Friday 27 December 2013

Goddess of the Universe: FAQ




How are the finalists selected? 

The main criterion for this virtual contest is BEAUTY, and then the all the aspects such as performance follows. From 2011-2012, we accommodated as much beautiful and qualified girls as we can from different pageants. We use their country name + the pageant they came from (such as USA Universe, Czech Republic Earth). But in 2013, we decided to have the 1 GIRL PER SASH. We usually get the contestants from the Big 4 (Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Earth and Miss International)

What are mainly the qualifications?

As long as that girl competed on a pageant on the year, then she's legitimate to be picked as a contestant.

Can a candidate re-qualify on another year?

Yes, as long as she didn't placed on the Top 5 on one of our editions. 

How does the competition goes?

We judge them based from their performance on their respective pageants. They are evaluated on Swimsuits, Evening Gown and Overall aura. So basically, we are looking for the goddess who has the complete package.

How are the judges picked?

People with big interest and has wide knowledge on pageants such as enthusiasts, experts, national directors and even real beauty queens.


Wednesday 18 December 2013

Miss International 2013 is Philippines!



Bea Rose Santiago won Philippines 5th Miss International title at Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan on December 17th. Santiago was crowned by Miss International 2008 Alejandra Andreu after last year's winner Ikumi Yoshimatsu failed to attend the event due to security reasons.

1st Runner Up is Nathalie den Dekker of Netherlands while the 2nd Runner Up is New Zealand Casey Radley who happened to be Santiago's roommate. Completing the Top 5 are Hungary and Colombia.

The rest of the top 15 are: Brazil, Ecuador, Gibraltar, Iceland, Lithuania, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, Thailand and USA.

New Zealand won Miss Friendship, Macau won Miss Internet while Lithuania won Miss Photogenic.

Interestingly, this is Philippines' 2nd crown in the Big 4 after winning Miss World in August by Megan Young. It's also the first time in history that two countries had equal victories on the Big 4 - Venezuela (Universe and Earth) and Philippines (World and International).


Saturday 14 December 2013

Miss France 2014


Flora Coquerel was crowned Miss France 2014 at the Zénith in Dijon on December 7th. This 19 year old represented Orleanis. 1st Runner Up is Tahiti's Mehiata Riaria, 2nd Runner Up is Laëtizia Giovanelli of Provence, 3rd Runner Up is Aurianne Sinacolla of Cote D'Azur and the 4th Runner Up is Chloé Deher of Guadaloupe. 

It's not yet final if the winner will also compete in Miss Universe, but it's sure that the winner will compete in Miss World 2014 in London next year. The 1st Runner Up might go to Miss Universe 2014 if the winner can't. The 2nd Runner Up will go to Miss Earth 2014 and the 3rd Runner Up will go to Miss Supranational 2014.

Saturday 7 December 2013

Venezuela wins Miss Earth 2013!


Alyz Henrich wins Venezuela's 2nd Miss Earth crown! This 22-year old from Punto Fijo bested over 87 candidates from all corners of the Earth at Versailles Palace, Alabang. 1st Runner Up (Miss Air) is Katia Wagner from Austria, 2nd Runner Up (Miss Water) is Thailand's Punika Kulsoontornrut and the 3rd Runner Up (Miss Fire) is Korea's Catharina Choi. 

Last month, Venezuela takes the Miss Universe title and last night Venezuela proved to the world what this beauty powerhouse can cater. 

Completing the Top 8 are: Mexico, Philippines, Poland and Serbia. Completing the Top 16 are: Chile, China PR, France, Mauritius, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and USA. The 16 competed on both Swimsuits and Evening Gowns and then narrowed down to 8 for the Question and Answer portion. 

The pageant was hosted by Singapore-based real life couple Oli Pettigrew (Cash Cab Asia, Sony Style, Lonely Planet Six Degrees China and Epad) and Linda Black (HBO Signature's Friday Picture House, Cathay Pacific on the Move, Health@Desktop). The pageant was beamed to the world by STAR World, Venevision and some participating tv networks across the globe.

Henrich will enjoy a year of beautiful reign travelling around the world promoting Miss Earth's cause! 

