Thailand to host 2018 Miss Universe pageant

BANGKOK — Thailand will host the 2018 Miss Universe beauty pageant, organizers said Tuesday.

The Miss Universe Organization said in a statement that it has granted “sole proprietorship” to a Thai investment firm to host the pageant this December.

Thailand has hosted the competition twice before, most recently in 2005, when it was won by Miss Universe Canada, Natalie Glebova. She afterward settled in Thailand.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha welcomed the organizers’ choice of Thailand.

“It’s a good thing that their officials see Thailand’s potential,” Prayuth said. “If we can organize it and there are no problems with various agreements, then the government is happy to support it.”

Prayuth said the Ministry of Tourism and Sports would be responsible for overseeing the event and arranging details of how it will be organized.

Organizers said Miss Universe 2018 will be a three-hour event broadcast live on Dec. 16. /ee

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

South Africa is the new Miss Universe

South Africa's Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is Miss Universe 2017!

French beauty queen Iris Mittenaere turned over her crown to Demi-Leigh on Monday morning at The AXIS Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, United States.

 The 22-year-old beauty queen ended the 39-year title drought of South Africa.

Demi-Leigh is only the second South African to take home the crown after Margaret Gardiner (1978).

Demi-Leigh is a graduate of Business Management at North West University. Her passion is to train women in self-defense.

Miss Colombia is first runner-up, while Miss Jamaica is second runner-up.

Miss Philippines Rachel Peters bowed out early, failing to make it to the Final Five.


Congratulations! — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Miss U pageant: Online democracy at work

Fans can now help Miss Philippines Maxine Medina or any other candidate earn a spot in the Top 12 with just one click.

Online voting for the Miss Universe pageant now allows fans across the world to cast their votes 10 times a day using any of the four voting options until Jan. 28, or two days before the coronation.

The voting window was opened on Jan. 24 (10:30 a.m. ET).

Fans, according to the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), can vote for their favorite candidate on the official Miss U App, on the website vote.missuniverse.com, on Twitter by using #MissUniverse and the country-specific hashtag found on the voting site or by downloading the new mobile messaging app, Vodi.

They can also play virtual judge on the day of the pageant during the telecast. Viewers will also be entitled to up to 10 votes to distribute among the semifinalists for each round of the competition, ultimately helping choose the winner of Miss Universe.

For this year, the pageant’s format has also been modified with the selection of Top 12 semifinalists in the preliminary competition instead of the usual Top 15.

The semifinalists will then be trimmed down to nine candidates, from which the Top 6 and later the Top 3 will be selected.

The new format allows fans and viewers to learn more about each of the contestant’s accomplishments, interests and objectives as Miss Universe, according to the MUO.

The organization also encouraged fans to visit http://missuniverse.com for the official rules and for other information on the online voting.

Appeals  to the government to declare Jan. 30—the day of the Miss Universe coronation—a holiday were unsuccessful.

The Office of the Executive Secretary on Thursday said Jan. 27, the eve of the Chinese New Year, and Jan. 30 would be regular working days.

But in Manila, Mayor Joseph Estrada suspended work in government offices and classes at all levels in Binondo, Santa Cruz and Quiapo on Jan. 27, in observance of the Chinese New Year.

The Philippines is the host for the Miss Universe 2016 contest, a venture that officials have touted as a showcase for the country’s natural wonders and other assets.

The coronation will take place at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. —WITH A REPORT FROM LEILA B. SALAVERRIA

source: technology.inquirer.net

Miss Universe bets make a splash in Boracay

Sixteen Miss Universe candidates visited the world-famous island of Boracay in Aklan on Saturday as part of pre-pageant activities.

The Department of Tourism said the candidates were welcomed by town officials along with the Ati-Atihan dance group following their arrival at the Geodofredo Ramos Airport in Caticlan.

The delegates included Miss Argentina, Miss Australia, Miss Belize, Miss Chile, Miss Costa Rica, Miss Ecuador, Miss Guyana, Miss Malta, Miss Mexico, Miss Myanmar, Miss Namibia, Miss Nicaragua, Miss Poland, Miss Turkey, Miss US Virgin Island, Miss Honduras.


DOT said the candidates tried weaving, fishnet making, and dragon boat-rowing aside from their swimwear photoshoot.

