Post by samuel on Nov 11, 2014 15:57:08 GMT -5
OK, I'll try to summarize my comments as concise as possible. I thought I may have too much to say so I rather open up a new thread rather than comment.
I watched from the East Coast so I was quite unsure if I wanted to see the pageant till late morning. Since I didn't have to work and I never watched Miss International, why not? Only Miss Earth is the remaining pageant I haven't seen live.
Despite starting a few mins late (4-5 mins), the pageant unfortunately did go OVERTIME. It wasn't as bad as 2012 (which I heard was 5 hrs) but this year wasn't that great either..
It was a unique pageant. The music was the SAME throughout the webcast. Actually, everything was quite the same.. each delegate comes forward in costume, swimsuit, and gown. The girls came out in groups of 5 for gown and swimsuit. What I didn't quite like though was that the 5th girl received much more screen time than the other 4. Miss Universe is better at allocating time to each girl.
However, I did like how each girl was showcased. The national costume parade wasn't as bad as I thought. Miss Universe can actually adopt this!! But probably not for swimsuit and gown. That's why we have a preliminary pageant. If all the girls was judged in the final night, the pageant would run up to 4 hours (as it did). BUT, admittedly, it wasn't as boring as Miss World because the girls was showcased one by one and although they did speak Japanese throughout the show..... (wish they did English because this is a international pageant by the way), I can live with that.
AND YES, the intermission took up some time too. But as a US viewer watching home, I was hoping the announcement was made faster LOL so I can go to sleep. 6 am... I haven't stayed up to 6 am before!!
Focusing back on the pageant, there were many beautiful girls and it was quite competitive!! I don't really recall the standouts because nobody really stoodout to me, maybe except Finland and Poland! Poland looked very good in the beginning but her costume and gown was a little below average. Finland had the look the Japanese liked and indeed she made the top 10.
In terms of the top 10, if you can see my post in the other thread, I predicted five out of the 10 semifinalists. I got Thailand, Finland, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina. COLOMBIA REALLY GREW ONE ME THROUGHOUT THE TELECAST. The gown looked beautiful on her!! She had that attitude and presentation that when I looked at the photos, I didn't have her but immediately placed her after seeing the presentations.
The five that I didn't have was UK, Brazil, Indonesia, Panama, AND the eventual winner, Puerto Rico (AND SHE WAS THE LAST CALLED!!)
I know Miss International is unpredictable (like 2009's runner ups and other years), but I expected Philippines, Gabon (her gown wasn't that good but still), Guyana, and Poland to be up there. I expected at least one African but they only choose colored Latinas right??? No wonder they're called a racist pageant.. Anyhow, going back to the top 10, I found it to be surprising but not shocking.
I know Brazil and Puerto Rico do quite well in this pageant but their predecessors were stronger but they didn't make it. But, it's ok I guess. But, I didn't quite get Indonesia even though some sites had her as a favorite. UK was a pleasant surprise but again, she was noticed but not as heavily as say NETHERLANDS. She was a little off and I was thinking she may get cut, but I thought she looked better than Panama. Panama's gown was edgy and quite unexpected. She was definitely the biggest surprise. Overall, I would've swapped all 5 BUT I'm okay with UK and Brazil getting in but the other 3 were.. Don't know how to say it.
Then came the speeches. Thailand looked pretty but she was nervous.. That probably blew her chances away. She did look sincere though. HAD SHE PLACED 2ND OR 1ST, she would've TIED or beat Jessica B.'s record as the highest placed woman at International and Earth. It wasn't meant for her, but placing 3rd in TWO of the largest pageants in the world is quite something. Hope she competes in Universe someday!!
UK did ok, her content was simple but she wasn't nervous.
Finland looked a bit more mature but still was pretty. I thought she spoke well but unfortunately, she spoke too long.. The MCs didn't cut her and I was thinking to myself, is this timed?? The MCs had to remind each girl to limit their speech to 1 min afterwards.. Anyhow, this most likely deducted some points.
Brazil came next and she got a little nervous. She spoke in English and then a little Portuguese (?).
THEN CAME COLOMBIA. She won this round for me (alt. I didn't fully heard Puerto Rico's speech). She was fluent in English, confident, and very concise. AFTER HER SPEECH, I HAD HER FOR THE WIN. And, she looked quite pretty, prettier than the 2002 Colombian rep. at Universe.
Mexico was next and I barely heard her. She didn't project her voice nicely. People said her speech is one of her weaknesses and it showed. She kinda fell flat. I still thought she was worthy of a top 5 placement though.
Panama, the main surprise, was also nervous. She spoke in English and a little Spanish (?) but top 10 is already a great achievement for her.
