#her expressions in the 3rd and 6th panel are beautiful

[loverandservantoftheahlulbayt]

🍃🥀🍃 History of the Cemetery Of Jannat Al-Baqi 🍃🥀🍃

Where Imam Hasan Ibn Ali (2nd Imam), Imam Ali Ibn Al-Husayn (4th imam), Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali (5th imam), & Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad (6th imam), peace be upon them, are buried

On 8th Shawwal, Wednesday, in the year 1345 AH (April 21, 1925), mausoleums in Jannatul Al-Baqi (Madina) were demolished by King Ibn Saud.

In the same year (1925), he also demolished the tombs of holy personages at Jannat al-Mualla (Makkah) where the Holy Prophet (s)'s mother, wife, grandfather and other ancestors are buried.

Destruction of sacred sites in Hijaz by the Saudi Wahhabis continues even today. According to some scholars what is happening in Hijaz is actually a conspiracy plotted by the Jews against Islam, under the guise of Tawheed. The idea is to eradicate the Islamic legacy and heritage and to systematically remove all its vestiges so that in the days to come, Muslims will have no affiliation with their religious history.

The Origins of Al-Baqi

Literally “Al-Baqi” means a tree garden. It is also known as “Jannat Al-Baqi” due to its sanctity, since in it are buried many of our Prophet's relatives and companions.

The first companion buried in Al-Baqi was Uthman Ibn Madhoon who died on the 3rd of Sha'ban in the 3rd year of Hijrah. The Prophet (s) ordered certain trees to be felled, and in its midst, he buried his dear companion, placing two stones over the grave.

On the following years, the Prophet's son Ibrahim, who died in infancy and over whom the Prophet (s) wept bitterly, was also buried there. The people of Madina then began to use that site for the burial of their own dead, because the Prophet (s) used to greet those who were buried in Al-Baqi by saying, “Peace be upon you, O abode of the faithful! God willing, we should soon join you. O' Allah, forgive the fellows of al-Baqi”.

The site of the burial ground at al-Baqi was gradually extended. Nearly seven thousand companions of the Holy Prophet (s) were buried there, not to mention those of the Ahlul Bayt (a). Imam Hasan Ibn Ali (a), Imam Ali Ibn Al-Husayn (a), Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (a), and Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq (a) were all buried there.

Among other relatives of the Prophet (s) who were buried at al-Baqi are: his aunts Safiya and Aatika, and his aunt Fatima Bint Al-Asad, the mother of Imam Ali (a). The third caliph Uthman was buried outside al-Baqi, but with later extensions, his grave was included in the area. In later years, great Muslim scholars like Malik Ibn Anas and many others, were buried there too. Thus, did al-Baqi become a well-known place of great historic significance to all Muslims.

Al-Baqi as viewed by historians

Umar Ibn Jubair describes Al-Baqi as he saw it during his travel to Madina, saying “Al-Baqi is situated to the east of Madina. You enter it through the gate known as the gate of al-Baqi. As you enter, the first grave you see on your left is that of Safiya, the Prophet's aunt, and further still is the grave of Malik bin Anas, the Imam of Madina. On his grave is raised a small dome.

In front of it is the grave of Ibrahim son of our Prophet (s) with a white dome over it, and next to it on the right is the grave of Abdul-Rahman son of Umar bin Al-Khattab, popularly known as Abu Shahma, whose father had kept punishing him till death overtook him. Facing it are the graves of Aqeel bin Abi Talib and Abdullah bin Ja'far Al-Tayyar. There, facing those graves is a small shrine containing the graves of the Prophet's wives, following by a shrine of Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib.

The grave of Hasan bin Ali (a), situated near the gate to it's right hand, has an elevated dome over it. His head lies at the feet of Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib, and both graves are raised high above the ground, their walls are paneled with yellow plates and studded with beautiful star-shaped nails. This is how the grave of Ibrahim, son of the Prophet (s) has also been adorned. Behind the shrine of Abbas there is the house attributed to Fatima, daughter of our Prophet (s), known as “Bayt Al-Ahzaan” (the house of grief) because it is the house she used to frequent in order to mourn the death of her father, the chosen one, peace be upon him. At the farthest end of al-Baqi is the grave of the caliph Uthman, with a small dome over it, and there, next to it, is the grave of Fatima bint Asad, mother of Ali b. Abi Talib (a)”

After a century and a half, the famous traveller Ibn Batuta came to describe al-Baqi in a way which does not in any way differ from the description given by Ibn Jubair. He adds saying, “At al-Baqi are the graves of numerous Muhajirin and Ansar and many companions of the Prophet (s), except that most of their names are unknown.”

