Hataw Beauties

TOP PAGEANT NEWS: Before Carrie Prejean: 7 disgraced beauty queens

2009-11-15T00:19:00.000-08:00

Carrie Prejean's sex tape scandal is just the latest chapter in America's long history of fallen pageant winners.

Former Miss California Carrie Prejean has admitted making a sex tape for a boyfriend as a teenager and is describing the episode as "the biggest mistake of my life." But she's hardly the first beauty queen to endure public embarrassment. Here are several of her more notable predecessors:

Vanessa Williams
In 1983, Williams became the first black winner of the Miss America pageant. Ten months later she was pressured to resign her crown when Penthouse magazine published nude photos of her posing with another woman. Williams says that the pictures were innocent--that she was merely helping a photographer she worked for conceptualize a shoot--and that they were never meant to be made public. She initially filed a lawsuit against Penthouse publisher Bob Guccione, but later dropped the case to focus on her music career. She has subsequently enjoyed great success as both a singer and actress.

Katie Rees
After being named Miss Nevada USA in 2006, Rees lost her title when photos emerged of her flashing her breasts and her thong underwear and kissing other young women in a nightclub. Last year, she was arrested for assaulting a cop after a traffic stop and subsequently detained in Australia on suspicion of drug trafficking (no charges were filed).

Lindsay Evans
The 2008 winner of Miss Louisiana Teen USA pageant became a household name when she skipped out on a restaurant bill and left behind her purse containing a small bag of marijuana. When she returned to retrieve the purse, she was arrested for both theft and drug possession. She lost her title ten days before the end of her reign.

Marjorie Wallace
The first American ever to win the Miss World pageant quickly became a tabloid celebrity linked to various famous men including married Welsh crooner Tom Jones and British soccer star George Best. According to the New York Times, she resigned her crown after Best was charged with burglarizing her home. She went on to enjoy later success as a talkshow host.

Tara Conner
Although Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006, was one of the worst-behaved pageant queens, she was not stripped of her title thanks to the support of business mogul (and owner of the Miss USA franchise) Donald Trump. Days after newspaper reports that the party girl had tested positive for cocaine, Trump announced Conner was going to rehab, but would keep her title.

Lauren Caitlin Upton
The 18-year-old Upton, representing South Carolina in the Miss Teen USA 2007 competition, became an overnight internet sensation for her incoherent, rambling response to a question about why so many Americans can’t locate their own country on a map. She replied: "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and, uh, I believe that our, uh, education like such as in, uh, South Africa and, uh, the Iraq and everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future for our children."
(Watch Lauren Caitlin Upton give her timeless response about Americans and maps)

Amy Polumbo
Miss New Jersey 2007 pre-empted greater scandal when she announced that would-be blackmailers were threatening to release old photos from her Facebook page if she refused to relinquish her title. Polumbo later released photos of herself drinking and partying. "They're not that bad, but they were meant to be private," Polumbo said. Source: theweek.com

More Pageant News..
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MISS EARTH 2009!

2 Pinays vie for Miss Earth ’09 crown: A FIRST of its kind, two Filipinas are joining this year’s search for “Green Lifestyle,” the theme for the Miss Earth 2009 search which the Philippines will host on November 22 at Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center in Aklan province.

Miss Earth 2009 Favorites: Who will become the next Miss Earth? Pageant Websites and experts around the globe have already put their bets. SOON!

Hataw Beauties TOP 15: My fearless forecast for this year's Miss Earth pageant in Boracay, Philippines. SOON!

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MISS WORLD 2009!

Jo'burg pays R45m to stage Miss World again: Last year the Johannesburg city council spent more than R30-million to host the event, and this year's re-run has drawn questions about the wisdom of spending large amounts on the event when there are other, more pressing, requirements in the city.

Miss World 2009 Favorites: Who will become the next Miss World? Pageant Websites and experts around the globe have already put their bets. SOON!

Hataw Beauties TOP 15: My fearless forecast for this year's Miss World pageant in Johannedburg, South Africa. SOON!

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MISS INTERNATIONAL 2009!

RP vies for fourth Miss Int’l title: At the send-off party held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Gerbach said that she hopes to bring back the title once again to the Philippines. She asked her supporters to pray for her success in the contest.

Miss International 2009 Favorites: Who will become the next Miss International? Pageant Websites and experts around the globe have already put their bets. SOON!

Hataw Beauties TOP 15: My fearless forecast for this year's Miss International pageant in Beijing, China. SOON!

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MISS UNIVERSE 2009!

Venezuela Repeats at Miss Universe Contest: Miss Venezuela was the fairest of them all, again. Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez won the 2009 Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas on Sunday night. Dressed in a flowing red gown, Fernandez embraced runner up Miss Dominican Republic as the announcement was made, and received the crown from last year's winner, Dayana Mendoza, of Venezuela. The sparkling tiara fell to the floor at one point, as Fernandez danced in joy.

Facts, Gossips & Controversies: Let's take a look at some of the most interesting stories backstage.

Miss Universe 2009 Favorites: It's the Miss Universe 2009 Finals! The Finale is coming. Who will become the next Miss Universe? Pageant Websites and experts around the globe have already put their bets. What about you? have you made your choices yet?

Miss Universe in Photos: The Miss Universe 2009 Pageant is now happening in the Islands of the Bahamas. See the girls in actions.

Hataw Beauties TOP 15: My fearless forecast for this year's Miss Universe pageant in Bahamas.

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Nature, Miss Earth beauties take center stage at Nuvali

2009-11-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

Miss Earth candidates are set to visit Nuvali, Ayala Land’s largest master-eco-community spanning the cities of Sta. Rosa and Calamba in Laguna, for activities that highlight harmony of modern living with nature.

On Tuesday, November 10, the beauties for the Miss Earth pageant will experience that Nuvali has laid out for its residents and visitors within its 1,750-hectare expanse. With an “evoliving” concept, an integrated approach to sustainability, Nuvali provides the international pageant a youthful, fun, yet certainly responsible backdrop – the pageant’s advocacy for the environment which the eco-community shares.

The ladies will take part in a tree-planting activity which is part of Nuvali’s overall tree-planting program that further adds to the community’s ecology. Nuvali is already home to 55 flora species and 76 fauna species.

With a story entitled “The Last Tree,” Miss Cuba will lead a story-telling session to a group of children who are from communities surrounding Nuvali. The children will later receive school supplies and shoes from the Miss Earth pageant through Nuvali’s integrated social responsibility program.

In partnership with National Bookstore, the activity supports and encourages the Grade 1 students and the rest of the community on the virtues of pursuing education.

Other groups sponsoring the activities are Manila Water, Italianni’s restaurant which has a branch at the Solenad retail center and Globe. The latter donated directories which are recycled by Nuvali’s adopted communities to make baskets and which will be presented to the visiting beauties and guests as gifts.

Dr. Myrna Pamplona, school district superintendent, will be among those present to witness the activities. Meann Dy, Ayala Land Senior Vice President, and Jun Bisnar, Ayala Land Vice President and Nuvali General Manager, will present Ayala Land’s experiences on promoting sustainability.

A site tour takes them to the picturesque lake which also serves to harvest rainwater to prevent flooding. Here, they will ride taxi-boats to bring them to Solenad. At the dock, koi-feeding and pleasurable photo opportunities are part of the activities.

At Nuvali, all of Ayala Land’s business units and subsidiaries take active part in shaping the eco-community that helps realize a sustainable future through life modes that have lower carbon footprints. Nuvali hosts the largest double piping system that allows use of recycled water where the use of potable water is not required. It has extensive road networks featuring dedicated bike and pedestrian lanes.

Source: Manila Bulletin

5 Miss Earth bets top talent tilt

2009-11-14T00:58:00.002-08:00

BY PATRICK PANGILINAN & ADRIAN NEMES III

Negrenses were treated to an international showcase of mainly dance numbers at the preliminary talent competition of the Miss Earth 2009 at the La Proa Ballroom of L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City Monday night, as 15 candidates took to the stage and filled the hall with a mix of native sways and modern struts.

Five ladies stood out from the rest of the “women of the earth” and earned the approval of the eight-member board of judges.

Larissa Ramos of Brazil paid homage to her county's famed annual Carnaval in her green Mardi gras costume complemented by her flowing hair and perked up the audience with her hip sways.