Indonesia looked decent but since placements rarely come from this country (despite recent success in other pageants), she was a little surprise for me. She did well though. Spoke fluent English but this was as far as she went. Good placement for her country.
Argentina... out of all the Latinas, I actually liked her the most. She was a refreshing choice. Unfortunately, she didn't speak during the speech and seemed a little drowsy. The delivery wasn't good. I still wanted her in the top 3 though but her exclusion was understandable (plus the country didn't place high since the 80s??).
As for Puerto Rico... she looked pretty but not the one I expect from this powerhouse country. Her national costume was a skirt?? Presentation wise, I thought she was quite weak. That's why even though she is from PR, I didn't expect her to make it. As for the speech, unforunately, I only heard her say thank you Japan and then I had connection problems (I also missed Haiti in gown because of that too). I didn't hear her speech entirely. While I was thinking it didn't quite matter since Colombia will most likely win, it was PR who got the last laugh LOL. From what I am reading here though, her performance wasn't very outstanding and she wasn't considered a pre-pageant favorite so her win is quite UNEXPECTED. But, I guess that's why it's Miss International right lol??
AND THEN there had a second intermission. I understand they need time to make up their minds but I wish they had one only, like Miss Teen USA.
And it's ALREADY past five and the pageant's hasn't ended yet. I was thinking to myself, I hope it ends by 5:30 am. I need to sleep!! But... they had so much awards to hand out and it took them a LONG time lol..... I mean, did they really need to show that plate (excuse me, I don't know the proper name).
AND IT WAS SAD BUT ALSO FUNNY HOW SOME Japanese presenters didn't know how to put on a sash. LOL, some put it on the right side and some wanted to just place it on their heads!?
Was expecting Belgium to win Friendship but Colombia did. I was thinking, can history be made!!?!? Will she be the first Miss Friendship to win!?!
India won Internet Popularity and I was expecting Philippines lol.
Indonesia won Miss National Costume and I forget how her costume looked like. There were many good costumes this year and it was hard to judge. I did like Nicaragua and Aruba's though. Philippines' costume also looked nice.
France (who grew on me throughout the night!) won Perfect Body but she didn't make the top 10. Didn't quite make sense...
Best Dresser went to Colombia again and I was like, wow, she is walking award with 3 prizes tonight!! Really liked her gown. Two awards well deserved!!
The award winners can stay a little longer and lucky them!! 2007 was not that case.
And FINALLY was the announcement of the top 5!!!!!
Finland was 5th and I was happy even though she was my pick for 2nd. Thailand was my pick for 5th.
UK was 4th and I felt so-so. I had Mexico in 4th.
Thailand was announced as 2nd RU (like Miss Earth) and she looked stunning. Hope she goes to Universe someday. Well deserved placements. I had Argentina for 3rd.
Then came 1st RU... It wasn't Finland since she was called already. What a surprise, it was Colombia!! From her reaction, it seems like she thought she would win. Two side awards but not the crown. Nevertheless, she looked beautiful. Somehow, colored Latinas far well in International but not Africans.
While I was thinking International is a racist pageant and wouldn't crown a colored contestant, Puerto Rico was announced as the winner! My jaw literally dropped!! PR won it's 2nd Miss International crown out of no-where. She must've impressed the judges before the finals. WAS HER SPEECH GOOD GUYS? I didn't expect her to win. I was rooting for Argentina and Mexico but another Latina won. At least it wasn't Panama or Indonesia...
And just when I thought the webcast would signal off, she was given the microphone to speak!
And the pageant ended very... weirdly? Just like how the girls came out the exact same way every time, the girls walked off the stage (which was quite new to watch) and waved. The top 5 reappeared again and also waved and walked around.
I was like.. when is this pageant going to end!? It's 5:45 already!! I then realized it would not end until the stage lights were dimmed..... Indeed, after the MCs were filmed again and stage lights turned color did the show FINALLY end. I turned off my phone before the webcast cut off... I looked at the clock and it was 5:50!! Almost 4 hours. Too draggy in my opinion.
If I am given the choice again, I probably wouldn't watch this next year unless the girls I support (Hong Kong and USA are major favorites). The pageant wasn't necessarily boring but the time zone difference is huge and the pageant is very "robotic." Girls did the same routine all the time and walked on stage the same way every time. While this may be considered consistent and concise to some, to me, it made the pageant a little dull. No wonder that's why Global Beauties ranks Miss International poorly in terms of production. Miss Universe (although the same format EVERY YEAR) has that elements of SUSPENSE AND EXCITEMENT. Miss International can learn from Miss Universe in terms of production while Miss Universe can learn from them too, e.g. national costume introduction, having each girl walk across stage, and giving more time to each girl in terms of presenting awards.
