Trying It Out

Hey peoples! Trying to blog through this new app I just downloaded on iPhone. Appears that I can only upload text, no photos. A big minus point!

BREAKING NEWS: Powerful Earthquake Shocked Italy

Hi all!

It's been a long time since I last posted (nearly a year, to be exact!). So, I thought perhaps it's time for me to start writing again (though I've been writing for the past two months, albeit for another purpose). Anyway, when I was looking through all the online editions of global newspapers this morning, I came across a shocking news flashing on Times UK's frontpage.

A powerful earthquake (5.8 on the Richter scale) has shocked Italy and so far, nearly 20 people have died from this disaster. My prayers go out to Italy, to all Italians especially those directly affected by the earthquake. Official reports have said that the death toll will keep increasing as many people are still trapped. Some old buildings have collapsed and a road leading to one of the villages affected was blocked by these rubbles. Even some modern buildings were not spared.

It's sad to be greeted by such a gloomy news especially on a Monday morning and it's not helping at all now that it's also pouring incessantly at the moment. And with the current economic situation, nothing seems to be cheery. I just hope for a fast recovery.

In Loving Memory

This coming Sunday, August 3rd, will the seventh year anniversary of my aunt's passing. Back in 2001, she passed away suddenly and until today, I still can't get over the fact that she's not with us anymore.

To my beloved Say Ee, I am so proud and honoured to have been your nephew and I miss you so very much. Looking down from heaven, I know you will bless me and guide me through turbulent times. Life is never the same without you with us.

Empty Cans Make The Most Noise!

Some empty cans just love to contribute to the already deafening sound of the local media and political drama!

I'm from Sarawak (and will always be a Sarawakian first, a Malaysian second) and no matter how proud I am of my state's rich natural heritage and its rainforests, I'm sure the proposed dam projects are all within the appropriate environmental limits. The people who have been making a lot of noise should do their research first and not start talking shit even before they know their facts. Sarawak is a land filled with rivers and therefore, it is most suitable to make dams. So, get your facts right first! I'm sure all rainforests will be preserved accordingly.

Just one thing though, to the loud mouths of the peninsula - you guys just love to make so much noise and yet do you know that all these dams are for your own good? Do you think Sarawakians need so many dams for our electricity? We have more than enough already now and the government know that! It's because we have to sacrifice our land to provide for you, that's why we have to build these dams. So, perhaps, just shut your mouth!

Miss Universe 2008

Hiya, peoples! Sorry for the slow update. Anyways, the new Miss Universe 2008 has been crowned and she is none other than the super sexy and extremely gorgeous Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela. With her win, Venezuela now has five Miss Universe titles and the last time they won was when the controversial Alicia Machado wore the title in 1996. Miss Colombia, Taliana Vargas and Miss Dominican Republic, Marianne Cruz Gonzalez was the 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner-up respectively. Vera Krasova, Miss Russia and Elisa Najera, Miss Mexico rounded out the Top 5.

This year's pageant was full of surprises and so many undeserving delegates made the Top 15. It was a travesty! Hungary (that body was totally and utterly undeserving), Vietnam (she's great but there's no need to polish the shoes of the host country! Chanantorn didn't even make it when the pageant was held in Thailand in 2005 and she was far superior than Thuy Lam!) and Italy (ugh! the worst evening gown presentation and the worst national costume ever! and that surname was so tongue-in-cheek! Italy is the capital of the fashion world, Claudia ought to prepare better!) were included in the list of finalists whereas pageant powerhouses like Puerto Rico, India, Korea, Trinidad & Tobago and Panama were left out in the cold. It's unforgivable for delegates who prepared so hard and so well to be left standing with the rest of the delegates. My commiserations to Ingrid, Simran, Sun, Anya and Carolina! I believe I speak for the rest of the pageant community when I say the preliminary judges should be shot!

Perhaps the Top 15 was such travesty because The Donald didn't make it to Vietnam. He should be the one with the final say of the girls who made the cut. Anyways, what's done is done, so let's leave ourselves some room for Miss World 2008 in Kiev, Ukraine! I hope it'll be a memorable pageant! By the way, the telecast for this year's Miss Universe was kinda boring. Lack of the wow factor if you ask me!

Miss Universe 2008 - Presentation Show Update

Hey, peoples! I managed to watch all videos of the girls competing in both swimsuits and evening gowns at the presentation show for this year's Miss Universe 2008. I was astounded by some of the girls' performances (Go Korea! Go Japan! Sun and Hiroko all the way! Go Ines! Tu es magnifique!). Anyways, as you all know, I've already posted my final prediction list for this year's pageant. And I was quite disappointed with some of my choices' performances at the one competition that mattered most before the final night. So, as always, to update my list, with a heavy heart, I have to remove and add some girls to my list.

