How the Miss Universe Continental Queens Were Chosen

There has been confusion as to the criteria used in the selection of the continental queens and why they were awarded during the press presentation. So here it goes:

1. The continental queens were chosen by the org before the coronation night. Org (not the judges) chose them based on their overall performance from day 1 which includes interviews, attitude towards the org, staff, contestants, the press, sponsors, etc. while the judges however chose the Miss Universe winners and runners up. 

So apparently the org likes these continental queens so they get to join Miss Universe during her travels and not the runners up. 

My understanding also is the continental queens will be joining the top winner at the continent that they are from.

2. The continental queens were announced during the press conference so as not to take away the spotlight from the top five during the pageant finals.

My Take: 

So it surely pays off to have been trained on social graces especially on interpersonal skills. You can never go wrong with kindness.

Congratulations to the winners of Miss Universe 2024 especially to the Philippine delegate Chelsea Manalo 

#MissUniverse

Why Celeste Cortesi is Miss Universe Philippines 2022

Miss Pasay Celeste Cortesi lived up to expectations when she clinched the 2022 Miss Universe Philippines crown and the right to represent our country in the next Miss Universe competition. 

The victory was a sweet redemption for Celeste who had a troubled reign as Miss Earth Philippines back in 2018. And everybody can relate with second chances. 

She has obviously learned from that experience and she arrived strong and ready for the MUPH 2022 competition. 

All the hard work paid off and right from the onset, she had been doing well and always placed in the early MUPH challenges. 

The day before the coronation night at the MOA, majority of pageant websites & experts had already picked her as the girl to beat and was number one at most prediction lists. 

Her victory was met with approval by most pageant fans and she is expected to continue the country's 12 consecutive placements in Miss Universe. 

FINAL Q & A

Her final answer may have been simple, short and sweet but it was endearing, candid and very relatable especially given the context of her stay here. 

The longing of a child for a mother or a father is a powerful universal emotion that resonated and which everyone can relate with.

Makati's final answer wasn't too impactful. She lost her momentum at the crucial make or break wringer but you can never ignore her stage presence. She really stood out.  

Misamis Oriental was very fluid in her thought process & delivery but she wasn't able to wrap up her response when she paused at the end. 

Taguig who was consistently in the top three during the entire duration of the competition, along with Pasay and Makati, tumbled to fifth place after a lackluster answer in the final round. 

Bohol, my sentimental favorite, should  have gotten the crown if  we base it on her final Q & A. It had depth and she connected it with her struggles but just like any contest where a higher competition awaits the winner, the panel always puts into consideration the girl's overall performance & the physical aesthetics. 

For one heartstoppjng moment, most Boholanos thought she had it in the bag but it wasn't meant to be. Nevertheless, it was a very proud moment for Bohol. 

Her Miss Universe Philippines- Charity title is a huge achievement already and is in fact a notch higher from her first attempt for the MUPH crown two years ago. 

Knowing Pauline, a very popular personality in Bohol, she will be using her title to actively pursue her advocacies for the less privileged.

INTERESTING TRIVIA

Past titleholders Rabiya Mateo, the inaugural MUPH winner and Bea Luigi Gomez share one thing in common with Celeste Cortesi. 

All three won the Best in Swimsuit special award. 

This confirms my belief that after all the rebranding, and all the talk about advocacy and empowered women talk, Miss Universe Philippines is still a beauty competition. 

If the competition was purely on communication skills, then Albay and Cebu City should have been in the final five. 

With so many beautiful and articulate girls in this year's edition who had to slug it out for only five final spots and ultimately one crown only, two or three favorites not making it was bound to happen. 

And as for winning the title, it's not only about beauty or eloquence, it's also a matter of destiny, timing and luck. 

Just my thoughts. 

The New Wonder Woman is a Beauty Queen

Gal Gadot: Wonder Woman 

Gal Gadot is an Israeli actress and fashion model who is best known for her role as Gisele in The Fast and the Furious film series. 

It was only when she was cast in the iconic role of Wonder Woman  in the DC Extended Universe that people sat up and noticed her. 

She will debut this summer as Wonder Woman in the first installment of the DC Extended Universe series, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

The role of Diana Prince/ Wonder Woman who is as an Amazon princess and 5,000-year-old demigoddess daughter of Zeus was made famous by actress and beauty queen Lynda Carter during the mid 70’s.