Friday 6 December 2013

Miss Earth 2013 Final Hotpicks


1. Serbia - Andjelka Tomasevic
2. Venezuela - Alyz Henrich
3. Mexico - Kristal Silva
4. Bosnia and Herzegovina - Vera Krneta
5. Thailand - Punika Kulsoontornrut
6. Costa Rica - Mariela Aparicio
7. India - Sobhita Dhulipala
8. Bolivia - María Renée Carmona
9. Chile - Natalia Lermanda
10. Philippines - Angelee delos Reyes
11. Kosovo - Donika Emini
12. South Africa - Ashanti Mbanga
13. Brazil - Priscilla Martins
14. China PR - Lisa Xiang
15. Germany - Carolina Noeding
16. Poland - Aleksandra Szczęsna


Sunday 1 December 2013

Señorita Colombia 2013



Paulina Vega Dieppa, 20 representing Atlantico, was crowned Señorita Colombia 2013 at Auditorio Getsemani-Centro de Convenciones in Cartagena de Indias on November 11, 2013. The Barranquilla-native will represent Colombia at Miss Universe 2014. 

1st Runner Up is Zuleika Kiara Suárez Torrenegra (San Andrés y Providencia) and will represent Colombia at Miss International 2014. María Alejandra López Pérez (Risaralda), Carolina Crovo Sierra (Antioquia) and Tania Valencia Cuero (Valle) completed the Top 5. 

Saturday 23 November 2013

Miss Earth 2013 Hotpicks Week 1

Miss Earth 2013 officially kicks off at Manila this week! The girls battled in front of the media during the Press Presentation. With their first-week performance in Manila plus their performance at the Press Presentation, here are our Top 16: 


1. Bosnia and Herzegovina - Vera Krneta
2. Serbia - Andjelka Tomasevic
3. Thailand - Punika Kunsuntornrat
4. India - Sobhita Dhulipala
5. Philippines - Angelee delos Reyes
6. Venezuela - Alyz Henrich
7. Austria - Katia Wagner
8. Bolivia - Maria Renee Carmona
9. Mexico - Kristal Silva
10. Brazil - Priscilla Martinas
11. South Africa - Ashanti Mbanga
12. Chile - Natalia Lermanda
13. Poland - Aleksandra Szczęsna
14. Czech Republic - Monika Leová
15. Kosovo - Donika Emini
16. Korea - Catharina Choi

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Venezuela takes the Universe!


25-year old Maria Gabriela Isler covets Venezuela's 7th Miss Universe crown at Crocus City Hall in Moscow Oblast, Russia on November 9th that was witnessed by 100+ countries in the world. Gabriela Isler was one of the early favorites since the competition didn't kick off in Russia and was hosted by NBC anchor Thomas Roberts and Spice Girls member Mel B.

1st Runner Up is Spain's Patricia Rodriguez, Constanza Baez brought Ecuador's first top 5 placement and finished 2nd Runner Up, 3rd Runner Up is Philippines' Ariella Arida and the 4th Runner Up is Brazil's Jakelyne Oliveira. Brazil and Philippines made Top 5 last year and in 2011.

Completing the Top 10: Yaritza Reyes (Dominican Republic), Amy Willerton (Great Britain), who brought Great Britain's first placement since England, Scotland and Wales competed as one in 1990, Manasi Moghe (India), Olga Storozhenko (Ukraine), and Erin Brady (USA). Completing the Top 16: Jin Ye (China), Fabiana Granados (Costa Rica), Whulandary Herman (Indonesia), Nastassja Bolívar (Nicaragua), Monic Pérez (Puerto Rico) and Dominique Rinderknecht (Switzerland). 

The top 16 competed in Swimsuit on the music of Panic! At the Disco's Miss Jackson and I Write Sins Not Tragedies. The top 10 competed in Evening gowns on the music of Emin's Amor and In Another Life. The Top 5 were then announced and competed on the Final question.

Paulina Krupinska (Poland) was Miss Photogenic and Ye Jin (China) was Miss Congeniality. The awards weren't presented at the show to give the airtime to Steven Tyler's special performance and who also seated as one of the judges. Ariella Arida (Philippines) was the fan vote winner. 



Thursday 7 November 2013

The Miss Universe 2013 Awards

Before anything else, let's take a throwback at leas year's winner

Miss Photogenic: Korea - Yumi Kim
*the award is for the candidate who stayed consistent with how look in photographs
As the competition when through, not a even single photo she looked displeasing and disappointing. She always look very pretty, poised and blooming. 

