. I feel the angst/anger in Hip Hop; I feel the pain and emotions in a slow song. Fusing two into one: BEAUTIFUL.

If you and I could dance, that’s how it’d be.