GIRLS I BELIEVE WILL TAKE IT ALL (TOP 5)

After the presentation show, here are the girls I believe will take it all, in alphabetical order...I think this will be another year where there will be another South American onslaught. So, here goes - Colombia, India, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. I think it will be a three-way fight between Tali, Elisa and Dayana. Ingrid looks tired already and Simran is still gaining ground. All the best, girls!

BUBBLING UNDER THE TOP (TOP 10)

Crystle is now down to the Top 10. I like her evening gown a lot as well as her presentation but her age is showing and it's quite obvious. Anyways, Tali performed better. So, once again in alphabetical order, Australia, Japan, Korea, T & T and USA.

POSSIBLE CONTENDERS (TOP 15)

OK, big disappointment from Norway. But I'm truly impressed with both Panama, Spain and (gasp!) Belgium. So, my list in alphabetical order is Belgium, Kosovo, Panama, South Africa and Spain.

GATECRASHERS (ALTERNATES)

Instead of the usual five girls, I decided to award more girls the opportunity in this category. After the presentation show, it seemed that more girls are shining more than before and I'm actually glad. But nevertheless, the race for the crown seem locked among those three girls I mentioned above. And I'm truly surprised by Malaysia's performance and she didn't use that hideous gown for the presentation show. Amen to that! Congrats Levy! So, in alphabetical order, these girls are Angola, Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Miss Universe 2008 - The Jax Network's Final Prediction

GIRLS I BELIEVE WILL TAKE IT ALL (TOP 5)

BUBBLING UNDER THE TOP (TOP 10)

POSSIBLE CONTENDERS (TOP 15)

GATECRASHERS (TOP 20)

The Jax Network's Top 20 List - Miss Universe 2008

Here is my Top 20 list for this year's Miss Universe 2008. This list will change as the pageant progresses. Some girls who may not be in this list now may appear in the next update and some girls who are on this list now may disappear. Who knows? Just stay tuned and keep an eye for my updates!

1ST ROW: Top 5 - Venezuela / USA / India / Puerto Rico / Colombia
2ND ROW: Top 10 - Korea / South Africa / Australia / Czech Republic / Japan
3RD ROW: Top 15 - Kosovo / Panama / Belgium / Russia / Trinidad & Tobago
4TH ROW: Top 20 - Albania / Canada / Dominican Republic / Nigeria / Philippines

The Jax Network's Top 20 - Miss Universe 2008

Here are five girls who I believe will have a chance to make the final cut, in alphabetical order. There will be no scores for these girls. But please remember that as the pageant progresses and new photos and videos are made available, my Top 15 list will change and who knows these five girls may even break into the Top 15. So, stay tuned!

GATECRASHERS (TOP 20)

Miss Albania - Matilda Mcini

Miss Canada - Samantha Tajik

Miss Dominican Republic - Marianne Cruz

Miss Nigeria - Stephanie Oforka

Miss Philippines - Jennifer Barientos

The Jax Network's Top 15 - Miss Universe 2008

OK, here are the next five girls that round up my first Top 15 list for this year's Miss Universe 2008. These girls make up the Possible Contenders (Top 15) group.

POSSIBLE CONTENDERS (TOP 15)

Miss Kosovo - Zana Krasniqi

(Official Photo - 9.8 : Evening Gown -8.9 : Average - 9.35)

Miss Panama - Carolina Dementiev

(Official Photo - 9.3 : Evening Gown - 9.3 : Average - 9.3)

Miss Belgium - Alizee Poulicek

(Official Photo - 9.6 : Evening Gown - 8.9 : Average - 9.25)

Miss Russia - Vera Krasova

(Official Photo - 9.2 : Evening Gown - 9.2 : Average - 9.2)

Miss Trinidad & Tobago - Anya Ayoung-Chee

(Official Photo - 9.4 : Evening Gown - 8.9 : Average - 9.15)

The Jax Network's Top 10 - Miss Universe 2008

Here are the next 5 girls in my first Top 15 list for this year's Miss Universe 2008. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together, the girls from Bubbling Under The Top (Top 10).

BUBBLING UNDER THE TOP (TOP 10)

Miss Korea - Sun Lee

Will Sun be able to outdo Honey and bring back the crown to Korea for the first time? It's not impossible and besides, Sun is trained by the multi-talented superwoman and national director extraordinaire, Ines Ligron. So, let's see if Sun will be able to join Simran in the Top 5 and gives everyone a run for their money. (Official Photo - 9.4 : Evening Gown - 9.8 : Average - 9.6)

Miss South Africa - Tansey Coetzee

After lackluster performances by past Miss South Africas in recent years, even though last year's delegate was super gorgeous, Tansey seemed set to bring South Africa back to the Top 15. Can she do it? I'm sure she has all the goods and talents. (Official Photo - 9.5 : Evening Gown - 9.6 : Average - 9.55)

