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Miss Philippines Beyond 2009: The Ultimate Philippine Pageant Messageboard of the New Millenium!
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Miss Philippines Beyond 2009

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Filipina Essence
Video of the Month

Miss Philippines Universe 2009 Bianca Manalo
Making her move at the Miss Universe Preliminaries!



Subject:
Miss Philippines is Ready For Miss Universe 2009 Final


Author:
P.E. (palumbo)
[Edit]

Date Posted: 18:44:04 08/23/09 Sun







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    (NT) -- Dean Cain is one of the 12 Judges in the Miss Universe 2009 contest..I do hope Bianca could give a good impression.. -- P.E. , 19:26:04 08/23/09 Sun

Subject: GOOD LUCK MISS PHILIPPINES!


Author:
We Love You!
[Edit]

Date Posted: 07:35:51 08/23/09 Sun

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Subject: Ready na si Bianca!


Author:
kumare ni Alexei
[Edit]

Date Posted: 18:16:48 08/23/09 Sun



Subject:
Dynamic Glitter Text Generator at TextSpace.net


Author:
NOT-YOUR-HERO
[Edit]

Date Posted: 17:59:56 08/23/09 Sun

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Well guys, i am pretty sure you are all excited about who will be the next Miss Universe.This is my personal TOP 15 based on the performances during the preliminary competition.Interview is not included in my prediction.I know that some delegates like UKRAINE or VENEZUELA are going to crack to the semi final,although not deserving in my opinion.So...i am curious how many delegates i have chosen right.



Subject:
TODAY'S NEW PICTURES


Author:
P.E.
[Edit]

Date Posted: 16:37:51 08/23/09 Sun



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    (NT) --
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    , 16:43:05 08/23/09 Sun
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    (NT) --
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    , 16:48:08 08/23/09 Sun
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      (NT) --
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      , 16:57:30 08/23/09 Sun

Subject: Bianca Manalo And Donald Trump


Author:
hEiM
[Edit]

Date Posted: 07:58:47 08/23/09 Sun



This is perhaps one of Bianca's prettiest moments. Love the straight hair, love the white dress. What more could you ask? Good luck to you Bianca, God bless and just like what you have said, "BAHALA NA SI LORD!"
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Subject: TRUMP & BIANCA, COULD THIS BE A GOOD SIGN FOR TONIGHT?


Author:
lito_mora
[Edit]

Date Posted: 07:58:13 08/23/09 Sun

JUST LOOK AT TRUMP'S SMILE!

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Subject:
Dynamic Blinkie Text Generator at TextSpace.net


Author:
Dynamic Blinkie Text Generator at TextSpace.net
[Edit]

Date Posted: 12:40:42 08/23/09 Sun



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Pics Courtesy of Missosology

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Subject:
NEWS !NEWS !NEWS!


Author:
NOT-YOUR-HERO
[Edit]

Date Posted: 09:04:21 08/23/09 Sun

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Just hours before the Final telecast of Miss Universe 2009, Miss Turks & Caicos Jewel Selver withdrawed from the competition due to dehydration.
Nevertheless she will still appear on the Pre-tape opening number segment.Good Luck, Jewel !!



Replies:

Subject: hala heim look at the time we posted our therad: me 07:58:13 08/23/09 Sun/ you: 07:58:47 08/23/09 Sun. hehehe!


Author:
lito_mora
[Edit]

Date Posted: 08:12:19 08/23/09 Sun


Subject: MISS UNIVERSE 2009: AT THE HOMESTRETCH part2 (by: joseph vitug)


Author:
lito_mora
[Edit]

Date Posted: 05:47:28 08/23/09 Sun

NAMIBIA – Happie Ntelamo. She surprisingly turned out to be a consistently polished contender, who turned out her strongest performance when it counted—the Presentation Show. She showcased a trim figure during the swimsuit round and she looked dignified and elegant in a one-shoulder light blue sequined gown.

NETHERLANDS – Avalon-Chanel Weyzig. It is quite unusual how I tend to differ from the majority of pundits this year when it comes to delegates from the Benelux countries. Many pundits sang high praises for both Belgium and Netherlands, declaring them top contenders for the finals. I do have a positive opinion for both of them, but not to the stratospheric regard that several pundits have. Yes, I do think that this lady is a polished contestant (bravo, Ms. Kötter) whose fierce exotic features (she’s part Indonesian) that make me recall America’s Next Top Model Cycle 10 contestant Dominique does make an indelible striking impression. But to be a front-runner? I don’t quite get it, to be blunt. She gave a decent performance in the web interview, but nothing memorable or distinctive. During the swimsuit round of the Presentation Show, she walked okay, but I sensed she needed some polishing. She did better in the evening gown, performing a Riyo Mori Flash in a shimmering white evening gown and attempted to perform a half Taliana Twirl before stepping out. Despite my reservations, I still do believe she does have what it takes to make the final cut.

NEW ZEALAND – Katie Taylor. This blonde lady seems to have a sweet, bubbly, and likable personality, and she does have a refreshingly pretty face. That bubbly presence was translated to her swimsuit presentation that she made a creditable impression. During the gown round, she attempted to spice up showcasing her red satin-and-chiffon number by performing some partial Taliana Twirls. Again, a creditable though imperfect effort.

NICARAGUA – Indiana Maria Sanchez. While watching the web interview online, I noticed she resembles the artist formerly known as Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham, though on other photos she simply looked plain. She made a great impression on that web interview as she was extremely articulate describing several little known attractions of her country (like sharks thriving in a fresh water lake, and a volcano within a lake). She also gave a surprisingly strong performance during the Presentation Show, showcasing a trim, buffed figure with a strong catwalk during the swimsuit round, and prancing wonderfully about in a multi-layered frilly pink number (it was similar in structure to the multilayered fringe number sported by Bolivia’s Desiree Duran back in 2006).

NIGERIA – Enifovwe Sandra Otohwo. Her web interview showcased a little unintentional humor as she mentioned that many people believed no one in her country speaks English—she stressed that fact that despite the presence of over 250 ethnic groups, they are united together as one country. Her three wishes actually involved one thing: winning Miss Universe because a) it will help her become a stronger force to promote peace; b) it will make her country proud; and c) it will give her better opportunities. She gave a polished performance during the swimsuit round of the Presentation Show with a strong catwalk—though her figure was clearly a bit more voluptuous than most. For the evening gown round, she sported a white ballgown that emphasized said voluptuousness.

NORWAY – Eli Landa. She is an attractive lady, but she’s the weakest link amongst the Scandinavian contingent. Her web interview was slightly memorable for the simple fact that at the time it was conducted, her luggage was missing so that was what was on her mind when being asked about her greatest fear and her three wishes. The highlight of her stint was in the Presentation Show as she made a distinctive presence in a blue printed gown.

PANAMA – Diana Patricia Broce. Lookswise, I found her features too angular to my liking. But she gave an extremely polished, top-notch performance during the presentation show, showcasing a trim and buffed hourglass figure during the swimsuit round, and looking impeccably elegant in a white gown with intricately embroidered diagonal patterns.

PARAGUAY – Mareike Baumgarten. Many pundits have issues with her facial features, but I found her facial features to be pleasing and attractive enough. She gave a great performance during the swimsuit round of the Presentation Show, but during the evening gown round, most pundits generally found her satin green gown with lacy black underlay and accessorized with black velvet gloves to be a fashion crime—to my eyes, it’s only a misdemeanor.

