On Janine Tugonon's Becoming Ms Universe 2012's First Runner Up

I'm grateful to have seen the video above being broadcast live on TV with others including good friends last Wednesday December 19th. And we have been doing this group-event for a year or two now. I bravely predicted Janine Tugonon would win the top plum post of this beauty pageant. But I missed it by a point because the judges didn't agree with my prediction.

You could just imagine why viewers were disappointed, including those among friends who were with me viewing the proceedings, and who are among serious enthusiasts of international beauty pageants like this. I'm into it mainly because I like watching it with friends, or else, I won't watch it alone at home (I've got better things to do while at home where I make my business more profitable and make myself happy).

I've come to realized that some, including those among the judges, can't stand the truth when beauty is before them. Janine really performed and brought home the bacon, so to speak.  Proof of the observation that some people can't deal with the truth more honestly is how online viewers would go out of their way to disparage Janine Tugonon. You see the same behavior from people who destroy beautiful objects of art (be of religious topic, something cultural, books, or even cute animals), as they can't stand the sight of beauty before themselves. Have you seen how some people smirk and become nervous at the sight of something impossibly beautiful before them? That's something similar to what happened in the Ms. Universe 2012 pageant.

And I read Facebook remarks that Janine was well deserving of losing as she looks like a typical Filipina maid, and so that she should not be 'Ms. Universe 2012.' And we won't dwell anymore here about post-colonial thoughts that the judges couldn't stand having someone from a former US colony winning over the Mother country itself---silly thoughts to have here, actually. The world, since those years, have moved and continues to circle around the sun.

Look here, now. Standards of beauty and elegance are always changing and evolving. I'm just amazed that a number of those Latina beauties didn't make it to the top 5, considering that they've usually made it to the ranks in the past decades. Also, note that Ms. Angola, who's a stunningly beautiful, smart black lady, was Ms. Universe 2011---an idea that would have been unimaginable many decades ago to happen in beauty pageants like this one ---even one of my good friends that night still can't get over the idea that a black person would win this beauty contest as I heard him made silly remarks again (loud laughter!) about her looks.

My good American friend, who was born and raised here in the East Coast, was with us during the TV viewing event. He won't be watching this show alone by himself, except that he thought it could be fun watching it with others as he had nothing better to do and won't go to bed soon even if he had an early flight the next day. He said 'it's a mixed bag,' as he's biased (just like myself and anyone of us). He thought Janine really did well and she deserved to win as Ms. Universe 2012. And he even made remarks that run along the idea that the men (or straight men) among the judges might had been thinking about who among these women would they want to get to bed with---this is, of course, a tasteless remark. But I can imagine that it can really be among the thoughts of the (straight male) judges while in the process of judging the contestants. What are these beauty pageants all about but mainly to emphasize that physical traits of beauty reign supreme over something more subtle and beneath the skin? And the whole proceedings are mainly done repeatedly annually for marketing purposes with huge budgets---look at how happy Mr. Trump could be as some huge groups of people are talking about his franchise.

And actually, you have to recall that Janine did win. She's among the top 5 finalists, and she landed first runner-up. Not everybody among the rest of the contestants can be in her position, except Ms. USA. With that, it means she's among the most beauteous ladies from her ranks, and nobody can deny her (and her supporters) that, even the meanest critics among us. For that, I have to be grateful and I'm looking forward to more winnings for Philippine contestants (also from those in the USA, where I've been based for sometime now) in the years to come from seemingly petty, silly, stupid international beauty contests like this.

Learning from the ★American idol Jessica Sanchez Experience★ - YouTube

★American idol Jessica Sanchez-Turn the beat around[HD]★ - YouTube:

Well, I'm sad that my prediction became true, with Jessica not winning the 'American Idol' award this season. But I know she'll go farther in the direction of her entertainment career than the other one who won this season. The producers, advertisers, judges, and viewers generally are not convinced yet that an 'American Idol' has to be nothing else but the usual 'white person.' I experience a similar treatment in my writing career (mostly writing in English other than the other languages I know) just because I'm not someone whose English is considered my 1st language (The Bicol language, which most label as a 'dialect', was actually my 1st language, with both English and Tagalog languages I have come to learn and use practically at the same time by aged 7). But I'm happy knowing that people outside of the US read items in my growing portfolio, which I get to know from using certain softwares that help track locations of online viewers and readers. 

What needs to be done? Individuals like us here in the USA, and who look different from the 'average type' being shown in most media outlets have to  make themselves seen, noticed, known, etc by the general public, especially by influential, powerful people. Make ourselves become the opposite of stereotyped roles most would like to assign to us. And let's sustain our efforts in doing all these; in due time we'll become a stronger force that can't be ignored and labeled conveniently by those influential persons who are just so scared now because they're seeing that their presence out there is dimming so quickly than usual.

I'm sure Jessica Sanchez will be among the top 3 finalists of the current season of American Idol. At the same time, I doubt if she will win the coveted award. Most probably, viewers and producers of American Idol will weigh on her being too young and too talented, so she can always get more than enough gigs to sustain her energy and efforts to become a showbiz superstar in her own time. Look at the many others who were eliminated along the way, and yet they're more up there in the much talked about career ladder of entertainment.

But is this reasoning tenable? Yes, but only if viewers will allow this to happen, and also, only when the 3 judges (and those who advise and those who influence them in the background) will make this happen. I can just imagine how much concentrated prayers coming from TV viewers of Philippine-Mexican upbringing are now being said; they're basically all rooting for Ms. Sanchez to finish first in the current season of American Idol.

