Because I’m forgetful, I will list the winners here in my blog in case I will need it in the future. I’m proud that our representative, Ms. Venus Raj made it to top 5! Way to go Ms. Raj. Though she royally gave a non-winning answer to the Miss Universe Question and Answer section and avoided the question by claiming moral perfection and summarized it with a completely irrelevant point about how much her family loves her, I’m still proud of her. She’s brave enough to just laugh about it after realizing her answer on stage. She’s obviously a “promdi” like me. LOL!

Ever since, I love the beauties of Latinas. They have that spice, strength and sense of fun . This 21-year old Latina deserves the throne.

The winner of Miss Universe 2010 will receive an undisclosed salary, an apartment located in New York with living expenses, a one year scholarship to New York Film Academy with housing, jewelry, clothes, and shoes.

How about the 1st runner up to 4th runner up winners? Do you know their prizes? I don’t know yet.

1st Runner-Up: Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps

The stunning 24 year old has also gone down in history to become the first Jamaican woman ever to come so close to the crown.It goes to show that not only athletes can put Jamaica on the map but also beauty queens, right?

2nd Runner-Up: Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell

The 19-year old Queensland teenager came in third despite a national costume that included high-heeled ugg boots that caused a stir with fashionistas and animal rights groups.

Jesinta Campbell wearing the outfit she hopes will help her win Miss Universe

3rd Runner-Up: Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska

Anna became Ukraine’s highest placement and the third Miss Ukraine in history to reach the semi-finals.

4th Runner-Up: Miss Philippines Venus Raj

Though she lost the coveted title to Ximena Navarrete because of her non-winning response during the question-and-answer portion of the competition. She displayed true bravery when asked if she gets offended when people make fun of her answer, she replied: “No way. So what kung ano sabihin nila? At least naging part ako ng everyday conversation nila.” Oh di vah, di ko kaya ang courage nya..LOL!

Miss Congeniality: Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell .

The winner was chosen by fellow contestants. She receives$ 1,000 cash prize and a gift from Diamond Nexus Labs. Miss congeniality is a friendly, social person.

Miss Photogenic: Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul

Miss Photogenic Universe receives $ 1,000 cash prize and a gift from Diamond Nexus Labs. She was chosen by worldwide media members via the Internet.

Best National Costume: Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul

Miss Thailand Universe 2010 Fonthip “Pook Look” Watcharatrakul has won the both the “Miss Photogenic” and the “Best National Costume” awards in the Miss Universe 2010 contest held in the US.

She also grabbed the “Best National Costume” award from her costume called “Siam Aiyara”, which was inspired by decorations of elephant, the iconic animal of Thailand.

Miss Thailand Universe 2009 Chutima Durongdej

Last year, Miss Thailand Universe 2009 Chutima “Khaimook” Durongdej won the ‘Miss Photogenic’ award in the Miss Universe 2009 contest in the Bahamas while Miss Thailand Universe 2008 Gavintra Photijak won the Best National Costume .

Miss Thailand Universe 2008 Gavintra Photijak

Miss Photogenic Universe  Award: Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from pageant sponsor Diamond Nexus Labs.

I was really hoping that Ms. Philippines, Pamela Bianca Manalo will covet the title Ms. Photogenic because she’s adorably gorgeous! Anyway, I’m not the judge and the winner is already announced, so I just accept the decision without any question…LOL! I;m just glad that Philippines is represented by a woman with beauty and brain.

Last night , August 23, during one of the year’s most exciting live international television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, as MISS UNIVERSE® 2009 live from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, is 18-years-old and she is interested in International Relations.

The judging panel for the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant included: Dean Cain, actor and producer best known for his TV portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman; Colin Cowie, author/television personality/designer to the stars; Gerry DeVeaux, award-winning producer, songwriter and style guru; Farouk Shami, Founder and Chairman of CHI Hair Care; Heather Kerzner, Ambassador for Kerzner International and their resorts, including Atlantis, Paradise Island; Richard LeFrak, Chairman, President and CEO, LeFrak Organization; George Maloof Jr., professional sports mogul and hotelier;  Valeria Mazza, international supermodel; Matthew Rolston, leading photographer and director; Andre Leon Talley, award-winning writer and editor; Tamara Tunie, actress, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit;” and Keisha Whitaker, fashion maven and founder of the Kissable Couture lip gloss line.

Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from over 80 countries and territories around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview. Dayana Mendoza,
Miss Universe 2008, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of approximately one billion viewers.

Final Results:
First Runner-Up:   Miss Domincan Republic, Ada Aimee De La Cruz; will assume the duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2009 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

Second Runner-Up:   Miss Kosovo, Gona Dragusha.

Rest of Top Five:  Miss Australia, Rachael Finch; Miss Puerto Rico, Mayra Matos Perez.

Rest of Top Ten: Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar; Miss Czech Republic, Iveta Lutovska; Miss Switzerland, Whitney Toyloy; Miss USA, Kristen Dalton; and Miss France, Chloe Mortaud.

Rest of Top Fifteen: Miss Albania, Hasna Xhukici; Miss Belgium, Zeynep Sever; Miss Croatia, Sarah Cosic; Miss Iceland, Ingibjorg Egilsdottir; and Miss Sweden, Renate Cerljen.

Miss Photogenic Universe™ Award: Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from pageant sponsor Diamond Nexus Labs.

Miss Congeniality Universe™ Award: Miss China, Wang Jingyao. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate’s peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from Diamond Nexus Labs.

The MISS UNIVERSE® 2009 prize package includes: the Miss Universe tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus Labs; a two-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy worth more than $100,000 dollars to its acting or film-making programs;  an eveningwear wardrobe from Carlos Alberto; a custom swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand; a shoe collection from Nina Footwear;  an assortment of Luxe Collection video cameras from DXG USA; a six-day/five-night vacation for two at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas with air travel accommodations by JetBlue Airways; a year-long supply of Farouk Systems products, makers of CHI, the original Ceramic Technology tools; a Skype kit featuring a laptop computer, webcam, speakers and a one-year Unlimited World plan to talk to friends and family;  membership to Gravity Fitness and pampering at John Barrett Salon; a fashion portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; dermatology and skincare services by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; consultations with personal stylist Billie Causieestko and access to an event wardrobe from leading fashion designers; a New York City apartment for the year of her reign including living expenses and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization to further her personal and professional goals. (info from http://www.missuniverse.com)

I will post more pictures soon. Juz sooooo busy at school.

Pamela Bianca Manalo was crowned as the new Miss Philippines-Universe during a Miss Philippines 2009  coronation night at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon city, metro Manila on March 8, 2009.

Pamela Manalo is an advertising college graduate from Assumption college.

Pamela is:

• Age: 22 years old
• Place of birth: Manila
• Province: Metro Manila
• Education: College Graduate Advertising
• Height: 5′10″
• Weight: 149 lbs
• Vital Statistics: 36 1/2-26-36

I looked her up here http://www.missuniverse.com/members/contestants and I sort them out according to highest ratings and Pamela came out as no.5! Hope she can make it to the finals tomorrow!

The 58th Annual MISS UNIVERSE competition will be held LIVE from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas on Sunday, August 23rd on NBC and Telemundo at 9 PM (ET).

I’m just curious about who won the Best National Costume of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant and upon knowing that it’s Thailand, I searched for it and I could say she deserves the award.

Miss Thailand 2008 Gavintra Photijak wore a national costume inspired by traditional muaythai style and called the “Spirit of Fighting” by Thai student Sathapat Moonma, a senior-year architecture student from Khon Kaen Univerisity. Thailand’s Gavina came out stage perform in Wai-Kru , Cherng, Kon and Mae-Mai muaythai, which won the best national costume award at the 57th Miss Universe pageant at Crown Convention Center, Nha Trang, Vietnam, with 80 of the world’s most beautiful women competing to win one of the pageant world’s most coveted crowns.

Too bad, Miss Philippines’ National costume didn’t win. Maybe though the gown is stunning, it lacks uniqueness unlike what Thai costume has showcased.

the national costume of Ms. Philippines