 Lynda Carter as the 70’s Wonder Woman

Serving as an enlisted soldier in the Israel Defense Forces for two years worked to her advantage especially in the action- packed scenes of the movie.

 WONDER WOMEN: Lynda Carter & Gal Gadot

But did you know that aside from being cast as Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot and Lynda Carter also share something in common? They’re both beauty queens who have represented their respective countries in the world’s two biggest international beauty competitions. 

 Lynda Carter today at 63 years old

After getting crowned as Miss World USA, Lynda Carter represented the United States in the 1972 Miss World Pageant where she finished in the Top 15.

Gal Gadot was 19 years old when she competed in and won the 2004 Miss Israel Pageant.  Afterwards, she travelled to Ecuador to represent Israel in the 2004 Miss Universe Pageant but she was not able to secure a Top 15 semifinal spot.

While serving in the Israel Defense Forces, she also worked as a fashion and commercial model. Later on, she entered university to study law but had to put everything on hold when she was called to audition for the part of Bond girl Camille Montes in the film Quantum of Solace. She was instead cast   for Fast & Furious.

"I wanted to show that women are empowered and strong, and don't have to be saved by some male hero, but they can take care of themselves using their intelligence and their power." On her Fast & Furious role

 With  Miss Philippines Maricar Balagtas & Miss Norway Kathryn Sorland

 During Miss U 2004, Quito, Ecuador

Gal Gadot may not have won the Miss Universe crown but she is poised to become the most famous among the girls who competed in the 2004 edition of the pageant held in Quito, Ecuador

 who would have known?

The saying “When a door closes, a window of opportunity will open” has been proven by Ms. Gadot to be especially true!

Miss Universe Homecoming of Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran

The recent homecoming of Pia Wurtzbach brought back memories of the triumphant homecoming of the country’s first two Miss Universe titleholders. In 1969, Gloria Diaz became the first Filipina to win the crown followed in 1973 by Margie Moran.

Stella Marquez de Araneta, the first Miss International and the Bb Pilipinas Charities, Inc. Chairperson, had already produced two Miss Universes, one Miss International and a bunch of runners up & semifinal placements since getting the Miss Universe franchise in 1964 and the Miss International franchise in 1968

GLORIA DIAZ HOMECOMING

When asked what is the best thing about being Miss Universe, Gloria Diaz answered “I guess having done my best for the country” Gloria came home to a glorious welcome one bright day in August 1969.

 Glorious Homecoming

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MARGIE MORAN HOMECOMING

Just like Pia Wurtzbach, Margie Moran considers her homecoming as the most important part of winning the crown because it’s when you are finally home that you feel your triumph.  

For Margie, returning home to the cheers and warm welcome of our countrymen was the highlight of the whole winning—making the Filipinos proud, that was the biggest accomplishment.

Margie Moran  was accompanied by her father Francis, mother Rosario,

 sister Lulette, her six brothers, grandmother Nieves and uncle Eddie

Malacanang, 1973 

Nine days after winning the crown, she finally came home and welcomed by cheering countrymen who kept shouting “Mabuhay”. She was met at the airport by government officials, relatives and family.

Flower petals, confetti and ticker tape kept raining during her motorcade where she wore an aqua terno with her Miss Universe crown, sash & scepter. 

But more than the Miss Universe crown which is for a year’s reign, it’s really what Margie and Gloria have become and accomplished after their reign that defined them later in life.

Long May You Reign Gloria & Margie!

What Does Annie Corrales Have in Common with Pia Wurtzbach, MJ Lastimosa and Maricar Balagtas?

Everyone has been talking of how Pia Wurtzbach had to hurdle Bb Pilipinas thrice in 2013, 2014 & 2015 before she could make it to the Miss Universe Pageant. Ditto for Mary Jean Lastimosa who also competed in the 2011, 2012 & 2014 editions of Bb Pilipinas before she finally triumphed.

Third Time’s a Charm for Maricar, Pia & MJ 

But did you know that they weren’t the only ones who joined thrice? We have quite a number but the aforementioned are just two of four ladies who made three attempts before winning the crown that would bring them to the world’s most prestigious beauty competition.

 The belief that the third attempt is more
 likely to succeed  than the previous two tries.

 Maricar in controversial Pintado
costume during Miss U 2004

In her third and final attempt, Maricar Manalaysay Balagtas ultimately got her wish to represent the Philippines in Miss Universe. Her first attempt at Bb Pilipinas was in 2000 where she got only the Miss Close Up Smile special title and didn’t make the semifinals. 