Thus, over the centuries, al-Baqi remained a sacred site with renovations being carried out as and when needed till the Wahhabis rose to power in the early nineteenth century. The latter desecrated the tombs and demonstrated disrespect to the martyrs and the companions of the Prophet (s) buried there. Muslims who disagreed with them were branded as “infidels” and were subsequently killed.

The First Destruction of Al-Baqi

The Wahhabis believed that visiting the graves and the shrines of the Prophets, the Imams, or the saints was a form of idolatry and totally un-Islamic. Those who did not conform with their belief were killed and their property was confiscated. Since their first invasion of Iraq, and till nowadays, in fact, the Wahhabis, as well as other rulers of the Gulf States, having been carrying out massacres from which no Muslim who disagreed with them was spared. Obviously, the rest of the Islamic World viewed those graves with deep reverence. Had it not been so, the two caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar would not have expressed their desire for burial near the grave of the Prophet (s).

From 1205 AH to 1217 AH, the Wahhabis made several attempts to gain a foothold in Hijaz but failed. Finally, in 1217 AH, they somehow emerged victorious in Taif where they spilled the innocent blood of Muslims. In 1218 AH, they entered Makkah and destroyed all sacred places and domes there, including the one which served as a canopy over the well of Zamzam.

In 1221, the Wahhabis entered Madina to desecrate al-Baqi as well as every mosque they came across. An attempt was even made to demolish the Prophet's tomb, but for one reason or another, the idea was abandoned. In subsequent years, Muslims from Iraq, Syria, and Egypt were refused entry into Makkah for Hajj. King Al-Saud set a precondition that those who wished to perform the pilgrimage would have to accept Wahhabism or else be branded as non-Muslims, becoming ineligible for entry into the Haram.

Al-Baqi was razed to the ground, with no sign of any grave or tomb whatsoever. But the Saudis were still not quite satisfied with doing all of that. Their king ordered three black attendants at the Prophet's shrine to show him where the treasure of valuable gifts were stored. The Wahhabis plundered the treasure for their own use.

Thousands of Muslims fled Makkah and Madina in a bid to save their lives and escape from the mounting pressure and persecution at the hands of the Wahhabis. Muslims from all over the world denounced this Saudi savagery and exhorted the Caliphate of the Ottoman Empire to save the sacred shrines from total destruction.

Then, as it is known, Muhammad Ali Basha attacked Hijaz and, with the support of local tribes, managed to restore law and order in Madina and Makkah, dislodging the Al-Saud clansmen. The entire Muslim world celebrated this victory with great fanfare and rejoicing. In Cairo, the celebrations continued for five days. No doubt, the joy was due to the fact that pilgrims were once more allowed freely to go for Hajj, and the sacred shrines were once again restored.

In 1818 AD, the Ottaman Caliph Abdul Majid and his successors, Caliphs Abdul Hamid and Mohammed, carried out the reconstruction of all sacred places, restoring the Islamic heritage at all important sites. In 1848 and 1860 AD, further renovations were made at the expense of nearly seven hundred thousand pounds, most of which came from the donations collected at the Prophet's tomb.

The second plunder by the Wahhabis

The Ottoman Empire had added to the splendor of Madina and Makkah by building religious structures of great beauty and architectural value. Richard Burton, who visited the holy shrines in 1853 AD disguised as an Afghan Muslim and adopting the Muslim name Abdullah, speaks of Madina boasting 55 mosques and holy shrines. Another English adventurer who visited Madina in 1877-1878 AD describes it as a small beautiful city resembling Istanbul. He writes about its white walls, golden slender minarets and green fields.

1924 AD Wahhabis entered Hijaz for a second time and carried out another merciless plunder and massacre. People in streets were killed. Houses were razed to the ground. Women and children too were not spared.

Awn bin Hashim (Shairf of Makkah) writes: “Before me, a valley appeared to have been paved with corpses, dried blood staining everywhere all around. There was hardly a tree which didn't have one or two dead bodies near its roots.”

1925 Madina surrendered to the Wahhabi onslaught. All Islamic heritage were destroyed. The only shrine that remained intact was that of the Holy Prophet (s).

Ibn Jabhan says: “We know that the tomb standing on the Prophet's grave is against our principles, and to have his grave in a mosque is an abominable sin.”

Tombs of Hamza and other martyrs were demolished at Uhud. The Prophet's mosque was bombarded. On protest by Muslims, assurances were given by Ibn Saud that it will be restored but the promise was never fulfilled. A promise was given that Hijaz will have an Islamic multinational government. This was also abandoned.

1925 AD Jannat Al-Mu'alla, the sacred cemetery at Makkah was destroyed along with the house where the Holy Prophet (s) was born. Since then, this day is a day of mourning for all Muslims.