PERU – Karen Susana Schwarz. Here is another possible stealth contender into the finals—though I originally didn’t find her looks to be distinctive or extraordinary, her features grew on me and now I found her very attractive. She was an extremely articulate communicator in the web interview, and she was consistently top-notch polished during the Presentation Show. I love her white-and-silver strapless gown with a sexy slit at the right side, and she paraded that number with great skill, doing a partial Riyo Mori Flash and a partial Taliana Twirl.

PHILIPPINES – Pamela Bianca Manalo. Filipino pageant fans and pundits all over are decrying the fact that so far this decade we have not landed in the semifinals, and that this is our last chance to do so. We Filipinos are pinning our hopes on this lady to break the long drought. So, did Bianca deliver? Well, during the time of Bb. Pilipinas, I thought they made the wrong decision selecting this lady for this pageant and selecting Mary-Ann Umali for Miss World, as Bianca seemed to be better suited for Miss World and vice versa. But I have to concede that Bianca is performing better than I expected in this pageant, making her presence felt (partly fueled by the support of the significant number of Filipino staff at the Atlantis Resort) and generating a great impression. Some pundits may want her to channel Miriam Quiambao, but I think she did the right thing by channeling someone else instead—her own sister, Kate, a Miss World 2002 finalist. Her proportions are such that even as she might actually be a tad voluptuous if based on weight, somehow she managed to create the illusion of a sleek silhouette that is desired by today’s pageant standards. And though her so-called “gift-wrapper” blue evening gown got mixed reviews, she did work the number with aplomb onstage, and it is better seen in action (like, say, Oxana Fedorova’s famous white Gucci number). Will the energy of the Atlantis staff (which most likely contributed to the loud applause heard when she appeared onstage) rub off to bring forth the final break from the long drought? It is definitely within reach.

POLAND – Angelika Jankubowska. This blonde has a pretty face, and her voluptuous figure makes her in contention for the BB Sweepstakes. But she is otherwise raw and unpolished, so her chances for being in serious contention for the crown are very slim.

PUERTO RICO – Mayra Matos. I originally thought this lady is one of the surer contenders for a Top 15 slot (though not necessarily going all the way to the Top 5). During the first two weeks I would place her firmly amongst my Top 15, but she started to fade as time wore on. Feeling ill during the group swimsuit photoshoot (and being recorded throwing up) is one of the key indicators that her prospects were fading. She actually did a great job during the Presentation Show, doing her best showcasing her lean (maybe too lean for comfort) figure during the swimsuit round and performing a half-Taliana Twirl sporting a strapless sequined bustier gown. But her prospects are starting to be less certain than before.

ROMANIA – Bianca Elena Constantin. It is nice that after a long 11-year absence, this country is back competing in this pageant. Such a shame despite some worthwhile contenders in the national pageant, this bimbishy-looking blonde was selected to represent this country. Well, to her credit, she is a decent-enough communicator judging from her web interview, and performed creditably enough in the Presentation Show, but if we try to judge her strictly on her merits, she is not really in serious contention for the finals. But there is extremely strong buzz that she might be bestowed one of the much coveted Trump Choice slots.

RUSSIA – Sofia Rudyeva. When she won her national pageant, many pundits felt that there were more stunning and gorgeous ladies than her who would’ve been worthy of the crown, and that she paled in comparison to her predecessor, the reigning Miss World Ksenia Sukhinova. Then, a couple of weeks later, explicitly nude photos of her were shown and published on Perfect 10 magazine (a European based men’s magazine) and posted all over the internet. These were not the tasteful nudes where the naughtiest bits were artistically or strategically covered. No, we get to see practically everything—well, at least, the level that a Playboy Magazine would allow. I have a feeling they would’ve dethroned her if she went further than that (you know, Penthouse, Hustler, and other skankier magazines where we could “look” deeper, shall we say), but well, that is probably why she still got to keep her crown. But an additional fact was revealed that makes it even queasier—the photos were taken when she was 15 years old (three years ago). Remember that Miss Universe caters to an American audience, and based on American law, any image depicting people nude and in a potentially sexual situation under 18 years old is illegal. Still, it was baffling for pageant pundits when we learned the news that she was allowed to compete. The Miss Universe Organization doesn’t live under a rock and they obviously have internet access, don’t they? Oh well, she got to compete without controversy for almost three weeks so far, though all of a sudden a video interview featuring one Miss Universe telecast judge (Valeria Mazza) was featured expressing her negative opinion over such photos. Cynical wags probably felt that Trump & Co. allowed her to compete to exploit this controversy for ratings and revenue, under the maxim that “any publicity is good publicity.” It makes many of us feel sad that this organization decided to take such desperate measures if that is indeed so…

There was an alleged statement that Sofia claimed that she was exploited when those photos were taken, and that if she wins the Miss Universe crown, she would use her position to advocate against exploitation of minors. Somehow, I think that alleged declaration is more of a spin to win sympathy and that it rings hollow. I saw those photos and the way her face looked reminded me of a now-classic painting that also caused a major furor during its day—“Olympia” by Edouard Manet.*4/

*4 When this painting was unveiled in 1863, many conservatives declared this painting obscene because it depicted a reclining nude model staring openly and directly to the viewer in such a nonchalant manner. According to the artistic cognoscenti, the objects in that painting seemed to identify the subject as a courtesan, not a reclining Venus. They pointed out the orchid in her hair, her bracelet, pearl earrings, the black ribbon on her neck, the dangling slipper, and the oriental shawl on which she lies, as symbols of material wealth and casual sensuality, along with the fact that there was a black cat which was a symbol for prostitution then.
Even if they attempted to steer away from this ticking bomb of a controversy by distracting us with the Maxim photo layout of the reigning Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza (and the fact she addressed that fact during the Presentation Show with a cheeky mention about taking off her clothes and being naked when asked by her co-host about what she has been doing), one must note that we cannot really compare Dayana’s photos with Sofia’s, as there is artistry and taste in the former unlike the latter. Wonder if one of the final questions will be related to this issue?

Okay, three paragraphs and a footnote have already been devoted to the controversy. So what about the girl herself? Though I really do not want her to advance any further, I have to grudgingly concede that based on mere merit, she deserves to belong to the Top Ten, if not even Top Five. Her stage skills are extremely polished, her figure is undeniably trim and, yes, sexy, her facial features are gorgeous enough, and oddly enough, her web interview seems to reveal a woman more mature than her age would suggest as she was surprisingly thoughtful and almost eloquent (but then again, it might be an excellent translator’s skill at work there, like the way Brazil shone very well in earlier editions of Miss Earth thanks to an eloquent petite female translator). Would they actually allow her to go very far in the finals, factoring in the baggage?

On a parting note, I wished the Miss Russia organization employed the “Valerie Begue Solution” instead, allowing her to keep her Miss Russia crown but send someone else to compete. It is not that I have anything against this lady, but if her claims are totally true, there are other opportunities for her out there besides a pageant. I wish she would end up like a Vanessa L. Williams later in her life.

SERBIA – Dragana Atlija. She is otherwise attractive with a great figure to boot, but she often sports a severe expression that does not help capitalize on her strengths. It doesn’t help that she comes off as blasé in her web interview, and that blasé frown and linebacker walk during the Presentation Show further aggravates matters. Well, she did redeem herself a bit during the evening gown round with a cleavage-baring white V-necked number. Another candidate for the BB Sweepstakes.

SINGAPORE – Rachel Kum. There were a few pageant pundits who were raving about this lady and thought she could be another Asian in serious contention for the finals. She undeniably has a cute Chinese face. Too bad she disappointed at the Presentation Show, as her figure was not as toned as her fellow competitors, and her gown presentation was likewise lackluster.