The next year, she enlisted again and this time, she was Best in Swimsuit and made it all the way to the Final Five. That same year, she was appointed by Madame Stella Marquez to be RP’s bet to the Miss Globe International Pageant which she won thus making her the first Asian to win the said title (not to be confused with the Miss Globe 2015 crown by Ann Lorraine Colis)

But Maricar’s ultimate dream was to compete in Miss Universe, considered by most Filipinos as the mother of all beauty pageants. She was crowned Bb Pilipinas- Universe 2004 and flew to Quito, Ecuador for the Miss U pageant. Although a hot favorite, she was shockingly excluded from the list of Top 15 semifinalists.

But long before Maricar, MJ and Pia made their mark in Philippine pageantry, there was Mary Ann Carmen Philipps Corrales who started it  back in the 50’s. Here is the story:

ANNIE CORRALES: Tried Three Times

Annie's Attempts for Miss U

She first competed in the 1955 Miss Philippines Pageant won by Yvonne Berenguer de los Reyes and placed as Miss Mindanao, the equivalent to  3^rd RU or fourth place.   

She decided to skip the pageant  the following year but Edith Nakpil, the 1956 Miss Philippines winner, decided not to go to the 1956 Miss Universe Pageant at the last minute. 

A special search was then organized to select the Philippines’ official candidate for the international pageant and this time, Ms. Corrales changed her mind and signed up for the pageant. 

Despite being a pageant veteran and who was already a Miss Aviation 1955 titleholder (a prestigious pageant in the 50’s), Annie experienced what Pia and MJ would also experience half a century later; a heartbreaking loss the second time around, this time to Isabel Escobar Rodriguez.

RP First Lady Leonila D. Garcia crowns
Annie Corrales as Miss Philippines 1957

Eventually, the perseverance, persistence and patience of Mary Ann Carmen Philipps Corrales or simply Annie Corrales paid off. 

On her third attempt, she finally got what she had been aiming for during the last three years. She was crowned the 1957 Miss Philippines on June 23, 1957, the same year that a Boholano assumed the presidency of the Philippines. 

In fact, Annie was even crowned by Pres. CPG's wife, First Lady Leonila D. Garcia during the pageant's finale.

Ms. Corrales then represented the Philippines in the controversial 1957 Miss Universe Pageant in Long Beach, California.

She may not have placed in the international pageant but she surely won a lot of friends with her grace and humility and knew how to get noticed by the press. She did this in a photo opp with World War II mortal enemies tuned Miss Universe BFF's, Miss Japan & Miss USA who would later be disqualified after being found out to be married and had two kids!

 Photo Credits: Tony Paat

She displayed her breeding & sense of sportsmanship in a post- pageant newspaper interview when she described her Miss Universe Pageant experience as a wonderful and unforgettable experience that money cannot buy.  

Here's another anecdotal trivia about Annie: She is the first & only Miss Philippines who brought her own stylist/ hair & make artist to the Miss Universe Pageant. Talk about covering all bases before facing the competition.

That’s Annie Corrales dear blog readers and thanks to her, many other Pinay beauties followed her footsteps and did well on their second and third attempts.

After all, quitters never win and winners never quit.

2015 Miss Universe New Zealand Candidates to Visit Bohol

Bohol has been selected as one of the country’s choice destinations that will play host to the 20 official candidates for the 2015 Miss Universe- New Zealand crown. The lovely candidates who will stay in the country for a 10- day goodwill visit will be accompanied by reigning queen, Rachel Millns. 

 reigning Miss Universe New Zealand 2014


Rachel Millns

This will be a perfect opportunity for Bohol to be known in the Asia- Pacific region and around the world since the Miss Universe New Zealand is always followed by their social media fans and families. 

 This piece of good news was relayed to me by a very reliable source from the high- end Panglao resort where the group accompanied by Manila- based Department of Tourism staff will be billeted.

Miss Universe New Zealand is not the first pageant to visit Bohol as part of its official pre- pageant activity. The first was the Miss Czech Republic Pageant that flew its official candidates to Bohol for photo sessions!

 More updates!

Miss  New Zealand during Miss Universe 2014

Remember the Little Sisters of Miss Universe?

The recent news of the reunion between  a Miss Universe Big Sister and her Little Sister 30 years after the pageant where they first met has been making the round of online news lately and in fact is the subject of my next blog feature. 