Is it not strange that the Wahhabis find it offensive to have the tombs, shrines and other places of importance preserved, while the remains of their Saudi kings are being guarded at the expense of millions of dollars?

Protest from Indian Muslims

1926, protest gatherings were held by shocked Muslims all over the world. Resolutions were passed and a statement outlining the crimes perpetrated by Wahhabis was issued and included the following:

1. The destruction and desecration of the holy places i.e. the birth place of the Holy Prophet [s], the graves of Banu Hashim in Makkah and in Jannat al-Baqi (Madinah), the refusal of the Wahhabis to allow Muslims to recite Ziyarah or Surah Al-Fatiha at those graves.

2. The destruction of the places of worship i.e. Masjid Hamza, Masjid Abu Rasheed, in addition to the tombs of Imams and Sahaba (Prophet's companions).

3. Interference in the performance of Hajj rituals.

4. Forcing the Muslims to follow the Wahhabis innovations and to abandon their own ways according to the guidance of the Imams they follow.

5. The massacre of Sayyids in Taif, Madina, Ahsa, and Qatif.

6. The demolition of the grave of the Imams at al-Baqi which deeply offended and grieved all Shias.

Protest from other countries

Similar protests were lodged by Muslims in Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Indonesia, and Turkey. All of them condemn the Saudi Wahhabis for their barbaric acts. Some scholars wrote tracts and books to tell the world the fact that what was happening in Hijaz was actually a conspiracy plotted by the Jews against Islam, under the guise of Tawheed. The idea was to eradicate the Islamic legacy and heritage and to systematically remove all its vestiges so that in the days to come, Muslims will have no affiliation with their religious history.

A partial list of the demolished graves and shrines

• Al-Mualla graveyard in Makkah which includes the grave of Sayyida Khadija bint Khuwailid (a), wife of the Prophet (s), the grave of Amina bint Wahab, mother of the Prophet (s), the grave of Abu Talib, father of Imam Ali (a), and the grave of Abdul Muttalib, grandfather of the Prophet (s)

• The grave of Hawa (Eve) in Jeddah

• The grave of the father of the Prophet (s) in Madina

• The house of sorrows (Bayt Al-Ahzan) of Sayyida Fatima (a) in Madina

• The Salman al-Farsi mosque in Madina

• The Raj'at ash-Shams mosque in Madina

• The house of the Prophet (s) in Madina, where he lived after migrating from Makkah

• The house of Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq (a) in Madina

• The complex (mahhalla) of Banu Hashim in Madina

• The house of Imam Ali (a) where Imam Hasan (a) and Imam Husayn (a) were born

• The house of Hamza and the graves of the martyrs of Uhud (a)

🍃🥀🍃 al-Islam.org 🍃🥀🍃

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[rkroyalsurvival-blog]

Episode start.

The previous weeks of emotional oscillation only continue in the last episode’s elimination round. It’s clear by the surprise present on more than one contestant’s face that an elimination wasn’t expected; awed gasps and aching expressions manifest when one name is called among the others. “Yubin, I’m sorry, but this will be your last day.” A microphone is passed to the female rapper by the staff and Yubin speaks her final farewell to all:

“I don’t really know what to say, my reaction time is slow… But I’m happy that I could come this far and I’m happy that my performance was enjoyed, it might not have been rapping but I’m extremely proud of it. I can’t wait to see the girls who make it on stage….so fighting and thank you for making me desperate again.”

So Jisub nods in acknowledgment to her words, sincerely wishing her the best as Yubin makes a graceful exit. With the show already more than halfway through, the CEO finds that the pressure to select the perfect girls for the final group is only getting more challenging. The previous challenges have done well to test their stage abilities to his discernment, however, there’s one more quality So Jisub prizes in the trainees in his company. 

A personal interview with the CEO reveals the truth of it. Seated comfortably behind his desk, So Jisub leans forward to regard the camera with a thoughtful expression. “Most talents can be learned with practice,” he admits in his trademark calm tone. “However, a harder thing is to find members who have an excellent morality and a superior character as well. This isn’t optional-- far more than singing or dancing, I desire these qualities in my performers above all else. A good heart is irreplaceable.” Jisub flashes the audience a small, mysterious smile. “Everything else can be taught.”

“How are you going to test them?” The viewers are then taken inside a conference room, where the CEO sits at a long table surrounded by two producers and his communications director, Seo Kyulhyun. Jisub’s quiet laugh is full of mischief as he taps one finger against his temple. “Instinct,” he explains simply. To the producers’ raised eyebrows, he only laughs again in reaction. “If anyone knows ahead of time that something is happening, they’ll plan their reactions in a way that’s insincere and looks good-- a habit which is not what I want to see.” He proceeds to explain the plan to the three, and even gets up once to walk to the door. With the right timing, Jisub opens the wooden panel to admit two more who will be privy to the prank: the Dispatch reporter who will pose questions to the girls and the costumer designer whose dress is intended to be rigged for reactions.

