It was a #fabulous year!
2013 has proven once again to be a remarkable year for the Critical Beauty Team! Let's start with Hector Joaquin's memorable achievements!
HJ continues to pursue what he does best - to be in the limelight - be it on the radio, on television, in print, or judging a pageant. He has now become the most sought-after "misólogo" or "reinólogo" (an expert on beauty queens) - though he shuns both labels and would prefer to be called simply as "experto en certámenes de belleza" (an expert on beauty pageants). Whatever he calls himself, HJ continues to make an impact on the pageant industry across all media! He had been so busy that it was so hard to keep track of all his activities, but here are just some of his most noteworthy accomplishments in 2013:
HJ continues to pursue what he does best - to be in the limelight - be it on the radio, on television, in print, or judging a pageant. He has now become the most sought-after "misólogo" or "reinólogo" (an expert on beauty queens) - though he shuns both labels and would prefer to be called simply as "experto en certámenes de belleza" (an expert on beauty pageants). Whatever he calls himself, HJ continues to make an impact on the pageant industry across all media! He had been so busy that it was so hard to keep track of all his activities, but here are just some of his most noteworthy accomplishments in 2013:
March 28 - HJ was interviewed by Julio Nuñez for "Missiología 101" where he was asked about his opinionon beauty pageants, his definition of "missologist," and who would win Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2013.
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March 31 - HJ departed for Colombia to start shooting for a new reality show, "Lucha De Reinas" ("Battle of Beauty Queens") in which he will be a judge and a coach.
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April 30 - HJ went to Panama City to judge the Miss Panama 2013 beauty pageant.
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May 15 - HJ was interviewed by a Portuguese-language tabloid in Brazil, Tablog, in which he candidly states that pageants that have been bought can destroy the dreams of young women who expect a fair competition.
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July 26 - HJ appears in a column in the Puerto Rican daily, Primera Hora, in which he postulates that to be successful in pageants, the candidates must spend thousands of dollars to improve themselves through cosmetic surgery, dieting, fitness training, botox injection, teeth whitening ... among other things!
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August 3 - Primera Hora publishes an article about HJ's trajectory to radio and television as well as the debut of his reality show, "Lucha de Reinas."
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August 9 - HJ debuted on the Puerto Rican radio program show, El Circo de la Mega 106.9. He can be heard every Friday from 5:30 to 10:00 AM talking about fashion and beauty for the Puerto Rican woman.
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November 2 - HJ flew to Moscow, Russia to cover the Miss Universe 2013 pageant for Critical Beauty, HJ Blog, and Telemundo.
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November 5 - The new Colombia-based reality show, "Lucha De Reinas" ("Battle of Beauty Queens") debuted on Fox Life channel. HJ co-hosts the show with Luz Blanchet. The show features nine beauty queens competing in various challenges.
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November 27 - HJ was interviewed by the Venezuelan newspaper Diario La Verdad in which he promotes his reality show "Lucha De Reinas."
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Besides running the Critical Beauty website, monitoring the CB Facebook page, and coaching pageant contenders all year round, Rafa somehow managed to get involved with exciting pageant-related activities - and controversy!
April 14 - Rafa judged the Miss Hercules 2013 pageant in Hercules, California. He finally had the pleasure of meeting the fabulous Peter Sereno of Dear Pageant Girl (left) and reunited with the amazing pageant owner and organizer, Richard James White (center). Rafa also presented the Critical Beauty Award to the eventual winner of the competition, Kristiana Sunga (right).
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April 19 - Rafa appears on TLC's "I Found The Gown" - a reality show that helps brides-to-be who are looking for their ideal wedding gown. Watch the trailer.
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The segment features ex-Miss Massachusetts USA 2011 Alida D'Angona who tries on several gowns while Rafa, Cassie (Alida's best friend), Kristine (Alida's sister), Miriam (Alida's mom) offer their critiques.
The segment features ex-Miss Massachusetts USA 2011 Alida D'Angona who tries on several gowns while Rafa, Cassie (Alida's best friend), Kristine (Alida's sister), Miriam (Alida's mom) offer their critiques.
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June 16 - Rafa's protégée Sarah Kidd placed in the top 15 of the Miss USA 2013 pageant held at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Rafa could not attend the pageant but was able to watch the live telecast from home.
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August 19 - Rafa interviewed Íris Telma Jónsdóttir, Director of Miss Iceland
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August 24 - Rafa interviewed Malene Riis Sørensen, Miss World Denmark 2013
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August 24 - Rafa interviewed Malene Riis Sørensen, Miss World Denmark 2013
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September 8 - Rafa judged the Miss Universe Bahamas 2013 pageant at the Atlantis Paradise Island. The winner was the beautiful Lexi Wilson.
Rafa also presented the Miss Critical Beauty Bahamas award to the stunning Shanae Strachan.
