THE IMPERTURBABLE MISS AMAZING MIDLAND 2019: THE BATTLE OF THE QUEENS

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens
Miss Akiko Mae Obillo

It was on a gloriously sunny day when I began my train excursion from London Euston station to Birmingham New Street station. Half way on my journey, the balmy weather suddenly changed; the nippy air coming from the outside windows vacillated on the train. I could feel the chill around my shoulder and unfortunately, I had no way to make myself snug. The consequence of forgetting my thin jacket on the back seat of the car and for not incorporating it beforehand in my rucksack. On a brighter side, it wasn't that freezing cold and was passable enough to bear until I reached my destination. 

I was heading to the venue of Birmingham- Sandwell West Midlands Filipino Festival (formerly known as Birmingham- Sandwell West Midland Fiesta Celebration) in Bearwood's Lightwoods Park when the nature's refreshing drizzle ensued. A very invigorating about-face from the usual hot and humid weather during summertime in the United Kingdom. Most of the carefree visitors in the park didn't mind the abrupt presence of the fine rain. However, we didn't anticipate that it would leaped into a cats-and-dogs weather condition. Thankfully, the heavy rain moderated and the scheduled time for the Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens kicked-off.

On the 06th of July this year, the cheerful personalities and kindling voices of the hosts, Alexandra Marie Diaz and Julious Labao, on stage initiated the commencement of the 1st day of Birmingham- Sandwell West Midlands Filipino Festival. A 2-day exclusive event in Birmingham and Beyond by the BFBCV (Birmingham Filipino- British Community Volunteers) to which the gasconade pageantry of Miss Dayanara Mesmeize, the chairperson of Dayanara Marques de Araneta Production, for transgender women was the highlight on the 1st day.

The cheerful personalities and kindling voices of the hosts
 Alexandra Marie Diaz and Julious Labao

During the commencement, the hosts called upon the crowd's attention for the customary introduction and remarks. Amongst these were, the acknowledgement of the invaluable BFBCV officials and their chairperson; the presence of bountiful sponsors as well as to welcome the humanitarian activist and the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough councillor, Ahmad Bostan. Subsequently, the crowd was also diverted to a few intermission numbers from the energetic adolescent dancers; the melodic voices of youngster singers and the riveting talents of the Chinese community performers, Moon Dancers, before the pageantry set in motion.

The invaluable BFBCV officials and their chairperson

The humanitarian activist and the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough councillor
Ahmad Bostan

The panel members of the jury and the chairperson

The crowd was awakened and to stimulate it more, the panel members of the jury and the chairperson for Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens were welcomed one-by-one. Thereafter, from the eight (8) predisposed candidates came the bravura display of their fabulous SEXY FANTASY COSTUMES.

It indeed reassembled the mood of the slumberous crowd and revived the oblivious element within their neck of the woods. In order to maintain the response of the crowd, while the candidates were carefully removing their costumes at the back of the stage for the next show off, the attention then veered to the Chinese community duo performers and the compassionate voices of sibling singers. 

The ignited and unruffled candidates were chronologically called upon on stage by the hosts. This was the impish spectacle and not a complete flip-side of their sexy costumes. Each candidate buoyantly pranced on stage at their own pace whilst wearing titillating SWIMSUITS.

The candidates were all invited to appear on stage in one elongated line whilst facing the crowd. Then, the hostess, Alexandara Marie Diaz, gaily asked the crowd if they would like to see the gulping traditional 360-degree turn around. In particular, to catch a glimpse as to who amongst the eight (8) candidates had the physically fit and hourglass figure as well as the buffet booty. Who do you think flattered the eyes of the jury and unanimously won the Best in Swimsuit title?

The raw scoresheets for the swimsuit were collected by the tabulation committee. While the candidates vamoosed the examining eyes of the crowd, a few intermission numbers followed. Like the teenyboppers dance group who gained resonant cheers from the adolescent audience and the funky dance group in which a few BFBCV officials were involved. Their bouncy moves on stage vibrated in the surroundings.