Thank you for reading!!
I watched from the East Coast so I was quite unsure if I wanted to see the pageant till late morning. Since I didn't have to work and I never watched Miss International, why not? Only Miss Earth is the remaining pageant I haven't seen live.
Despite starting a few mins late (4-5 mins), the pageant unfortunately did go OVERTIME. It wasn't as bad as 2012 (which I heard was 5 hrs) but this year wasn't that great either..
It was a unique pageant. The music was the SAME throughout the webcast. Actually, everything was quite the same.. each delegate comes forward in costume, swimsuit, and gown. The girls came out in groups of 5 for gown and swimsuit. What I didn't quite like though was that the 5th girl received much more screen time than the other 4. Miss Universe is better at allocating time to each girl.
However, I did like how each girl was showcased. The national costume parade wasn't as bad as I thought. Miss Universe can actually adopt this!! But probably not for swimsuit and gown. That's why we have a preliminary pageant. If all the girls was judged in the final night, the pageant would run up to 4 hours (as it did). BUT, admittedly, it wasn't as boring as Miss World because the girls was showcased one by one and although they did speak Japanese throughout the show..... (wish they did English because this is a international pageant by the way), I can live with that.
AND YES, the intermission took up some time too. But as a US viewer watching home, I was hoping the announcement was made faster LOL so I can go to sleep. 6 am... I haven't stayed up to 6 am before!!
Focusing back on the pageant, there were many beautiful girls and it was quite competitive!! I don't really recall the standouts because nobody really stoodout to me, maybe except Finland and Poland! Poland looked very good in the beginning but her costume and gown was a little below average. Finland had the look the Japanese liked and indeed she made the top 10.
In terms of the top 10, if you can see my post in the other thread, I predicted five out of the 10 semifinalists. I got Thailand, Finland, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina. COLOMBIA REALLY GREW ONE ME THROUGHOUT THE TELECAST. The gown looked beautiful on her!! She had that attitude and presentation that when I looked at the photos, I didn't have her but immediately placed her after seeing the presentations.
The five that I didn't have was UK, Brazil, Indonesia, Panama, AND the eventual winner, Puerto Rico (AND SHE WAS THE LAST CALLED!!)
I know Miss International is unpredictable (like 2009's runner ups and other years), but I expected Philippines, Gabon (her gown wasn't that good but still), Guyana, and Poland to be up there. I expected at least one African but they only choose colored Latinas right??? No wonder they're called a racist pageant.. Anyhow, going back to the top 10, I found it to be surprising but not shocking.
I know Brazil and Puerto Rico do quite well in this pageant but their predecessors were stronger but they didn't make it. But, it's ok I guess. But, I didn't quite get Indonesia even though some sites had her as a favorite. UK was a pleasant surprise but again, she was noticed but not as heavily as say NETHERLANDS. She was a little off and I was thinking she may get cut, but I thought she looked better than Panama. Panama's gown was edgy and quite unexpected. She was definitely the biggest surprise. Overall, I would've swapped all 5 BUT I'm okay with UK and Brazil getting in but the other 3 were.. Don't know how to say it.
Then came the speeches. Thailand looked pretty but she was nervous.. That probably blew her chances away. She did look sincere though. HAD SHE PLACED 2ND OR 1ST, she would've TIED or beat Jessica B.'s record as the highest placed woman at International and Earth. It wasn't meant for her, but placing 3rd in TWO of the largest pageants in the world is quite something. Hope she competes in Universe someday!!
UK did ok, her content was simple but she wasn't nervous.
Finland looked a bit more mature but still was pretty. I thought she spoke well but unfortunately, she spoke too long.. The MCs didn't cut her and I was thinking to myself, is this timed?? The MCs had to remind each girl to limit their speech to 1 min afterwards.. Anyhow, this most likely deducted some points.
Brazil came next and she got a little nervous. She spoke in English and then a little Portuguese (?).
THEN CAME COLOMBIA. She won this round for me (alt. I didn't fully heard Puerto Rico's speech). She was fluent in English, confident, and very concise. AFTER HER SPEECH, I HAD HER FOR THE WIN. And, she looked quite pretty, prettier than the 2002 Colombian rep. at Universe.
Mexico was next and I barely heard her. She didn't project her voice nicely. People said her speech is one of her weaknesses and it showed. She kinda fell flat. I still thought she was worthy of a top 5 placement though.
Panama, the main surprise, was also nervous. She spoke in English and a little Spanish (?) but top 10 is already a great achievement for her.