Face of the Universe: Poland - Paulina Krupinska
*the award associates with the make-up application, hair styling, and how she conveys her emotion
Poland 2013
Krupinska during the Tony Ward fashion show.
She was chosen to open the show and walked
four times in the runway.
One of the front runners for the crown, Paulina has the support of the people since the competition kicked off. She's very beautiful, very poised and very queenly. She knows very well her style.

Best in Glam Shot: USA - Erin Brady
*most high-fashion shot, top magazine cover-worthy
USA 2013
This photo is just full of intensity. The power comes from her eyes which was perfectly accentuated by the lips.
Best in Swimsuit: Brazil - Jakelyne Oliveira
*based on the fitness of the body, tone, and catwalk
Brazil 2013
Since she was crowned Miss Brazil 2013, everybody is expecting her to perform well because of her one-of-a-kind catwalk. The swimsuit performance of hers just wowed everyone and completely exceptional. On the other hand, she needs to slow it down a little bit.

Best in Evening Gown: Paraguay - Guadalupe Gonzalez
*carried the gown with elegance
Paraguay 2013
Applause for this girl for making the most of her gown. A great choice because the color is absolutely pleasing to the eye and she used the train very well.

Best Designed Evening Gown: Curacao - Eline de Pool
*cut of the gown, detailing and hauteness 
Curacao 2013
An example of sweet yet sexy. The sweet part id the color and the sexy part is the neckline. The bun perfectly compliments the cut of the gown. The bead-work is commendable and very great to look at. Not too pageant patty yet not too couture.

Friday 25 October 2013

Miss Universe 2013 Post Arrivals!

The competition has already started, and what do you expect? It's showtime! All the girls have been doing what they can to stand out, and truly, their efforts have been very evident. And with their first days in Moscow, we immediately identified who are these girls who are bringing on their A-game! And they are:






Thursday 24 October 2013

Official Schedule of Activities - 2013 Miss Universe Competition



Friday, October 25 

Event: 2013 MISS UNIVERSE WELCOME DINNER 

Time: 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
Location: Zafferano 
Novinsky Boulevard, 8; LOTTE PLAZA, 3rd floor 
Details: The first official meeting of all Miss Universe 2013 contestants, Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo, Russian show sponsors (president and vice-president of Crocus Group Aras and Emin Agalarovs). 

Saturday, October 26 

WELCOME TOUR – Red Square and Bolshoi Theater 

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
Location: Red Square 
Details: Photo and video coverage of the contestants on a tour to experience Red Square and Bolshoi Theater. 

Sunday, October 26 

YAMAMAY MEET AND GREET FASHION SHOW 

Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
Location: Leninsky Mall 109 
Details: The Miss Universe contestants will meet with fans and take photos. In 2014, a Miss Universe swimwear collection will be distributed by Yamamay. The new swimwear collection will be available in all Yamamay stores both in Italy and abroad as well as online. 

Sunday, October 26 

MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK – TONY WARD FASHION SHOW 

Time: 8 p.m. 
Location: Manege Central Exhibition Hall 
Details: Olivia Culpo opens MB Fashion Week in Moscow and hosts an exclusive show of a new evening dress collection by Tony Ward involving 20 MU2013 contestants. 

Monday, October 27 

MISS UNIVERSE FASHION DAY 

Time: 11 a.m. 
Location: Crocus City Mall 
Details: Miss Universe contestants will walk in Yamamay swimsuit fashion show and greet guests at OPI manicure station and IMAGE Skincare consultation center. OPI Products, Inc., the official nail care sponsor of the competition, invites media to receive manicures. IMAGE Skincare, official skin care sponsor of the competition, invites media to learn more about the type of skin care routine that is best for them. 

Monday, October 27 

CHI MEET AND GREET 

Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
Location: Atrium Mall 
Details: Contestants will meet with fans and take photos before they take part in a CHI hair show. 

Monday, October 28 

AMG TEST DRIVE AT MERCEDES-BENZ MOSCOW RACEWAY 

Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Location: Raceway Track, 90 km from Moscow Ring Road along the Novorizhsky Motorway (plan) 
Details: Contestants take part in test rides at the racetrack. 
*Special bus departures for media from the central entrance to 
Crocus City Hall at 9 a.m. 

