Nude photo scandals of Russian beauty queens

When a I made a blog entry about the latest nude photo scandal in pageantry involving winners and other contestants of Miss Minsk 2013, I have mentioned about what I have observed. In my write-up, SCANDAL: Miss Minsk 2013, Yana Kontsevenko, Nude Photos, I wrote that most of the nude photo scandals involving beauty pageant winners or contestants are from Russia or the countries which used to be part of Russia. 

Videos of Binibining Pilipinas 2010 Fashion Show

The Philippines is very promising in this year's pageantry because the annual search for the representatives of this country to international pageants has attracted tall and modelesque ladies who are really can walk the walk. Binibining Pilipinas 2010 is the strongest batch I have seen so far. I admit it's very hard to pick the best choices for Misses Universe, World and International.

To give you an idea about the catwalk skills of the girls, here are videos (courtesy of mabuhaybeauties.com)of the fashion show which was held the other day in Gatewall Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

Beauty In Pageants is Back

Contestants of Miss Earth 2009 pageant during the filming at the famous world-class Boracay in the Philippines. The new Miss Earth winner will be crowned on Sunday, 22 November 2009, by Miss Philippines Karla Paula Henry.

Beauty In Pageants has not been updated for 3 months and 9 days to be exact. The last blog entry we have posted was on 12 August by Kuh Chara, at the heights of the 2009 Miss Universe pageant in Bahamas which was won by Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez.

Now, that I am back with my favourite hobby and that is blogging on beauty pageants, I am very happy to tell everyone that I missed you all. It was actually almost six months that I never posted anything in my blog because of the accident I was involved with.

And, I also would like to thank everyone for the support you have given on this site. Some of you remained regular visitors despite of having no fresh updates from us for more than 3 months. Kuh had to leave blogging for more important things and I don't know if he's coming back. I can't tell. For the benefit of my new readers, it was Kuh who continued writing on this blog for almost 3 months when I can't do it because of the accident.

It's a good thing I am over with my ordeal - hospital and jail. So, now I can concentrate on bringing you up the latest news, gossips and comments about the latest beauty pageants on earth. I will try to introduce some changes in my site for the next few days and hopefully, everyone would still remain loyal. I owe to all of you the success of this blog.

I just want to tell everyone about this one big opportunity I missed for a lifetime -bigtime!

I was surprised to learn that the more than hundred delegates of the Miss World 2009 pageant visited Abu Dhabi for a fashion show. They were in the capital of United Arab Emirates for 3 days, I guess. They left the country for South Africa on 14th November. Here's the most depressing part of the story. I was released out from jail (because of the accident)of Dubai on 15th November. I missed the chance of covering the event. As a beauty pageant fanatic, I should have given you personal updates and tidbits about the Miss World 2009 pageant here if only I was released earlier. Sigh!

Anyways, I am excited about the upcoming Miss Earth 2009 pageant to be held at the famous Boracay Beach in the Philippines on November 22nd and the Miss International 2009 pageant in China on November 29th. Unfortunately, I can't give you my predictions on who will most likely penetrates the Final Top 15 or Top 18 because I have little information about the ladies. I am hoping I can do this with Miss World 2009.

So, stay tuned.

Miss A Coruna Estíbaliz Pereira Rabado Wins Miss Spain 2009 in Mexico

A beauty queen representing Spain's province of A Coruña won the title of Miss Spain 2009 last July 19th outside of the country.

Twenty-three year-old Estíbaliz Pereira Rabado was crowned in Cancun, Mexico where the pageant was held for the first time in the history of Miss Spain. As Miss Spain Universe 2009, she will be going to Bahamas to represent her country at the 58th edition of the Miss Universe pageant.

The new beauty queen is also Spain's representative to the Miss World 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa and London later this year in December.

Rabado is a model and also a student of Fashion Designs. She stands 1.81 meters.

The crowning of Rabado shocked most beauty pageant fans around the world because she was never a front-runner at her national pageant. It was indeed a surprise for many pageant fans.

The First Runner-up was Carmen Laura García Fernández of Granada. She will represent Spain at Miss Europe 2009 which is said to be staged in Lebanon.

