L-R – Rose Fajardo (1st Runner-up), Kim Karlsson (Miss Grand Philippines 2014 winner) and Erna Gomez (2nd Runner-up)
Congratulations to Kim Karlsson for winning the first ever locally-staged beauty pageant of the Miss Grand Philippines franchise! The Swedish-Pinay beauty won by a hairline over 1st Runner-up Rose Fajardo who was the crowd favorite while Best in Long Gown winner Erna Gomez took the 2nd Runner-up slot.
John dela Vega on the far right…. next to him is Ali Forbes then Erna Gomez, winner Kim Karlsson, Rose Fajardo and the reigning Miss Grand Int’l Janelee Chaparro
But the biggest victory goes to John dela Vega for staging his first-ever national-level beauty pageant; a dream come true for the young beauty-queen-maker. Although the production and staging of Miss Grand Philippines 2014 had a few glitches and could have been more polished, it’s definitely something to be proud of! The grand event was held in the theater of the Toyota Cultural Center in the UP Diliman area.
The Miss Grand Philippines winner, Kim Karlsson, will now spend the next month getting ready to compete in the Miss Grand International 2014 pageant which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand. She departs for the Asian nation on September 15, 2014.
L-R – Miss Grand Int’l pageant director Mr. Nawat Itsaragrasi, Miss Grand Int’l 2013 Janelee Chaparro, Miss Grand Phils 2014 Kim Karlsson and Miss Grand Int’l 2013 3rd RU Ali Forbes
One of the most exciting things about the first-ever staging of Miss Grand Philippines was the presence of the creator of the Miss Grand International franchise, Mr. Nawat Itsaragrasi of Thailand and the current winner, Janelee Chaparro who is from Puerto Rico. It is interesting to note that both of them abstained from judging and left the decision to the panel of judges which included yours truly.
It was a difficult pageant for the panel to judge since Miss Grand International is only on it’s second year so there is no solid ‘peg’ to base our decisions on. But I am pleased with the outcome and believe that Kim Karlsson will represent the Philippines well. She’s got a lovely personality and an alluring type of beauty. For me, her shining moment was during the Long Gown Competition…
Kim Karlsson in the long gown competition wearing a stunning ruby-red gown that brought out her seductive side…
Apart from winning the main title, Kim Karlsson also won three special awards: Best in National Costume, Miss White Beauty and Miss Emar Suites (not sure if I got that name right).
I will try to upload more photos in the coming days (if I can squeeze out some time) but in the meantime here is the complete list of winners and special awardees announced on coronation night… Congratulations to them all!
Top 10:
#9 Kim Karlsson
#11 Jean Feliciano
#17Jessica Oribe
#15 Erna Gomez
#1 Ivy Enriquez
#5 Cynthia Caldona
#8 Desiree Betito
#7 Rose Fajardo
#3 Ana Reniva
#13 Apple Ann Bartolome
Special Awards:
Best in Long Gown #15 Erna Gomez
Miss Friendship #3 Ana Reniva
Best in National Costume #9 Kim Karlsson
Miss Photogenic #1 Ivy Enriquez
Best in Swimwear #11 Jean Feliciano
Miss IAAS (International Academy for Aesthetic Sciences) #16 Dana Rockwell
Face of IAAS #13 Apple Ann Bartolome
“I Am Confidence” Award from Tupperware #13 Apple Ann Bartolome
Miss Reborn Apparel #3 Ana Reniva
Miss Informatics #7 Rose Fajardo
Miss To Go Travel #7 Rose Fajardo
Face of “Color Collection” #16 Dana Rockwell
Miss White Beauty #9 Kim Karlsson
Sash Factor People’s Choice #18 Princess Gonzales
Miss Elogy (not sure if this is the right spelling) #15 Erna Gomez
Miss Emar Suites (also not sure if I got this right) #9 Kim Karlsson
Miss Regroe #16 Dana Rockwell
Miss Gluta White #1 Ivy Enriquez
Miss Noche Dental Smile #15 Erna Gomez
Miss Capsinesis #7 Rose Fajardo
Flying kisses from Miss Grand Philippines 2014 Kim Karlsson (middle), 1st Runner-up Rose Fajardo (left) and 2nd Runner-up Erna Gomez (right)