After the “Dangerous” dance music with the BFBCV officials, the laid-back candidates were presented to the crowd and carried out individually their prepped TALENTS on stage.

The funky dancers with the BFBCV officials were back on stage but this time, they were whimsical dancers. They donned themselves in colourful and playful Hawaiian costumes. Along with and who also blew away the crowd, were the enchanting voices of the “Wiggins Sisters” and a solo young singer who winsomely tuned a Filipino song entitled “Buwan” by Juan Karlos Labajo.

After hearing a nationalistic song with poetic lyrics, the candidates glamorously appeared one by one on stage wearing their intricate design EVENING GOWNS. All of them elegantly walked with their body fitting flowy gowns.

After brandishing classiness in bearing their evening gowns, each candidate was requested to appear back on stage for the jittery Question & Answer section. A big round of applause to all of the candidates for retaining self-composure and standing with immense level-headedness.

To give everyone a a break from the more cerebral Question & Answer, a raffle draw then took place which were supervised by the hosts and a BFBCV official on stage. The lucky winners were called upon to collect their substantial prizes. Congratulations to all the fortuitous visitors! On the other hand, Ambie Da Diva and another performer dynamically entertained the crowd in their vocal range.

The candidates were given sufficient time to prepare themselves for the ultimate round. This was the grandstand and ostentatious appearance of each candidate whilst wearing exquisite FILIPINIANA GOWNS.

They were all called back on stage and upon assembling as one, a depiction of very colourful photograph emerged!

The time was ticking but the tabulation committee wasn't finished yet in calculating the scoresheet for each category. That is why, the upbeat crowd was entertained by a few spontaneous performances.

When the tabulation committee had finished calculating the scoresheet for each category, the chairperson handed over the prepared envelopes to the hosts. In each envelope was the unanimously decided winner for each category. The computation of each raw scoresheet acquired from the jury was administrated by its chairperson, Miss Amanda Roberts, and assisted by Bianca Carreon, Jazmine Fabregas and Maria Samantha Mendez. Here are the vanquishers for each category:

Best in Fantasy Sexy Costume 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo 

Best in Swimsuit 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo

Best in Talent 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo

Best in Evening Gown 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo 

Miss Intellectual

candidate #6, Miss Thalia

Best in Filipiniana 

candidate #6, Miss Thalia

Darling of the Crowd 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo 

At the event, during the announcement of a particular special award to the winning candidate, the Tabulation committee of the Dayanara Marques de Araneta Production made an unfortunate error. This was the unfortunate error in the Best in Swimsuit scoresheet which was discovered during the awarding and after the event.

The regrettable error that was discovered after the event by the chairperson, Miss Dayanara Mesmeize, was formally rectified in a form of official statement and public apology. In particular, to proclaim that the legitimate winner for the Best in Swimsuit of Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens, was candidate number 8, Miss Akiko Mae Obillo.

Here is a transcript copy of Official Statement and Pubic Apology of Dayanara Marques de Araneta Production and its Tabulation Committee together with the BFBCV (Birmingham Filipino- British Community Volunteers) Chairman and Officials.

Click to enlarge image

After the hurly-burly scene on stage, during the announcement of special awards, the unanimously decided runners-up and the crown holder of Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens are:

2nd Runner-up 

candidate #3, Miss Iwa Moto Hardy

1st Runner-up 

candidate #6, Miss Thalia 

Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens 

candidate #8, Miss Akiko Mae Obill

It was a successful pageantry despite the “come rain or shine” weather condition, so it followed the programme of events. It gave an opportunity to a few rising performers within the Filipino community and Beyond. However, it was also a disheartening extravaganza as there was no “side-by-side" photograph of the runners-up and the crown holder. It would have been a virtuous representation of the imperturbable image for Miss Amazing Midlands 2019: The Battle of the Queens and the LGBTQI+ community.

The chairperson and organiser ofDayanara Marques de Araneta Production
Photo courtesy of Dayanara Mesmeize's Facebook account

Our utmost THANK YOU to the chairperson and organiser, Miss Dayanara Mesmeize, for conceptualising and producing this beauty pageant for the past 4 years to date. This has been her core platform in raising immense awareness of the resolute presence and the profound beauty of the transgender women in the community of Birmingham and Beyond.