Tahiti 's Niuriki Teremente made a follow-up to Ramos' upbeat hip swings with her own rhythmic traditional dance in her three-piece red and brown dress.

Serving the audience with a new cultural flavor, Richa Thapa Magar of Nepal , in her white and sequined traditional Nepali costume, mimicked the basic elements – fire, water, wind, and earth – in a ritual-like performance that called for more understanding and care of the world's ecosystems.

Jia Pei of Macau added to the solemn call for environmental awareness in a combination of sign language and dance to render a Chinese song, which asks the viewers to care for the earth.

Dressed in her red satin gown, Pei got the crowd's participation towards the end of her number, when she briefly paused to emphasize the circular motion of her right hand to symbolize the earth followed by a wave from her heart as a sign of love.

Another audience favorite among the Miss Earth performers, Magalie Thierry brought France 's classic high-kick Can-Can dance to the stage in her black and red dress and drew applause from the crowd, especially with her full split finale.

Other notable performances were that of Honduras ' Alejandra Mendoza, in her Broadway-inspired number and Yi-Wen Chen of Chinese Taipei with her traditional peacock dance.

The 15 performers were among the 26 Miss Earth contenders who visited Negros Occidental to promote the annual contest's goals.

Other contestants visited areas in Luzon where talent competitions were also held.

Earlier during Monday's show, candidates Mayra Aldana of El Salvador , Triantafyllia Sarantinou of Greece , Malta 's Alison Galea Valleta, Natalia Quinonez Perez of Mexico , Northern Ireland 's Kayleigh O' Reilly, and Dignelis Taymi Jimenez of Puerto Rico , ruled the catwalk and mingled with the audience.

Sarah Finlay of Scotland, Valerie Lim of Singapore, Slovenia's Maja Jamnik and Switzerland 's Graziella Rogers also joined the ramp walk portion and shared what they think are the best practices in to protect the environment.

Judging the two-hour talent show were former MassKara Foundation President Girlie Belzunse, Dr. Severo Lacson, former Bacolod Vice Mayor Ramiro Garcia, former Valladolid Mayor Ricardo Prisbitero, and concert pianist Leonor Kilayko.

Silay Tourism Officer Severino Pacete, former Provicnial Administrator Roy Balicas and Visayan Daily Star Columnist Ivy Visitacion were also among the board of judges.

Negros Occidental Governor Isidro Zayco thanked the organizers of Miss Earth 2009 for choosing the province as one of the hosts of the contest, saying this would help boost the province's tourism industry.

The Miss Earth candidates also had a tour of the famous landmarks of Silay City before they flew back to Manila yesterday.

The Miss Earth 2009 grand coronation night will be on November 22 in Boracay Island, Aklan.*PP/APN

Source: visayandailystar.com

Negros Occidental hosts 26 Ms Earth candidates

2009-11-14T00:29:00.000-08:00

BACOLOD CITY — Miss Earth contestants from 26 countries, who arrived in Negros Occidental on Monday, called for a united effort to save the world from the ravages of global warming by going green.

The 26 of the 80 Miss Earth beauties were in the province for their pre-talent competition at L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City Monday night.

At a press presentation Monday noon at the Planta Centro Bacolod Hotel, the girls batted for the preservation of the environment.

Miss Tanzania Evelyne Amasi, Miss Chinese Taipei Yi-Wen Chen, Miss Guam Maria Luisa Santos, Miss Honduras Alejandra Mendoza, Miss Kosovo Elza Marku, Miss Macau Jia Pei, Miss Nigeria Modesta Alozie, Miss Puerto Rico Dignelis Taymi Jimenez, Miss Scotland Sarah Finlay, Miss Singapore Valerie Lim, Miss Slovenia Maja Jamnik, Miss Switzerland Graziella Rogers, Miss Thailand Rujinan Phanseethum and Miss Northern Ireland Kayleigh O'Reilly all agreed that there was an urgent need for everyone to contribute to the protection of the environment.

“We all should not wait for tomorrow, we should do it now,” Amasi said.

O' Reilly also cited the need for people to change. "We should start making changes within ourselves and unite to protect Mother Earth," she said.

Phanseethum maintained that “protecting the environment was protecting one's self.”

Miss Brazil Larissa Ramos, who is studying biology in Universidade Federal do Amazonas, stressed the need to work against contamination of the environment.

Miss Paraguay Gabriela Rejala and Miss Samoa Varuna Curry noted that the preservation of the balance of nature would help prevent calamities.

Source: globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews

Philippines charms 2009 Miss Earth bets

2009-11-14T00:27:00.000-08:00

BY PERRY GIL S. MALLARI REPORTER

Six contestants in the Miss Earth 2009 beauty pageant were all praises for the Philippines when they visited The Manila Times to promote the upcoming contest later this month.
“I love the food,” said Miss Tanzania Evelyne Almasi recalling her experience of feasting on pinakbet pizza. Pinakbet is local dish of vegetables and pork that comes from the Ilocos Region in Northern Luzon.

Miss Puerto Rico Dignelis Taymi Jimenez said that she was impressed with the warmth and hospitality of Filipinos and how beauty queens were treated as celebrities in the Philippines.

She joked about how friendly the Filipinos were, despite the fact that her countryman Miguel Cotto will square off with Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao this weekend.

Besides Almasi and Jimenez, the other candidates who visited The Times were Miss Venezuela Jessica Barboza, Miss Latvia Diana Kubasova, Miss Jamaica Jenaae Jackson and Miss Guam Maria Luisa Santos.

Environmental advocacies

The candidates then related their individual environmental advocacies.

Barboza, seeing that the use of reusable shopping bags was not encouraged in Venezuela, decided to design one with her sister. She managed to convince the shopping malls in her country to mass-produce the bag they designed and encourage shoppers to use them instead of plastic ones.
“I’m proud every time I saw a shopper using the bag we designed. It’s my legacy,” she added.

Jimenez, a lawyer and a journalist, is working with the media and utilizing her knowledge of law to make environmental advocacies constitutionally valid in Puerto Rico. “Everything that we do has an impact on the environment,” she said.

Indifference is something that Kubasova has to deal with in Latvia. She revealed that her country is not very aware of the woes resulting from global warming like floods and super typhoons. Besides educating her countrymen in environmental protection, she’s actively involved in animal protection for the past six years, which includes saving stray dogs and cats.

Almasi discovered that caring for the environment could be effectively taught to young children using games and music. “You don’t have to do humongous things. It’s the little things that count like disposing of your trash properly,” she said.

Jackson expressed alarm that Jamaica’s neighbor Haiti has less than 2 percent of its trees left. “If it can happen to Haiti, it can happen to us,” she said. Jackson is actively involved in leading young people fight deforestation, “It is good to start educating them on these issues while they’re young,” she added.

Santos, an elementary school teacher in Guam, has experienced working with the First Lady of the protectorate concerning environmental initiatives. She is careful to walk the talk in front of her students who know the advocacy she is representing.

“I have a box in our classroom where my students put in items for recycling,” she said. Santos recently led the planting of 23 trees in the Adacao Elementary School where she teaches.
She has Filipino blood. Even though she is based in Guam, she regularly spends Christmas in Las Piñas City (Metro Manila).

She left a profound parting shot on the issue of saving the planet, “The biggest threat is the lack of awareness among people,” she said.

The Miss Earth 2009 pageant will be held on the island resort of Boracay on November 22.

Source: manilatimes.net

CPU to host Miss Earth 2009 Talent Night

2009-11-14T00:25:00.000-08:00

Central Philippine University (CPU) will be the venue of the Talent Night of Miss Earth 2009 this coming November 17.

Dr. Anita Ilenberger, Director of CPU’s Cultural Affairs Office, in a press conference yesterday said the school has started making preparations for the big event where 80 Miss Earth contestants will be arriving.

The Miss Earth 2009 candidates will be having a caravan 3:15 p.m. of November 17 along the major streets of Iloilo City. The Talent Night to be held at the Rose Memorial Auditorium will start 7 p.m. with 15 Miss Earth 2009 candidates performing.

Miss Earth 2009 contestants were divided into three groups, which held simultaneous preliminary talent competitions in three different locations. The winning contestants from each group will compete for the final talent competition that will be held at CPU.

