From Russia With Love

Moscow, Russia is the host city for the 
2013 Miss Universe Pageant

 The iconic St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square 
Moscow's most famous tourist attraction

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

The global spotlight is now focused on Moscow, Russia ever since Donald Trump, the billionaire owner of the Miss Universe Organization, revealed during the 2013 Miss USA telecast that the historic and magnificent city will be the venue for this year's Miss Universe Pageant.

Although I've heard that round trip airline tickets are quite steep, watching it live would still be worth it. It's going to be a cornucopia of gustatory and visual delights.

Aside from being synonymous with caviar and vodka, Russia has always been regarded as having some of the world's most stunning women.

Donald & 2012 Miss U Olivia Culpo

Now, going back to Moscow being the venue for the World Cup of beauty. The international pageant circuit has been abuzz with polarizing and ambivalent views on the choice of venue

Mum's the word if you'll ask me how I feel about this but I have two concerns about this year's pageant venue

1. WILL THERE BE A SWIMSUIT SPECTACLE?

Considering that November will usher in the season of winter, will there still be the obligatory swimsuit pictorials? 

How about the highly anticipated bikini poolside presentation and press conference? How will the extremely cold weather affect the candidates' disposition and performances?

Will the girls from the tropics and from the Pacific region be able to adjust and cope with the sudden drop in temperature?

2. WILL THERE BE A LIVE TELECAST FROM MOSCOW TO THE US AT 5:00 A.M.?  

Since Moscow is ahead of New York, USA by eight hours, does it mean that the pageant will be beamed live to the rest of the world at five in the morning in order to be seen live in New York at 9 PM ? ( TV primetime)

When Miss Universe was held in Cyprus back in 2000, pageant fans and candidates had to be at the venue before the break of dawn. 

Similarly, when Miss Universe was held in Manila back in 1994, the pageant finals kicked off at 9 a.m. so that American audiences can view the live telecast during TV primetime in the evening.  

For the meantime, let's give the Russian organizers a chance to showcase not only the beauty & culture of their country but also an opportunity to prove that they're capable of staging the world's most prestigious and most iconic beauty pageant 

ASIANS ARE LUCKY WHEN MISS UNIVERSE IS HELD IN EUROPE

It should be noted that only two European countries have hosted the pageant since it debuted in 1952.

It has been exactly forty years since Greece became the first European country to host the pageant back in 1973. 

Crowned Miss Universe that year was our very own Miss Philippines Margarita “Margie” Moran who was also voted by the international media converged in Greece that time as Miss Photogenic. 

Second Filipina to be crowned Miss Universe. The first was Gloria Diaz in 1969 

Cyprus hosted the 2000 edition of Miss Universe won by another Asian, the phenomenal Lara Dutta of India who was also selected Best in Swimsuit & Best in National Costume 1st RU

Lara Dutta reacts after pipping 
Venezuela's Claudia Moreno 
into second place

It’s interesting to note that aside from being Mediterranean countries, Greece and Cyprus also share (or is it dispute?) the distinction of being the place of birth for the Goddess of Beauty & Love, Aphrodite. 

Both countries also crowned Asian beauties as their winners.

Will it be another Asian beauty? Will it be a third Miss Universe crown for either the Philippines or India?

Here's hoping that our very own Ariella Ara Arida will be able to continue our three consecutive Top Five placements.   

The 90 beauties are expected to arrive in Russian soil around October 15th for the pre-pageant activities

A feature on the beauty and splendor of Russia is coming up!

Watch out for updates

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