Indonesia looked decent but since placements rarely come from this country (despite recent success in other pageants), she was a little surprise for me. She did well though. Spoke fluent English but this was as far as she went. Good placement for her country.
Argentina... out of all the Latinas, I actually liked her the most. She was a refreshing choice. Unfortunately, she didn't speak during the speech and seemed a little drowsy. The delivery wasn't good. I still wanted her in the top 3 though but her exclusion was understandable (plus the country didn't place high since the 80s??).
As for Puerto Rico... she looked pretty but not the one I expect from this powerhouse country. Her national costume was a skirt?? Presentation wise, I thought she was quite weak. That's why even though she is from PR, I didn't expect her to make it. As for the speech, unforunately, I only heard her say thank you Japan and then I had connection problems (I also missed Haiti in gown because of that too). I didn't hear her speech entirely. While I was thinking it didn't quite matter since Colombia will most likely win, it was PR who got the last laugh LOL. From what I am reading here though, her performance wasn't very outstanding and she wasn't considered a pre-pageant favorite so her win is quite UNEXPECTED. But, I guess that's why it's Miss International right lol??
AND THEN there had a second intermission. I understand they need time to make up their minds but I wish they had one only, like Miss Teen USA.
And it's ALREADY past five and the pageant's hasn't ended yet. I was thinking to myself, I hope it ends by 5:30 am. I need to sleep!! But... they had so much awards to hand out and it took them a LONG time lol..... I mean, did they really need to show that plate (excuse me, I don't know the proper name).
AND IT WAS SAD BUT ALSO FUNNY HOW SOME Japanese presenters didn't know how to put on a sash. LOL, some put it on the right side and some wanted to just place it on their heads!?
Was expecting Belgium to win Friendship but Colombia did. I was thinking, can history be made!!?!? Will she be the first Miss Friendship to win!?!
India won Internet Popularity and I was expecting Philippines lol.
Indonesia won Miss National Costume and I forget how her costume looked like. There were many good costumes this year and it was hard to judge. I did like Nicaragua and Aruba's though. Philippines' costume also looked nice.
France (who grew on me throughout the night!) won Perfect Body but she didn't make the top 10. Didn't quite make sense...
Best Dresser went to Colombia again and I was like, wow, she is walking award with 3 prizes tonight!! Really liked her gown. Two awards well deserved!!
The award winners can stay a little longer and lucky them!! 2007 was not that case.
And FINALLY was the announcement of the top 5!!!!!
Finland was 5th and I was happy even though she was my pick for 2nd. Thailand was my pick for 5th.
UK was 4th and I felt so-so. I had Mexico in 4th.
Thailand was announced as 2nd RU (like Miss Earth) and she looked stunning. Hope she goes to Universe someday. Well deserved placements. I had Argentina for 3rd.
Then came 1st RU... It wasn't Finland since she was called already. What a surprise, it was Colombia!! From her reaction, it seems like she thought she would win. Two side awards but not the crown. Nevertheless, she looked beautiful. Somehow, colored Latinas far well in International but not Africans.
While I was thinking International is a racist pageant and wouldn't crown a colored contestant, Puerto Rico was announced as the winner! My jaw literally dropped!! PR won it's 2nd Miss International crown out of no-where. She must've impressed the judges before the finals. WAS HER SPEECH GOOD GUYS? I didn't expect her to win. I was rooting for Argentina and Mexico but another Latina won. At least it wasn't Panama or Indonesia...
And just when I thought the webcast would signal off, she was given the microphone to speak!
And the pageant ended very... weirdly? Just like how the girls came out the exact same way every time, the girls walked off the stage (which was quite new to watch) and waved. The top 5 reappeared again and also waved and walked around.
I was like.. when is this pageant going to end!? It's 5:45 already!! I then realized it would not end until the stage lights were dimmed..... Indeed, after the MCs were filmed again and stage lights turned color did the show FINALLY end. I turned off my phone before the webcast cut off... I looked at the clock and it was 5:50!! Almost 4 hours. Too draggy in my opinion.
If I am given the choice again, I probably wouldn't watch this next year unless the girls I support (Hong Kong and USA are major favorites). The pageant wasn't necessarily boring but the time zone difference is huge and the pageant is very "robotic." Girls did the same routine all the time and walked on stage the same way every time. While this may be considered consistent and concise to some, to me, it made the pageant a little dull. No wonder that's why Global Beauties ranks Miss International poorly in terms of production. Miss Universe (although the same format EVERY YEAR) has that elements of SUSPENSE AND EXCITEMENT. Miss International can learn from Miss Universe in terms of production while Miss Universe can learn from them too, e.g. national costume introduction, having each girl walk across stage, and giving more time to each girl in terms of presenting awards.
Thank you for reading!!