Miss Earth 2009 is a beauty contest with a cause on environment preservation. In relevance to their theme, “Green Lifestyle”, the candidates have been attending different advocacy programs and for a in the country, including visits to “green” sites, mall tours and interviews with the press.

Eighteen semi-finalists will be chosen in this year’s competition. They will be trimmed to 12 until only eight exceptional ladies would remain to compete for the following titles: Miss Earth, Miss Earth-Air, Miss Earth-Water, and Miss Earth-Fire.

The Grand Coronation Night will be on November 22 at the Boracay Eco Village Resort and Convention Center in Yapak, Boracay Island.

CPU President Dr. Teodoro Robles said their institution agreed to be a partner in the Miss Earth 2009 competition as their participation in making the people aware about the present state of our environment and awakening them to be involved in its preservation.

For ticket sales and reservation, please contact CPU Cultural Affairs Office at 329-1971 local 1005.

Source: thenewstoday.info

Jo'burg pays R45m to stage Miss World again

2009-11-14T00:23:00.000-08:00

By Adele Shevel

The annual Miss World beauty pageant will be held in Johannesburg for the second year running, at a cost of R45-million.

Last year the Johannesburg city council spent more than R30-million to host the event, and this year's re-run has drawn questions about the wisdom of spending large amounts on the event when there are other, more pressing, requirements in the city.

The costs cover licensing fees, rental space, equipment, travel and accommodation for contestants and radio and TV advertising.

Broadcast on TV to more than two billion viewers in more than 220 countries around the world, the event will be financed through the municipal-owned Johannesburg Tourism Company and various sponsors.

Source: timeslive.co.za

It will take place on December 12 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

The 120 participants will arrive on November 14 for a month of preparations before the pageant, which celebrates its 59th anniversary this year.

Virgil James, spokesman for the city council, said the expense was aimed at generating international interest in Johannesburg and attracting other international events.

"The staging of Miss World carries huge opportunity and is a prestigious event," said James.

He added that significant spin-offs of Miss World would include the branding of Johannesburg as a leading business, leisure and events destination; raising awareness of social issues and raising funds for them, and changing perceptions of Johannesburg and South Africa as a whole.

The tourism industry will benefit as contestants visit other parts of the country - as will fashion, jewellery and design businesses, said James.

Johannesburg was ranked 152 by the International Congress and Convention and Association, which ranks the ability of cities to host international events, before it hosted the event last year. After the event, it jumped to 120.

"We're going to try and break into the top 100," said James.

"We're changing perceptions of Johannesburg and South Africa as a vibrant, hospitable and safe tourist destination." He said almost 2500 jobs were created during the event last year.

Miss SD gives glass set to Miss World Charity

2009-11-14T00:16:00.000-08:00

By PHEPHILE MOTAU

MBABANE – Miss Swaziland Nompilo Mncina gave a glass set of a man and woman in Swazi traditional regalia to the Miss World Charity.

This happened on Monday night during a Charity Ball in London, United Kingdom, where Mncina is currently touring with 119 other Miss World contestants. According to the Miss Swaziland Director Vinah Mamba-Gray, the glass set was bought from the Ngwenya Glass Factory and is worth E500.
Stocked

She also bought another unique glass set to be given as a gift to the Miss World Director Julia Morley. She added that Mncina also stocked up a lot of Swazi necklaces and beadworks to give to fellow contestants.
The Ball brought the finalists together for a night of International fundraising and world class entertainment. All 120 young ladies donated an exclusive gift from their home country.

Yesterday Mncina left London for Abu Dhabi where she will participate in a fashion extravaganza. Mamba-Gray said she communicated with Mncina on Monday night over the phone to get to know how she was progressing.
Problem

“I talked to her just yesterday (Monday) and she told me that all was well,” she said.
Mncina had a problem with her departure last week Friday as she spent sometime stranded at the O.R airport because of her excess luggage. She had only E2 000 on her at that time and the authorities at the airport wanted her to pay E3 000.

It was later reported that she arrived safely in London after paying the required amount. Miss Swaziland spokesperson Rheodora Isaacs said Mncina still had a problem with her excess luggage. Mncina and the rest of the contestants will stay for two weeks in London before returning to South Africa where the finals will be held on 12 December.

Source: times.co.sz

Kim Joo-ri to Compete in Miss World, Universe

2009-11-14T00:05:00.001-08:00

Kim Joo-ri, the winner of the 2009 Miss Korea pageant, will compete in both the Miss World and Miss Universe festivals, according to the Miss Korea organization.

Kim will go up against about 100 title hopefuls in the Miss World 2009 Final to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Dec. 12. She will also advance to the Miss Universe competition in 2010.

It will be the first time that a Miss Korea will represent the country at the two major international beauty pageants.

A graduate of Bolshoi Ballet School, Kim enjoys various sports, including horseback riding, swimming and golf, as well as jazz dancing. Fluent in English and Russian, she dreams of becoming a ballerina or a diplomat.

Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/11/178_55247.html

2 Pinays vie for Miss Earth ’09 crown

2009-11-13T23:54:00.000-08:00

By George M. De La Cruz

A FIRST of its kind, two Filipinas are joining this year’s search for “Green Lifestyle,” the theme for the Miss Earth 2009 search which the Philippines will host on November 22 at Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center in Aklan province.

Born true-blooded Pinay with her Filipino parents in Las Piñas, Maria Luisa Santos grew up and now works as an elementary school teacher. She represents Guam at age 24 with a towering height of 5’8” tall.

She said that despite representing another country, Filipino ideals still flow in her blood.

Eloquent Negrense yet of German-mix blood and the Philippine’s delegate Miss Sandra Seifert, 25, and 5’9”, in her interview over ABS-CBN Asap show assured her kababayans (fellowmen) that she will do her best to win the crown just like what Miss Earth Philippines 2008 Karla Henry did last year.

Seifert was born in Taiwan and the first non-native born Philippine representative.

Negros Occidental Governor Isidro Zayco, who hosted lunch for the 26 delegates at Planta Hotel, said the province, especially Bacolod City’s hosting of the pre-talent portion, is a historic event.

At the candidates’ presentation on Monday, Miss Singapore was perhaps impressive for her wittiness in tackling environmental issues. Stunning beauties and all praises went to best choices like of Paraguay, Mexico, Singapore, Guam, and Brazil.

Also joining Zayco were Provincial Board (PB) members Adolfo Mangao Sr., Patrick Lacson, Manuel Frederick Ko, Dr. Miller Serondo, Provincial Tourism Officer Jennylind Cordero, Capitol staff, Miss Earth Philippines first runner-up Negrense Adie Adelantar, former Bacolod Representative John Orola Jr., and others.

Meanwhile, early special Awards were given to Evelyne Almasi of Tanzania as Best in National Costume, Cuba represented by Jamillette Gaxiola as Miss Golden Sunset Resort & Spa, Miss Alejandra Echevarria of Spain as Miss Gandang Ricky Reyes Award, Miss Puerto Rico Dignelis Jiménez as Placenta Award, and Miss Guam Maria Luisa Santos as
Pasigandahan Award.

Miss Earth 2009, the 9th edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant, is said to be a beauty contest for a cause whose winner will serve as the spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other environmental organizations.

At least 80 delegates from various countries and territories are competing for the crown and whose theme is centered on promoting the use of recyclable materials as part of a collective lifestyle. The delegates who withdrew include Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, D.R. Congo, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Liberia, Lithuania, Nicaragua, Republic of Congo, Romania, Rwanda, Suriname, and Uganda.

For the first time, 18 semi-finalists will be chosen for the ninth edition of the pageant and will compete in the swimsuit round and later, the delegates will be trimmed to 12 and will compete in the long gown competition until only eight delegates would remain to compete for the titles Miss Earth, Miss Earth-Air, Miss Earth-Water and Miss Earth-Fire.

Metal crown

The Miss Earth organizers will unveil a new crown designed by Ramona Haar, which will be worn by the Miss Earth Queen 2009 with the preservation of the planet Earth as its primary consideration.

Haar is an environmentalist jewelry designer from Florida who designed the crown which was made of 100 percent recycled precious metals comprising of 14 karat gold and argentums sterling silver.

The crown’s gemstones, which were sent in various forms from countries of which these are known for, used both precious stone and semiprecious stone that were donations from over 80 different participating countries. The gemstones were in various forms, such as faceted, cabochons, beads or rough and were individually trimmed in Jaipur, India.

