#BbPilipinas2014: The comebacks and the camps

EARLY FAVORITE. Kimverlyn Suiza. Photos by Jory Rivera

Less than two months to go before we crown the new beauty queens! Who are you supporting?

MANILA, Philippines - Okay, call me late, but I was waiting for an official statement: on February 3, my fellow OPMB Worldwide member and good friend Jory Rivera told me that the line up of candidates for this year's Bb Pilipinas pageant has, indeed, changed.

Dian Querrer and Sherlien Dass are out of the running. They have been replaced by Angelique de Leon and Aiza Faeldonia.

The 40 official candidates are:

1. Sarah Jireh C. Asido
2. Vessica L. Sambo
3. Jeslyn Santos
4. Anabel Christine Ng Tia
5. Ellore Noelle Punzalan
6. Shauna Indra Sazina Curran
7. Leonalyn D. Dela Cruz
8. Joy Antonette Diaz
9. Racquel D. Kabigting
10. Angelique Celine N. De Leon
11. Kris Tiffany M. Janson
12. Angelique de Leon 
13. Gabrielle Erika Ti Lo Kani
14. Zahara Mae O. Soriano
15. Krystal Alonday
16. Kenneth Santiago
17. Hannah Sheena L. Manuel
18. Joy Marie Gangan
19. Krischelle DG Halili
20. Mary Ainjey P. Manalo
21. Ladylyn Riva
22. Mae Liezel J. Ramos
23. Laura Victoria Lehman
24. Parul Shah
25. Mary Jane Bianca G. Guidotti
26. Hannah Ruth Sison
27. Emma Maty F. Tiglao
28. Julian Aurine Flores
29. Yvethe Marie A. Santiago
30. Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach
31. Nichole Marie R. Manalo
32. Vanessa N. Saliba
33. Diana B. Arevalo
34. Mary Jean Lastimosa
35. Ednornance Agustin
36. Joana Angelica M. Romero
37. Aiza Faeldonia
38. Hanna Mariz Dela Guerra
39. Janine A Asanion
40. Kimberly O. Suiza

As published in my Yahoo! Philippines story last January 28, quite a number of this year's hopefuls are pageant veterans.

They are: 

DIANA AREVALO. She competed in 2009 and 2011

MARY JEAN LASTIMOSA. She was 2nd runner-up in 2011 and competed again in 2012

PARUL SHAH. She competed in 2013 along with Hannah Ruth Sison and Ellore Noelle Punzalan

• Pia Wurtzbach - Binibini Gold (2013) 1st runner-up
• Ladylyn Riva - Competed in 2011

Here are the pageant training camps to which this year's candidates belong to:

KAGANDAHANG FLORES. (Top L-R) Kris Janson, Janine Asanion, Ladylyn Riva, Hannah Sison, Emma Tiglao, Joanna Romero, Ednornance Agustin. (Bottom L-R) Parul Shah, MJ Lastimosa, Nichole Manalo, Julian Flores, Liezel Ramos

TEAM JDV (JOHN DELA VEGA): Shauna Curran, Sarah Asido, Jeslyn Santos, Vessica Sambo, Kenneth Santiago, Raquel Kabigting, Leonalyn Dela Cruz, Krystal Alonday, Joy Diaz

ACES AND QUEENS: (Top L-R) Zahara Soriano, Hannah dela Guerra, Bianca Guidotti, Laura Lehmann, Diana Arevalo, Yvethe Santiago, Kimverlyn Suiza, Pia Wurtzbach. (Bottom L-R) Ainjely Manalo, KC Halili, Diana Querrer (disqualified), Gabe Tilokani

TEAM SAIMAK: Joy Gangan and Sheena Manuel

RL'S ANGELS (RL LACANIETA): Angelique de Leon

RL'S ANGELS: Aiza Faeldonia

 - #CoffeeWithKai

PHOTOS: MAC goes 'Wicked' in an afternoon of makeup and theater love

DON'T YOU JUST GO GREEN WITH ENVY? Kellie Ritchie, Ali Calder and Steve Danielsen at the MAC x "Wicked" afternoon with the beauty editors. All photos by Jory Rivera

Love Elphaba? It's not impossible to get her look!

MANILA, Philippines - Last January 28, MAC Philippines invited beauty editors to an intimate afternoon with members of the "Wicked" musical team at the MAC counter in Upper Level Glorietta III, Ayala Center, Makati City.

"Wicked" the musical is currently running at the Main Theatre of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, produced by Concertus Manila and Lunchbox Productions.

Meet stars Jemma Rix and Suzie Mathers in this Yahoo! PH story by Maridol Ranoa-Bismark.

MAC is the brand used by actresses who play Elphaba, the green "wicked" witch, in the hit Broadway musical. It started when Idina Menzel, who was first to play the role on Broadway in 2003, was supposed to have green makeup airbrushed on her every night. The team eventually realized it was too much work for a nightly show, until the actress stumbled upon the MAC shade that was perfect for the green Elphaba look.

Kellie Ritchie, Head of Wigs and Makeup for "Wicked," did a demo on how to get Elphaba's glowing green skin, with the help of Ali Calder, Rix's understudy for Elphaba. Steve Danielsen, who plays the role of Fiyero -- Glinda and Elphaba's love interest -- also graced the event.

Here are #CoffeeWithKai's exclusive photos:

"Wicked" runs at the CCP only until March 9. For show information, visit http://www.wickedthemusical.com.ph/ or Concertus Manila on Facebook. For tickets, log on to Ticketworld or call 891-9999. - #CoffeeWithKai