Special Awards in Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International for Philippines Representative

Miss Universe
Miss Photogenic: Vida Doria (71), Margarita Moran (73), Aileen Damiles (96)
Abbygale Arenas (97), Gionna Cabrera (2005), Lia Andrea Ramos (2006), Anna Theresa Licaros (2007)
Miss Clairol Herbal Essence (Style Award): Miriam Quiambao (99)
Best in National Costume: Charlene Gonzalez (94), Zorayda Ruth Andam ('01, 1st Runner-up), Gionna Cabrera ('05, Top 5)
Best in Swimsuit: Gloria Diaz (Top 10 semifinalist, '69), Margarita Moran (73)
Miss Congeniality: Joanne Zapanta Santos (2nd runner-up, '95)

Miss World
Asia & Oceania's Queen of Beauty: Sara Jane Areza (82), Sherry Rose Byrne (86), Ruffa Gutierrez (93), Karla Bautista (2004)
Best in National Costume: Onelia Ison Jose (71)
Miss Personality: Daisy Reyes (96)
Beach Beauty: Maria Rafaela Yunon (semifinalist, 2003), Maria Karla Bautista (4th, 2004)
People's Choice Award: Maria Rafaela Yunon (Top 10, 2003)
Talent Fast-track: Maria Karla Bautista (semifinalist, 2004)

Miss International
Best in National Costume: Yolanda Dominguez (72), Maria Dolores Ascalon (76), Melanie Marquez (79)
Miss Friendship: Lilia Eloisa Andanar (89), Alma Concepcion (94)
Miss Elegance: Melanie Marquez (79)

MS USA 2010 Rima Fakih VS MS Philippines 2010 Ma. Venus Raj

Ms Michigan Rima Fakih’s victory in the Ms USA 2010 beauty pageant has given me big hope that the Philippines will do well in this year’s Miss Universe beauty pageant for the following reasons:
As beauty pageant fans know, Donald Trump is directly involved in choosing his beauty queens in the Ms USA AND the Ms Universe as he is the owner of both franchises. Since the new Ms USA Rima Fakih is Lebanese, it means he’s not immune to middle-eastern beauty. Our very own Ma. Venus Raj is part Indian and you can that clearly in her features.
Also, both Rimah Fakih and Ma. Venus Raj are transferees: When Rimah Fakih was an infant, her family immigrated to New York. Ma. Venus Raj, on the other hand, was born in Qatar to an Indian father; when she turned 3, her Filipina mother brought her home to Bicol where she grew up.
Both Beauty Queens have financial challenges. Ma. Venus Raj grew up in a hut, sans electricity, in the middle of rice fields in Bicol but thanks to private sponsors who supported her with clothing and finances, she was able to join beauty pageants. Rima Fakih, on the other hand had to sell her car just to be able to afford to join Ms Michigan.
And, if you haven’t noticed it yet, both girls have a very similar look – long dark curly hair, scarab-like eyes and bodies to die for except that Venus doesn’t look bony even if her waistline IS 22 inches. IMHO, Venus also has a more regal bearing about her.
I just hope Donald Trump keeps his lingerie dreams away from the Ms Universe 2010 beauty pageant.
So what do you think?

2010 Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Monday August 23, 2010

Can Venus bring the 3rd crown of Miss Universe

The 2010 Miss Universe competition will take place this year in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA) on Monday, August 23rd, live on NBC, organization officials confirmed on Sunday.

About 85 contestants from all over the world will be arriving during the first week of August to ‘Sin City’ where they will compete for the crown currently held by Venezuela’s own Stefania Fernandez.

It’s the third time that the pageant is held in Vegas. Its previous editions were in 1991 (won by Lupita Jones, Mexico) and 1996 (won by Alicia Machado, Venezuela).

This year marks the debut of a representative from Azerbaijan. Also, Haiti returns to the contest after a 20-year absence, and Guadeloupe returns after 26 years.

The host hotel has yet to be announced.

The Miss Universe Organization is a New York–based partnership between NBC and Donald J. Trump

Venus Raj gets Philippine Passport

DFA grants passport to dethroned beauty queen

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is set to issue a Philippine passport to dethroned Binibining Pilipinas Universe Ma. Venus Raj. In a text message sent to reporters, Foreign Affairs department spokesman Eduardo Malaya decided to make the move after an evaluation committee recommended its issuance.

“The committee stated that on the basis of documents presented by Ms. Raj, it is well-established that she was born to a Filipino mother and following the jus sanguinis rule on matters of citizenship acquisition, she is a Filipino citizen who is entitled to a Philippine passport,” Malaya said.

“The passport will be issued in the next few days,” Malaya added.

The Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) took back Raj’s crown in April after learning of inconsistencies in the beauty queen’s birth records. The BPCI, however, decided to give Raj’s a chance to reclaim her title provided that Raj obtains a valid Philippine passport.

Should she regain her crown as expected, Raj will represent the Philippines in the 59th edition of the Miss Universe pageant to be held in the Unites States this August.

As this developed, the DFA is eyeing to issue at least 3,300 E-passports a day, according to Secretary Alberto Romulo.

He revealed that the Department Foreign Affairs’ Office for Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) is gearing up to accommodate more people by improving the existing system to accept more appointments. At present, the DFA-OCA releases 2,800 E-passports everyday.

1st Miss Earth from Philippines

Miss Earth 2008 Winners
8 November 2008 - 3rd Runner-Up Tatiane Alves, MISS BRAZIL 2008, 2nd Runner-Up Abigail Elizalde, MISS MEXICO 2008, Karla Henry MISS EARTH 2008 from the Philippines and Miriam Odemba, MISS TANZANIA 2008, during the 8t edition of MISS EARTH Pageant . broadcast live from Clark Expo Amphittheater in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines.



Outgoing titleholder Miss Earth 2007, Jessica Trisko from Canada crowned her successor Karla Henry from the Philippines. The pageant was hosted by Billy Crawford, international singer and actor.

Miss Philippines-Earth 2010 Winners

Miss Philippines Earth 2010, the 10th edition of the Miss Philippines Earth beauty pageant, was held on April 24, 2010 at the Acquatica, Manila Ocean Park, Manila, Philippines. Miss Philippines Earth is the largest and most widely participated beauty pageant in the Philippines with 49 official delegates participating this year.Miss Philippines Earth 2009 Sandra Seifert crowned Kris Psyche O. Resus from Infanta as her successor and will represent the Philippines in the international Miss Earth 2010 beauty pageant, which will be held in Vietnam.



MISS PHILIPPINES-EARTH, KRIS PSYCHE RESUS - Mun. of Infanta - Quezon, Miss Philippines-Water, EMERIE DALE CUNANAN - Pandan, Antique, Miss Philippines-Fire GWENNAELLE RUAIS - Fil. Community of France, Miss Philippines-Air RENE ROSARIO McHUGH - Fil. Community of USA East Coast
Miss Philippines-Eco-Tourism, ANGELA FERNANDO - Mun. of Lubao, Pampanga.

Thomasian Dreamboat is first ever MR. PHILIPPINES EARTH 2010

20 year-old John Reyes, a third year College of Commerce student from the University of Santo Tomas was proclaimed as the first MR. PHILIPPINES EARTH late last night (04/22/10) at the Concourse, Manila Ocean Park wherein the MISS PHILIPPINES EARTH '10 Miss Photogenic title was also announced (won by Lubao's Angela Lauren Fernando). Reyes is shown here awarded the title by reigning Miss Earth 2009 Larissa Ramos from Brazil (left) and Sandra Seifert, Miss Earth Air 2009 and reigning Miss Philippines Earth


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