The flower in the center of the crown represents Mother Earth, as inspired by the statement of American poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson's "The earth laughs in flowers."

The recurring spiral motif has always been associated with "maternal power" and "feminine prestige" which is the essence of Miss Earth. The gentle curves in the crown symbolize "unity" and the "spirit of cooperation."

Delegate’s background

Miss USA Amy Diaz previously competed in the Miss USA 2008 where she made the top 15, while Miss Paraguay Gabriela Rejala previously competed in Miss World 2008.

On the other hand, Puerto Rico’s Dignelis Jiménez previously competed in Miss International 2003 but she was unplaced, a website said. She also represented Puerto Rico in Miss Tourism World 2004 and won as 2nd runner up and Best in Evening Gown.

Further, Miss Slovak Republic Lea Sindlerova previously competed in Miss Intercontinental 2009, while Miss Guatemala Hamy Tejeda competed in Miss World 2007.

Miss Honduras Alejandra Mendoza, the winner of Miss Honduras Belleza Nacional 2007-2008 (Miss Honduras 2007-2008) pageant, was supposed to represent Honduras in the Miss Earth 2008, but failed to compete. She also competed in the international Reina de La Costa Maya 2008 pageant in August 2008 and won second runner up, including the best in national costume award, the Miss Earth 2009 website said.

Miss Lebanon Nicole Lichaa Khoury previously competed in Miss Intercontinental 2009.

Source: Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on November 10, 2009.
In Photo: Sandra Seifert

Miss World finalists wow WTM

2009-11-13T23:51:00.000-08:00

World Travel Market was treated to a large sprinkling of glamour on day two as 120 finalists from Miss World beauty pageant made a special guest appearance to present a donation from the World Travel Awards to water aid charity Just a Drop.

All 120 contestants from the forthcoming Miss World 2009 beauty pageant headed to the Excel exhibition centre as part of the “Beauty with a Purpose” campaign.

Pictured left, Graham Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards, presents the donation to Chairman of World Travel Market and Chairman and Founder of international water aid charity, Just a Drop, Fiona Jeffery - with a glamorous backdrop of Miss World Finalists

The collection for Just a Drop was made at the World Travel Awards 2009 Grand Final on Sunday, which was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, a JW Marriott Hotel.

Today the contestants also visited their respective country stands, highlighting the truly diverse and global reach of the World Travel Awards, which this year received votes from 183,000 travel professionals in 166 countries.

Almost 1,000 of the travel industry’s thought-leaders and decision makers attended the star-studded Grand Final ceremony on Sunday.

The awards, described by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars’ of the global travel and tourism industry, revealed who are the ‘best of the best’ in the world.

The Grand Final ceremony concluded the 2009 regional tour which has taken the World Travel Awards to Dubai, South Africa, Mexico and Portugal, celebrating the achievements of the leading lights of the travel and tourism industry.

(Left: Lindiwe Mahlangu, CEO, Johannesburg Tourism Company, and host city of Miss World 2009 with Miss World contestants from FIFA 2010 country qualifiers)

World winners included: Etihad Airways, “World’s Leading Airline”; InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, “World’s Leading Hotel Brand”; London, England, “World’s Leading Destination”; Dnata, “World’s Leading Travel Management Company” and Regency Travel and Tours, Qatar, “World’s Leading Travel Agency”.

The contribution made on the evening compliments the “Beauty with a Purpose” programme, which this year has raised £1 million to support surgical, nutritional and educational projects in Haiti, Palau, Philippines, Ghana and India.

Started in 1951, Miss World is the longest-running beauty pageant in the world, and has raised over £150 million for good causes since its inception. It is now broadcast in 180 countries and seen by audiences of over one billion viewers, making it the world’s most watched annual TV show.

The Miss World 2009 final will take place on 12 December at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa when 120 contestants will compete in the world’s most coveted beauty pageant.

Source: breakingtravelnews.com

Countdown to Miss World finale starts in London

2009-11-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

LONDON — The Miss World whirlwind whipped into London on Monday, with beauty queens from across the globe gathering to kick off the official countdown to next month's grand final in Johannesburg.

The 2009 Miss World Festival brought together 120 national winners from countries such as India, Thailand, Australia, China and hosts South Africa, to Tahiti, Gibraltar and Curacao.

They were at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's plush Park Lane to flex their credentials at a charity dinner marking one month until the December 12 final.

"There are so many beautiful Snow Whites here," Yu Sheng, Miss China, told AFP. "I can't say now who is the most beautiful because we perceive people as more beautiful when we know them better."

However, the broadcasting graduate fancies her chances of claiming the crown. "Yes, because there are 1.3 billion people behind me, so I have confidence," the 22-year-old said.

"This is my honour, and I prepared a lot for this competition and I want to deliver the culture of China."

Meanwhile Miss Sierra Leone, who works in television in China, said support from the people's republic was helping her achieve her goals.

"The Chinese people help me to help the poor people, because that is my dream, to help the poor people in Africa and all over the world," Mariatu Kargbo, 23, told AFP.

The Freetown girl said her homeland had settled down since the 1991-2002 civil war, but still needed "a lot of help".

"Now a lot of foreigners, especially the Chinese people, they are a lot in Sierra Leone, doing business there.

"We try to see the kind of things we can do to promote, to help the poor people because pepole without feet and arms, they cannot work and we can help them to produce and give them something to live.

"My dream is to stand up for them, not only for Sierra Leone, for all the poor people all over the world."

Source: AFP

Philippines’ quest for elusive Miss World crown continues

2009-11-13T21:28:00.000-08:00

By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA

The Philippines’ bet to the 2009 Miss World beauty pageant left Thursday morning for London and South Africa as the country continues its quest for the elusive title in the only major beauty contest that the Philippines has not won.

Marie Ann Umali, 22, of Batangas City, said she has prepared enough for the 58th edition of the beauty pageant.

“I’ve waited long enough and I think I have prepared for the contest,” Umali said during a send-off party at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City Thursday morning.

Russia’s Ksenia Sukhinova is the current Miss World. Some 120 contestants will compete in the pageant that will begin in London, England on November 7 and will end in Johannesburg on December 13.

During the preliminaries, the candidates will join four fast-track events – sports, beach beauty, top model, and talent – with the winner in each event advancing to the semis.

Of the fast-track competitions, Umali said that she is most interested in beach beauty and top model. She said she will not compete in the talent portion.

It was a redemption for Umali when she won the Bb. Pilipinas World crown in her second try after landing in the semifinals during her first attempt. She won the top two most coveted special titles – Best in Long Gown and Miss Photogenic – on her way to clinching the title.

Umali, a tourism graduate of the De La Salle University-College of St. Benilde, said she trained tirelessly and diligently to pursue her dream of becoming the country’s first Miss World titlist.

Umali stands 5’7” tall and measures 35-25½-36. She plans to pursue a career as a flight attendant prior to putting up a restaurant.

Of all the major beauty contests, only the Miss World crown has yet to be won by the Philippines. The highest the country has achieved was when Evangeline Pascual won first-runner- up in 1973. The winner, Marjorie Wallace of the USA, was later stripped of the title but Pascual was never crowned.

In 1993, Sharmaine “Ruffa” Gutierrez won second runner-up. Other placements were Caroline Subijano (Top 10, 1994), Katherine Anne Manalo (Top 10, 2002), Maria Rafaela Yunon (Top 5, 2003), Maria Karla Bautista (Top 5, 2004) and Carlene Aguilar (Top 15, 2005).

Source: Manila Bulletin

Sekwila Mumba in Miss World contest

2009-11-13T21:23:00.000-08:00

MISS Zambia 2008 second princess Sekwila Mumba will represnt the country at this year's Miss World final set for Johannesburg on December 12.

Sekwila, 24, is currently in London on a tour as part of the Miss World build-up programme.

An information systems specialist, Sekwila describes her participation in the global pageant as a dream come true.

The Lusaka-based model is among 120 contestants representing their respective countries at the event.

Pageant Zambia director Elizabeth Mwanza announced Sekwila's participation at the event in a statement to Weekend Post.

She said the contestants are expected to take part in charity event in the run-up to the finale.