SLOVAK REPUBLIC – Denisa Mendrejova. Here is another lady when crowned during her national pageant made several pageant pundits salivate and tagging her as another lady most likely to advance to the semifinals—then after later photos surfaced the pundits felt they need a re-think. I do have to agree that although she is undeniably attractive, she didn’t have that charismatic quality that would make people turn around and pay attention. But she did a creditable job at the Presentation Show, especially during the evening gown round as she strutted her printed purple gown by employing a combo of the Dayana Spin and a couple of Taliana Twirls.

SLOVENIA – Mirela Korac. Her facial features remind me of a less attractive version of Toni Collette mixed with Minnie Driver. She at least did a creditable job at the Presentation Show, performing decently in both the swimsuit and gown rounds.

SOUTH AFRICA – Tatum Keshwar. Alright, facially she isn’t really all that, and actually her web interview isn’t as remarkable as, say, Miss France. But she has that charisma and the competitive fire that is characteristic of a South African delegate to this pageant. She is the third member of the “Mocha Babes”. She has a consistent sparkle all throughout her stay, and she definitely created a sensation during the Presentation Show. She was simply fabulous throughout, highlighting her lissomely lean model frame with a fierce stance during the swimsuit round and continuing with the fierceness modeling a shimmering light-green-and-white evening gown. She is one of the likeliest to make the Top Five, at the very least.

SPAIN – Estibaliz Pereira. She only won her national pageant a couple of weeks before heading to the Bahamas for the Miss Universe pageant activities, but even with the so-called “lack of preparation”, she knew how to showcase her strengths well enough to be almost certain of a semifinalist slot. She has one of the most gorgeous faces in this pageant, looking at times like a more serene version of Miss Universe 1991 Lupita Jones, she has a trim and sexy figure, and she exudes an impeccably elegant persona. Some pageant pundits may have reservations about the black Grecian-style satin evening gown she wore during the Presentation Show, but in my opinion she still performed wonderfully in it that her semifinalist prospects would likely remain secure.

SWEDEN – Renate Veronica Cerljen. Here is another Scandinavian lovely whose beauty I find rather refreshing. At some angles she even comes off as a deadringer to actress Ingrid Bergman in her 1940s heyday. I originally would include her amongst the likeliest ladies to make the semifinals, but she wasn’t exuding much competitive sparkle—more like a casual fun attitude. Many pageant pundits decried her choice of evening gown for the Presentation Show—she was the only one who chose a garment with long sleeves—as they felt the goth-dominatrix sequined design on her black evening gown was a disaster. Well, in my opinion there were worse dresses than hers, though I do agree that she could’ve chosen a better gown.

SWITZERLAND – Whitney Toyloy. Prior to their arrivals in the Bahamas, I thought this lady and Chloe Mortaud are similar—brown complexioned exotic beauties with fighting chances to be part of the semifinals though not go further beyond that. But while Chloe sparkled brightly once they were in the Bahamas, this lady barely even simmered. She doesn’t seem to know how to fully capitalize on her strengths. She wasn’t polished enough to even be in serious contention for the finals, and this is evident during the Presentation Show.

TANZANIA – Illuminata James Wize. Prior to her arrival in the Bahamas and during the early pageant activities, pageant pundits (including myself) barely noticed this lady though did acknowledged that she was attractive. There doesn’t seem to be anything remarkable until the Presentation Show when she emerged as a polished and trim competitor and looked splendid in a sequined blue gown, performing some Riyo Mori Flashes with the dangling chiffon fabric on her outfit. I had visions of Miriam Odemba*5 all of a sudden. If there is an extra slot for an African besides Miss South Africa, this lady may be the one to take it ahead of erstwhile favorites like Mz. Angola and Ethiopia.

*5 The gorgeous Miss Earth-Air 2008, and the amusingly scene-stealing camera hog during the Miss World 2007 telecast.
THAILAND – Chutima Chantelle Durongdej. Like Miss Korea, I found her victory in her national pageant baffling—the only justification was probably that she could speak good English. Her facial features reminded me of Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova’s husband, pro tennis player Paradorn Srichipan. But it turns out she is a polished competitor in all other respects—she has a trim figure, she has a charming personality, and she knows how to showcase her strengths onstage and in public. She could’ve been a P.A.T.I.S. lady or even be a serious contender if it weren’t for her face.

TURKEY – Senem Kuyucuoğlu. Again, fans of Miss Turkey 2008 first runner-up Begüm Kızıltuğ (including myself) were frustrated, as that highly regarded gorgeous lady decided to pass on competing in this pageant as she decided to follow her heart and get married instead. So we have the incumbent Miss Turkey first runner-up seeing action in this pageant. Actually, this lady has two key assets—she has a very pretty, photogenic face (better enhanced with the talents of official Miss Universe photographer, Fadil Berisha), and she is statuesque at 6’1”. But everything else is a mess. She is a lousy communicator, she has poor stage skills, and her evening gown was this sheer, over-sequined and over-lacy flesh-colored disaster. Let us all sigh in collective disappointment for what could’ve been if it was Begüm who was competing.

TURKS & CAICOS – Jewell DeEann Selver. Prior to her withdrawal (officially due to dehydration) one day prior to the finals, we do have to salute this lady for keeping up a good fight despite several disadvantages—she is only 5’2”, her figure is clearly out of league compared to her colleagues out there, and her facial features are clearly imperfect. She took the effort to attempt a double Dayana Spin and a double Taliana Twirl on the middle of the runway and tried to punctuate it with another Taliana Twirl, slightly tripping in the process.

UKRAINE – Kristina Koz-Gotlib. Photos of her coronation seemed to show a reasonably attractive lady with a long, swirly mass of tight blonde curls. But closer inspection of her facial features seems to indicate she is more a plain Jane (reminds me of a frumpy version of 1980s pop star Taylor Dayne), and like Miss Romania, she exudes a bimbo vibe. Well, we do have to give her credit for having a trim-enough swimsuit figure and even if her stage presentation seems a bit contrived with her combo of the Riyo Mori Flash, Dayana Spin and Taliana Twirl, she does make an impact. But if we base it solely on merit, she doesn’t deserve to make the final cut. But she has an ace up her sleeve—her director’s close connection with Donald Trump.


URUGUAY – Cintia Carolina D’ottone. Well, let’s also give this lady credit for doing the best she could with what she has. She has a trim-enough figure, and she looked polished in her green strapless animal print gown at the Presentation Show.

U S A – Kristen Dalton. If her sash didn’t say Miss U S A, she could’ve easily have been a P.A.T.I.S. lady. But since she is Miss U S A, her placement into the finals is about 99% assured. Her evening gown presentation represented the pinnacle of the trend to employ the aforementioned Riyo Mori Flash, Dayana Spin, and Taliana Twirl—as Pasquale described her presentation, “The half Riyo, the triple Dayana/Taliana combo, followed by a half Taliana”. I think if they could put in some somersaults and overhead jumps into that presentation she would’ve done it. It could easily turn into another U S A fall on the final telecast if she missteps on those moves. It might be interesting to watch if she will nail that daunting combo again during the finals.

