Asian Beauties for Miss Universe 2011

This is it. I don't think any introduction is needed because any self-respecting gay man would know it's that time of the year again when our adrenalin levels are off the roof leading to the coronation night of the Miss Universe.

As usual, I will limit my bitching to the girls of Asia. I simply don't have time to do the African, European, and especially the Latina beauties.

I don't have any solid basis for my opinions except for their official photos and short interviews (posted on Youtube). Well that only accounts for ten percent of my judgement; the other ninety percent being based on my untrammeled meanness.

So let's get this over with, no?

Miss China

Girl's got a hot body and she knows how to use it. I don't understand the big hair though, which along with the drag queen make up, has swallowed her delicate features. A pink gown for a beauty pageant has not helped any one win the crown, unless it's prom queen she's vying for.

Miss Indonesia

She's actually my second favorite Asian girl this year. She's quite smart in her interview, albeit her answers are a tad too predictable. Her photos are always dynamic, but the gown with the curtain fabric has to be burned ASAP. Her best photo in the set is the beauty shot; look how minimal make up brings out her eyes.

Miss India

India often sends very striking and super intelligent girls. For some reason, this year their representative bores me.

Miss Japan

Isn't she cuuute? Her "dancing" photos are superb and clearly one of the best in the bunch this year. Her other photos seem to say she's approachable and easy-going, which are always good to have in beauty queens. Her interview confirms that she has a bubbly personality, so I'm definitely rooting for Miss Japan.

Miss Korea

Oh please. Next.
Miss Malaysia

I've never noticed any of Malaysia's past representatives except this year. I swear she's my favorite Asian girl. She's amazingly articulate, and she reminds me so much of Lara Dutta (Miss Universe 2000). What fault can I find in her photos, aber? I am crossing my fingers Miss Malaysia wins the crown this year.

Miss Philippines

Shamcey does nothing for me in the photos, especially in the dancing photo in which she looks a bit deranged. Her beauty shot is outstanding though, she looks genuinely happy to be there. But the pink gown? What did I tell you about them and prom queens? Better call Pitoy Moreno for a replacement!

Miss Singapore

Nothing about her excites me, to be honest. And you can tell she hangs out a lot with her gay friends, based on her pose in the evening gown. Isn't that sooo Mutya ng Pilipinas 1992?

Miss Sri Lanka

This woman, on other hand, needs gay friends.

Miss Thailand

Gurrrlll, get rid of those false eyelashes! Now! Miss Thailand is rather memorable for me because in her video interview she said she wants to become a plankton. How original! Should be exciting what she could think of during the Q&A on pageant night. Meanwhile in the evening gown photo, I love the edginess of the studded leggings but the color easily brings the garment to bubblegum territory.

Miss Vietnam

I don't know... Miss Vietnam this year does not excite me. Her interview was rather tepid, her photos lack oomph; except for the evening gown one. Diaphanous gowns that flow well, which she ably demonstrated above, have been big hits in the Miss Universe of late, so let's see if this girl wins by the gown.

Shelf Life: "Room" by Emma Donoghue

I read "Room" (2010) by Emma Donoghue on the plane ride from Bangkok to Manila and I wished that flight was long enough for me to finish the book in one sitting. Right on its first few pages, "Room" has definitely the power to grab you into the world of its 5-year old narrator, Jack, whose life is contained in a tiny room he shares with his mom. Jack's naivety in the midst of horror is at once heart-warming and tragic at the same time.

The Washington Post calls it "one of the most affecting and subtly profound novels of the year", while the New York Times says it is "sophisticated in outlook and execution". "Room" was listed for a slew of citations and won the 2011 Commonwealth Writer's Prize.

Rediscovery

I was in Manila last week for an official meeting held at the National Museum. Well, it was not a bad idea to be holed up in the museum for a few days, and the farewell dinner was in fact held at a grand marble hall where they also served amazing Pinoy food. During my stay in Manila we also visited the San Augustin Museum and the Bahay ng Tsinoy museum.

I managed to sneak to Greenbelt to meet friends. They are pretty much strangers to each other but I had no choice but to meet them in one go because I hardly had any time to catch up with them. But that was fun.

Also, quite luckily, the Bitch of Bangkok was on holiday in Las Islas Filipinas with his wife. We just had a few hours to hang out (they just arrived in Manila from Vigan and I was leaving for Quezon Province early the next day). We hung out a bit in Malate over some beer, but our meeting was very short. Oh well, I hope there's a next time. I'm very relieved though the couple loved their trip in Las Islas.

As mentioned, the next day the conference participants were off to Tayabas, Quezon, about three hours south of Manila. There we witnessed the official declaration of stone bridges in the city as National Cultural Treasures. In the evening, we had a drinking "ritual" of lambanog, courtesy of the city mayor.

Back in Manila the next day, I headed straight to the Cultural Center of the Philippines to catch Agnes Locsin's "Encantada", a ballet about the clash of animism and Catholicism in the Philippines. It was magnificent because it was very Filipino, from the movement, to the costumes and music (the latter being a pieces of Joey Ayala).

After the ballet, we had a few hours break and then we watched the revival of "Noli Me Tangere: The Musical", also at the CCP. Gosh, it was clear I already forgot most of my "Noli" because I hardly recognized the characters and plot. Mark Bautista played the role of Crisostomo and Cris Villonco was amazing as Maria Clara.

Too bad I did not have time to fly to Surigao to meet my mom. But other than that, the trip, despite its packed schedule, was a very profound experience for me because, cheesy it may sound, it gave me the opportunity to rediscover Pinoy culture.