"For the charity fund raising dinners in London and Johannesburg, Zambia’s auction gifts are Zambian national team soccer jersey signed by Kalusha Bwalya and a necklace made purely of Zambian silver and gems, valued at $250 donated by Bobili Gems," Mwanza stated

She announced that the month long festival in celebration of women’s beauty, talent, fashion and culture began in London where the contestant were expected to attend a Variety Club charity fundraising gala dinner and the The World Travel Market Awards.

She added that the contestants will then travel to Abu Dhabi for a five-day tour before proceeding to South Africa for a month long tour of the country.

Mwanza noted that contestants will have an opportunity on the Blue Train Journey across South Africa, a three-day safari, the FIFA World Cup 2010 Draw in Cape Town, among other adventures.

Sekwila’s trip has been sponsored by Zambia Tourist Board, Avocado Beauty SPA, and wardrobe by Sefyeni Designs, Dodo fashions and Fay Designs.

Source: postzambia.com

All eyes on Miss World beauties

2009-11-13T21:21:00.000-08:00

WELL-TONED legs, figures to die for, and not forgetting brains, are what you can look out for from Monday to Thursday when 112 Miss World beauties shake up Nelson Mandela Bay beaches and paint the town red.

The Miss World contestants will be competing in their Miss World sports leg in the Bay.

On their three-day visit the girls will definitely not miss out on fun and glamour, as they will be treated to wildlife and beach excursions, cocktail parties and a fashion show.

Nelson Mandela Tourism chief executive Fezekile Tshiwula said the arrival of the Miss World beauties on Monday was an “unexpected bonanza” which would put Mandela Bay on the map.

“Port Elizabeth is not known for hosting big events, but having the unexpected Bafana Bafana versus Japan match here and now to host these contestants is great for tourism,” he said.

He condemned recent reports that the Japanese team had been restricted because of the risk of crime, saying it was “silly, selfish and makes one angry”.

Eastern Cape Tourism Board chief executive Zola Tshefu said the 112 beauties’ three-day visit would include a welcoming at the airport and a dinner event on Monday.

On Tuesday, the girls will be put in groups taken on wildlife and beach excursions.

Tshefu said the sports leg of the Miss World pageant would take place at the Bay’s 2010 soccer stadium on Wednesday.

The contestants are expected to be followed by four international TV channels.

Source: weekendpost.co.za

Miss World hopefuls land in capital

2009-11-13T21:19:00.000-08:00

ABU DHABI // More than a hundred Miss World contestants have descended on Abu Dhabi for a stopover on their way to the final competition in South Africa.

The 119 beauty queens, who will battle for the Miss World crown in hannesburg next month, powered down a catwalk on the grounds of the newly constructed Yas Hotel last night, showcasing gowns by South African designers.

The contestants, and reigning Miss World Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia, arrived on Wednesday, when they attended a gala dinner at the hotel with more than 300 guests.

“It’s great to have them here,” said Jean-Francois Laurent, general manager of the hotel. “We’ve been very busy, they are all accompanied with agents and personal assistants and there’s definitely a lot of luggage.”

These guests are a far cry from the Formula One drivers and racing fanatics that filled the hotel on its opening earlier this month, and have some different requirements.

“The laundry at the hotel has been very, very busy pressing all the beautiful dresses,” Mr Laurent said. He said it was a mutual decision between the hotel management and Miss World organisers to put on the event.

“The hotel is design driven and we felt Miss World would be a good fit. We’ve known the organisers for some time and we felt it would be a nice idea to bring the girls to Abu Dhabi,” he said.

The fashion show featured the work of seven designers, including JJ Schoeman, Haroun Hansrot and Diamond Face Couture. Earlier in the day the competitors were given a sightseeing tour of Abu Dhabi, including a visit to Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Several of the beauty queens visited the Formula One track on Wednesday, where Miss Italy met the Maserati team who are testing their race cars on the circuit. They will fly on to Johannesburg for the final, which is divided into four events sports, beach beauty, top model and talent. The pageant will be televised live on December 12.

The competition, now in its 59th year, has faced controversy in the past. In 2002, it was criticised for choosing Nigeria as its location at a time when a woman there was awaiting death by stoning for adultery. Several contestants boycotted and the competition was moved to London after a newspaper article sparked inter-religious riots.

This year is not without its mishaps: The group staying in Abu Dhabi is missing several of its original contestants. Rachel Christie, who had been named Miss England, was forced to give up her crown to the runner-up after being arrested on suspicion of assaulting Miss Manchester earlier this month. German and Russian contestants also had to be replaced because of explicit photos of them on the internet. Miss Singapore stepped down after becoming the subject of a national petition because of her conviction for credit card fraud.

Source: thenational.ae
In Photo: A Miss World contestant during a fashion show at
the Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi. Ryan Carter / The National

RP vies for fourth Miss Int’l title

2009-11-13T01:35:00.000-08:00

By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA

Bb. Pilipinas-International Melody Aldelheid Manuel Gersbach leaves this Thursday for Chengdu, China to compete in the 49th edition of the Miss International beauty pageant later this month.

If Gerbach wins the contest, she will be the fourth Filipino to win the title since the pageant started in 1968. The grand coronation night will be held on November 28.

The Miss International beauty contest is one of the prestigious pageants where many Filipino candidates have either placed as runner-up or semifinalist.

Last year’s bet, Patricia Fernandez, was named one of 12 semifinalists.

Others won the Best in National Costume Award.

At the send-off party held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Gerbach said that she hopes to bring back the title once again to the Philippines. She asked her supporters to pray for her success in the contest.

Gerbach, 23, is half Filipino, half German who stands 5’6’’ tall. She measures 34-24-34. She hails from Albay in Bicol. She is a management graduate of the University of Asia and the Pacific who also keeps herself busy as the OIC and manager of her family’s restaurant business in Legaspi. She keeps an interest on online marketing.

During her spare time, she dabbles in drawing and keeps some of her most precious memories in a scrapbook, a hobby that gives her great pleasure.

Other Filipinos who won in the same contest were Aurora Pijuan (1970), Mimilanie “Melanie” Marquez (1979), and Precious Quigaman (2005).

Source: Manila Bulletin

Miss Puerto Rico red hot favourite to win Miss World 2009

2009-11-07T00:23:00.000-08:00

Bettingpro Staff

Bookies Paddy Power have slashed the odds on Miss Puerto Rico Jennifer Colon being crowned Miss World following a surge in support for the stunning brunette.

The twenty-one year old beauty who boasts fine art and classical music as her ‘special interests’ is now the red-hot favourite to win the pageant at 11/10.

Miss Puerto Rico’s closest contender in the betting is Miss Mexico 23 year-old Perla Beltran at 5/1. Other beauties in the bookies top ten include Miss South Africa at 10/1, Miss India at 14/1, Miss Slovakia, Miss Aruba and Miss Philippines at 16/1 and Miss Malta and Miss Croatia at 18/1.

Meanwhile Miss England and niece of world champion sprinter Linford Christie, Rachel Christie is 20/1 to go the distance while Miss Ireland Laura Patterson is further down the list at 50/1 with Paddy Power to be crowned this year’s Miss World.

Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power said: “All the betting so far seems to be for Miss Puerto Rico. Unfortunately it’s looking unlikely that Laura will follow in Rosanna Davison’s footsteps to bring the crown home.”

The winner of Miss World will be announced on Saturday 12th December from Johannesburg South Africa.