VENEZUELA – Stefania Fernandez. I know a Miss Venezuela-obsessed friend and fellow pundit will continue to place her on the top of his list despite the grumblings of several pageant pundits, who viewed her as a complete disappointment. What do I think? Well, I am also against the consensus, as I thought her performance was generally top-notch, and maybe there are unflattering angles and photos of her smile are a little grating (her clenched teeth are just a tad distracting) but she still is gorgeous in my eyes. At her best, she evokes the glamour of 1940’s screen goddess Rita Hayworth. She made a great impression in her web interview, with a memorable answer to the “three wishes” question: “I wish for one day everyone will speak the same language, have the same economic situation, and have the same color, so we can prove that all human beings are really alike.” She was actually sensational during the swimsuit round of the Presentation Show, but I know her gown performance generated a polarizing reaction. She took a risk styling her hair in a tight bouffant bun (almost like Miss Kosovo) and wearing a huge tomato red off-shoulder number with layers upon layers of feathers. I thought she actually did well and made a distinctively positive and elegant impression, but I do understand how a huge majority of the others would’ve been turned off by it, to the point that there were reports of last-minute meetings to rethink her strategies for the finals. I would agree that she would’ve been better off wearing that heavily bejeweled pink number she wore for the evening gown photo shoot instead of the Presentation Show gown. Most pageant pundits felt she’ll suffer the fate of Ana Karina Añez and Jictzad Viña, but I think she is still likely to make the final cut.


VIETNAM – Vo Hoang Yen. Her pre-Bahamas photos were sleekly polished that many viewed her as a front-running contender. Since she arrived in the Bahamas, her hype simmered down a bit. She is still a worthwhile contender as she is attractive enough, trim enough, and her stage presentation skills are polished enough. During her gown presentation, she joined the herd by performing a combination of a couple of half-Riyo Mori Flashes at the beginning and end and a double Taliana Twirl in between while clad in her gold bustier gown.

ZAMBIA – Andella Chileshe Matthews. Welcome another member of the P.A.T.I.S. club. Her distinctive shock of permed reddish hair made me recall another contestant of Cycle 10 of America’s Next Top Model—Fatima prior to her makeover. I’m divided whether I prefer her hair straightened or left in its frizzy state (she showcased both styles during her stay)—the frizzy state makes her look distinctive and I tend to usually prefer the latter, but sometimes it could simply be a mess. Well, she went frizzy during the Presentation Show and it worked well enough. She is of course the last one who joined the herd and performed a Taliana Twirl towards the end of her evening gown presentation in a white Grecian style dress with gold belt.


Now that I have all 84 delegates accounted for, time for me to trot out my leader board:

TOP CONTENDERS: AUSTRALIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, FRANCE, SOUTH AFRICA

SHOO-IN: U S A


LIKELIEST: ANGOLA, BAHAMAS, CHINA, COLOMBIA, CZECH REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, ICELAND, INDIA, INDONESIA, IRELAND, JAMAICA, MEXICO, NAMIBIA, NETHERLANDS, PERU, PHILIPPINES, PUERTO RICO, RUSSIA, SPAIN, TANZANIA, VENEZUELA


EXCELLENT: ARGENTINA, BELGIUM, CANADA, CAYMAN ISLANDS, CURACAO, EGYPT, ETHIOPIA, FINLAND, GHANA, GREAT BRITAIN, GUAM, ITALY, NIGERIA, PANAMA, SLOVAK REPUBLIC, SWEDEN, VIETNAM, ZAMBIA


TRUMP FACTOR: ALBANIA, HUNGARY, JAPAN, KOSOVO, ROMANIA, UKRAINE,


VERY STRONG: BOLIVIA, BRAZIL, COSTA RICA, GERMANY, LEBANON, MALAYSIA, MAURITIUS, MONTENEGRO, NEW ZEALAND, NICARAGUA, NORWAY, PARAGUAY, SERBIA, SINGAPORE, SWITZERLAND, THAILAND


STRONG: BULGARIA, CROATIA, ISRAEL, POLAND


VERY GOOD: ARUBA, ESTONIA, SLOVENIA, URUGUAY


GOOD: CYPRUS, GEORGIA, GREECE, KOREA, TURKEY


FAIR: EL SALVADOR, GUYANA, TURKS & CAICOS


Now, the usual “fearful” forecast:


TOP FIVE: AUSTRALIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, FRANCE, SOUTH AFRICA, VENEZUELA


TOP TEN: CZECH REPUBLIC, HONDURAS, RUSSIA, SPAIN, U S A


TOP 15: CHINA, INDONESIA, IRELAND, MEXICO, PHILIPPINES


STRIKING DISTANCE: ANGOLA, BAHAMAS, COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, GUATEMALA, ICELAND, INDIA, JAMAICA, NAMIBIA, NETHERLANDS, PERU, PUERTO RICO, TANZANIA


BUBBLING UNDER: ALBANIA, ARGENTINA, BELGIUM, CANADA, CAYMAN ISLANDS, CURACAO, EGYPT, ETHIOPIA, FINLAND, GHANA, GREAT BRITAIN, GUAM, HUNGARY, ITALY, JAPAN, KOSOVO, NIGERIA, PERU, ROMANIA, SLOVAK REPUBLIC, SWEDEN, UKRAINE, VIETNAM, ZAMBIA


This pageant is actually one of the most difficult to call, and the final outcome can end up in several directions. It could turn out to be a nailbiting two hours of TV ahead.


JUST ME!


JOSEPH


Subject: MISS UNIVERSE 2009: AT THE HOMESTRETCH part1 (by: joseph vitug)


Author:
lito_mora
[Edit]

Date Posted: 05:46:00 08/23/09 Sun

Eighty-four delegates. There were only two occasions throughout the history of the Miss Universe pageant that it attracted a number larger than this: ten years ago in Chaguaramas, Trinidad & Tobago there were 85 delegates which were then reduced by one when one lady (Miss Guam, Tisha Heflin) was discovered to be pregnant; and three years ago in Los Angeles, a record 86 delegates competed. It is indeed a major deal for this pageant to attract a huge number, but other grand slam pageants have already exceeded what Miss Universe had drawn in recent years—only Miss International have attracted lower numbers these days.

Some might argue that it doesn’t matter how many countries competed if the contestants are of a stratified caliber, if it was laden with a bevy of drop-dead gorgeous ladies. So did this year’s batch deliver quality-wise? Well, there is a dearth of conventionally beautiful babes this year, but there are enough unconventional beauties that are providing some excitement.

Prior to the arrival of the 84 delegates, controversies in some major national pageants seem to augur a potentially unwelcome descent into sleaziness. There was the multifaceted saga of Miss USA’s 1st runner-up Carrie Prejean that started from the fallout of her controversial answer in the question and answer portion, and then there was the fact that one contestant was still allowed to compete in this pageant even with the presence of explicit photographs taken when she’s underage. Then, there is the conduct of the presentation show—I find the scripted non-sequiturs recited by the hosts as the delegates paraded in swimsuit and evening gown rather too absurd; for instance, what the hell is the relevance of mentioning an incident where Miss Cayman Islands was spilled dirty water when the bus passed her by while she was trying to channel Beyonce’s bootyliciousness in her white evening gown? And well, there is the presence of reality TV whore Heidi Montag performing the opening song for the finals.

On the plus side, the conduct of the contest seemed to have been run almost without incident (except for a public vomit, or two—like in that swimsuit group photo that Miss Puerto Rico needed to excuse herself). The release of the (tastefully shot) nude Maxim photos of the reigning Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza probably contributed to the diffusion of that gnawing queasy feeling, though how this affects on my take on that delegate with the explicit photos, read my review on her.