A rumour was disseminated that Miss Dayanara Mesmeize will never organise this iconic extravaganza again in Birmingham. This year is her last conceptualised engaging beauty pageant. We are hoping, in the course of time, that she will reconsider her decision that was prompted by insinuations and feeling under pressure from bad feelings in some quarters.

THE SUNSHINY DAY OF MISS AMAZING MIDLANDS 2017

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

(Miss Iwa Moto, Miss Amazing Midlands 2017)

Four months of deliberate preparations for the Dayanara Marques de Araneta Production with the systematic coordination of BFBCV (Birmingham Filipino- British Community Volunteers) exclusively to achieve a 2-day spectacular event held in Birmingham and Beyond. It is the biggest gathering and has just achieved its non-stop 10th year of public existence and named this year as Birmingham- Sandwell West Midlands Fiesta Celebration.

(Birmingham Filipino- British Community Volunteers)

Detailed information of the event has been disseminated, either in person or through social media, in order to acquire attention from the British-Filipino communities and supporters in the U.K. Effectively, most of social media users showed their approval and enthusiasm by sharing on their walls the important particulars of this year's biggest celebration in West Midlands. The solidarity of a number of Filipinos who travelled far to attend the celebration was acclaimed by the hospitable organisers and the jovial locals. I have to say that the unconscious hearty camaraderie and cheerful personalities of my fellow Filipinos made me realised how lovely for us all it was to have this event on a sunny day. In my humble opinion, it was an excursion worth travelling to and more importantly, a BIG THANK YOU to the amiable Miss Dayanara Mesmeize for my complimentary taxi from the station to the venue and vice versa!

 
 
 
 

The sun was glorious as I arrived in Bearwood's Lightwoods Park and I was welcomed with warm greetings from the watchmen in green vests. I was walking on an elongated pavement and from there I saw a stationary Sheriff's car; myriad presence of jovial visitors on the grassland and many merchandisers' stalls with protective tent-like awnings. As I walked through the grassland, I appreciated the unvarying bells and whistles of the raised stage which prominently featured the flag of Republic of the Philippines and the Union Jack of the United Kingdom. There was also a conspicuously erected Filipino version of simple hut (nipa hut) made from natural materials. 

“I couldn't find her and Where is Miss Dayanara?”, I whispered in my mind. All of sudden, she appeared in front of me and handed over my entry badge for the restricted area. A guarded place with encompassing basic chain link fence which effectively secured the safety and properties of the candidates for Miss Amazing Midlands 2017.

The Unshakably Radiant 7 candidates
(From Left to Right: Daniela, Agatha, Leila, Iwa, Sophia, Mikayla and Cassandra)


(With Miss Amazing Midlands 2016 Queen, Miss Venus Petra Moutney)

There were 14 original applicants but only 5 of them pursued and showed up for the competition. However, 2 additional candidates also arrived. The final unshakably radiant 7 candidates ostentatiously showed-off on stage in order to contend for the exalting title of Miss Amazing Midlands 2017...

(The Members of the Jury)

(The Tabulators)

The high spirited audience had a glimpse of the colourful candidates on the side of the stage while the positive hosts, Alexandra Marie Diaz and Julious Labao, introduced one-by-one the calmed members of the jury; the well set-up tabulators and a list of this year's sponsors. Thereupon, all candidates were called one at a time to make a spectacle of themselves with their considerably full FANTASY COSTUMES. All of them were very flamboyant with their well-fastened headdresses and cunningly crafted wings. When the rainbow like appearances of them was completed, the jury handed over the score sheets which were tabulated and the Best in Fantasy Costume was awarded to the Sparkling Lustre Lady in Red, Miss Sophia Frewin.

 (Candidate #1, Miss Sophia and Candidate #2, Miss Cassandra)
 
 (Candidate #3, Miss Leila and Candidate #4, Miss Mikayla)
 
(Candidate #5, Miss Agatha and Candidate #6, Miss Daniela)
 
 (Candidate #7, Miss Iwa)

(Miss Sophia Frewin, Best in Fantasy Costume)

They carefully headed back into their tents, changing room, for the next round of the competition. Subsequently, a local quality Filipino Artist named 'AlPaBeT' rocked us all with his quick & sharp rap performance.

