Ni Robert R. Requintina
Umani ng magkakahalong reaksiyon ang Miss Philippines Earth 2017 swimsuit competition nang ibinida ng 40 kalahok ang kanilang two-piece swimwear habang natatakpan ng itim na belo ang mga mukha, sa Pasig City, nitong Huwebes ng gabi.
Ayon sa Carousel Productions, ang nag-organisa ng pageant, pagtutuunan sa kakaibang swimsuit competition na tinawag na Beauty of Figure ay ang mga kurba ng katawan, pagdadala sa swimsuit at posing ng mga kandidata.
Sa susunod na linggo, huhusgahan naman ang ganda at poise at talino ng mga kalahok.
“The scores of the candidates in the three preliminary shows and other pre-pageant activities will be added up to choose the Top 12 semifinalists for this year’s pageant,” ayon sa organizers.
Mayroong dalawang aktibidad na unang beses na gagawin sa Miss Philippines Earth 2017: unang pagkakataon na magiging bukas sa publiko at media ang preliminaries ng major beauty pageant, at nakatakip ang mga mukha ng mga kalahok habang rumarampa nang naka-swimsuit.
Isa sa mga nagbigay ng komento si Norman Tinio, pinakasikat na pageant blogger sa mundo, tungkol sa preliminary pageant sa kanyang blog na normannorman.com.
“Reviews were mixed as some quarters did not particularly liked the implication of faceless bodies being assessed.
“There were comments that stated opposition since the entire judging should really complete the look – face/body, confidence and physical fitness. I was also taken aback by the novel idea.
“It wasn’t easy covering the event where faces are covered. Someone even joked that the ladies appeared like going for a swim but got lost along the way and ended up attending a wake instead.
“A bad quip really, but it can’t really be helped because even the press photographers got uneasy taking good pictures when the faces could not be properly matched with the figures,” ayon kay Tinio.
Isasagawa ang coronation night ng Miss Philippines Earth 2017 beauty pageant sa SM Mall of Asia Arena, sa Hulyo 15.