This Has Gone Viral

I first heard the name Apo Whang-od Oggay when Michelle Dee competed in Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador. Because candidates and pageant organizers wanted to be relevant to the Miss Universe, they burned their midnight candles thinking about what Pinoy tradition or culture could be incorporated into her evening gowns or national costume to get a good impression.   

Mark Bumgarner (the designer of Michelle's gown) concocted the idea that Michelle's atypical black gown was inspired by a Filipino cultural icon, the living legend Whang-Od-- the 106-year-old Kalinga tattoo artist or "mambabatok."

They want to make it a tribute to a legendary Filipina who has become a cultural symbol ... preserving the rich cultural heritage of indigenous tattoo art. Apo Whang-od is the recipient of the Dangal ng Haraya Award for Intangible Cultural Heritage - this was conferred to her last 2018.

Michelle modeling the gown created a lot of hooplas... and everybody was talking about it. It made rounds in social media and netizens were praising it ... and to quote my friend... "it was unlike anything else" ... and it was singled out for its exceptionally rare ethnic and cultural representation.

Fast forward to today. Apo Whang-od ... the centenarian mambabatok is hitting the headlines one more time and to tell you the truth the netizen's reaction was mixed.

It looked like the fangs of notoriety were showing their ugly faces - when travelers to Kalinga make it a point to include in their life-to-do-list ... a meeting with the icon face-to-face and possibly have an ink or a tattoo that will make them remember his encounter with her ... up close and personal.

Whatever reasons they have for seeing her .... whether good or bad ... that she is the last traditional tattoo artist of her generation ... that it is an opportunity of a lifetime to see her in action ... and doing things that she does best.

It is also an open book now (especially to tourists/travelers) that the old lady has a proclivity or to put it mildly ... a penchant ... and to put it more blatant - a bad habit of touching male genitals without warning and without consent.

We know she is a centenarian ... an icon and a woman.  Is she doing it for fun ... to break monotony ... and pardon me I have to ask this ... is she doing it to derive pleasure?

And to the male guests who frequent her place and who know her history... are they lining up because they are inquisitive about what the experience would be like ... just like when he was curious about drugs and what wonders they will give him?

When Piolo Pascual visited her in Buscalan ... they were seen talking and before Piolo knew it she was already touching her target. Piolo did not resist or did not say No (maybe out of respect for her and her age) ... so both ended up laughing ... like it was not a big deal.

Was Piolo warned about her habits? If he didn't ... bless his soul ... but if he is aware ... he is a willing victim.

GMA weather forecaster Anjo Pertierra also dropped by and paid her a visit. Before he could see rain in summer ... her hand already landed cozy on the "area of responsibility" for this young weathercaster.

Again I asked I don't want to put judgment on Anjo ... but was he aware? Why was the camera ready to click and record the most important highlight of the meeting? 

If the answer is yes ... then the photos are like souvenir shots - a keepsake ... a moment ... a remembrance ... and a reminder. "Nahipo rin ako ni Apo ..."

Thrre Crowns In One Day

It is amazing where the Philippines is getting all this luck in pageantry. Not that I am complaining ... but last year there was an instance where the Philippines won 3 crowns in less than24 hours. Filipinos made that day ... a red-letter day because that feat remains unsurpassed. Not even Venezuela or USA or any SE Asian country holds "that One is for Ripley's record."

Well ... what do you know ... it sounds so surreal but deja vu paid us a visit one more time ... and March 24, 2024 to be exact is one of those dates to remember. Maria Gigante started the drumroll when she won Universal Woman 2024 in Cambodia.

Micahelle Joy Dumalaon came surging in when he won Mister Star Continental International 2024 in Vietnam.  And not to be outdone was Mark Joseph Gadaza who before the night is over won Mister World Ambassador International 2024 in Ho Chi Minh.

And not to be discounted is the feat of Larz Kent Dawson who settled for a first runner up finish in Mister Universe Tourism 2024 in Bali Indonesia. He was running 2 hours of sleep ... 0 caffeine - all adrenalin when we check his situation. 

I was even wondering if Erik Lennart Visser who is also from Philippines was not the last year winner - Larz could easily complete his journey by breaking last years record - getting 4 crowns in a matter of a day. The organization may have thought a back to back win for the Philippines would just be too selfish for comfort.

Pageant Result: Mr. Universe Grand Global Ambassador International 2023

The winner of  Mr. Universe Grand Global Ambassador International is Rodniel John Soriano from the Philippines. The pageant was held on December 3 2023 in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

Reacting to Shamcey Supsup & MJ Lastimosa | Being allowed to see judges ...

Cultural bias involves a prejudice or highlighted distinction in viewpoint that suggests a preference of one culture over another.  Cultural bias can be described as discriminative. There needs to be more group integration of social values, beliefs, and rules of conduct.

The other name for cultural bias is ethnocentrism. It is making judgments about other societies or groups based on one's cultural bias and/or beliefs. In simple terms, it is judging someone's culture based on the way you were reared (raised) e.g. viewing other cultures and groups through the lens of your cultural beliefs.

Reason Why Michelle Dee Lost at Miss Universe that No One Wants to Admit...

This video mentioned unconscious bias ... and just what exactly does that mean?

What is unconscious bias in beauty pageants? Unconscious (or implicit) bias is a term that describes the association we hold, outside our conscious awareness and control. It affects everyone, even Miss Universe judges or Miss U fans and followers. Unconscious bias is triggered by our brain automatically making quick judgments and assessments. They are influenced by our background, personal as well a vicarious experiences, societal stereotypes, and cultural context.

Unconscious bias happens when a judge or a fan thinks better of someone because they believe they are alike ... and less of someone because she/he feels she is different from him/her  .... more especially if she is of a different race, religion or age.

The human tendency to form an opinion about others, especially among beauty pageants judges can somehow affect the way he or she votes. Bias can stem from stereotypes, preconceived notions, past experiences, or gut instinct. Unconscious bias occurs when an individual is unaware of a prejudice.