(AlPaBeT)

“Hey, sexy ladies... Where are your itsy bitsy teenie weenie bikini?”. Can you guess what was the next round? Undoubtedly, this was the sensuously delightful SWIMWEAR display. They each trusted on stage with vanity and impressed not just the jury but also, the madding crowd. All of them were indulgently flirtatious in their fleshy, one-piece and two-piece, bathing suits. They were all called back on stage for the traditional 360 degree turn around and in particular, to be examined as to who amongst them had the hourglass figure and buffy booty. The woman who unanimously made the jury gulp and drank more wine was Miss Iwa Moto for Best in Swimwear.

 

 

(Miss Iwa Moto, Best in Swimwear)

 

After the thought-provoking 360 degree turn around by the voluptuous candidates, another local quality Filipino artist in the name of Maria Otadoy stirred and fascinated us with her singing voice.

(Maria Otadoy)

Our energy levels remained high and accelerated more when the candidates were back on stage for their PRODUCTION NUMBER. One-by-one they appeared in their above the knee bodycon dress. They didn't just walk in like a prancing model as they also moved their bodies and feet to music on stage. It was like a dance party and the one who stood out on the disco floor (stage) was Miss Leila Duterte. She unanimously brought home the Best in Catwalk which was assessed during their production number.

 

(Miss Leila Duterte, Best in Catwalk)

We were allured by the candidates wiggly bodies and darling hand moves. Actually, some of us shook our booties as well. However, when the quality siblings called 'Wiggins Sisters' appeared on stage we were enchantedly blown away by their soulful acapella voices. How I wish I could sing like them as the idea of being with your biological sisters of equal musical fortes is very winsome.

(Wiggins Sisters)

The Wiggins Sisters mollified most of us who were under the dehydrating heat of the sun. The ameliorated feeling continued when the candidates performed individually their learnt by heart TALENT. Most of their amusingly dazzling dance performances tickled us but there was only one who scored high in the hearts of the jury. Once again its contestant number 7, Miss Iwa Moto, who was unanimously decided as the Best in Talent.

After the nailed down talents of the sanguine candidates, another local quality Filipino artist was presented and took over the stage. T.MaX intensified the crowd with his hip hop music rhythmical beat with the percussion break of funk or soul recording. It was an upbeat feat music of his which was a contrast to the performance of the BFBCV (Birmingham Filipino- British Community Volunteers) Dancers. They appeared as group of women wearing pleated skirts embellished with shiny sequins; covered their fingers in gold plated filigree bead cones and accessories their head with the traditional jewelled headwear. Over and above that, they enacted a popular traditional fingernail dance to the tune of slow rhythmic movements of their legs, arms and fingers.

(T.MaX)

The performances of the earlier artists were expunged when the cleaning Lady from the Philippines, Lady Imelda, emerged in the crowd with her buffooneries and more importantly, her confidently dominion bright vocals. Then I quipped to myself, “She is indeed the cleaning lady who will sharply restore your sense of hearing and you will envy her vocal cords”.

(The Cleaning Lady from the Philippines, Lady Imelda)

Lady Imelda enjoyed the guffaws of her audience which is why, she started and finished her depiction only on the grassland. She's the Lady Imelda after all who made most of us laugh aloud and astounded with her powerful vocals. Standing ovation!

Here comes the candidates who were warmly admired because of their long chromatic finely detailed sewn gowns. One at a time, they appeared on stage elegantly and took their time in flaunting their body hugging off-shoulder long gowns. Ensuingly, each of them were serenaded by a healthy young boy who handed over red roses with a Hillgrove gentleman's bow. The exquisiteness of their selves in gowns were appreciated by the audience and more so, when they were called back for the jittery QUESTION and ANSWER portion. Each red rose had a covert number which revealed to a corresponding question. Honestly speaking, they all answered clearly, smartly and substantially (core points!).