“Boracay is even more exciting and meaningful. The people are very friendly and joyful to be with,” Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun was quoted as saying.

“The intricate weaving shows the rich Filipino culture,” said Miss Mexico Kristal Silva.

On Sunday, the Miss Universe candidates will visit the city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur, known for its well preserved heritage houses. CBB / YG/rga

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

The Philippine’s Catriona Gray finishes Miss World in Top 5

Filipino bet Catriona Gray finished in the Top 5 of the 2016 Miss World pageant in Maryland in the United States on Sunday night (Monday in Manila), sustaining the country’s impressive performance in the international pageant scene.

Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico was proclaimed as the winner, besting 116 other aspirants. She received the crown from last year’s winner Mireia Lalaguna from Spain.

Former Miss Universe Top 10 finisher Yaritza Reyes from the Dominican Republic was first runner up, while Natasha Mannuela from Indonesia was second runner up.

Also finishing in the Top 5 is Evelyn Thungu of Kenya.

Megan Young, the first Miss World winner from the Philippines, was the host of the global tilt’s 66th edition. She has been hosting the international contest since 2014. CBB

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Maxine Medina is new Miss Universe Philippines

An interior designer from Quezon City is the new Miss Universe Philippines.

Twenty-five year old Maria Mika Maxene Medina won the title at the 2016 Binibining Pilipinas coronation night on Sunday held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

No less than Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach crowned Medina, who will compete in this year’s Miss Universe pageant.

Wurtzbach, who is currently based in New York as the reigning Miss Universe, flew to the country on Wednesday morning to crown her successor.

Medina defeated 39 other candidates from across the country in a bid to cop a back-to-back victory for the Philippines in the world’s most prestigious pageant.

She was also hailed the Bb. Philippine Airlines.

Kylie Verzosa, a pageant favorite, was named Bb. Pilipinas International. She also took home the Ms. Photogenic, Manila Bulletin Readers’ Choice and JAG She’s Got the Look awards.

Securing the Bb. Pilipinas Grand International title was Nicole Cordovez, who works at the Department of Finance.

Laguna’s bet Jennifer Hammond was declared Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental. She also won Best in Long Gown.

The Bb. Pilipinas Supranational title  went to 19-year-old Joanna Deapera Eden, who also bagged the Best in Swimsuit award.

Nichole Marie Manalo from Quezon City was Bb. Pilipinas Globe. She also won Bb. Creamsilk.

Other winners include Vina Prulla Openiano (Ms. Friendship and Best in Talent) and Angela Lauren Fernando (Best in National Costume).

Among those who made the Top 15 were Vina Prylla Openiano, Riana Agatha Pangindian, Apriel Smith, Roshiela Navarro Tobias, Kimberle Nae Licao,  Dindi Joy Pajares and Edlyn Joy Cay Gamboa.

Binibining Pilipinas, now in its 53rd edition, is the longest-running and most prestigious beauty pageant in the country. It chooses and sends the country’s representatives to major international beauty contests.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Israel holds its first transgender beauty contest

TEL AVIV, Israel — Nearly 30 transgender women strutted down the catwalk in skinny jeans, crop tops and stiletto heels at a Tel Aviv club on Thursday, vying for a chance to enter the first “Miss Trans Israel” beauty pageant.

Tel Aviv has emerged as one of the world’s most gay-friendly travel destinations, standing in sharp contrast to most of the rest of the Middle East, where gays can face persecution.

Israela Stephanie Lev, the pageant’s organizer, said that in the past it was “terrible” living as a transgender woman in Israel. But today, people are more accepting, she said.

“Definitely we are achieving, enlightening the people to accept and empower transsexuals,” she said.

Among the contestants was Talleen Abu Hanna, a 21-year-old from a Catholic Arab family in the northern city of Nazareth. She said she came to the audition because she wants to do something with her life.

“I have this something, I am a dancer, and I am a singer, I play the trumpet. I have something to give the people,” she said. Although Israel’s more conservative Arab society is often unaccepting of gays, Abu Hanna said her family accepts and supports her.

“We are normal people. This is normal,” she said.

Elian Nesiel, a 20-year-old contestant, said she believes that being transgender is “gradually accepted more and more.”

“Yes, it’s a process, like everything,” she said.

