2015 Mourns the Loss of Two Miss Universe Winners

Looking back at the year that was, perhaps it was pre- ordained that there would be no Miss Universe pageant for 2014 in fact, the only year when the 64 year old pageant didn’t stage the annual beauty competition.

 Two Miss U Winners for 2015: Paulina & Pia

Year 2015 saw the coronation of two Miss Universes. We have Paulina Vega of Colombia who won in January 25, 2015 and would be known as the 63^rd Miss Universe and of course Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines who was crowned on December 20.

However, with the addition of two Miss Universe winners in the pageant’s roster of winners came the loss of two well- loved Miss Universe winners in 2015.

1967 MISS UNIVERSE

The universe mourned the demise of USA’s Sylvia Hitchcock Carson-Miss Universe 1967 who lost her battle with cancer on August 16, 2015 at the age of 69. 

She was crowned the 16^th Miss Universe on July 15 1967 in Miami Beach, Florida and reigned until July 13, 1968. Movie actress Pilar Pilapil was the Philippine delegate to Miss Universe in 1967.

Sylvia was the only Miss Universe who flew all the way from the US to join Miss U 1952 Armi Kuusela and Miss U 1969 Gloria Daz as special guests in Miss Universe 1974 being held in Manila. All three Miss Universe winners were seated right onstage. 

It was an instant reunion for Sylvia and Bob Barker for the legendary host debuted as Miss Universe pageant emcee in the 1967 edition which Sylvia won.

 1967 Miss Universe & Runners Up



 

 1967 Miss Philippines Pilar Pilapil in Miss U


 

1958 MISS UNIVERSE 

Later this year, Miss Universe fans were greeted with the sad news that Luz Marina Zuluaga of Colombia, Miss Universe 1958 passed away on December 2 due to heart failure. She was 77 years old. 

The late Luz Marina almost didn’t meet her destiny with the Miss Universe crown on her head for she finished as 1^st RU only during the 1957 Miss Colombia Pageant. 


However, the winner got married just before the pageant thus giving Luz the chance to compete as Colombia’s very first Miss Universe representative. She was crowned the 7^th Miss Universe on July 26 1958 at Long Beach, California and reigned until July 24, 1959

1958 Miss Universe Luz Marina Zuluaga

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  1st RU Brazil 2nd RU Hawaii Miss U 1958 3rd RU USA 4th RU Poland

Her Miss Universe victory was rewarded by the Colombian government by making her tax- exempt for life and was gifted by the people of Manizales, Colombia (her place of residence) with a mansion.

  Miss U 58 Luz Marina Zuluaga & Ariadna Gurtierrez
during Paulina's homecoming visit

 Colombia's past & present Miss U winners 

 Miss U queens on Colombian TV. She would pass away
months after this televised interview

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach Wows New York

With the crowning fiasco that marred the Miss Universe 2015 finale, it was just natural that people all over the world would be talking about the pageant.

Pia Wurtzbach got the pleasant surprise of her life when New Yorkers recognized her during a stroll in Times Square. People actually greeted her and had photos taken with her.

Looks like our Pia will be on to a great Miss Universe reign!

  Pia obliges admirers with photo opps



 

 Pia is off to a great start as Miss Universe 2015

Pia Wurtzbach Begins New Life in New York

And I was right after all! You see, right after Pia Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe 2015, I posted in my FB Timeline that Pia will be saying goodbye to the Philippines albeit temporarily and say hello to the universe.  

A few others said that Pia will be returning home for a few days to celebrate the holidays but with the Miss Universe fiasco still fresh in everyone’s mind, I don’t think the Miss Universe Org will let her off.

 Pia onboard the plane that whisked her to NY

After all, right after a new Miss Universe is crowned, she is whisked off to New York City where a new luxury apartment, a new world and a new job await her for the year of her reign.