On the day of the prank, the designer, the camera operator, and the producer are shown meeting together ahead of time to slip microphones sneakily into their garments. While the girls wait outside the costume studio to come in individually, the costume designer carefully adjusts the mannequin inside the studio for maximum effectiveness. The audience is aware of the false situation from the start. They can see the carefully-masked expression of the producer as the first girl is called in. They can see the way the camera operator and the reporter exchange knowing glances when she sits down. And finally, they are witnesses to So Jisub entering into a separate room with a large monitor in place for him to watch the interviews through the ‘eyes’ of the costume studio’s hidden camera. He is joined by the costume designer and he is the one who signals each time the designer will leave to go cause trouble.

For his, and the audience’s amusement, they watch the prank unfold for the eleven girls who are left in the show.

After Yang Jiwon answers her final question, she’s seen agape once the mannequin falls apart. So Jisub watches with a critical eye, and a sympathetic smile, as the designer hones in toughly on the TRC trainee. For a girl who was all spirit in her song performance in the last challenge, Jisub is surprised to see the way Jiwon doesn’t argue back in the way he’d suspected she would. Is he disappointed? Not entirely, for the appropriate words, “I’ll pay for it, it was my fault, I should’ve been paying more attention,” are uttered by Jiwon in the end. The CEO wouldn’t usually let a trainee under his employ pay out of pocket for such a thing, as Jegal Seoyoung reveals with her honest reply of the company covering costs, but, being as this is a genuine prank, he is visibly pleased by Jiwon’s personal reply.

The same goes for Ahn Hyojin, whose insistence that she pay herself, is met with Jisub’s approving laugh, and Manoban Lalisa, whose apologetic face and similar words tugs at one’s heartstrings. “It’s almost too cruel, isn’t it?” Jisub jokes with the designer who rejoins him after the third girl has gone. The costume designer shrugs and answers him with a sly smile. “They’ll probably hate you when they find out.”

The other girls are then shown with their own varying reactions: Nam Dawon, who attempts to soften the blow by complementing the dress’s original beauty (which causes the CEO to laugh outright); Park Chaeyoung, whose shaky voice betrays her feelings as she tries to offer reparation; and Jung Soojung, the latter girl who offers to remake the dress herself when it breaks. To Jisub, the costumer designer confesses her surprise at this last response: “I almost believed she’d actually sew with me right then and there!”

“Do you think she’d actually do it?” he asks curiously. Kim Seolhyun also offers to help repair it, as does Lee Soohyun, whose tearful eyes and continual bowing causes the CEO to sigh softly in compassion for his young trainee. Finally, there’s Lee Jihyun, whose memorable blood-curdling scream and softer, more apologetic offer to help as well as pay, causes the CEO to lean back in his seat with a pensive look. “It’s amazing the difference between those who think of money first rather than offering their own labor,” he muses aloud.

The designer looks to him questioningly. “It’s not really a problem to me,” Jisub confesses to her thoughtfully. “It’s probably just as good to recognize one’s own limitations.” As the last one to go, he watches Jo Eunae’s repeated apologies before he crosses his arms over his chest. “Actually, that might be the wisest choice to make… most of the time.”

October 27, 2017.

The day after the ‘pranking’ incident, So Jisub visits the girls’ dormitory in person. Aware that emotions may be running high in fear of the designer’s reprisal, the CEO requests that she accompany him as well on this visit. He and the designer wait for the girls to gather in the foyer of the dormitory before he speaks to all of them as a group.

“Congratulations on your successful practice interviews,” he begins, smiling. Although the edited versions previously seen during the episode only reveal their interview’s final question before the prank, So Jisub explains to them that he has personally watched all interviews in their full entirety. He praises the girls for their honesty, and scolds good-naturedly for those who were a little too honest about their dating opinions. However, he conveys that he isn’t disappointed in the least. He then goes on to explain the premise behind the prank-- “the importance of having a good heart and selflessness”-- before  waving towards the designer to speak. On Jisub’s cue, she offers the girls her own apologetic smile and deep bow for her part as an accomplice for the test.

“You all behaved admirably,” she says, echoing So Jisub’s words. “We at Royal value those who take responsibility and offer to help even if they’re not at fault. It’s a sure sign of maturity that we can’t be more grateful for. And don’t worry, we won’t make you pay for the costume!” she adds on, laughing. The CEO is seen with his own sheepish look as he turns once more towards the girls gathered in front of him.