Miss World 2009 odds at Paddypower
11/10 Jennifer COLON (Puerto Rico)
5/1 Perla BELTRAN (Mexico)
10/1 Tatum KESHWAR (South Africa)
14/1 Pooja CHOPRA (India)
16/1 Barbora FRANEKOVA (Slovakia)
16/1 Nuraisa LISPIER (Aruba)
16 /1 Marie Ann UMALI (Philippines)
18/1 Shanel DEBATTISTA (Malta)
18/1 Ivana VASILJ (Croatia)
20/1 Luciana REIS (Brazil)
20/1 Rachel CHRISTIE (England)
20/1 Kerenina HALIM (Indonesia)
20/1 Cherie GARDINER (Norway)
20/1 Magdalena SCHOEMAN (New Zealand)
20/1 Adi RUDNITZKY (Israel)
22/1 Happie NTELAMO (Namibia)
22/1 Carmen FERNANDEZ (Spain)
28/1 Evelyn ALBALAT (Argentina)
28/1 Flavia ARZABE (Bolivia)
28/1 Chrystalla TSIALI (Cyprus)
28/1 Chloe MORTAUD (France)
28/1 Ievgeniia TULCHEVSKA (Ukraine)
33/1 Loredana SALANTA (Romania)
40/1 Cherie GARDINER (Northern Ireland)
40/1 Ksenia SHIPILOVA (Russia)
40/1 Alice TATICCHI (Italy)
40/1 Marijana POKRAJAC (Montenegro)
50/1 Anna HAMMEL (Austria)
50/1 Antonia PETROVA (Bulgaria)
50/1 Sin Ting LAU (Hong Kong China)
50/1 Kaiane ALDORINO (Gibraltar)
50/1 Jelena MARKOVIC (Serbia)
50/1 Orsolya SERDULT (Hungary)
50/1 Alessandra ALORES (Germany)
50/1 Sanna KANKAANPAA (Finland)
50/1 Blaise ALVARADO (Honduras)
50/1 Ebru SAM (Turkey)
50/1 Lucy WHITEHOUSE (Wales)
50/1 Laura PATTERSON (Ireland)
66/1 Ta mara ZAPATTINI (Paraguay)
66/1 Andrea SARAC (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
66/1 Diana NILLES (Luxembourg)
66/1 Mariatu KARGBO (Sierra Leone)
66/1 Sophie LAVERS (Australia)
100/1 Gamya WIJAYADASA (Sri Lanka)
100/1 Beatrice BLAISE (Guadeloupe)
100/1 Ieva LASE (Latvia)
100/1 Katharine BROWN (Scotland)
100/1 Nanihi BAMBRIDGE (Tahiti)
100/1 Sumaiyah MAROPE (Botswana)
150/1 Eruza SASAKI (Japan)
150/1 Shu-rina WIAH (Liberia)
150/1 Nompilo MNCINA (Swaziland)
150/1 Vanessa SIBANDA (Zimbabwe)

Source: bettingpro.com

Vietnam still beauty pageant crazy but who foots the bill?

2009-10-07T00:06:00.000-07:00

VietNamNet Bridge – Hopefuls Truong Thi May, Huong Giang and Vinh Thuy will represent Vietnam at the world’s most prestigious beauty pageants this November.

Earlier, this year, Vietnam sent Vo Hoang Yen to the Miss Universe 2009 in Bahamas and Nguyen Thai Ha to Miss Tourism Queen International 2009 in China. Neither won.

Meanwhile,in lesser competitions, Vu Hoang Diep was the beauty queen of the Miss International Beauty in China and Chung Thuc Quyen took the Miss Talent and Best in Traditional Costume at the Miss Supernational pageant.

This November, the three remaining major beauty contests of the world will be held, including Miss World, Miss Earth and Miss International.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism permitted the second runner up of the Miss Vietnam Global 2009 Tran Thi Huong Giang to join the Miss World pageant in South Africa and the first runner up of the Miss Vietnam Ethnic 2007 Truong Thi May to go to the Philippines for Miss Earth 2010.

Increasingly, however the question of finance is being raised. One nameless beauty who participated in an international contest said that after the event, she owed over 100 million dong ($6,000) because she had to pay for air tickets, clothes, cosmetics and gifts for other contestants.

A fashion designer who went to several international beauty pageants with Vietnamese contestants said the minimum expenditure to send a representative to an international beauty contest is around 500 million dong ($29,000). It comprises around 100 million for clothes, 200 million for publicity and photos and 100 million for miscellaneous expenses.

Mister International 2008 Tien Doan said he had to cover all expense for the Mister International contest. However, he sought some sponsors.

When invited to take part in international beauty contests, some models asked the organisers to cover trip fees. Others who couldn’t afford the trip because they didn’t have sponsors had to refuse.

In Photo: Truong Thi May
Source: VietNamNet/TT&VH

Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2009 Pamela Bianca Manalo: Beauty queen extraordinaire

2009-10-07T00:02:00.000-07:00

PAMELA Bianca Manalo always looked up to her older sister.

From the moment she saw her sister, Katherine Anne Manalo, being crowned Ms. Philippines in 2002, then 15-year-old Pamela Bianca knew she wanted to follow her older sister’s footsteps.

"I said to myself, ‘someday I’m going to be a beauty queen as well,’" recalls Pamela Manalo to the Asian Journal.

Dreaming big paid off for the younger Manalo seven years later.

Earlier this year, the 22-year-old Manalo lived up to the meaning of her name when she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas 2009 Universe. Former Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2008 winner Jennifer Barrientos relinquished her crown to Manalo, who then served as the official representative of the Philippines for the Miss Universe Pageant held at the Atlantis Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas last August.

Experience of a lifetime

Standing 5’10" tall with long flowing black hair, Manalo was among the 84 contestants worldwide to compete in the 58th Miss Universe pageant.

"It was very exciting," said Manalo, who was recently vacationing in Los Angeles. "I had so much fun and I believe I will cherish all the memories I’ve had there especially bonding with the girls."

During her three weeks at the Bahamas leading up to the competition, Manalo said she made quick friends with the beauty queen contestants from the Latin countries. She spent a lot of time with Miss Peru, Miss Panama, Miss Paraguay and Miss Columbia, Michelle Rouillard, her roommate during the pageant.

"I think they expected me to hang out with the girls from the Asian countries," she joked.

Manalo said she would miss most the time she spent with Rouillard.

"She was so nice and very friendly," she said. "Everyday, we would always hang out with each other."

Some people have a misconception that beauty pageants are all about good looks, but beauty involves a lot of hard work.

Manalo said the competition was fierce. With so many beautiful young girls from around the world, it took hard work to stand out.

Call times for daily events were at 6am which meant Manalo and the rest of the girls had to wake up three hours earlier to get ready.

"Everyday we had to have different kinds of hair and make up so we wouldn’t look the same and sometimes, we would come home super late so we only slept for two or three hours," she said. "Every time we went out we wanted to shine the brightest."

Unfortunately, Manalo didn’t make it to the Top 15 semi-finalists, but the experience of being in the Bahamas and competing for her country will stay with her forever, she said.

"It didn’t bother me because from day one I knew that all of us were winners already," she said. "I know this will be part of my memories and part of my resume as well. This is not my greatest achievement I’m happy with the outcome and I believe Miss Venezuela deserves that crown."

Family of beauties

When Manalo won the Ms. Philippines Universe pageant last April, she became the third person in her family to win a major beauty pageant in the Philippines. Her older sister, Katherine, won Miss Philippines and represented the country in the Miss World 2002 pageant, and aunt Nini Ramos competed in the Miss International pageant in 1968 placing in the Top 15 semi-finalists.

"I think this is the first time that’s happened in a family that there were three winners in a beauty pageant," said Ramos, who serves as Manalo’s advisor. "It’s wonderful. We’re talking about legacy here."

The younger Manalo said she was not pushed to becoming a beauty queen. It was something she dreamt of by herself.

"It was my dream," she said. "When my sister was young, she looked up to my aunt because she was a beauty queen and ever since my sister won, when I saw her that night at that very coliseum I wanted to be one too."

Manalo said she was not pressured.

"I wanted it myself," she said. "No one forced me. I just went with the flow and acted natural."

But once the younger Manalo made that commitment, her aunt and sister gave her pointers. Katherine would coach her younger sister on how to answer questions correctly and Aunt Nini would advise her on how to handle the pressure of being in a competition.

"I was really lucky to have them both at my side," said Manalo.

With the beauty pageant over, Manalo is not sure what she’ll do next. She served as a host for ABS-CBN’s MYX for a time. Now, she is working as an airline stewardess for Philippine Airlines.

"I may not have won the crown nor have been among the finalists, but I know this is just a launching pad for me," she said.

For those who want to follow her footsteps as a beauty queen, she offers this advice:

"Have fun, be positive in everything you do and just be happy," she said. "Always remember when you dream big and you work hard you will be victorious win or lose."

Source: asianjournal.com

Up Close With Miss Indonesia

2009-10-06T23:58:00.000-07:00

What does Socrates have to do with a beauty pageant ? In the case of recent Miss Indonesia-Universe winner Qory Sandioriva, a question about the ancient Greek philosopher posed by a judge during the contest showed her to have a level of intelligence that goes beyond the controversy her triumph has generated in Aceh, the province she represented.