Anyway, this promises to be one of the most unpredictable pageants in ages. People wonder which unconventional stunners would be bestowed favor by the preliminary panel and Trump & Co. Will they favor European blondes? Or will they like the surprisingly fierce Asians (though one Asian country that in recent years seemed to have a monopoly on the “fierce” trademark seems to have encountered a series of misfires)? Or will it be the rise of the mocha babes? Performances from several of the perceived favorites during the presentation show generated polarizing reactions. Here is my take on all 84 contestants, starting with…

ALBANIA – Hasna Xhukici. Albanian lesson—her surname is pronounced “joo-kee-chee.” Prior to her arrival she seemed to be a serious contender with sleek photo shopped modeling photos, but her angular features turn out to be an acquired taste dependent on flattering angles. Still her solid stage chops displayed during the presentation show could not be denied, even if her attempt on haute couture poses while wearing a black-and-white floral patterned number was generally deemed less-than-impressive—she would’ve performed better wearing that diagonally striped patterned gown.

ANGOLA – Nelsa Suraia Alves. Though she doesn’t compare to, say, Micaela Reis, this very dusky lady performed solidly during the presentation, strutting confidently her admittedly voluptuous figure in swimsuit and twirling about in a shiny green number. I hope during her interview she sticks to Portuguese as based on her web interview, she sounded listless and lifeless.

ARGENTINA – Johanna Mariel Lasic. This country had an uneven run in recent years. This was one of the better ones this country had sent, and she performed solidly during the presentation. Though there are some angles where her features seem a bit too strong, there are more flattering angles where she looked like a classic fair-complexioned Hispanic beauty (something like some Miss Spain contestants over the years). She also seems to be a solid, straightforward, and intelligent communicator in her web interview.

ARUBA – Angene Dianne Shanella Croes. Though she’s reasonably attractive and a good-enough communicator, figure-wise she is a bit too voluptuous and un-toned for comfort.

AUSTRALIA – Rachael Anne Finch. I was concerned about reports of her grousing against the organizers of her own national pageant that it might lead to a potential attitude problem. But in the Bahamas, she seemed to be in great spirits, and she seemed to have the competitive fire to be amongst the front-runners—her performance at the presentation show was one of the few highlights wherein pageant pundits reached a near-consensus. She clearly walked better than her predecessor, Laura Dundovic, making a distinctive impression with her crisscrossing leg walk during the swimsuit round of the presentation show and shimmering elegantly and sexily in a white bustier gown. One of the likeliest to make the final cut.

BAHAMAS – Kiara Sherman. The host delegate is undeniably attractive and has a trim figure. In a less than stellar batch like this one, she actually is in contention to make the Top 15. But I have a major beef with this lady—everything about her speech and her movement seemed studied and contrived. I just couldn’t find anything real or natural about her personality or stage presence, and her affected speech makes her sound totally insincere. Some Latina delegates over the years could get away with it, but I wonder if she could pull it off and make the so-called “host country cut” the way Vietnam did last year?

BELGIUM – Zeynep Sever. There are several pundits who believe she gave one of the best performances in the presentation show. Well, though I believed she did perform well enough, I felt she didn’t really was as astounding as they would make her to be. Still, no one can deny the prettiness of this lady of Turkish descent, and that she managed to work what could’ve been a disaster of a fish-scale-styled blue gown into a creditable performance.

BOLIVIA– Rosa Dominique Noemi Peltier. One of the most noticeable trends in this year’s presentation show is the fact that several delegates decided to imitate the evening gown walk of various distinctive predecessors, like Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori (the Riyo Mori Flash), Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza (the Dayana Spin) and last year’s Miss Universe first runner-up from Colombia, Taliana Vargas (the Taliana Twirl). This lady is the first from this year’s batch during the presentation to perform the now famous “Taliana”, whirling in a dervish in her royal blue chiffon evening gown. Her other edge is her strong communication skills judging from her intelligent answers in her web interview, but otherwise, she’s a middling contender in other respects.

BRAZIL – Larissa Costa Silva de Oliveira. Her facial features are just too strong for my taste, and her web interview, conducted in English, underwhelms. But she redeemed herself during the presentation show, making a striking and polished presence in both swimsuit and gown rounds. She especially walked elegantly in her glitzy white evening gown. Reports during the preliminary interviews were that she decided (correctly) to use the assistance of a translator.

BULGARIA – Elitsa Lyubanova. She has an undeniably sweet, ingénue-ish pretty face, and she did a decent job during the presentation show, looking lean and trim in swimsuit and working the best she could in her satin green evening gown (though the hairstyle she sported is too messy for my liking). Lookswise she’s one of the better Bulgarians fielded into this pageant, but I don’t foresee any breakthrough, since judging from her web interview her communication skills are wanting.

CANADA – Mariana Valente. She is an undeniably polished complete package of a contestant, with a trim figure, solid communication skills and solid stage skills as she showcased an A-line aqua satin gown during the presentation show. As good as she was, she is not assured of a slot in the finals as it wasn’t distinctive enough to ensure her a finalist slot. In fact, her predecessor, Samantha Tajik, worked the stage with better aplomb, and her only handicap (based from the web interview) was apparently her personality was that of a vapid Valley Girl—definitely Mariana doesn’t exude the vibe of a vapid bimbo but more of a focused Latina mixed with your typical smart and articulate Canadian.

CAYMAN ISLANDS – Nicosia Lawson. Like Miss Canada, this lady is also a polished competitor—though her figure may be considered a tad more voluptuous than the usual standard, she was able to show she’s trim and fit enough to be taken into consideration. She was particularly striking strutting down bootyliciously onstage in her white evening gown—though it was distracting when you juxtapose that while listening to that infamous story about her getting wet with puddle water when a bus passed by her on the street one day.

CHINA – Jing Yaowang. Face-wise, she is not my cup of tea. But everything else I love—a lean, trim, model figure, strong stage chops, and a sweet, likeably charming personality—imagine a less pretty version of Miss World 2003 2nd runner-up Guan Qi with Miss Universe 2002 2nd runner-up Zhuo Ling’s onstage charm and personality and you get this lady. In my reckoning, she even out-trumped Japan’s Emiri Miyasaka in stage ability, especially during the presentation show—I simply also adore that white gown with blue silkscreen print depicting Oriental motifs (like what was seen in the hanbok-style evening gowns sported by Korean contestants in several grand slam pageants during the first half of this decade).

COLOMBIA– Michelle Rouillard. Since the year falls under an odd number, there is a disadvantage with this lady’s semifinal prospects as typically Colombians make the cut during an even-numbered year. This pretty-enough, trim-enough, personable and intelligent-enough lady is perhaps aware about that pattern so she employed a couple of strategies to make a distinctive impression and hopefully break that curse (it has been broken before in the 1970s and 1990s). First, she cut her hair into a short nape-length bob, and second, during her evening gown presentation, she did a variation of the Taliana Twirl by adding an aggressive stance to it. Did they work? Well, most of the photos of her bob were not that flattering and did not accentuate her features that much. The fierce, aggressive twist on the Taliana Twirl while clad in a one-shouldered royal blue satin minidress with sheer chiffon overlay received mixed reviews from pageant pundits, though I thought she did it wonderfully. It still remains a good possibility that she could break the curse of the odd-numbered year.

COSTA RICA – Jessica Umaña Solis. Many pageant pundits have criticized her for her figure being too voluptuous compared to a typical pageant contestant in this era (though she would probably fit in well in the 1950s or 1960s). But they, including myself, also noticed that otherwise she is a “complete package” of beauty, intelligence, and stage presence. Is it about time we learn to appreciate the beauty of a “real” girl, or would the same modern pageant standards still prevail?