Why? Is Lebanon a part of Europe? I don't think so.

The Second Runner-up was Alejandra Echeverría Pedraza of Jaen and she will be representing her country at the 2009 Miss International pageant to be held in China and Japan.

Completing the Top 6 were the contestants from Sevilla, Málaga and Córdoba.

Miss Philippines 1964, Myrna Sese Panlilio, Dies of Cardiac Arrest

Another Philippine representative to the Miss Universe died after Miss Philippines Universe 1980 Rosario "Chat" Silayan died of colon cancer on April 23, 2006.

Myrna Sese Panlilio Borromeo who represented Philippines at the 1964 Miss Universe in Miami Beach, Florida died of a cardiac arrest last July 16th at the Makati Medical Centre at around 2 o'clock in the morning.

Myrna is the first ever Binibining Pilipinas Universe winner but she is not the first Philippine representative to the Miss Universe pageant. Teresita Sanchez first represented the Philippines at the first edition of Miss Universe in 1952.

When Stella Marquez Araneta, first ever Miss International winner from Colombia, got the franchise of Miss Universe and started Binibining Pilipinas to select the Philippine representative to Misses Universe and International, Myrna was the first winner in 1964.

At the 1964 Miss Universe, Myrna did not make to the quarter-finals. The winner that year was Corinna Tsopie of Greece.

Some reports are also saying that Myrna died of gall bladder disease. So some are still confused on the cause of her death.

Myrna had a young daughter named Patricia Borromeo who died of cancer last 2003.

Krystal Brown is the new Miss Bahamas Earth 2009

When the original winner of Miss Bahamas Earth, Ife Bethel Sears, gave up her crown to continue her study, reports circulated in forums and blogs that Amanda Appleyard, Miss Bahamas International, was taking her place. Truth is ... Amanda retained her title.

A new girl was named  Miss Bahamas Earth. The lucky lady is Krystal (or Krystle?) Brown. She is indeed very lucky if you pay attention to the clamor of many Bahamians who are disappointed with the turn of events.

Pageant enthusiasts from Bahamas are questioning why a non-finalist like Krystal would get the right to compete in a better pageant like Miss Earth and the First Runner-up, who happens to be Amanda, is going only to Miss International which is far inferior than the former.

Amanda was elevated as First Runner-up from being Second Runner-up when Ife (original First Runner-up) resigned. On the other hand, Krystal was appointed as the Second Runner-up.

Some are also arguing why the fourth and fifth runners-up of the pageant, Alyssa Knowles and Camille Kenny, were not offered with the title vacated by Ife.

Fans also argued that Miss Bahamas Organization should stick to their tradition of sending the First Runner-up to Miss Earth and the Second Runner-up to Miss International.

Supporters of Miss Bahamas Org reasoned out that Amanda already signed a contract designating her as the representative of Bahamas to Miss International, therefore, they can no longer give her the title of Miss Bahamas Earth.

Going back on Ife Bethel Sears, someone fed us some information that the beauty queen just used her studies as her reason to quit her title. According to our informer, the real reason was because Ife believed her contract with Miss Bahamas Organization was bogus. The former Miss Bahamas Earth 2009 was not happy with the stipulations in her contract.

This would only remind us the issues involving Gaynell Stubbs-Rolle, Miss Bahamas organizer, and former winners of the pageant like Sacha Scott.

 

Miss Bahamas Earth 2009, Krystal Brown and Miss Bahamas Universe 2009, Kiara Sherman pose for the camera.

 

From Left-Right: Krystal Brown Miss Bahamas Earth 2009, Miss Bahamas International 2009 Amanda Appleyard, Miss Bahamas World 2009 Joanna Brown, Miss Culteral Bahamas, Miss Bold Beautiful Bahamas, Miss Global Bahamas Azariah Clare and Miss Gospel Bahamas. They attended the the Bahamas 36th Independance Day Celebrations at Clifford Park in Nassau on July 10th 2009.

Aileen Jan Yap Wins Miss USA International 2009

Aileen Jan Valdehuesa Yap is the winner of Miss USA International 2009 after representing the state of Texas in a pageant that was held from 7-10 July 2009 at the Stafford Conference Centre in Houston, Texas.