Monday, October 28 

SPA-DAY 

Time: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
Location: Agalarov Estate 
Details: Bikini show, promotional shooting.

Tuesday, October 29 

VISIT TO THE FEDERAL RESEARCH AND CLINICAL CENTRE OF PEDIATRIC
HEMATOLOGY, ONCOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY 

Time: 3:30 p.m. 
Location: Dmitry Rogachev FRC-PHOI, Samora Mashela street, 1 
Details: Contestants meet with center’s patients. There will be a beauty day for parents and exchange of gifts. 

Wednesday, October 30 

MISS UNIVERSE 2013 NATIONAL GIFT AUCTION 

Time: 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 
Location: Crocus City Mall 
Details: Press conference involving Chulpan Khamatova, Dina Korzun (Gift of Life Foundation), Paula M. Shugart, president of Miss Universe Organization, and Emina Agalarova, Vice-President, Crocus Group. There will be a red carpet for Russian and foreign celebrities. 

Friday, November 1 

NIGHT OUT WITH CONTESTANTS 

Time: 12 a.m. 
Location: Soho Rooms 
Details: The contestants enjoy a night out. International recording artist EMIN performs. 

Sunday, November 3 

NATIONAL COSTUME SHOW 

Time: 8:30 p.m. 
Location: Vegas mall 
Details: All contestants showcase their national costume. Media will be able to shoot photos and b-roll.

Monday, November 4 

PRESS JUNKET AND MEDIA WELCOME EVENT 

Media Arrival: 3:15 p.m. 
Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel 
Details : Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo, international recording artist EMIN and the 2013 Miss Universe contestants will be available for interviews and photos (only requested contestants will be present). 

Tuesday, November 5 

2013 MISS UNIVERSE® PRELIMINARY COMPETITION 

Media Arrival: 7:30 p.m. 
Time: 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 
Location: Crocus City Hall 
Details: Get ready as the competition heats up! Join us for the 2013 MISS 
UNIVERSE Preliminary Competition, where the world will get their first glimpse at the contestants. 

Wednesday, November 6 

2013 MISS UNIVERSE® COMPETITION PRESS CONFERENCE 

Media Arrival: TBD 
Time: TBD 
Location: Crocus City Hall 
Participants: Donald J. Trump, Aras Agalarov (president, Crocus Group), Emin 
Agalarov (vice-president, Crocus Group), Paula M. Shugart (president of Miss Universe Organization), Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo 

Saturday, November 9 

2013 MISS UNIVERSE® COMPETITION RED CARPET 

Media Arrival: TBD 
Time: TBD 
Location: Crocus City Hall 
Details: The 2013 MISS UNIVERSE® Competition Red Carpet will feature Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo, judges, musical talent, hosts and celebrity guests.

Saturday, November 9 

2013 MISS UNIVERSE® COMPETITION TELECAST

Time: 9 P.M. (ET) ON NBC 

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2013


Josselyn Garciglia was crowned Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2013 at Aeropuerto Internacional "Lic. Adolfo López Mateos" in Estado de México on October 19. This 23-year old from Baja California Sur will represent Mexico at Miss Universe 2014 pageant.

1st Runner Up is Vanessa López (Sonora), 2nd Runner Up is Vianey Vázquez (Aguascalientes), 3rd Runner Up is Nereyda Sánchez (Jalisco) and the 4th Runner Up is Ana Lucía Baduy (Chihuahua). The states Distrito Federal, Estado de México, Nuevo León, Tabasco and Veracruz completed the Top 10. Top 15 were composed of: Coahuila, Durango, Queretaro, Tamaulipas, and Yucatán.



On October 17, the National Costume competition was held. The national costume from Jalisco which was called "Quetzalcóatl" was the winner. And on the same night was the Nuestra Belleza Mexico Mundo 2013 pageant. Daniela Álvarez from Morelos won the pageant and will represent Mexico at Miss World 2014 in London. Vanessa López from Sonora was the 1st Runner Up and the representatives from  Baja California Sur (which later won Nuestra Bellezz Mexico pageant), Nuevo León and Queretaro completed the Top 5.