Miss Australia - Laura Dundovic

Now this is one lady who looks set to follow in the footsteps of Jennifer Hawkins. She happens to be the best Australian delegate since the thunder from down under swept the universe off its feet in 2004. Laura did well in both the official photo and evening gown shots and I believe she stands a chance. Watch out for her! (Official Photo - 9.4 : Evening Gown - 9.6 : Average - 9.5)

Miss Czech Republic - Eliska Buckova

Eliska is the strongest European delegate, in my humble opinion. She executes both photo shoots perfectly and I'm really hoping she gets a chance to grace the final night with her presence in the Top 15. (Official Photo - 9.4 : Evening Gown - 9.5 : Average - 9.45)

Miss Japan - Hiroko Mima

The reigning Miss Universe is Japanese and it has not been done before that the Miss Universe Organization will crown a back to back winner. Nevertheless, it's not impossible and besides, just like Sun Lee, Hiroko is trained by Ines Ligron, the greatest national director ever lived! She can beat all odds! Not really digging her make-up for the official photo though, what's with the cat's eye? (Official Photo - 9.1 : Evening Gown - 9.7 : Average - 9.4)

The Jax Network's Top 5 - Miss Universe 2008

Alright, peoples! Here is my first Top 15 for this year's Miss Universe 2008 and I've divided my list into three categories - Girls I Believe Will Take It All (Top 5), Bubbling Near The Top (Top 10) and Possible Contenders (Top 15) and not forgetting five more girls I believe will have the chance to make it through to the final list - Gatecrashers (Top 20). For now, I will post my Top 5 list first.

GIRLS I BELIEVE WILL TAKE IT ALL (TOP 5)

Miss Venezuela - Dayana Mendoza

All hail the queen, peoples! This will be Dayana's year and after a missed opportunity with Ly Jonaitis last year, this will be the year the Venezuelans will rejoice and be redeemed of the elusive Miss Universe crown. Mariangel Ruiz is the only Miss Venezuela that came closest to the crown after Alicia Machado won it in 1996, although both Veruska Ramirez and Claudia Moreno were also 1st Runner-up. Anyways, I'm hoping for Dayana to take it all. (Official Photo - 9.95 : Evening Gown - 9.75 : Average - 9.85)

Miss USA - Crystle Stewart

Now this is one lady the three gorgeous Latinas need to watch out for! Crystle is the strongest Miss USA in recent history, even I believe superior to the flawless Rachel Smith. With perfect execution of both the official photo and evening gown shots, it seems this girl is destined for a bright future. (Official Photo - 9.8 : Evening Gown - 9.8 : Average - 9.8)

Miss India - Simran Kaur Mundi

Enough of the Americans for the moment, here comes the Queen of Asia - the gorgeous Simran who I believe is the strongest Indian candidate after the perfect Lara Dutta. Will she finally end India's dry spell? Let's hope she does her best this coming July 13th and as always, she happens to be my sentimental favourite for the crown. (Official Photo - 9.9 : Evening Gown - 9.6 : Average - 9.75)

Miss Puerto Rico - Ingrid Marie Rivera

Will Puerto Rico win again after Zuleyka took the crown only in 2006? It's quite a difficult feat to achieve but not possible. With tons of experience, Ingrid has positioned herself to be one of the girls to beat pre-pageant. And after the release of the official photo and evening gown shots as well as candid photos, Ingrid looks set to be a frontrunner this year. Expect her to do well! (Official Photo - 9.6 : Evening Gown - 9.8 : Average - 9.7)

Miss Colombia - Taliana Vargas

I believe that a Latina will win this year and if my predictions are correct, the crown will be a 3-way fight between three gorgeous Latinas - Taliana, Ingrid and Dayana. Of the three girls, I place Taliana third, behind both Dayana and Ingrid. But don't count her out just yet, with a near perfect evening gown shot, she still stands a chance in grabbing the crown. (Official Photo - 9.35 : Evening Gown - 9.95 : Average - 9.65)

The Best Official Photos - Miss Universe 2008

After the evening gowns, here are my favourite official photos for this year's Miss Universe 2008 and as always, in no particular order. These ladies, as they are lined in these photos, are Miss Nigeria, Miss Russia, Miss Tanzania, Miss USA, Miss Venezuela, Miss Kosovo, Miss Netherlands, Miss Norway, Miss Philippines, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Czech Republic, Miss Finland, Miss India, Miss Japan, Miss Korea, Miss Albania, Miss Angola, Miss Belgium, Miss Canada and Miss Colombia.

For the moment, I've chosen twenty best from each category - official photos and evening gowns. And I've not ranked these girls in terms of superiority yet because I'm about to announce my first Top 15 girls in my next post. So, stay tuned!