Yap will represent the US in the 49th Miss International pageant to be held at the Venetian Macao Resort in Macau, China on November 7, 2009.

Filipino-American A.J., as she is called by close relatives, is the daughter of Filipino immigrants from Mindanao in the Philippines. The new beauty queen is now 20 years old.

In the final tally, Ms. Wyoming Keri Shar was chosen fourth runner up; Ms. California Kristy Davis, third runner up; Ms. Michigan Shawna Vale, second runner up and Ms. Florida Lees Darayanne Garcia, first runner up.

The preliminary competitions for the swimsuit and evening gowns were held July 8 at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom in Houston. A.J. won both the “Best in Swimsuit” and “Best in Evening Gown” awards.

The next day the contestants had a private interview with the judges. The five finalists were chosen following the preliminaries but were only disclosed during the pageant night on July 10. Among the six judges were reigning Mrs. America Maureen McDonald and former Miss Universe Chelsi Smith.

During the pageant night on July 10, A.J. was announced as one of the finalists joining Miss California Kristy Dennis, Miss Florida Lees Darayanne Garcia, Miss Michigan Shawna Vale, and Miss Wyoming Keri Shaw.

The five finalists again competed in their swimsuits and evening gowns, and had a question and answer portion with Emcee Alex Trevino. A.J. was asked to describe her recent vacation in the Philippines

A.J. is a junior at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas majoring in biology. Her father Boy is a psychiatrist and Mom Geget is a nurse by profession and Director and Owner of Virginia's Lakeview Personal Care Home in Texas, USA.

A.J. was selected by National Pageant Director Britt Harrison and other pageant directors from other states of MISS US INTERNATIONAL as Miss Texas US International 2009.

She graduated as the Most Outstanding Student at the Sacred Heart School in Conroe, Texas and went on to graduate Summa cum Laude at Willis High School.

Read this blog entry which generated controversy when it was mentioned A.J. is also a Filipino citizen.

 

 

Paraguay Crowns Representatives to Misses Universe, World and International

The winner of Miss Paraguay 2009 is a nineteen-year-old student of Foreign Trade. Mareike Baumgarten Oroa stole the admiration of the panel of judges to bag the right to represent this South American country at the 58th Miss Universe to be held in Bahamas on August 23rd. She is also the winner of Best Smile.

The pageant took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, with an audience of approximately 600. It was organized by Action-TV Telefutura and Promotions Gloria.

Aside from the title of Miss Universe, two more titles were given that night. 19-year-old Tamara Zapattini Sosa was crowned Miss Paraguay World and Best Face. She will be competing at the Miss World 2009 pageant in South Africa and London.

Twenty-four year-old Romina Bogado was declared Miss Paraguay International and she will be competing at the Miss International 2009 pageant to be held in Japana and China.

 

 

First Runner-up was twenty-three year-old Carmen Valdivieso. She was also the recipient of Miss Aerosur and the prize for Best Skin.

Another big favourite of the contest, Dahiana Cubilla Lee, kept the title of Second Runner-up. She also took the awards for Best Silhouette, Best Sedal Hair and Miss Elegance.

Rocío Segovia was elected Miss Congeniality  and Shirley Torres was Miss Photogenic.

The pageant was also a tribute to the city of Asuncion, capital of the 2009 Latin American Culture through the beauty of women in Paraguay.

Melanie Marquez Studies Law

1979 Miss International winner, Mimilanie Marquez or Melanie as she is famously known, is really serious in becoming a lawyer in few years. Considered as the Most Beautiful Miss International winner, Melanie is currently enrolled at  the Law School of Arellano University in Manila, Philippines.

The funny thing is that Melanie's married to an Australian-based attorney whose surname is Lawyer.

Before taking Law, Melanie graduated as a Cum Laude with a degree in Business Management in November 2006. She is still beautiful and youthful at the age of  45.

Miss Mundo Argentina (Miss Argentina World) 2009 Crowns Bets to Misses World, Earth and International 2009

Argentina, a beauty superpower during the early days, has another reason to be optimistic that the memories of old gold days in pageantry will be alive again in this year's international pageants. Just hours ago, May 17, three lovely and gorgeous Argentinian ladies were crowned as the country's top beauty queens to be sent to Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth.