Israel is generally tolerant toward gays and transgender people. Gays openly serve in Israel’s military, as does at least one openly transgender soldier. In 1998, a transgender singer, Dana International, won the popular Eurovision song contest.

But homosexuality is shunned in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities. Last year, an extremist ultra-Orthodox Jew stabbed a teenage girl to death at a Jerusalem Pride parade.

Finalists will compete at a pageant in May, and the winner will represent Israel at the Miss Trans Star International pageant to be held in Spain in August.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Pia Wurtzbach's first video interview after winning Miss Universe

The road to the Miss Universe crown is never easy. A message from Miss Universe 2015, Pia Alonzo    Wurtzbach.

 Posted by Miss Universe on Sunday, December 20, 2015



Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was grasping for words to describe her win at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant. Standing next to second runner up Miss USA Olivia Jordan, the beauty queen described the moment as "very 2015."

During the announcement of winners, Pia was visibly stunned when she was bumped up from first runner up to Miss Universe 2015 after host Steve Harvey admitted his mistake in reading the official results.

Miss Colombia Ariadna María Gutiérrez Arévalo was equally genial in her response to the blunder, expressing gratitude for the support she received. She also told her fans that she's happy and that "everything happens for a reason."

Harvey and the organizers of the pageant have released official statements of apologies to both beauty queens. --Aya Tantiangco/JST, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

NY beauty wins 2013 Miss America pageant

Miss New York Nina Davuluri (in yellow) celebrates with other contestants after being chosen the winner of the 2014 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, September 15, 2013. Davuluri, 24, won the beauty pageant, giving the prize to Miss New York for the second year in a row. Reuters/Lucas Jackson

source: gmanetwork.com

Beauty queen Kevin Balot happy to be accepted as a transgender by her father

Newly-crowned Miss International Queen 2012 Kevin Balot had one big wish: to be accepted as a transgender by her father.

In an interview with Luane Dy on GMA Network's “Unang Hirit” morning news program on Monday, Balot said her wish finally came true as her father now accepts her sexual orientation.

“Okay na. It’s fine,” said Balot, 21, who was crowned Miss International Queen 2012 in Thailand's seaside resort Pattaya on November 2.

Balot, who joined an international beauty pageant for the first time, bested 21 other candidates from 15 countries.

Balot was also awarded Miss Photogenic.

Balot received a grand prize of $10,000 and a crown from a well-known gem store in Thailand. She will represent the transvestite pageant in numerous occasions.

Four Filipinos including Balot joined the pageant but only two made it through the final 10.

A Filipino fan said winning a transvestite contest in Thailand, the land of "lady boys," was like winning a soccer tournament in Brazil.

In an interview with reporters after the event, Balot said, "I'm very proud to be first here, and I hope my dad will accept me. Because in the family I'm the only boy, and my dad has big expectations of me. I made it. I won the International Queen Pageant, and I believe that my dad will accept me not only as his son but also as his daughter."

On "Unang Hirit," Balot said, “Ever since naman talaga okay na talaga pero noong before meron talagang complication kasi only boy.”

Balot said her father was longing for a son because she was the only boy in the family.

Now Balot and her father have already put their differences aside.




High expectations

Balot explained that she had long been planning to join the international contest.

"Oo, actually talagang matagal na pinagplanuhan ito ng mga friends and manager ko,” she said.

However, her friends told her not to expect anything to avoid becoming disappointed if things don't turn out as she wishes.

“If you expect a lot you invite more disappointment,” she said. “Kaya nag-enjoy lang ako. I had great camaraderie with my co-candidates coming from other countries.”

She said she became good friends with the candidate from Thailand.

Asked what she thought made her win the contest, Balot cited a Thai blog that said she stood out in the swimsuit and question and answer portions.

For the talent portion, she also said that she danced “Gangnam Style” by Korean rapper PSY who is now an international sensation.

Movie offers

Balot confirmed that she has several movie offers in Thailand after the conclusion of the pageant.

However, she said it is up to the pageant officials to decide which projects she will be working on.

In her message to her fans, Balot said: “To all the fans that have been supporting me ever since maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo.”

She also thanks her family and friends for the “undying support” that they have given her.

Balot also acknowledged the Thai people and their hospitality while she was in their country.

There are 14,954 Filipinos in Thailand based on the 2010 Stock Estimate of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.- VVP, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com