 Rockefeller Cente, NY 

I believe she will be given a chance to return home briefly for her homecoming victory parade and reconnect with her fans and followers. I strongly suspect that her visit will be timed with the crowning of the 2016 Bb Pilipinas queens.

 

with mentor Jonas Gaffud od Aces & Queens
Miss Universe Org Headquarters, NY



   

For the meantime, Pia is busy adjusting to her new life in New York City and should start getting used to the luxury accommodations plus living expenses that are part of her prize package while doing the rounds of TV interviews, countless photo shoots and radio guestings.  She will also be making appearances at sponsor events and speak on behalf of charity organizations. 

Pia will spend her reign representing MUO and her platform and advocacy, raise awareness and funds for charity and will definitely be traveling around the globe.  

 Pia is spotted at Columbus Circle last Christmas
Photo Credits: tmz.com


 

Good luck Pia!

GSIS Bohol Branch Transfers to its New Home

And Christmas comes earlier than usual that is for GSIS Bohol Branch and its Boholano members and pensioners. 

 Gov. Edgar Chatto, GSIS Pres & GM Robert G. Vergara are shown cutting
the inaugural ribbon, assisted by First Lady Pureza Chatto, Camille Vergara,
Bohol Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Wilfreda Bongalos,
City Administrator Edi Borja & GSIS Bohol Manager Grace Rada

GSIS Bohol Branch had the formal opening & blessing of its brand- new home; a brand- new two- storey building along CPG North Avenue this city last December 16.

The date was very auspicious for it ushered in not only the season of good tidings, of love and of hope but also of GSIS Bohol's commitment to uphold and continue the legacy of excellent & responsive client- centered service.

Your Roving Eye with Ria Sevilla, Gov. Chatto & First Lady Pureza, 

GSIS Pres. Roberto Vergara & his Lady Camille GSIS 

Bohol Manager Grace Rada & City Administrator Edi Borja

 GSIS Bohol Manager Grace P. Rada with Officers Sherwin Viva & Ria Eva M. Sevilla  

Your Roving Eye with the pretty GSIS staff during final coordination meeting

 with the Pentagon Drum & Bugle Corps &b other performers

No less than GSIS President & Gen. Manager Robert G. Vergara, Senior VP for the Visayas & Mindanao Dionisio Ebdane, VP Joseph Philip  Andres and GSIS Branch Managers will be joining Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto & City Mayor John Geesnell Yap for the formal opening & blessing.  

Blue Grass Project Blooms at Miss World 2015 Floral Show in Sanya, China

Did you know that Bohol’s very own Blue Grass Project composed of Boy Dumadag & Michael Yu represented the Philippines at the Orchid Exhibition & Sanya Culture Fair that was staged as an auxiliary event with the Miss World 2015 Pageant held in Sanya, China just recently?

Blue Grass Project's exhibits in Hong Kong, Macau & China 

They did not only represent the country ably and beautifully, but also participated in the design & creation of floral tiaras to be worn by the Miss World 2015 beauty delegates who graced the floral show & exhibit.

VISIT lazada.com.ph  HERE 

Miss Philippines during the Orchid Show in Sanya, China 

MISS WORLD 2015 2ND PRINCESS WEARS A BLUE GRASS PROJECT TIARA!

Here’s Miss Indonesia wearing the Blue Grass Project tiara during the girls’ visit. Miss Indonesia eventually won the Beauty with a Purpose award and finished as 2^nd Princess. The highest placement ever for Indonesia in any Grand Slam Beauty Pageant in the world!

Congratulations Miss Indonesia and to Blue Grass Project too! 

 Miss Indonesia wearing a Blue Grass Project floral tiara!
She eventually placed as Miss World 2015 2nd Princess 

floral tiara worn by Miss World 2015 2nd Princess 

 another lovely Miss World candidate with a
Blue Grass Project floral project 

Miss World 2015 girls are all smiles after donning their
Blue Grass Project floral tiaras
Sanya, China