Friday 18 October 2013

Miss Universe 2013 Pre-Arrivals


1. Puerto Rico - Monic Perez
2. Bolivia - Alexia Viruez
3. Paraguay - Guadalupe Gonzalez
4. Poland - Paulina Krupinska
5. Croatia - Melita Fabečić
6. Great Britain - Amy Willerton
7. Brazil - Jakelyne Oliveira
8. France - Hinarani de Longeaux
9. Spain - Patricia Rodriguez
10. Philippines - Ariella Arida
11. Colombia - Lucia Aldana
12. USA - Erin Brady
13. Dominican Republic - Yaritza Reyes
14. Venezuela - Maria Gabriela Isler
15. Switzerland - Dominique Rinderknecht
16. Ukraine - Olga Storozhenko
-
17. Italy - Luna Voce
18. Indonesia - Whulandary Herman
19. Germany - Anne-Julia Hagen
20. Haiti - Mondiana Pierre

Thursday 17 October 2013

Miss Universe 2013 Hosts and Performers


MSNBC Live host Thomas Brown will host the 2013 Miss Universe competition. Together with him would be America's Got Talent host and a Spice Girl, Melanie Brown who co-hosted Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam.


Grammy-nominated Panic! At the Disco will perform at this year’s contest from the Crocus City Hall stage. Watch it all go down Nov. 9 at 9p.m. on NBC. - MUO


Our second performer at this year’s Miss Universe Competition in Moscow will be international recording artist, EMIN! So excited to have this up-and-coming international sensation be a part of this year’s telecast. As always, tune in to NBC on Nov. 9 at 9p.m. to catch all the action. - MUO

"Beauty With A Purpose" -- Miss World - Philippines 2006 helps her people.


A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines particularly in the Visayas area. The epicenter of the earthquake was in Bohol and it also affected the islands nearby like Cebu. Most of the churches in these areas suffered a massive damage. There were reports that in Bohol, Philippines, they are really in need of the basic necessities like water, food and shelter.

Just a short trivia, Bohol is very famous of their rich culture and heritage sites. Many people of different parts of the globe do go there and see the cute tarsiers, delicious delicacy which is the famous “calamay,” many old churches and their famous floating restaurant.


Someone made a move for these people to be given their needs. Former Bb. Pilipinas – World 2006 (now called as Miss World – Philippines), Anna Maris Igpit spearheaded a group which gives aid to the people in Bohol who needs assistance and who needs the basic necessities. 
 
Anna Maris Igpit is a native of Bohol which was the epicenter of the earthquake and when the earthquake struck she finds ways for her fellow “Boholanos.” 

Her group is named as “Oplan Bangon Bohol” it’s a group that helps Bohol to rise again after the said tragedy. They are organizing a team of people for rescue and relief operations in Bohol. Her group has reached many people of different places and it even reached in a major media network, BBC with the help of the social networking sites and technology.


The beauty queen shared to us how she formulated the group. She said,
"When I got a call from my mom about the earthquake, I checked my twitter and facebook right away on some news about it. There I saw devastating photos. I got messages from people asking for help so I created the hashtag #rescuebohol, hooked up with a rescue unit in Bohol, to make it easier for people to send their concerns. I served like a "bridge". It started as a one woman effort. When more messages of needed rescue, relief goods and donations flooded in, that's when I started to message my Boholano friends on FB. I told them about the idea of forming a team and everything just fell into place. I immediately got calls from different establishments, organizations and individuals willing to work with us. And the rest is history."

"Our organization Oplan Bangon Bohol is a team that basically gather donations then we turn them over to our partner foundation, the Kapuso Foundation. They now do the repacking and distribution. People can help by donating goods, use ther influence and connections to gather donations, volunteer in the relief areas or on ground or simply by helping us monitor reports and concerns online. Each one of you can help in any way possible." she shared to us about her group.
 
She told us that the people need drinking water and food which she said are the 2 most important aids they need. They also need medicine, electricity, tents, sanitary kits, blankets etc.
  

Here are some of the posts of Anna Maris Igpit as she strives to help the people in Bohol:



Let's help her and the Philippines in this tragedy. You can go to her group page:
"OPLAN BANGON BOHOL" Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OplanBangonBohol
All the updates and information about the situation in Bohol, Philippines is there. We hope that you would help the people who are suffering in this tragedy.