“I’ve seen the good in you and I know the viewers at home will be glad to see it, too.” The CEO casts a proud look over the remaining eleven girls. “There’s not going to be any elimination or group swapping based on this,” he reveals to them, and chuckles warmly at the relieved lack of tension that fills the room. “No need, I think, since really, it’s all my fault for tricking you so terribly.”

“Instead, I’m going to give you some time to relax.” So Jisub goes on to explain that, thanks to their hard work in the past few weeks, a time for respite has been well-earned by the eleven who have made it through this far in the competition. “I know it gets harder the longer a survival show goes on,” he commiserates with them aloud, “So, it’s equally important that you re-energize now in order to perform at your best again later on.”

The girls are then told that their next filming destination is to Seorak Waterpia, a water park located in Seoul where they will spend several days filming at the various locations offered at the tourist spot. From the offered hot springs, to the water rides, to eating foods at the park’s featured food court-- the girls are told to revitalize their spirits on camera in preparation for the next, much tougher challenge. For there will be one.

“Until next time, ladies.”

End of episode.

EPISODE 5, Writing Prompt:

As So Jisub explained at the end of the episode, this next episode is intended to shift gears a little bit in order to show off more of the girls’ individual personalities as they enjoy themselves at Seorak Waterpia. A water park famous for its various touristy attractions and entertainments even during the autumn months, the filming at Seorak Waterpia will take place over three days: November 2nd-3rd, and on November 6th.

During this time, the girls will group up and/or pair up (of their own choosing) to explore the attractions while cameras will follow them around through the entirety of the filming day. The girls are encouraged to have fun, however, this is a public outing and, as such, all are expected to behave appropriately as members of the show. Security will be present to prevent fans and other tourists from getting too close to the girls, though the cameras’ presence will undoubtedly attract attention from the public who are also visiting the theme park. Be on your best behavior!

The filming schedule is as follows:

November 2nd Filming location: Rainbow Stream and Spa Valley (10:30 AM to 5 PM)

November 3rd Filming Location: Shark Wave, Aqua Zone (10:30 AM to 5 PM)

November 6th Filming Location: Fun Zone (11 AM to 3 PM)

For this episode’s writing opportunities:

Required: write a 300+ word performance solo about enjoying at least one of the filming days with a group/paired partner. You can pick any of the filming days and any of the zones on that day to write about.

Optional: write a 300+ word reaction solo to hearing about the revealed prank.

Optional: write a 250+ word interview answering these specific questions:

“Do you believe you have what it takes to survive through to the end of this competition?”

“What kind of concept would you ideally like to debut with?”

The reward for writing the required solo is +5 SKILL POINTS TO BE DISTRIBUTED AS YOU WISH, +10 CHARISMA POINTS, and +5 DEBUT points, as well earning +1 week of a CHARISMA-BASED achievement of your choice. Additionally, all girls will automatically receive +1 week VARIETY achievement for being present during Episode 5. Point forms will always be due the Wednesday after a deadline passes; this means for Episode 5, verification forms should be submitted after the Activity Check post on Wednesday, November 15th. These form dates have been added to the writing schedule, so refer to it periodically to make sure everything is being submitted on time!

ROYAL SURVIVAL EPISODE 5 (for the Nov 15th form)

[ x ]  *one 300+ word performance solo

+5 ____ POINTS

+10 CHARISMA POINTS

+ 5 DEBUT POINTS

+1 WK CHARISMA-BASED ACHIEVEMENT (CURRENT LEVEL + NUMBER OF TIMES TAKEN)

+1 WK VARIETY ACHIEVEMENT (CURRENT LEVEL + NUMBER OF TIMES TAKEN)

+ NEW DEBUT POINTS TOTAL:

The deadline for all solos is 3AM EST at the start of November 13th, and please tag each solo (including the interview) with #royalsurvival5. If you have any questions, feel free to send them to the Royal Survival inbox!

[asntmc5recap]

EPISODE 5: The Girl Who Make ‘It’ Happened

Well, what do you know, this is actually my favourite episode so far.

We start the episode with Tu mourning Layla’s elimination. Despite having her first FCO (and the very first for Vietnamese contestant), she still feels empty and unhappy, claiming that Layla is the only girl in the house that understand her, despite the language barrier.

Meanwhile, the girls in the ‘Bad Girls’ room celebrated the first week they don’t have any of the members of their group eliminated.

THE CHALLENGE

For their challenge, they met Cindercella, a Youtube star/makeup artist, and they were required to create a fun photo story showcasing Maybelline girl’s personality.

They were assigned into three groups - Group 1: Shikin, Tu & Valerie; Group 2: Alicia, Nametha & Veronika; and Group 3: Dorothy, Cindy, Clara & Maureen.