CROATIA – Sarah Cosic. Though there are many pictures of her looking plain, during the presentation show she seemed to have a glow and actually looked very attractive. But I don’t think we should expect a Croatian breakthrough for this pageant this time.

CURACAO – Angenie Anamaria Simon. Lookswise, she is actually an underrated gem as she is actually gorgeous. But she is not as buzzed about as some of the dusky standouts out there. A weak, listless catwalk during the swimsuit round of the Presentation Show would not bolster her cause, unfortunately. Still, her prettiness makes her a worthwhile contender.

CYPRUS – Klelia Yiasemidou. This lady is more of a typical middling contender sent by this country. She is a tad raw in her presentation and in communication skills judging from her web interview. Her relatively best moment was during the evening gown presentation show as she did a Taliana Twirl clad in a pink leopard print number—though like most ladies who attempted this twirl, the execution was not perfect.

CZECH REPUBLIC – Iveta Lutovska. She exudes the glamorously mature statuesque blonde vibe of the South African semifinalist from 2005, Claudia Henkel, and many pundits and insiders placed her among the favorites to make it all the way. After the presentation show, some have groused that her stage skills leave much to be desired as it seemed to be too low-key to make a serious impact. In fact, some even compared her stage performance to her predecessor, Elitsa Buckova. I disagree with that assessment—yes, she was low-key onstage, but she still exuded enough smoldering charisma to make that much needed impression, unlike Elitsa’s undeniably listless stage performance during the presentation show (she was one of the likeliest Trump Choices last year, and one of the few Trump Choices I didn’t object as she was very, very pretty). While Elitsa was totally dead onstage, there was an effort by Iveta to liven things a bit, as during the gown round she did the half-hearted Full Riyo Mori with a half-Taliana Twirl at the end. I wouldn’t say she’s a 100% guaranteed shoo-in but she’s still one of the strongest out there.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Ada Aimee de la Cruz. This semifinalist and Beach Beauty winner from the 2007 Miss World pageant was the top favorite to win it all amongst several pageant pundits. But a few have noted that she might have a “fizzle factor” like what happened at Miss World—she was supposed to be a front-runner who was supposed to give eventual winner Zhang Zilin a run for her money, but she was excluded from the Top Five in the end. There were a few photos in the Bahamas where she was not at her charismatic best, but even her weakest moments are still better than the best from most contestants; anyway she seemed to have delivered when it counts—at the Presentation Show, looking splendid in her bikini and strutting with aplomb, then shimmering splendidly doing the Dayana Spin in her one-shouldered sequined white sheath (with floral formations on the shoulder strap). She is the first of the ladies I will label the “Mocha Babes”—ladies who are in the front of the pack and in contention for the crown, generally very consistent in projecting their best qualities forward, and who happened to have brown complexions. Her prospects for winning it all will now depend on how she would fare in her weakest category—the interview.

ECUADOR – Sandra Maria Vinces. This lady is in the category of “pretty-enough, trim-enough, intelligent-enough, articulate-enough, and stageworthy-enough.” Her best highlight was in the gown competition as she showcased her hourglass silhouette of a white sequined strapless bustier gown with a thigh-high slit on the right by doing a partial Riyo Mori Flash and stamping with a combination of the Taliana Twirl and the Dayana Spin, and that gown performance may be enough to catapult her from simply a worthy contender to a serious semifinalist possibility.

EGYPT – Elham Wagdi. This lady is an experienced pageant veteran, having already competed and made a positive impression at Miss Earth 2005, Miss International 2006, and Miss Intercontinental 2007 (though she failed to make the final cut in the first two aforementioned pageants). She does make a positive impression in this pageant, too, as she’s undeniably fit and attractive and her experience at previous pageants remain in evidence. In the evening gown round, she looked almost princess-like in her dreamy white A-line gown that it’s actually a bit distracting that she decided to join the herd by doing a bit of the Riyo Mori Flash and then performing a half-Taliana Twirl—though to her credit she did an okay job at it. I predict she will fare like the way she did at Miss Earth and Miss International.

EL SALVADOR – Jacquelin Mayella Mena. She was the absolute worst during the Presentation Show swimsuit round, as her less-than-buffed figure was further aggravated by a lousy, listless catwalk. She semi-redeemed herself during the evening gown round as she did a Riyo Mori Flash (that I originally thought of being a Taliana Twirl) in her simple light blue gown.

ESTONIA – Diana Arno. This attractive blonde with the severe expression had potential, but she doesn’t know how to make the best of her assets. She is further disadvantaged by a lack of stage skills, as she made a generally listless, forgettable presence especially during the swimsuit round of the presentation show. There were a few signs of life during the evening gown round as she at least made the effort of making the billowy chiffon fabric off the shoulder of her gold gown fly, but still I doubt if she is in serious contention for the finals.

ETHIOPIA – Melat Woldesenbet Yante. This lady made a major impression when first Bahamas photos appeared, as she seemed to be amongst the bevy of top-notch gorgeous Ethiopians who saw action in various grand slam pageants. But as the days wore on, she seemed to fizzle out—she did okay during the presentation show, as her figure was lean and model trim and she stood out in an avant-garde empire-waisted fuchsia satin ballgown. But she was too subdued, and I have a concern that this also spills over in the interview—her web interview was likewise too low-key that I fear that her undeniable beauty would not be strong enough for judges to overlook her apparently subdued attitude as they might interpret that as being disinterested or blasé.

FINLAND– Essi Pöytsi. Finland has been sending middling contenders to this pageant as of late, but this lady seems to be a step in the right direction if this country wants to reclaim its 1950s-70s heyday. She is undeniably gorgeous, but she is obviously unpolished. With most ladies that would be a disadvantage, but I find her actually very refreshing, as she doesn’t really make any false or wrong moves in all her appearances, including the Presentation Show. Many may fault her light blue sequined evening gown for being too simple and maybe dated, but I have this feeling if she had some extra training and resources for a more fashionable wardrobe, she would’ve shined. If you ask me, this is what Trump & Co. should be considering when picking ladies for their Trump Choices, not some Eastern European bimbo, or delegate with connections.

FRANCE – Chloe Mortaud. When she was crowned during her national pageant, I have to say that though I did see some good exotic appeal, unflattering and gawky photos made me think that if she makes the final cut she would not really go too far. But it turns out she actually has a lot of charisma when she arrived at the Bahamas, and she continuously was radiant throughout her stay. She actually reminds me of a cross between Marianne Pearl*1/ and—well, I know this is relatively unexpected to many pageant pundits—the reigning Miss Philippines Earth Sandra Seifert*2/. But unlike your typical Miss Universe delegate from this country, she possesses some extra qualities that made her a front-runner. First, she speaks English excellently—yes, she does have an accent, but her English is probably even better than the American-sounding French NBA player Tony Parker; she might have her American mother to thank for that (her mother was reportedly from Mississippi). Second, based on her web interview, she exudes not only intelligence but a lively and vibrant personality, a quality not evident on most of her predecessors; in my opinion, her web interview was the best out of all 84 delegates. Third, that vibrant personality actually translates to a strong competitive fire when she competes onstage, and she has consistently made an unforgettable impression in this batch and clearly delivers the goods. Some French pageant pundits are saying there are rumors that she disappointed the preliminary panel, but I don’t see any evidence of that. Though France won the pageant 56 years ago and has made the semifinals several times since then, they have not actually advanced to the final round. This might change as this lady has the qualities that for her to fail advancing to the Top Five will be an injustice. Could she win it all? I think she could. Hope Mme. Genevieve de Fontenay knows that if she wins this pageant, that it will be a one-year full-time job, so plans to send this lady to Miss Europe and Miss World (where she is also expected to shine) would be out of the question and they would need to send her runner-up instead. She is the second member of the “Mocha Babes”.