And why do I believe Ms. Sanchez will have the prospect of an extensive career laid before her? Remember how she rendered a version of Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You'? It's among the first-rate versions I've listened to-date, which are among those versions that don't sound as if the singer's attempting to being an autographed copy of the original (who's always considered the best by most minds on matters like this). Ms. Sanchez can stand on her own, even with worst chosen songs like the song 'Turn The Beat Around.'

Way to go, Ms. Jessica Sanchez! You make all of us who believe in your gift more prouder of ourselves; we see a piece of our dreams in what you're (and members of your ever supportive team) accomplishing nowadays.

'via Blog this'

On Top of the Bull at Cold Spring Upstate New York

We're told there was ice a week ago when they were here; winter is slowly saying its goodbye for now.

A section of the Hudson River in Cold Spring; Beacon (the next town) is toward the right side of the picture

one of the many ponds we saw along the trail

West Point is where that island-like land formation shown in this picture

Jeff E & myself; Jeff's the one who shared the pictures here from his phonecamera

sleepy, tired me!

I finally made it with other members of Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society again one weekend  and this time it's at Mt Taurus in Cold Spring. With 8 others in that trip, I felt safe and confident that I would complete the day hike even if I barely slept the night before because I had to be in a farewell party at a friend's house in Queens. I managed to wake up early enough and was soon waiting for my friend Jeff E (who shared all the pictures I've in this blog posting) whose reminder text to me the night before I only got to read at the Grand Central Terminal. I was soon chatting earnestly with another Sundance member, Robert (who I learned later, had been to the Philippines) as we waited for other members to arrive.

Thankfully, the hike was uneventful in the sense that nothing untoward happened. My state of mind during the hike was sluggish (it must be the red wine, the good food, the ecstatic singing, the company I had the pleasure of sharing the previous night). I was even telling Jeff E that I felt like I was attracting some bad elements that I feared would in turn hurt me--I felt no confidence in crossing one of the streams we faced along the trail and had my left shoe getting wet. I then proceeded to say my usual personal invocations to myself, and thankfully nothing as or more worst came about.

We were soon at the spot close to the peak before noon where we gathered and had lunch together. I delighted at the exchange and the chance to listen to mini-stories from others who joined the hike as we rested, and took time to enjoy the marvelous 360-degree view before us. I heard from someone that the island-like land formation along the Hudson River belongs to the famous West Point Military Academy site. I also took notice of a number of other hikers, some of whom had their huge dogs joining and playing with them.

We were also figuring out the outlines of NYC's familiar skyline of tall structures--I do hope then that we were correct with what our eyes could figure out. A powerful pair of binoculars would have easily confirmed this. The rest of the trail leading to the descent after lunch time could be considered easy, relatively. This can be particularly true if one's used to hiking on many occasions before (which I did myself when I was younger) and still relatively fit and healthy. I also recall having a kinda lengthy chat with Ron, who's a theater teacher, while the group's pursuing the trail, which gave me the opportunity to practice ideas that have been churning in my mind lately about my other works.

Most of us joined an early dinner at the Depot, which I understand used to be the train station in Cold Spring. The conversation flowed in wonderfully amidst the rolling of huge trains every now and then at least 8 feet away from the table where our group was gathered. The temperature was soon dropping and I felt chilly. As we walked back to the train station, I promised myself I'll join another trip with these enthusiastic fellows as soon as my schedule will allow it.

Asserting Myself as I Order "Large Coffee" in NYC Coffeehouses

Lately, I've experienced at least 3 times being misheard for ordering "large coffee", and the barista would give me 'iced coffee,' instead. The last time this happened, I flared up a bit and heightened the tone of my voice so everybody within 5 feet distance from me would hear what I wanted to say.

"I said, 'large coffee', not iced coffee. Is there something wrong with the way I pronounce it?" and in exasperation, "I'm sorry, I have a different accent," as I tried changing my tone in an instant (laughing somewhat in my mind and imagining how amusing I must have looked before them).

But the barista already apologized to me by quickly saying "I'm sorry. It's OK, I'll get you what you ordered" (or words to that effect), and in a few steps and less than 5 seconds, handed me my 'large coffee.'

And myself, being annoyed, said aloud "It's getting to be disturbing; this has happened to me at least twice." And I noticed one of the owners (or probably a manager) gave a me a look, but smilingly said "We're sorry (again, 'words to that effect' as I would not want to hear anymore words from them)." I just wanted to leave the  place as soon as possible, or else, I would be saying something more ugly to create an effect.

I just wanted to make a point. I can only imagine why they would mis-hear me. I hope I'm wrong but maybe because I look different from their usual customers in the area. Even those 2 guys in suits standing at my side paid attention to me when I asserted myself. Or most of them in that coffee shop must have thought I'm hispanic or something similar, just like those 2 or 3 guys I noticed helping inside the kitchen. Or is it just me imagining these probabilities with implications because I've got my own set of biases and prejudices, too? Whatever; I know I'm fine and happy having my cup of coffee as I switched my mood. It can happen to anyone here in NYC, I suppose.  I can only wish most would be exposed to other kinds of people in every moment of their lives here so they'd know how to listen and listen very well. And there would be no need to tire oneself over such a seemingly petty but really important matter when one is in business as serving coffee.