Each girl was given an edgy phrase that has something to do with Maybelline makeup product and they need to take a photo that embodies the phrase, which the combined, will tell a story. The winning group will get $10000 worth of Maybelline product.

While Group 2′s completed the task smoothly, Valerie and Shikin from Group 2 had some disagreements because they’re both ‘bossy,’ as Valerie put it. Honestly, I just think Valerie was letting this whole “I know a lot about social media” gets to her head. Shikin knew what she wanted and stuck to that decision. And gurl clearly knows her thang considering she got the highest challenge score.

But what they went through was nothing compared to the conflicts going on between Clara, Maureen and Dorothy in Group 3. First, Maureen took too long to finish her makeup. Dorothy was annoyed (and it showed) but it was Clara that just couldn’t shut up about it, much to Maureen’s annoyance.

And then, of course, Maureen “failed” to take beautiful picture of Cindy and Clara called her stupid. 

You know, Clara got A LOT of hate on social media for her antics, but seriously, am I the only one who LOL-ed the entire time. It’s Clara being Clara. Not an ounce of hate or anger coming from her when she called Maureen stupid. Of course, I’d like to see her act more matured, but let’s just enjoy this while we can, no? It was fucking hilarious. Why all the hate?

Anyway, they put it all behind them when they won the group challenge. I mean, nothing brings women together than beauty products, am I right?

They got back to the house and Shikin was surprised she got the highest score, considering that her group didn’t win the challenge, and she thanked Valerie for taking an amazing picture of her.

And thank her she should. This is amazing. I agree with Cindercella. The highlighter really stood out in this photo. Told you gurl knows her thang.

But my favourite has to go to Dorothy’s. This is amazing. I love the creativity behind this. I mean, if this was Maureen’s idea, then she should really put all her animosity towards her behind and go give that woman a hug.

Nametha got the lowest score. She and Veronika suspected that it was because she refused to use heavy eye makeup for her photo. I think it is more because she failed to show any makeup in her photo. It was a challenge to sell makeups anyway.

Overall, I think this challenge makes more sense than last week’s challenge, which I think is extremely stupid. I get that to sell a brand on social media, you more or less have to be social media famous in the first place, but last cycle what they did was go through the contestants’ Instagram and tell them how they can improve it, instead of asking them to take part in some dumb internet challenge.

THE PHOTOSHOOT

For the photoshoot we have the delightful slice of sweet, fluffy rainbow cake, Nigel Stanisalaus, who’s the creative director of Maybelline New York.

In this shoot, the girls embodied the NYC “It” girl, running around the city while the paparazzi take pictures of them. The girl with the best photo will stand the chance to be featured in a Maybelline campaign.

The girls were assigned into groups and each group will get a distinctive look that Nigel himself had come up with.

Clara, Cindy and Valerie got the ‘Uptown Princess’ look, with simple makeup, dewy skin and matted lipstick. 

Dorothy, Nametha and Shikin got the ‘Downtown Edge’ look. They’ll be using strong colours, smoky eyes and bold lipstick to make them look like rockstars.

Last but not least, Maureen, Tu, Veronika and Alicia got the “Midtown Girl” look. They would have to embody a woman who are confident, chic and fashion forward, with their bold makeups and smoky eyes.

JUDGING PANEL

What a delightful panel of judges. I hope Nigel make constant appearance in this show. His insights were interesting and his remarks were HILARIOUS. Heck I think he even brought out a little bit of cray in Cindy (but she claimed it was the leather).

Shikin slayed, yet again. Boy, put this girl in a potato sack and she’ll make it werk. I kinda wish she had Nametha’s outfit though. Alicia, again, had the worse. I’m starting to suspect even the wardrobe department don’t know how to dress her body shape. That top is just atrocious.

Now moving on with the pictures!

MY BEST

1) Dorothy, 4th place, 40.3 points

SHE. FUCKING. KILLED. IT

Now I’ve seen her Colgate commercial (can’t seem to find it on the internet) and it was terrible. But it isn’t her fault. She’s a girl with attitude and in that commercial they just dress her up very beauty-pageant style and ask her to smile and sell her product (as it should be). It’s not her and I stick with my opinion that the job should be given to the prettiest, sweetest contestant - Maureen.

This is not my favourite photo this week, but I try to look at it from the perspective of a Maybelline director, who hire Gigi Hadid to sell their product. This picture embodies “It” because being an “It” girl is not just about looking pretty in front of the camera, but it’s also about having attitude. And like May from last cycle getting the best photo for showing attitude, I think this one deserves an FCO too.

And wtf was Yu Tsai rambling about her nose and shit? Taking ‘modelling H2T’ way too far there buddy.