 

  

 

Evelyn Lucia Manchon, 22 years old, finished on top of the Miss Mundo Argentina 2009 or Miss Argentina World in English. She will represent this South American country to the Miss World 2009 pageant in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, UK in December 12.

Announced as First Runner-Up is the crowd favourite, Mercedes Viaña, 18. She will compete at the Miss International 2009 pageant to be held in Japan and China.

The Second Runner-Up who is going to Miss Earth 2009 pageant in Manila, Philippines, is 21-old Gisela Menossi.

The remaining two girls in the Top 5 who won't go to any international pageants are 3rd Runner-Up, Gema Pineda of San Juan; and, 4th Runner-Up is Belen Fernadez of Corrientes.

The rest of the Top 10 are Debora Quiroga of Santa Fe, Guadalupe Ferreira of Catamarca, Micaela Lopez of Salta, Johanna Milsztejn of Tucuman and Paulina Becher of La Pampa.

Goodluck, Argentina. I am one of many beauty pageant fans who is looking forward to see Miss Argentina in the Top 10 of Misses World, Earth or International.

Old Bridge teen to compete in Miss International 2009

In February, the 19-year-old township resident was crowned Miss New Jersey International. Now, she will go on to compete for the title of Miss International 2009 during the final contest in Chicago in July.

"It's an opportunity of a lifetime," Martin said. "I'm so proud to be part of system that looks beyond physical beauty and focuses on young women's achievements and their charitable involvements. I'm just ecstatic."

Martin, a pre-med student at Boston College, always has had an interest in pageants.

"I always got things in the mail, and I always put them off," she said. "One day I said, "Life is too short. Just do it. It can only be a wonderful experience, give you confidence, help you with your interview skills and allow you to make new friends.' It's done nothing but help me. It's opened so many doors."

The daughter of Maureen and Herbert Martin of Old Bridge, Martin was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to Old Bridge when she was 6. She attended St. Thomas the Apostle School in Old Bridge and Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison. At 16, she participated in the National American Miss competition.

When she heard about the Miss International pageant she decided to give it a try.

She submitted an application and participated in a phone interview. As a result, Martin was selected to represent the state in the Miss International competition, which is open to single women 19 to 29.

In the national pageant, Martin will compete in four categories — evening gown, fitness wear, fun fashion and an interview.

The interview, which is 40 percent of the overall score, is about contestants' platforms — charitable organizations they plant to promote for the coming year.

Martin's charity is the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Martin, who has volunteered at the YMCA and John F. Kennedy Medical Center, both in Edison, became aware of the foundation when she was in fifth grade, while on a cruise that featured Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen as guests.

On the cruise, she met a young girl, whose wish to go on the cruise with the Olsen Twins was granted by the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

"It touched my heart," she said. "I learned about Make-A-Wish, and it's been my favorite ever since. I'm going to be a wish granter. I'm so happy to have the opportunity to volunteer with them and work extensively with them to make children's wishes come true."

Martin also will host fundraisers and represent the foundation at a variety of engagements.

Martin said she is working hard to claim the title of Miss International 2009. The competition is operated by International Pageants Inc., which also hosts the Mrs. International and Miss Teen International pageants.

"I hope to make New Jersey proud," she said. "I've been working hard to prepare for the competition. I'm working out and eating properly. I've been thinking about the interview questions, and I've been formulating some great answers. I'm really excited, and I think I'll do well. I know it will be a wonderful experience."

International Beauty Queens Who Made Philippines Their Second Home

I have discussed Armi Kuusela, first Miss Universe winner ever; Priscilla Meiralles, Miss Earth winner, and Amparo Munoz, Spain's only Miss Universe in my previous posts. But here is an article that tells more about them. We will also try to take a peek on Michelle Van Eimeren and Vivica Babajee of Australia and Mauritius respectively. Both women competed in 1994 Miss Universe in Manila, Philipines. Dayanara Torres, Puerto Rico's third Miss Universe and first Miss International winner ever from Colombia Stella Marquez-Araneta are also in the article.