“I think Socrates was someone who upheld the supremacy of law,” the 18-year-old beauty said. “Despite being penniless, he was honest and would not take advantage of other people. That should be an example to our leaders.”

For Qory, that sentiment might be the kind of thing she would like to be known for, rather than appearing in the contest without a headscarf — a fact that has been seized upon by some Acehnese clerics to denounce her title as something that brings “shame” to Aceh’s traditional I slamic values.

“I don’t wear a headscarf because I think hair is part of a woman’s beauty,” she said during the pageant earlier this month.

Struck that such a well-spoken, poised and elegant young woman could be the object of such controversy, we sought out Qory for an exclusive interview.

Qory, b orn to a Sundanese father and an Acehnese mother but raised in Jakarta, defends her decision to represent Aceh, despite having never lived there. She says provincial officials approved of her entry, something pagea n t spokesperson Mega Angkasa confirmed, saying that Qory was a “descendant of the province” and therefore eligible.

“The headscarf has been a sensitive issue in the contest,” Mega said, “but the public should know that in 2002, Aceh’s representative was also headscarf-less.”

After beating 37 other contestants, Qory received prizes, including a new car, an apartment and Rp 10 million, which she donated to victims of the earthquake in West Sumatra.

The French literature student at the University of Indonesia plans to spend her year absorbed in promotional activities and charity work, as well as preparing for next year’s Miss Universe pageant.

Below are excerpts from our interview:

Q: So, what has changed in your life since you were crowned Miss Indonesia-Universe?

A: I have to be more careful of what I do and how I look now. Since I am now representing Indonesia, I have to show Indonesian people and the world that I can be a good example. I should show the true sense of what it means to be an Indonesian woman.

Is that a heavy burden for an 18-year-old?

I think as long as I enjoy doing it, although it’s heavy and tiring, it’s not a burden at all.

What drove you to join the pageant? What was the process?

It was my friend who lodged my application. I didn’t actually have enough confidence to do it. Looking at the other candidates and former winners and the requirements to have the three basic Bs — Beauty, Brains, [good] Behavior — I was kind of far behind. Some of the entrants had masters degrees, while I had only graduated from high school. So it was a total surprise when Yayasan Putri Indonesia [which organized the pageant] called me to be a finalist.

So you could say it was a happy accident?

[Laughing] Yes, it was. Especially, the fact that I am representing a sensitive province, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. It was not an easy task for me.

Why sensitive?

Because we have a different stand on the headscarf approach. I was finally brave enough to join the contest because I thought, I am running for the country, not just the province. Nevertheless, I love Aceh, and now that I am the winner of this contest, I dream of showing the world its potential.

How will you achieve that when so many Acehnese and ulema resent you because of the headscarf controversy?

I will allow people the freedom to think of me as they like. I don’t have to parade my goodwill. I have a huge admiration for Cut Nyak Dhien [an Acehnese heroine], but did she wear a headscarf? No. But do people still remember her bravery? Always. Therefore, [wearing a] headscarf should not be forced. I think this is what is happening in Aceh now.

Acehnese are also like other Indonesians, they would like to have their freedom. I think the implementation of qanun [Shariah law] and bylaws is not representative of all Acehnese. In seeing Indonesia as a whole, I think the implementation of Shariah law could lead to disintegration, because then Christians, Hindus and Buddhists would also ask to implement their own laws.

What was it that happened on the stage to fuel the headscarf controversy?

It was a mistake. I said I took off my headscarf, when in fact I don’t wear a headscarf on a daily basis. Standing there on the stage, I was so nervous. I never imagined I would win the contest. I kept thinking, would the board choose me, an Aceh representative, with the controversy? So I was very groggy that night. I meant to say I got permission to join the pageant, not that I got permission to take off the headscarf.

Who did you ask permission from?

The local tourism board in Aceh. I said I didn’t want to enter the pageant wearing a headscarf, because I don’t want to be a hypocrite. Why should I cover up when I am still committing sinful acts [in other parts of my life]? What does a headscarf mean when my attitude is headscarf-less?

What was their reaction when you said you didn’t want to wear a scarf?

They said that I should be aware of the attitude of Acehnese people [that wearing a headscarf is important].

In the Miss Universe pageant 2010, will you put on a bikini?

No, I will wear a one-piece swimsuit. This is the rule from the Indonesian board, and I think I don’t have to show too much skin to be able to achieve something in the pageant, just like Artika Sari Devi [Miss Indonesia 2004 who reached the final 15 of the 2005 Miss Universe pageant].

From 2006 to 2009, Indonesian contestants wore bikinis during Miss Universe contests, which sparked controversy. According to Mega Angkasa, the public relations manager, it was all their personal improvisation and a violation of the board’s rules.

What do you think of public cynicism toward beauty pageants?

Everyone has the right to an opinion. In the Miss Indonesia-Universe pageant, they have respectable judges. We are judged from when our 10 day “quarantine” begins — not just on stage. Nobody is perfect, but a person can be better when they are in a competition, so a pageant is one of the ways to make yourself better. I don’t mind cynics, I think they don’t know the process, and don’t want to know.

Will you use an interpreter to avoid mistakes like Nadine? (Nadine Chandrawinata, Miss Indonesia-Universe 2005, said “Indonesia is a beautiful city” in the 2006 Miss Universe contest.)

I think so. Stefania [the current Miss Universe from Venezuela] doesn’t speak English at all, but she won anyway.

Who is Qory Sandioriva aside from her title as Miss Indonesia-Universe?

I am good at pencak silat [a traditional Indonesian martial art]. I was a champion at pencak silat in high school. Also, actually I once thought I wanted to be an Armed Forces general. I think that’s very respectable, especially for a woman. I want to be a diplomat, and I am thinking of being a representative in France. I would like to show the world how beautiful Indonesia is.

Any bad habits?

I fall asleep easily. Many people call me Ms. Pillow [laughing].

Source: thejakartaglobe.com

Miss Universe plays Angklung in Bandung

2009-10-06T23:56:00.000-07:00

Bandung, W Java (ANTARA News) - The 2009 Miss Universe from Venezuela, Stefania Vernandez on Sunday played a West Java traditional musical instrument, Angklung, in her visit to Saung Angklung Udjo at Padasuka road in Bandung, West Java.

In her visit to the Saung Angklung Udjo, the Miss Universe was among other things accompanied by the 2008 and 2009 Miss Indonesian finalists, and was also greeted with traditional dances performed by children of West Java.

In addition to the children dancing, the Miss Universe was also greeted by a puppet show played by Ki Dalang, the puppeteer.

According to the Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez, people need to love their own culture. Moreover, some of the Indonesian cultures were claimed by Malaysia.

"Do not let the own culture is taken by other countries. Therefore we need to love our own culture," said Stefania.

On Saturday (Oct.10) night, the new Miss Universe Stefania Vernandez, attended the coronation of Miss Indonesia in Jakarta.(*)

Beauty and Beyond

2009-10-06T23:48:00.000-07:00

Under this year's concept, the Miss Thailand 2009 contest will search for someone with a good heart as well as brains and looks

Little girls dream of being a beauty queen, and at the national level there are three titles to pursue: Miss Thailand, Miss Thailand Universe, and Miss Thailand World.

A dream come true for Chutima 'Kaimook' Durongdej, she became Miss Thailand Universe 2009, which took her to the Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas, to bring back home the Miss Photogenic Universe Award. Channel 7 has been running this beauty contest since 2000 with Kaimook as the 10th Miss Thailand Universe.

Entertainment giant, BEC-Tero sends their beauty queens to the Miss World contest. The Miss Thailand World 2009 final will be televised tomorrow night on Channel 3, from 10:30pm, and the winner will go to the Miss World contest in December in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The original Miss Thailand though is organised by the Old Vajiravudh Students Association, which now has MCOT and Modernine TV as its partners in broadcasting the contest. Also taking place this month, the Miss Thailand 2009 attracted 310 applicants but only 18 hopefuls have made it to the final on October 28.

The winner will join the Miss Thailand Hall of Fame, which includes Apasra Hongsakula, Cheranand Savetanand, Kanok-orn Boonma, Porntip Nakhirunkanok and Sawinee Pakaranang.