2) Shikin, 2nd place, 41.8 points

THIS. Just, THIS. From the moment she stepped out of the building to the set, right until the end, everything about the shoot, and her photo are PERFECTION. She was rightfully sad about not getting the FCO despite all the positive feedbacks and getting the highest score for the challenge, but I get why Maybelline might not want someone “too edgy” to represent their product. (What, you think the judges are the only ones making all these decisions? Hey, they sponsored it, so... You know.)

3) Nametha, 6th place, 35.3 points

A lot of people don’t like this picture but I have to side with Nigel on this one. That is a million-dollar slouch right there. Based on her performance this past few weeks, I think she produced the best photo when she has this “I’m tired of your shit” kinda attitude. Girl needs a cheerleader on the set, but instead of lifting her spirit, she’d be there to say things that piss her off.

4) Valerie, 3rd place, 41.3 points

None of the judges talk about how posey this looks. I know it’s not easy to model while getting out of the car, but her left hand could’ve looked more natural. And she was doing the jaw thing too, although maybe not as obvious as her twin. Other than that, I agree with the judges - this looks expensive as fuck.

5) Maureen, 1st place, 45.3 points

I don’t know why the judges seem to be pushing her to adopt this “badass, don’t care” attitude. It’s not working with her. I don’t like this picture. It’s not a bad picture, but it doesn’t look like her at all. The makeup was terrible (sorry, Nigel) and everytime she tries to give attitude, she ends up looking bored. She tried Christy Turlington (sexy) at the field, it didn’t work out. Now she’s doing Naomi Campbell (fierce, badass) and it still doesn’t feel right. I hope she’ll try to embody the spirit of Linda Evangelista (fearless, free-spirited) in the next photoshoot. I mean, if THE HOLY TRINITY can’t help you, nothing else can, darling.

MY WORST

5) Veronika, 8th place, 34.0 points

Yeah, the jaw was quite bothering, but the rest of it I find pretty non-offensive. Loving the cheekbones, btw.

4) Cindy, 7th place, 34.3 points

What I find amazing about this picture is how she can look like she’s trying too hard and not trying at all at the same time. The first thing that comes to my mind when I saw this was “lazy.” But the more I look at it the more it seems... forced. From her finger to her facial expression. 

3) Alicia, Eliminated, 32.0 points

Alicia’s another one that seem to try too hard during her photoshoot this week. Kinda cringed a bit looking at how hard she tried to look all sexy and alluring in her photos. I think she’d do better had she got the “Downtown Edge” look. This high-society, art-of-the-seduction thing is just not for her.

And for the love of humanity, I wish she had just throw away that stupid handbag. Because it’s fucking stupid.

2) Tu, 5th place, 38.9 points

This is just bad. I don’t see whatever it is that Nigel saw. (Bar owner? Really?) The angle is bad, her mouth looks awkward and her pose isn’t doing her gorgeous body any favour. And give her her big hair back, for god’s sake!

And my worst, of course, you already know it, goes to...

1) Clara, Bottom Two, 32.4 points

Funny how Clara protested having to work the “Uptown Princess” look when she’s basically “The Princess” in this cycle. As for the photo, well, she was just standing there. I agree with Yu Tsai. This looks “too real.” This doesn’t belong in Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar, it belongs in a tabloid magazine.

“An heiress to a wealthy oil tycoon seen leaving her hotel with a cheap-looking handbag! Our 10-page cover story inside!”

Goodbye, Alicia.

So adios, Alicia, you beautiful, beautiful thing, you. They didn’t do right by you, hun, I swear to God.

While it’s hard for me to see her go, I totally understand why the judges decide to eliminate her. Her performance had been lackluster these past few weeks, and despite showing promises in the third week, her photos continue to be at best, forgettable.

But damn gurl had the most graceful exit in the show history. That’s some #attitudegoal right there. I can’t recall such amount of wisdom, maturity, professionalism and poise coming from any contestants from earlier cycle. And for that I say, brava Alicia. I genuinely hope that your attitude will carry you very very far in the modelling world.

[asntmc5recap]

EPISODE 3: The Girl Who Is a Crybaby (Part II - The Photoshoot)

For this week’s photoshoot, the contestants braved the elements - heat, sun, rain, humidity - for their first nature shoot. With a giant chair as their prop, and the beautiful lalang field as their background, this photoshoot is all about denim. The contestants are free to interpret denim in their own style - to either make it sexy and bold, or cool and grunge, as Yu Tsai put it.

Accompanying Yu Tsai were Malaysian top model, Ling Tan, and photographer Shavonne Wong.

Some girls really nailed the shoot. Cindy embraced the crazy poses Yu Tsai asked her to do.