This article is about beauty queens who fell in love with the Philippines and made this country their second home for a while or up to now like Stella Marquez-Araneta.

They say there's so much to love about the Philippines—scenic places, yummy food, and unique culture. For some tourists who frequently vacation in the country, it's the warm Pinoys that always make them feel comfortable as they wandering around this Southeast Asian country.

Some foreigners even choose to live here permanently, no matter how well off they are in their own country. They find love and start a new family.

In showbiz, Pinoys are also very open to watching foreign talents in television and movies. This is another reason for people who come from abroad to stay in the country and make a living.

Just look at this list of PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) of beauty queens who made the Philippines their second home, if only for a while.

Armi Kuusela. This Finnish beauty queen, who was 17 years old then, was the first-ever winner of the prestigious Miss Universe pageant in June 1952.

She was among the 29 contestants who joined the beauty contest held in Long Beach, California. After Miss Universe, Armi Kuusela became an actress playing herself in the Finnish movie World's Most Beautiful Girl.

As part of her winning the pageant, Universal Studios offered her a movie with the popular American comic duo Abbott and Costello (William Abbott and Lou Costello). But Armi Kuusela refused the offer and went on a world tour instead.

During her trip, she met Filipino businessman Virgilio Hilario. Armi had to give up her crown in less than a year to marry the rich businessman in Tokyo, Japan.

The couple lived for several years in Makati's affluent Forbes Park, where they raised their five children. Unfortunately in 1975, Virgilio Hilario died of a heart attack. Three years after the death of her Filipino husband, Armi decided to marry American diplomat Albert Williams. They moved to San Diego, California.

Until now, Armi still is the former beauty queen who helps cause-oriented groups. She actively participates in charities and is involved in cancer research at the Burnham Institute.

Stella Marquez-Araneta. The next beauty queen who chose to reside in the country was 1959 Miss Columbia Stella Marquez. As a representative of her country, Stella competed in the 1960 Miss Universe held in Miami Beach, Florida, where she placed as a semifinalist.

Though she was not able to get the Miss Universe title, Stella was able to get her luck when she vied for the Miss International title on the same year in Long Beach, California. This made her the first Miss International and first Latina Miss International.

Not long after carrying the Miss International title, the Columbian beauty queen married Jorge Araneta, the current CEO of the Araneta Group.

In 1964, Stella put up the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI), which annually organizes the most prestigious beauty pageant in the Philippines, Binibining Pilipinas, after she acquired the local franchise for the Miss Universe Pageant. The top three winners of this competition will be the official representatives for Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International.

Aside from selecting representatives to worldwide beauty pageants, BPCI also helps a number of orphanages in Metro Manila and gives skills training and educational workshops to less fortunate kids.

Dayanara Torres. The 1993 Miss Universe first saw the Philippines in 1994 when she came here to crown the new Miss Universe.

Shortly after this stint, Dayanara immediately got proposals for product endorsements. She stayed on even longer when she started to get offers for TV appearances and movie projects.

One of these offers was to be a mainstay in the Sunday variety show ASAP. Here, Filipinos saw how graceful she danced on stage, and so she was given the title "Dancing Queen." Also, according to Wikipedia, she won the Best New Female TV Personality award in the 1995 PMPC Star Awards for TV.

In movies, she was able to work with Gary Valenciano for Hataw Na! in 1995; Cesar Montano for Type Kita, Walang Kokontra in 1999; and Aga Muhlach for Basta't Kasama Kita in 1995.

Although not clearly stated when it started, Dayanara had a relationship with the former Bagets star Aga Muhlach, whom she first met on the set of their movie together. Their relationship lasted for four years.

All these projects and her constant interaction with local celebrities somehow helped Dayanara in learning to speak Tagalog easily.

In 1998, the year she reportedly broke up with her local celebrity boyfriend, Dayanara went back to Puerto Rico and released her first and only music album called Antifaz. She also did supporting roles in a Puerto Rican TV series called La Cenicienta (1999) and in the American soap operas The Young and the Restless (2004) and Watch Over Me (2006).

In 2000 Dayanara married international singer Marc Anthony, with whom she had two sons, Christian Anthony and Ryan Anthony. Their marriage was short-lived and they separated in 2003.