 

 

The woman wearing the fishtail lace purple off-shoulder neckline body hugging gown, Miss Iwa Moto, was awarded and agreed by all as Best in Long Gown. On the other hand, the woman wearing the see-through trumpet tail flowy pink sweetheart neckline body hugging gown, Miss Sophia Frewin, was unifiedly awarded the Miss Intellectual title.

(Miss Iwa Moto, Best in Long Gown and Miss Sophia Frewin, Miss Intellectual)

They all headed back to their tent-like dressing room and thereafter, the stage was occupied by Alexander Martinez. A Filipino artist who appeared in Poland's Got Talent and wooed us that day with his chosen songs.

(Julious Labao, Alexander Martinez and Alexandra Marie Diaz)

It was roughly 30 minutes past the hour of 17:00, when the FILIPINIANA attire or the “modernised Maria Clara gown” procession of the candidates commenced. They all wore elegant formal outfits which symbolised the virtues, nobility and the world class capacity of a Filipino woman. I admired their compassionate depictions in bearing their own design of modernised Maria Clara gown with the distinct butterfly sleeves. Historically speaking, the modern terno became well-known because of the former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, tastes in fashion. The prime candidate who portrayed well the Filipiniana formal attire and stunned the eyes of the audience was, Miss Iwa Moto. More importantly, her statuesque embroidered white “modernised Maria Clara gown” and accessories gained unanimously from the jury the Best in Filipiniana.

 
  
 

(Miss Iwa Moto, Best in Filipiniana)

The stately stance and erect postures of the candidates justified the most iconic Filipino attire. Am I right? Each had their boasting moments on stage and after the last candidate, we were surprised by Ate Gay's brief appearance. A Filipino actor, comedian, impersonator and singer who was flown over from the Philippines only to entertain the unceasing crowd on the concluding day of the barrio fiesta. Moreover, our weary bodies were woken up by the belting singing voice of Arianna Morgan. She solely delivered all of the songs in the finest and excellent styles with no weakness of intensity and excessive breathlessness. Her incredible breath support vocal range was sterling!

(Miss Ate Gay)

(Arianna Morgan)

All of the candidates had their gasconading and swaggering appearances on stage. Which is why, the presence of last year's first runner-up, Nicole Williams, and last year's Queen, Venus Petra Moutney, were called upon for their farewell walk and speech (for the Queen only). Their radiant beauties were seen again by their admirers and their provocative composures in wearing their gowns were once appreciated by their undying supporters.

(Miss Amazing Midlands 2016 1st runner-up, Miss Nicole Williams)

Miss Nicole Williams was uniquely dramatic in wearing her custom-made strapless bronze gown which showed-off her beautiful tattoo. On the other hand, Miss Venus Petra Moutney was raging and confident in her simple tiffany teal satin gown. However, her plunging neckline showed off her perfect bronze and her thigh-high grazing slit exposed her perfectly toned legs.

(Miss Amazing Midlands 2016 Queen , Miss Venus Petra Moutney)

After the farewell walk and speech of the last year's Queen, the admirable and stunning candidates were all called back on stage. They were joined by the members of the jury and the team of tabulators. The host was handling an envelop containing the names for the special awards and the unanimously decided runners-up as well as the title holder of Miss Amazing Midlands 2017. However, the announcement of winners was interrupted when the host misapprehended the tally result for the runners-up and the title holder. The clarity of tabulation was revealed and found no mistake at all. Thenceforward, the runners-up and the Queen of Miss Amazing Midlands 2017 were revealed and declared.

2nd Runner-up, Miss Sophian Frewin
1st Runner-up, Miss Leila Duterte
Miss Amazing Midlands 2017 Queen, Miss Iwa Moto

We all have different perceptions about a certain person which is why, we encircle ourselves in a group of similar inclinations. It is also true that some people like to be admired by the group and this can lead to vanity and arrogance. On a more noteworthy sense, a simple “Hi or Hello” will never hurt nor harm you whether you are on a pompous pedestal or on the ground like most of us. The world is round and multicultural but should not be a control place for authority!