And Tu’s new hair comes with a dramatic change in character and attitude.

There were also some who struggled. Yu Tsai complained of Layla’s lacks of energy and motivation.

While Maureen is still not comfortable with her body and seemed lost throughout the photoshoot.

During the judging panel, the girls were dressed up in all-denim. Poor Alicia looking like if Janis Joplin had dated Justin Timberlake back in the early 2000s instead of Britney Spears. She got the worst outfit of all the girls. Dorothy and Layla looked cute, but I think the best dressed title would have to go to Shikin. Girl’s lookin’ fierce as hell. And her strut is everything.

And now, on with the pictures!

MY 5 BEST

1) Tu, 2nd place, 27.5 points

Gurlfriend is seriously WERK-ing that new hair that the Universe had intended for her. She managed to look sexy without venturing into “cheap” territory. This does feel a little borderline-GQ, but she saved it by serving attitude. My only complaint is that I wish her left leg is more straighten up, to give it more length.

2) Nametha, 5th place, 24.0 points

I guess Yu Tsai is on to something, huh? I was so frustrated when she wasn’t eliminated last week, but boy, this picture surprises me. While her hair colour is still questionable at best, I love how it’s styled here. This was taken during the last minutes of her shoot, so it’s still doesn’t speak much about her strength as a model, but I love this. I’m getting sort of a bad girl Anita Mui vibe from this picture, for some reason.

3) Cindy, 1st place, 29.0 points

The judges were crazy about this picture, weren’t they? It would’ve been perfection had her facial expression not look like someone had just given her a lobotomy. Otherwise, great pic.

4) Shikin, 3rd place, 25.0 points

Yay, she finally SLAYED! I do wish her body pose is a bit... stronger? But I guess she’s the “stand still and fiercely stare at the camera” type of model. 

5) Alicia, 6th place, 24.0 points

I think I have the same problem with her and Shikin. If her pose is stronger, I think this would’ve been the best. The sunlight hit her at just the right spot, giving it a very dramatic feel, and I love how at the beginning of the photoshoot she was all sexy, unbuttoning her jeans and all. Sadly we don’t really get to see that sexy, badass chick in this picture.

MY 5 WORST

5) Layla, 7th place, 23.5 points

The pose is great, although I’d say her right leg is resting pretty awkwardly on the chair’s arm there. And that’s really not the best angle for her face. And can we talk about her photoshoot for a sec? That inspirational music is laughable. Now, I’m not mad at Layla. She has her own struggle, just like every other girl in this competition, but I bet the producer will be overplaying it to the max. I mean, are they going to turn every single one of her photoshoot into some sort of a personal battle?

6) Clara, 4th place, 24.5 points

I’m afraid Clara is going to be the Amanda (C3) of this cycle. She killed it during the first week, but her performance has been declining ever since. While this is not really a bad picture in itself, it’s super boring. I’m also pretty angry at Yu Tsai for giving her positive feedbacks throughout the shoot but then criticizing her for giving a bad performance. I thought she is going to be his target this cycle but then the score he gave her was okay (6.5. Cindy gave her 6.0.), so WTF is going on here?

3) Maureen, 11th place (bottom 2), 20.5 points

Yu Tsai asked Maureen to imagine herself as this badass chick at the gas station being all cool and chilled, but instead, she gave us the face that you’d see when you use the toilet at the gas station for too long.

2) Jennica, Eliminated, 19.5 points

Yeah, that turban is pretty stupid, but so is her pose.

1) Valerie, 10th place, 21.0 points

This is just... awful. I mean, contrary to what Jennica would probably like to believe, Valerie had the worst outfit to work with. I remember her getting up to that chair with her back facing the camera and my first thought was, “That’s some ugly-ass looking pair of jeans.” I guess when you have to wear jeans that make your butts non-existent, sexy really isn’t the way to go. And worse, her attempt at being sexy ended up looking... todler-ish? Ugh.

Goodbye, Jennica.

Nonetheless, I understand their decision to send Jennica home. She had been giving terrible performance since week 1. She likes to talk about the weaker models in the competition (and how they should go home next) without realizing she is one. And gurl, that’s just tragic.

And what a sore loser too. Her exit is one of the least graceful in the show’s history. Welp, adios, Jen. 

Excited for next week episode? They show a catfight going on between Clara and Tu, with Clara calling Tu a bitch and a slut (Damn gurl, you kiss your dad with that mouth?). What do you think the fight will be about? Will it be about food (like Gani vs Monika from C3) or the pressure of living with other girls (like Janice vs. everyone else in C2) or will it be because of misunderstanding due to language barrier (like Mai Ngo in C4)? 

Food. I bet it’s food.