In the last quarter of 2006, Dayanara made a short visit in the Philippines to endorse the controversial Beverly Hills 6750 cosmetic surgery clinic. (Click here to read related article )

Michelle Van Eimeren. The Australian beauty queen Michelle Van Eimeren fell for the popular singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid. She chose to stay here after the 1994 Miss Universe pageant, which was hosted by the Philippines.

In that same year, Michelle, who acted as a mermaid, starred with Ogie in the movie Manolo and Michelle Hapi Together. Then, in less than a year, they appeared together in another movie titled Isko: Adventures in Animasia.

Michelle and Ogie's romance grew stronger and they decided to get married in 1998. Their union produced two lovely daughters, Leila and Sarah.

The marriage ended, however, after Michelle moved back to Australia in 2003, together with the children. This started the speculations about the couple's separation.

The couple tried to keep mum about the rumored annulment for years until Ogie admitted publicly his romantic relationship with Asia's Songbird and SOP co-host Regine Velasquez.

But all's well that ends well. Michelle, Leila, and Sarah recently had a reunion with Ogie and Regine on the occasion of Ogie's 20th anniversary concert.

Priscilla Meirelles. The latest beauty queen who decided to live in the country is the 2004 Miss Earth winner Priscilla Meirelles. The 25-year-old Brazilian lady is also the 2003 Miss Globe title-holder.

Priscilla Meirelles stayed in the country for good after having a successful career in modeling. Since 2007, she has graced the cover of several publications and has appeared in some television shows.

Last September 28, at the unveiling of the Star Magic 2009 Catalogue, Priscilla was introduced as one of the celebrities included in "The Next Wave" of stars of the said talent arm, along with another Brazilian model Mariana del Rio.

If these are not enough reasons for Priscilla to stay in the Philippines, there's still her boyfriend, actor John Estrada, who is very proud of her as a newbie in show business.

Viveca Babajee. The last but definitely not the least is Mauritius's representative in the 1994 Miss Universe, Viveca Babajee.

Like her "batchmate" Michelle Van Eimeren, Viveca was about to start a career in showbiz but she got involved in the unforgettable 1994 Manila Film Fest Scam.

Unfortunately, she did not become famous by appearing in TV shows and movies. Pinoys remember her for the famous line, "Take it, take it." This is what she whispered to Ruffa Gutierrez's brother and one of the co-presenters, Rocky, to take the envelope that contained the name of the real winner for best actress.

These are just six of the world-class beauties who made Manila their second home. Unknown to younger generation, some other beauty queens tried to enter the crazy world of local showbiz.

This includes beauties from the 1974 Miss Universe Pageant, which was held in Manila: Miss Spain Amparo Muñoz, who appeared in the movie Hayop sa Ganda (1983) with our very own Miss Universe beauty Gloria Diaz; Miss United Kingdom Helen Morgan, who appeared in the movie Isang Gabi sa Buhay ng Isang Babae; Miss Finland Johanna Raunio, who appeared in the movie Lorelei (1974) with comedian Chiquito and veteran actress Anita Linda.

The list does not stop here. As long as we maintain our famous hospitality and showbiz remains open to aspiring actresses/models, the list of world-class beauties who settle in the country will go on.

Text by Nerisa Almo for PEP.

Patricia Fernandez praying to be RP's 5th Ms. International

Binibining Pilipinas International Patricia Fernandez possesses what a Filipina needs to have to stand out in a crowd of beautiful women from around the world: talent and brains.

Fernandez is off to Macau, China on Saturday to participate in the 48th Miss International Beauty Pageant, which will be held on November 8 at the Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel.

The young Filipina, a graduate of BA Speech Communication from the University of the Philippines, trained for months at the prestigious Dale Carnegie Training, and had to learn three languages, including Mandarin and Nihonggo.

Since winning the Bb. Pilipinas International crown, Fernandez has become more graceful after undergoing training in jazz, latin and belly dancing.

Nervous

Despite her radiant beauty and talent, Fernandez told media people during her send off party at the Mandarin Suites at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, that she is very nervous and needs the Filipinos' support to grab the Miss International crown.