The first Miss Thailand, then Miss Siam, was Kanya Tiensawang. Beauty and politics seem to be of two different worlds but the Miss Siam contest was actually a spin-off from the change in the country's ruling system. Held on December 10, 1934, at Saranrom Royal Park, it was a highlight of a fair to celebrate the Constitution and to promote democracy.

After Kanya Tiensawang, there were four other Miss Siam, before changing the title to Miss Thailand in 1939. The annual beauty contests were cancelled during World War II, then resumed from 1948-1954. The government then stopped organising the Constitution fair as well as the pageant.

Its comeback a decade later not only gave the country a Miss Thailand but a Miss Universe. The beauty contest was revived by the Old Vajiravudh Students Association, which after two years of crowning a Miss Vajiravudh renamed it as Miss Thailand.

Finishing high school in Penang, Apasra Hongsakula entered the Miss Thailand 1964 contest, and after winning the title, she went on to become the first Miss Universe from Thailand.

''It was the first time for Thailand to participate in the Miss Universe contest. Thus, the new age of the Miss Thailand beauty contest began to follow an international standard of beauty, for example height was important as well as communication and language skills. Miss Thailand took on a greater responsibility as a cultural and tourism ambassador to promote Thailand to the rest of the world,'' she said.

The judges didn't overlook beauty and they were backstage taking a close look of the contestants, who had to get up very early to come to Saranrom Royal Park. ''We didn't even have the time to finish putting on makeup, and so the judges virtually saw our true beauty and they even looked at our hands,'' said Apasra, who's now a spa entrepreneur.

She emphasises that Miss Thailand should be as beautiful from within, and the position will give her a great opportunity to give back to society.

After Apasra, Porntip Nakhirunkanok, now married to an American tycoon, was the second Thai to win the Miss Universe title in 1988.

Changing times bring a different definition of beauty, and today, the prestigious Miss Thailand title asks for more than having a pretty face and a perfect figure.

''Beauty contests were regarded as wethee kha orn referring to a competition of physical features, like nice legs. The Miss Thailand contest no longer has a swimsuit competition, and so it looks beyond external beauty. Contestants shouldn't only be sweetly smiling on stage but can smartly answer questions and express their viewpoints,'' said Miss Thailand 2008, Panprapa Yongtrakul, a fourth year medical student.

Over the years, more and more highly-educated contestants have contended for the title and previous Miss Thailand with a medical background include Dr Apisamai Srirangsan (Miss Thailand 1999) and Lalana Kongtoranin (Miss Thailand 2006).

After winning the title, Panprapa managed well both university schooling and the obligations of being a Miss Thailand. ''As Miss Thailand, I have contributed to society by promoting culture and tourism and helping charity. It also gave me opportunities to do things that I had always wanted to do like newsreading,'' said Panprapa, who's a Channel 9 newscaster on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Panprapa was the first Miss Thailand under the cooperation between the Old Vajiravudh Students Association and MCOT. In its second year, the producer has put together a modernised beauty contest-cum-reality show to search for a digital age beauty queen.

Kematat Paladesh, MCOT's vice president of marketing, noted that the Miss Thailand 2008 was a phenomenal beauty pageant since the contestants had fan clubs.

The reality TV show lets the audience get to know more about their personalities, and so the audience may develop a liking for a particular contestant and join her fan club,'' he said. ''Moreover, this year the contestants will be writing diaries, blogs, and tweeting to further reach out to people who go online to update on the beauty contest.''

The reality show will even feature commentators to advise contestants on personal developments. And of course, SMS voting will be a part of the pageant to find a Miss Popular Vote.

Affirming that it's not an Academy Fantasia-like gimmick, Kematat said: ''Audience participation makes it more interesting whereas the reality show and the online content will allow the contestants to express their thoughts and feelings, adding value to themselves.''

From October 18-27, social, cultural, religious and charitable activities will have the 18 finalists proving themselves that they fulfill the qualities of being Miss Thailand. Under this year's concept, the Miss Thailand 2009 contest will search not only for someone with beauty, brains, and special abilities, but also a good heart.

Miss Thailand 2009 reality show airs on Oct 21, 22, 23, 26, 27 on Modernine TV, from 8-8:30am. The final to be held at Aksra Theatre will be televised on Oct 28, from 10:15pm. For more information, visit www.mcot.net/missthailand2009.
Crowning glory

A painter, an architect, a publisher, a PR man and even a filmmaker, Burin Wongsanguan has done so many things in his life. Long associated with the Miss Thailand beauty pageant, he even scouted contestants, including Saengduean Maenwong, who won the title in 1968. Moreover, she took home the dazzling crown designed by him.

Burin became involved in designing the Miss Thailand crown in 1966. Beforehand, it was a tiara; for example, Apasra Hongsakul's was a silver tiara with 200 diamonds.

Inspired by the Miss America crown, he designed a bigger and more majestic crown with an even level across it. While probably making it too heavy for a beauty queen's head, she couldn't complain.

Lighter and sloping down the sides designs followed. Not only did he think up their shapes and proportions, much of the jewellery on them were his designs. Notably, Miss Thailand crowns feature iconic blue jewels, which represent the "ocean blue" concept and Vajiravudh spirit.

"Each crown has its own history and was designed to represent an important occasion of the year. For example, the Miss Thailand 2006 crown, worn by Lalana Kongtoranin, had gold diamonds to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne," said Burin, whose other post-retirement activities include reviving ballroom dancing.

At 73, he continues to be the crown designer for this year's contest. A huge crown made from silver immersed with platinum, it's adorned with precious diamonds and pearls while its platform boasts a lotus petal shape to portray elegance and purity. Taking three months to make, it costs around 400,000 baht.

The winner of the Miss Thailand 2009 pageant will receive the glittering crown, a million baht, a trophy, and a car. Burin, however, believes that the crown is a real treasure to a beauty queen because it brings out an aura whenever she wears it.

Source: bangkokpost.com

Miss TT-Universe hopefuls eye crown

2009-10-06T23:47:00.000-07:00

FOLLOWING a second round of competition last weekend, the eight finalists have been selected for the Miss TT-Universe Pageant.

The finalists are Shari Dumas, 23, who is studying for an Associate Degree in Tourism Management; June Lightbourne, 25, is an office assistant who is also studying for a Bsc in Human Resource Management; La Toya Woods, 24, a model, is studying for a Bsc in Psychology; Sarah Radday, 22, is a loans officer; Lisa See Tai, 23, who is pursuing a BA in Fashion Design; Nisa Benjamin, 18, an OJT trainee from Tobago; Shirlanne Singh, 25, a marketing sales director; and Danille Prime, 25, a medical student.

They were selected from 16 delegates who appeared before a judging panel at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, the official host location of Miss Trinidad and Tobago.

This country will be sending a delegate to the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant after missing out on this year’s competition. The Universe Group led by Ian Lee have just taken over the local franchaise.

More than 60 young women turned up for the screening for the pageant at the Hyatt Regency Hotel two weeks ago and 14 of them were asked to come back for another round of competition along with two contestants from Tobago who were chosen at a screening session on that island.

The finalists will compete for the Miss TT-Universe crown on November 8 at the Hyatt Regency.

Miss Universe 2010, the 59th edition of the pageant, will take place at a venue which is still to be announced. The title is currently held by Stefanía Fernández of Venezuela, who will crown her successor at the end of this event. More than 80 countries and territories are expected to compete for the prestigious title.

Source: newsday.co.tt

Lara Dutta gets nostalgic for Ms Universe days

2009-10-06T23:46:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) Bollywood beauty Lara Dutta who stole millions of hearts with her bikini act in 'Blue' is nostalgic for her Miss Universe days after recently recovering ensembles she wore while participating in the beauty contest.

The 31-year-old who won the title in 2000 with the highest ever individual score in the history of the pageant for her final interview, expressed her happiness on micro-blogging website Twitter.

"Found some amazing stuff I wore during my Ms.

Universe days!! Laundered and still in their dress bags, unopened for the last 8 yrs!! Vintage," Dutta wrote on her Twitter page.

The former beauty queen is currently shooting for Sajid Khan's 'Housefull' starring Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone and will also be seen on the cover of GQ magazine.

"1st day of work post the flu. Shooting for GQ, the magazine.

Source: ptinews.com