Yesterday, I picked my favorite national costumes in the ongoing 2013 Miss Universe Pageant being held in Moscow, Russia
Today, I'm posting more of the photos from the Parade of National Costumes
BRAZIL
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
ECUADOR
GHANA
INDIA
MALAYSIA
PUERTO RICO
TANZANIA
THAILAND
VENEZUELA
Take you pick
The 2013 Miss Universe Pageant finals will be telecast from Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia on November 9. Live telecast in the Philippines will be Sunday, November 10 at 2 am over Star World Channel 18 BCCTV Bohol Community Cable TV Systems Inc
Here are some of the official photos of Ara Arida, our Miss Universe candidate who is aiming to duplicate the Miss World victory of Megan Young.
If that happens, we will be joining France 1953, Australia 1972, Venezuela 1981 and India 1994 and 2000 in the exclusive club of countries that won both the Miss Universe and Miss World crowns the same year
This is her official Fadil Berisha Glamour Photo that is an interpretation of this year's "Ice Princess" theme.
This photo is being talked about as one of the best glamour shots for the 2013 Miss Universe Pageant
CONTROVERSIAL INTERVIEW
Prior to her arrival in Moscow, Russia where she is currently one of the favorite girls of the Muscovites, Ara got herself enmeshed in a controversy involving Latina beauties in general.
During a TV appearance in ANC, news anchor Karen Davila asked her address the concern of pageant fans that she seemed to have a problem expressing herself in English
Ara Arida with ANC Anchor Karen Davila
In a very humble and sincere manner, she admitted that speaking English is not really her strongest point.
She then cited the Latinas as doing very well in pageants inspite the fact that they couldn't construct a simple sentence in English.
Arida then replied that she's aware of the said comment and she had training, especially with her communication skills, to "express myself, to convey my message to the people."
The beauty queen added that Filipinos are more critical when it comes to the English language.
"Latinas cannot even speak a sentence, right? I mean, a complete sentence in English. I think it's the Filipinos who are very critical about this," she said.
I think what she was trying was that one doesn't have to be fluent in English to be able to answer the final question
THE CONTROVERSIAL TV INTERVIEW
The said comment of Arida caught the attention of pageant websites around the world. Radio personality Mo Twister joined the fray and expressed his disgust on what Miss Philippines said
My take on the matter?
If one is to take Ara's statement literally, then yes, she is guilty as sin but for someone who has admitted that she's not really that fluent in English, then let's give her a break.
It was simply a matter of miscommunication and not saying it in a more tactful manner.
And if it is any consolation for Ara, the fact that she is already embroiled in a controversy would only mean that she is considered a frontrunner and therefore a threat for the crown
For the meantime, my advice for her is to enjoy the whole experience and bring home a lifetime of wonderful memories
And here's some more good news from Moscow, Russia where our very own Miss Philippines Ara Arida is battling it out with 86 other ladies for the 2013 Miss Universe crown
After being picked as one of 27 girls to model in the prestigious Mercedes Benz -Tony Ward Fashion Couture, Ara, together with the following Miss Universe 2013 contestants were chosen to be a part of the Mercedes-Benz TV Commercial: Miss Austria Doris Hofmann, Miss Germany Anne-Julia Hagen, Miss Mexico Cynthia Duque, Miss Poland Paulina Krupinska and Miss Russia Elmira Abdrazakova.
The TV ad will start showing in the Russian airways after the Miss Universe pageant until the end of the year.
This would only mean that our candidate must have impressed the corporate sponsors so much that they have picked her to be one of the commercial endorsers for the luxury car brand
Remember, aside from being a spokesperson for the Miss Universe Org, this year's Miss Universe winner will also be product endorser and commercial model for MUO's pageant sponsors