"Please, please pray for me. I badly need your prayers. I hope I will be your fifth Miss International," she said. "I'm nervous, but I hope I will be able to make our country proud."

Fernandez is hoping to follow the steps of Lara Quigaman, who won the 2005 Miss International Beauty Pageant held in Japan.

Quigaman is the fourth Filipina to grab the prestigious crown. The other Filipina beauties that have been crowned Miss International were Melanie Marquez, Aurora Pijuan and Gemma Cruz.

At the send off, Fernandez gave the media people a taste of her talent playing the piano. She said she has been playing the piano since she was six years old.

She sang a Kundiman (a genre of traditional Filipino love songs), while playing the piano. The Filipina beauty boasts a talent in singing as she trained for two years with the UP Singing Ambassadors.

Patchot is taken

In her brief encounter with the press people at the send off, Fernandez, fondly called "Patchot" by her family and close friends, threw out the bad news: She's taken.

She said her boyfriend, whom she said she had been dating since college, will also fly to Macau to witness the beauty pageant.

Also coming with Fernandez are her mother, her mother's friends and her sister.

Asked if she's willing to have a career in the entertainment business, Fernandez said she is open to it. However, she said she is more focused on the upcoming beauty pageant, and that making movies rarely comes to her mind.

Bringing to Macau the Filipino's warmth

Aside from a winter jacket, which she had been advised to bring because of the cold climate in Macau, Fernandez said she will show the world the Filipino's warmth.

"What I am most proud of about the Philippines is the fact that our people are as warm as our climate," the Filipina beauty said.

Trivia on Beauty Pageants

I am listing ten interesting trivia about the major beauty pageants which incluude Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International. Take your time to read this and analyze.

Miss Universe 1953 and Miss World 1953 are both from France.

1. Four countries have won the Miss Universe and Miss World titles in the same year - France in 1953 (Christiane Martel & Denise Perrier), Australia in 1972 (Kerry Anne Wells & Belinda Green), Venezuela in 1981 (Irene Saez & Pilin Leon), and India in 1994 (Sushmita Sen & Aishwarya Rai) and in 2000 (Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra)

2. No country has ever had consecutive winners in the Miss Universe Pageant. India and Venezuela came so close to doing so in 1995 and 1997 respectively. However, Sweden and the United Kingdom have had consecutive winners in the Miss World Pageant (1951 & 1952 for Sweden, 1964 & 1965 for the United Kingdom).

3. Italy, famous for its love of fashion & beauty, as well as for its "beautiful" actresses Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida, has never won any major international beauty title.


4. In the early 90's, Miss World attempted to have a Miss North Korea. But nothing came of it.

1979 Miss International Mimilanie Marquez posed for the Super Model of the World contest.

5. Miss International 1979, Mimilanie Marquez of the Philippines, was second runner-up in the Super Model of the World Contest. According to some reports, she was asked to represent the USA instead of the Philippines. The Ford modelling agency insisted that she will have a better chance of winning if she represented the USA but she proudly declined and represented her native Philippines instead, and ended up as a runner-up.

6. In 1973, in a unique twist between United States and the Philippines, United States was first runner-up to Philippines in the Miss Universe Pageant. Philippines was first runner-up to the United States in the Miss World Pageant that very same year.

7. Misses Macau 1989, 1993, 1995 & 1996 are sisters. They are of Pedruco's family, a famous family in Macau. They all represented Macau in Miss World Contest in those years, but none of them made it to the semi-finals.

The Top 3 of 1998 Miss Universe in Hawaii, USA reacts. Joyce Giraud represented Puerto Rico.

8. Miss Universe Puerto Rico 1998, Joyce Giraud was crowned by Ana Rosa Brito, Miss Universe Puerto Rico 1997 twice. First, in Miss World Puerto Rico 1994, and second in Miss Universe Puerto Rico 1998.

9. In Miss Universe 1954, there were 6 Latin delegates in the semi-final competition. The highest amount of Latin delegates who entered the semi-finals.

10. Korea's representative to Miss Universe 1991, Suh Jung Min doesn't enjoy being a former Miss Korea. They found out in 1993 that she bribed the judges to win the title.