*1/ The late Daniel Pearl’s journalist wife, the one portrayed by Angelina Jolie in the film “A Mighty Heart”.

*2/ Sandra was the favorite to win the Bb. Pilipinas title and maybe could have been the one to compete in this pageant, but she was disqualified for having photos simply being published in the local edition of FHM—she was actually clad in modest lingerie and her poses were innocent and neither come-hither nor vulgar at all, but the issue was that it was published in that magazine, not the nature of the photos; ridiculous rules, if you ask me.
GEORGIA – Lika Ordzhonikidze. To her credit, she does have a lean and trim figure—but her catwalk during the swimsuit round of the Presentation Show was listless and lifeless. She partially redeemed herself strutting in a simple pink chiffon gown, but she is definitely not in serious contention for the finals.

GERMANY – Martina Lee. During the swimsuit round of the Presentation Show, she almost tripped as she descended the stage steps, but fortunately she didn’t fall at all. She was the first German delegate from the new franchise-holder headed by Kim Kötter (the 11th place Miss Universe delegate from the Netherlands back in 2002). She does make a creditable impression with her exotic features (she’s part Korean), but she is not in serious contention of making the final cut.
GHANA – Jennifer Victoria Koranteng. There were some pundits who thought she looked masculine, but to my eyes, she’s clearly feminine, unlike that controversial South African runner who recently won the 800m at the World Athletics Championship, Caster Semenya. I mean, just look at her figure in swimsuit, and the way she showcased her cleavage during the evening gown competition—she might be the surprise winner in my annual BB Sweepstakes award for this pageant. Her evening gown is a bit unusual as its skirt is humongous. But the gown design and the catwalk actually had precedent—Pasquale had described her walk as a combination of the Riyo Mori Flash and the Dayana Spin, but I think her presentation came from an older model; remember Trinidad & Tobago’s Magdalene Walcott*3/ back in 2005? Maggie sported a similarly designed gown like what this lady was wearing, and her walk was almost identical. Anyway, this Ghanaian is a worthwhile competitor who could be a possible sleeper upset into the semifinals.

*3/ This country is sorely missed in this year’s pageant. Too bad there was no available organization and sponsorship to allow this recent powerhouse to be represented.
GREAT BRITAIN – Clair Cooper. This lady is actually in a similar situation like Egypt’s Elham Wagdi—she was a worthwhile, polished contender at Miss Earth 2007 and within striking distance of making the final cut (though she missed it). She is arguably the best British delegate sent to this pageant this decade, and like Mz. Canada, Cayman Islands, Egypt and a bunch of others I’ll mention later, she’s P.A.T.I.S.-enough (pretty, articulate, trim, intelligent, and stage-worthy). She does look very distinctive with her red hair and the way she strutted on the catwalk in a distinctive satin green bustier gown doing a combination of the Riyo Mori Flash and the Taliana Twirl. Will the judges and Trump & Co. look upon her with favor this time?

GREECE – Viviana Kabanile Zagorianakou. When she was crowned Star Hellas, I thought she looked gorgeous and thought she is among the strongest contenders for the semifinals. But when she arrived in the Bahamas, she proved to be disappointing—it almost felt like she added extra facial hair because she was auditioning to be Ugly Betty. All she needed are Coca-Cola glasses. Worsening matters was the Presentation Show, as her body was not as toned and her catwalk was just awkward and listless. Her white gown was simple and elegant, but she doesn’t know how to showcase it well.

GUAM – Racine Manley. Welcome another member of the P.A.T.I.S. club. Her beautiful Asian-Polynesian features could’ve easily catapulted her to the next level, but she has a major handicap—her short 5’4” stature. Maybe it’s about time the judges and Trump & Co. learn to appreciate that beauty should also not be restricted by stature and give her a semifinal slot. It has been done before—remember 1982, with another Guamanian, Patty Chong-Kerkos, who eventually ended up as 1st runner-up to Canada’s Karen Baldwin? Wasn’t she only 5’1”?

GUATEMALA – Lourdes Elisa Figueroa. Though there were angles where I find her features too strong (I think it’s because of her square jaw), the high regard several pundits placed on her was well-deserved. She was an intelligent communicator judging from her web interview (though I was slightly turned off when she reduced her three wishes to one wish, but she justified it well), and during the Presentation Show, she was clearly polished all throughout—yes, her figure was trim and buffed and she showcased it well with a great catwalk, and even if she was styled in a pageant-patty manner during the evening gown round, she did have a polished presentation, though doing the Riyo Mori Flash with a high front-slit gown could easily be viewed as vulgar (Pasquale has termed it “The Full Russian”). Wonder if her gown performance diminished her chances or enhanced them ?

GUYANA – Jenel Cox. Face-wise, she is frankly amongst the plainest amongst this year’s batch, and her figure is clearly not as buffed and trim as the majority of the delegates in this pageant. But she does have a fighting spirit and we have to give her credit that she is making the effort to showcase herself and her country the best she could. She has come a long way since winning her national pageant.

HONDURAS – Belgica Nataly Suarez. I initially thought the “Mocha Babes” was a trio (you’ll read about the third member later), but after this lady’s astounding performance during the Presentation Show, it turns out the “Mocha Babes” is a quartet. She was already generating a lot of extremely positive buzz in the events prior to the Presentation Show, as she has gorgeous features and an extremely buffed figure that causes heads to turn, and was a thoughtful and polished communicator in her web interview. Clearly she was the best delegate sent by this country since 1998’s Dania Prince (who eventually became Miss Earth five years later). She was on fire during the Presentation Show, blazing an inferno in both swimsuit and evening gown. Her gown was a semi-gown-kini, as it was composed of a shiny silver top and a white bottom linked to the bra top on the left side with an exposed right midriff with a thigh high right slit. She performed a sequence featuring a Dayana Spin and a Taliana Twirl (which I initially thought was a double Taliana Twirl, she went so fast it was hard to tell) with incredible panache and aplomb. It has been 54 years since this country saw action in the semifinals, and if she didn’t make the final cut despite such a sensational performance, it would become a major injustice. Let’s look beyond the sash and the country’s political situation and give her a semifinals slot, okay?

HUNGARY – Zsuzsa Budai. Arguably the prettiest (and most exotic) Hungarian since Agnes Nagy 11 years ago, she initially got several pageant pundits (not including myself) in a tizzy and labeled her a major contender. I personally was not totally convinced of her prospects though I did find her undeniably attractive. The Presentation Show made several pundits rethink their assessment, as she was listless during the swimsuit round, and her pink flouncy-ribboned evening gown with a low-cut neckline all the way to her navel was simply a fashion disaster. Her only hope now is that Trump & Co. will look upon her with favor and hand her a Trump Choice slot. They’ve done it twice before to the head-scratching consternation of pageant pundits and fans everywhere.

ICELAND – Ingibjörg Ragnheiður Egilsdóttir. The last time this country made the semifinals was back in 1980. She is this country’s strongest contender for the semifinals since then, as her gorgeously classic blonde Scandinavian features and buffed body are simply too irresistible to overlook. Many pundits took issue to her unpolished catwalk (which some compared to a linebacker) during the Presentation Show, but in my reckoning, like Miss Czech Republic there was still enough smoldering charisma to keep her in contention. Yes, she even attempted a combination of the Riyo Mori Flash, Dayana Spin and Taliana Twirl in her silver sequined evening gown, though it was not executed perfectly.