1984 Miss Universe 3rd RU: The photo that inspired this blog feature
Jennifer Weiselberg Auerbach$& Miss Philippines Desiree Verdadero

THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS FEATURE

Miss Philippines Desiree Verdadero who went on to become Miss Universe 1984 3rd Runner Up reconnected with her Little Sister Ms. Jennifer Weiselberg Auerbach through Facebook. Their reunion albeit through the internet made me recall those precocious girls in white dresses who were scene stealers when they made their appearance in the evening gown competition. 

1983 Miss U 

1983 Miss Universe: When it all started

HOW IT ALL STARTED

So what is this beautiful tradition of the Little Sisters all about? The “Little Sisters” debuted in 1983 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA and made its final bow in 1995 in Windhoek, Namibia.

Every Miss Universe delegate was assigned a “Little Sister” – an adorably cute local girl usually between the ages of five and nine and from the host-city who would also wear her country’s sash. Her role was not only to be a friend, cheerer and little sister but also to serenade the semifinalists in the evening gown competition with a medley of songs that was capped by the very memorable “You Are My Star,”. The 1983 edition however featured the song  “You Are My Universe,”. 

1984 Miss Universe 1st RU

 1984 Miss Universe 4th RU

But the lucky ones among the little sisters were the ones whose “Big Sisters” made it as semifinalists. Each of the girls who had a semifinalist sister presented her with a flower then had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of escorting her to center-stage then curtsied before the contestant in front of a live audience of thousands and being seen by millions of global televiewers who were watching the international beauty pageant.  

 

The Little Sisters tradition prevented the pageant into becoming a sleazefest or meat parade. It single- handedly elevated the pageant to its revered status and transformed it into one magical experience that was regal and formal. The first meeting with the little sisters never fails to bring tears to the Miss Universe ladies who are reminded of home and family.

GOLDEN AGE OF MISS UNIVERSE

If I were to be asked what I would consider as the Golden Age of Miss Universe, I would readily say “It’s the 80’s!” From those glorious halcyon days of the world’s most prestigious beauty competition, everything seemed to be perfect. 

From the perfectly- coiffed & queenly ladies who graced the stage, the witty pageant host Bob Barker, the interviews and of course, to the Little Sisters who have helped define this particular era of the pageant.

1987 Miss Universe 

1987 Miss Universe : Pebbles Asis with her Little Sister

 1987 Miss Universe Little Sisters

Would there be a chance that a comeback would be in the offing for this endearing Miss Universe tradition? It’s a long shot but we can always dream, right? Bringing back the Little Sisters would surely give the pageant a dose of wholesomeness, an air of innocence and a touch of elegance. 

Even if I have no complaints as far as the pageant is being handled presently, I still hanker for those good ole days. 

THE LITTLE SISTERS THROUGH THE YEARS

1988 Miss Universe Little Sisters of Taiwan

1989 Miss Universe : Angela Visser with her Little Sister

1990 Miss Universe First Meeting

1990 Miss Universe: Monas Grudt of Norway

1990 Miss Universe Top Ten with Little Sisters

1993 Miss Universe Top Ten 

1994 Miss Universe Top Ten 

Here are the cities in the US and the countries where the Little Sisters were present:

1983 St. Louis Missouri, USA

1984 Miami, Florida, USA

1985 Miami, Florida, USA

1986 Panama City, Panama

1987 Singapore

1988 Taiwan

1989 Mexico

1990 Hollywood, California

1991  Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

1992 Thailand

1993 Mexico

1994 Philippines

1995 Namibia

TRIVIA: Interestingly, both the first and the last semifinalists to be escorted by their Little Sisters between 1983 and 1995 were both crowned Miss Universe.

The very first semifinalist in Miss Universe history to be escorted by a Little Sister was Miss New Zealand Lorraine Downes who became Miss Universe 1983. 

1983 Miss U Lorraine Downes was the very first on stage with a Little Sister 

The very last semifinalist to be escorted by a Little Sister during its 13 year run was Miss USA Chelsi Smith who was crowned Miss Universe 1995 by the end the night.

1995 Miss U Chelsi Smith was the last girl on stage with a Little Sister 

The final version of “You Are My Star” as main song was heard for the last time in the Manila for the Namibia edition in 1995 used Deep Forest’s Forest Anthem musical selection.

Here's the Link to:

 The Reunion between a Miss Universe Runner Up & her Little Sister

 Photo Credits: Copyright infringement not intended