Rafa poses on the Red Carpet at the Miss Universe Bahamas 2013 pageant
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September 27 - A pageant site on Facebook called "The Pageant Queens" posted a topic implying that Rafa (his photo was also posted) may have been the "mastermind" behind the so-called Demolition Team to hurt Miss World Philippines Megan Young's chances in winning Miss World 2013. Rabid Filipino pageant fans accused Rafa of having notified the Miss World Organization about Megan's topless photos that appeared in some magazine. Rafa found the implication absurd, unfounded, offensive, and defamatory. The topic and related comments were taken down after Rafa threatened to report the page to Facebook for being an accessory to defamation and libel.
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November 7 - Rafa wrote "The 10 Caribbean Beauties in Miss Universe 2013" which was published in the Curaçao-based e-zine, "My Fashion Lifestyle".
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November 11 - Rafa published his review of the Miss Universe 2013 telecast from Moscow, Russia
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November 12 - Rafa attended the Miss Massachusetts USA & Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 2014 pageant to cheer for his three teens and three Misses competing.
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December 1 - Rafa's protégée Annie Jean-Baptiste placed 2nd runner-up in Miss Maine USA 2013 pageant held at the Marriott Sable Oaks Hotel in South Portland.
Annie also won the Best in Style.
Rafa reunited with former Miss Earth United States 2009 Amy Diaz who judged the pageant
with her fiancé Jason Case. The couple would later win "The Amazing Race!"
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December 10 - Rafa started preparing a coffee table book to celebrate Critical Beauty's 10th Anniversary in October 2014! Watch for it!
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And last but not least - the Critical Beauty Philippines Team!
A big thanks to CB Philippines photographer Jonas Yu (above, with the winners of the Best in Long Gown segment in Miss Earth 2013 ) for providing us with exciting pictorial coverage of pageants and fashion shows that took place in the Philippines (as well as in Thailand) in 2013:
January 3 - Arielle Agasang's Haute Couture Collections
January 15 - Arielle Agasang's High Profile Fashion Show
January 18 - Mr. and Miss Sexy Body Semi-Final Round
April 14 - Binibining Pilipinas Gold 2013 Coronation Night
April 25 - Miss Bikini Philippines 2013 Finals
May 15 - Miss Tourism World Philippines 2013 Flores de Mayo/Gala Dinner
May 19 - Miss Philippines Earth 2013 Finals
May 23 - Ginoong Filipinas 2013 Finals
May 25 - Jun-Jun Cambe Collection at Philippine Fashion Week
June 8 - Arielle Agasang's Haute Couture Fashion Show
June 18 - Body Shots 2013 Fashion Show
June 27 - Body Shots 2013 Finals
June 28 - Arielle Agasang's Haute Couture Fashion Show (salute to Philippine Independence)
July 26 - Mutya ng Pilipinas 2013 Finals
July 27 - Likha: A Walk for Life
August 18 - Miss World Philippines 2013 Finals
August 24 - Diversity Art of Fashion, Season 2 of Fashion Show
September 5 - Arielle Agasang's 3rd-Year Anniversary Mega Fashion Show
September 13 - Reyna ng Bulacan 2013 Finals
September 15 - Manhunt Nueva Ecija 2013 Regional Search
September 18 - Arielle Agasang's The Grand Launch - Top Model (Male Division)
September 18 - Arielle Agasang's The Grand Launch - Top Model (Male Division)
September 24 - Cosmo Bachelor Bash #Cosmo69
September 29 - Pilipinas Men's Fashion Week Cycle 3 - Spring/Summer 2014
October 4 - Manhunt Philippines 2013 Finals
October 10 - Miss World 2013 Megan Young's Homecoming Press Conference
October 19 - Unity in Fashion (A Benefit Fashion Show)
October 23 - Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014: Day 1 Petit Monde
October 23 - Body Art of the World Fashion Show
October 24 - Playmate of the Year Philippine Gala 2013
October 25 - Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014: Lee
October 26 - Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014: Day 4 Collections
October 26 - Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014: Ready To Wear Collection
October 26 - Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014: Visions & Trends Collection
October 26 - Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014: Visions & Trends Collection
October 27 - Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014: Menswear Collection
November 3 - Face of Beauty International 2013 Finals (Thailand)
November 5-6 - Miss Grand International 2013 Orientation/Sightseeing (Thailand)
November 12 - Miss Grand International 2013 Press Conference (Thailand)
December 7 - Miss Earth 2013 Finals
December 8 - Don Cristobal Runway Show 2
December 22 - Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago Welcome Press Conference
A big thanks to Deybid Natanawan and to Froilan Domico Dominique Carmelo for moderating the Critical Beauty Facebook Page; without them, trolls, spammers and other unwanted posters would be cluttering the page!
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A special shout-out to Deybid for providing us with pictorial coverage of Miss Earth 2013, for coordinating the Critical Beauty Award in Manhunt Philippines 2013 as well as presenting the award to the winner, Golden Altamirano:
And most of all, a big thank you to all of Critical Beauty fans and readers
for your undying support.
We hope that 2014 will be an even bigger, brighter, and better year for all of us!
Rafa Delfin, Director of Critical Beauty
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"The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express."- Francis Bacon