INDIA– Ekta Shivangani Chowdrhy. Ms. Rouillard, this is how you work a nape-length bob. This lady looked truly distinctive in her hairdo and exuded a sophisticated presence, but it still didn’t detract that her facial features are not as pleasing as her several predecessors. She also has the disadvantage of having a not-so-buffed figure. But her impeccably elegant red evening gown was undeniable, and yes, she makes a sophisticated diva-tastic presence in it. Would that be enough to seriously place her in the final cut?

INDONESIA – Zivanna Letisha Siregar. There was only one Indonesian delegate prettier than this lady: 2006’s Nadine Chandrawinata. But unlike Nadine, this lady has a charismatic standout presence and a likably charming personality (judging from her web interview). She is in contention of equaling or exceeding Artika Sari Devi’s semifinalist finish four years ago, as she performed strongly onstage. In fact, in my eyes, I saw fleeting hints of Miriam Quiambao’s swimsuit performance ten years ago when I saw her in both swimsuit and gown, with the added twist of bubbly effervescence. I personally liked her gown performance in her blue sequined number wherein she did a couple of Riyo Mori Flashes, but other pundits might have thought otherwise. In my reckoning, she is a serious contender for the semifinals and one of the Asians who out-trumped Japan’s traditional stronghold in the stage presence category.

IRELAND – Diana Donnelly. Here is a possible stealth contender for the semifinals. This lady is actually competing in a stratified level throughout, making the right positive impression in all her appearances, and displaying down-to-earth charm and intelligence in her web interview. She made an extremely polished presence during the Presentation Show showcasing a trim, buffed figure and making a great impression (without having to follow any patented catwalk style) in her red empire-waist gown.

ISRAEL – Yulia Dyment. Her facial features remind me of Anya in Season 10 of America’s Next Top Model (she placed 2nd to plus-size Whitney, if I could recall). She is undeniably attractive, but unfortunately her presence was too low-key and subdued to be in serious contention for the finals.

ITALY– Laura Valenti. I find her facial features too angular to place her in serious contention, but little did I know how well she actually performs onstage. During the Presentation Show, while most of her European colleagues revealed weaknesses with their catwalks, this lady struck an extremely polished and sophisticated presence. She is also a finalist in the BB Sweepstakes award with the way her assets were showcased in a low-cut cleavage-baring light pink sequined number. With that performance, she is a serious contender for the semifinals.

JAMAICA – Carolyn Yapp. She actually has got the qualities to be in serious contention for the finals—she is extremely pretty, is a strong communicator, and is generally polished onstage. My only quibble is her frowning expression during the swimsuit round of the Presentation Show—though in fashion shows they discourage smiles, in a pageant a smile is more the preferred norm. That frown may have cost her a slot in the semifinals.

JAPAN – Emiri Miyasaka. When this lady was crowned Miss Universe Japan, I thought she was the one who could seriously usurp Miss Dominican Republic’s status as a front-runner. Even if later pictures prior to her arrival in the Bahamas tend to underwhelm, I kept the faith. Then, she arrived in the Bahamas sporting a glaring orange tan! Maybe Ines Legron started noticing the “Mocha Babes” and sent her to a tanning salon to help her keep up with them. Now, that may be a big blunder as if I were Ines, I would simply ask her to stay the same pretty Asian lady that she is and just work to ensure her country’s status as the pre-eminent stage projection expert remained secure. Worsening matters was her flaky web interview—was she trying to be funny by mentioning she wanted to be a fish but not turned into sushi? It backfired. During the presentation show, thank goodness the tan faded and she’s back to being fair complexioned. She actually did very, very well in the swimsuit round. But in the evening gown round, she tried to employ a risky catwalk strategy when parading an already risky sequined halter-styled silver gown where the front part was cut mid-thigh like a minidress but then flowed down to floor length at the back, and the hemline was accented with white feathers. Again, that strategy backfired as the walk looked odd and awkward. Because of this disappointing performance, she was out-trumped onstage by Mz. China, Indonesia, and yes, Philippines. She would rely on Ines’s close relations with Trump & Co. (the same way they did last year when Hiroko Mina still secured a slot despite a subpar performance) to continue her country’s streak into the semifinals.

KOREA – Ree Na (Seon Na-Ri). It was a head-scratcher when we learned that this lady won her national pageant—this country has a seemingly endless supply of cute, pretty lasses and this one is simply plain and homely, and her swimsuit photo only exposes that her figure is far from desirable. Unsavory rumors of “connections” seemed to be at play here. At least when she’s at the Bahamas, there were improvements from her original coronation, and she obviously is making the effort to do the best that she could, but still she is not in serious contention for the semifinals.

KOSOVO – Marigona Dragusha. Her severe features are definitely not my cup of tea, and she doesn’t even fit my notion of what is attractive. But, at least she has a trim figure and great catwalk skills, and she had a shining moment wearing a one-shouldered dark blue Grecian-style number with a sequined silver belt, and her hair styled in a high bouffant—yes, she effectively evoked Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. Would her gown performance be enough for people to overlook her severe features and to actually be catapulted to the semifinals?

LEBANON – Martine Tlete Andraos. This girl exudes a pretty teenage ingénue vibe—she seems better suited for a Miss Teen pageant than a big league pageant like this one. Wherever she appears, whether in a party or a field trip or the Presentation Show, I just have visions of cotton candy when I look at her. It makes for a distinctive persona, but not the sort that would make her in serious contention for the crown.

MALAYSIA – Joanne Belle Ng Li Vun. To her credit, she is actually pretty and a refreshing slight cut above the usual mediocre delegates from this country. She gave a surprisingly creditable performance during the Presentation Show, looking surprisingly trim enough in her swimsuit and looking lovely in a pink gown with a slit on the right side in which she performed a Riyo Mori Flash and a few partial Taliana Twirls.

MAURITIUS – Anais Veerapatren. There were a few pundits who were deeply enamored with her, declaring her the best representative from this country ever. I disagree (1994’s Viveka Babajee, anyone?), but she is stronger than your typical delegate from this country. I have a major quibble with her constant eyebags—with those eyebags I had visions of the late Eartha Kitt, though I know this lady is too meek to even try to approach Ms. Kitt’s feline fierceness. I find her catwalk during the swimsuit round of the Presentation Show very raw and stiff, though she partly redeemed herself in a silver sequined gown during the evening gown round.

MEXICO – Karla Maria Carrillo. Pundits have noticed whenever she has minimal or no make-up she actually looked great. But whether she can equal or exceed Elisa Najera’s runner-up finish last year, well, that remains a question. Judging from her performance at the Presentation Show, I think it would be achievement enough if she makes the Top Ten, but she did the best she could—she performed at a stratified level in both rounds of the Presentation Show, attempting to perform the Taliana Twirl in a wraparound gold gown (she is likely to change it for the finals, I bet).

MONTENEGRO – Anja Jovanovic. Early photos in the Bahamas seemed to show a worthwhile contender with only one major flaw—an extremely angular nose. But it turns out she doesn’t really know how to capitalize on her assets, like what happened in the Presentation Show. During the swimsuit round, she should’ve let her hair free instead of tying it in a ponytail as we get to notice her nose in that hairstyle. Then in the evening gown round, she wore a black satin wraparound gown overwhelmed with white frilly accents all over—a fashion eyesore to most pundits including myself.



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The "Beyonders" are the permanent members of the Miss Philippines Beyond 2008 team.
They are true pageant lovers, honest to the bone, and passionate in what they do.
They may all disagree, but at the end of the day, they just laugh about it!

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