A Meeting with Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza

Here is an article about our reigning Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela and Miss USA Universe 2008. This is lifted from the column of one of my favorite writers, Ricky Lo of the Philippine Star. But this particular story is send to him by his so-called "beauty expert", Felix Manuela.

Ricky says:

Felix Manuel, one of Funfare’s “beauty experts” now working (as a nurse) in New York, had a close encounter with 2008 Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza. Here’s his breathless account:

I met her and two other beauties two weeks ago at the NBC Experience Store in Manhattan. She was so nice. Interviews with them were not allowed due to time constraints. I was just so happy to see her in person. 2008 Miss USA Crystle Stewart and 2008 Miss Teen USA Stevi Perry were also there as well; an added bonus for a pageant aficionado like me.

I showed Dayana my collection of newspaper/magazine stories about her and she was impressed.

Incidentally, the Miss Universe Organization has not decided where this year’s Miss Universe pageant would be held; several countries are bidding to host the pageant. By the way, a new crown will be used this year.

Dayana, 22, was crowned Miss Universe 2008 in Nha Trang, Vietnam, in July last year. She was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She speaks three languages — Spanish, English and Italian. She was discovered at the age of 13 at a local bus stop. Since then, she has gained vast experience in catalogue modeling and has worked with prestigious companies like Max Mara and Costume Nacional. Modeling has allowed Dayana to travel the world, visiting places like New York, Italy, Germany, France, Athens and Spain. One of her most unforgettable experiences was when she was kidnapped, and incident which she said made her stronger.

She has proven to be a great champion for the official causes of Miss Universe, which include increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women’s health and reproductive issues, and forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education including the Latino Commission on AIDS Global Health Council and God’s Love We Deliver.

Crystle (of Texas), 26, was crowned Miss USA 2008 after competing five times in the Miss Texas pageant. A B.S. Consumer Science & Merchandising graduate from the University of Houston, she is a fourth-generation educator and teacher. Crystle is not just a pretty face, she is also an entrepreneur with her own company, Inside/Out, which she uses as a platform for public speaking appearances, character development lessons and event planning. She will always be remembered for her tumble during the evening gown competition of last year’s Miss Universe pageant.

Stevi (from Hamburg, Arkansas), 18, was crowned Miss Teen USA 2008 on Aug. 16, 2008 at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas. Already established as a successful model, Stevi has modeled for a top national dance-apparel company and was chosen as a finalist in Cosmo Girl’s So You Want to be a Model contest, beating thousands of other entrants. She plans to attend the New York Film Academy to learn more about the entertainment industry and hone her acting skills.