(Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza)

While Venezuelans are rejoicing and celebrating for bagging the Miss Universe beauty crown this year, Filipinos on the other hand have to wait for another year again to win the crown. And speaking of goodluck, this 22 years old beauty contestant from Venezuela must have been born with a lucky charm, first she survived kidnapping years ago, and now she survived again some 80 tough aspirants vying for  the most coveted Miss Universe title and crowned as the new Miss Universe 2008.

Years ago the Philippines was a host to a Miss Universe beauty pageant. but this time it’s another ASEAN member country Vietnam. Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela won the title and succeded the crown from Riyo Mori of Japan, last year’s reigning Miss Universe.

Immediately after winning the crown, Venezuelans  went into celebration. This is now their fifth Miss Universe crown.  Venezuela has a national obsession for winning beauty contests, and their beauty contestants usually land among the finalists in Miss Universe title.The Philippines so far won two of these titles.

Another Miss USA falling again, (nanay ko po… na naman?)

Even if our own bet to the crown, Miss Philippines Jennifer Barrientos, was not so lucky to land among  the top 15 or even closer to the crown top 5, its enough consolation that she is not on the list of the fallen one while performing on stage. I don’t know if it is a coincidence or a sheer bad luck but two American beauties who joined the contest in succeding years had fallen on the stage.

First it was Miss Rachel Smith who tumbled during the evening gown competition in the 2007 Miss Universe contest in Mexico City who instantly became a You Tube sensation where the video was posted. An accidental star?

This time it is Crystle Steward of Texas the second Miss USA in an Miss Universe pageant to fall down. Miss Stewart, 26 years old, is a motivational speaker. She tripped on the train of her evening gown while she made her entrance. She immediately stood up after falling as if nothing happened.

Any way, is it worth asking if there will be another one again from the USA to fall while performing on stage in next year’s  Miss Universe beauty pageant? I pray this will be the last. Amen po ba?

The evening gown competition 

Out of the original 80 contestants, only 10 (very lucky contestants) were able to reach the final to participate in the evening gown event. Among them (in the final 10) were Miss Australia, Miss Spain, Miss Mexico, Miss Colombia, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss USA, Miss Kosovo, Miss Russia, Miss Italy and Miss Venezuela.

How does it feel for the 80 million Filipinos if Miss Philippines was among them? Will the Filipinos leave their work for a while and watch like they do when Manny Pacquaio is fighting a Mexican boxer?

Celebrity Hosts

Talk show star Jerry Springer (who made a “grand entrance” like a bike rider) and Spice Girl Melanie Brown hosted the show for the NBC which was broadcasted  live to  millions of viewers all over the world.

Prize Package for the title holder

For being the lucky one to win the title, Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza received the following as her prize: cash, a year-long contract promoting Miss Universe, world travel, a rent-free New York City luxury apartment and a giftbag stuffed with free designer shoes, dresses and beauty products.What about a brand new car, sorry not on the list.

Miss Philippines not on the top 15 but did her best…

When the Philippine bet, Miss Philippines’ Jennifer Barrientos did not make it on the top 15 the Philippines’s hope of gaining another title for the Miss Universe beauty contest ended. But in fairness, Jennifer Barrientos did all her best to represent her country and to win the crown.

Miss Barrientos parents and siblings also traveled to Vietnam to show their support to her; they wished her luck minutes before announcing the top 15.

This year’s pageant is indeed a very remarkable one in view of the following: the extra-ordinary background and experiences of some of the contestants, and the landing of 4 Latin American beauty contestants in the final.

To Miss Philippines Jennifer Barrientos, Mabuhay ka. Ipinagmamalaki ka pa rin ng ating mga kababayan sa ipinamalas mong kagitingan sa timpalak ng kagandahan na iyong sinalihan. Salamat sa iyong pagpupunyagi, isa kang at tunay na dugong Pinoy at lahing kuyumanggi.