Miss Universe 2013 is Ms. Venezuela while Ms. Ariella Arida landed third-runner -up

Moscow, Russia

Miss Venezuela – Ms.  Gabriela Iser

Miss Universe 2012, Ms. Olivia Cuplo crowned Ms. Gabriela Isler at the conclusion of the two-hour telecast, viewed by an estimated 1 billion people from 190 countries.

Isler beat out contestants from 85 other countries at the 62nd annual competition to nab the crown for Venezuela, the country’s seventh Miss Universe title.

Ms. Gabriela Isler

The 25-year-old, 5-foot, 10-inch beauty works as an anchor for Venezuela’s Venevision television- Venezuela’s biggest television station . Her experience is likely to come in handy during her one-year stint as Miss Universe.

The new Miss Universe was selected by a panel of eight judges including celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, gold medal figure skater Ms. Tara Lipinski and Aerosmith frontman  Steven Tyler , who pulled double duty with a performance during the show.

MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts and “America’s Got Talent” alum and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown  served as co-hosts.

The coronation night began on a sad but heartwarming note when Roberts and his co-host Mel B announced that the 2013 Miss Universe pageant was dedicated to the Philippines and Vietnam because of the devastation wreaked by Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan).

Then the Top 16 was announced:

• Costa Rica: Fabiana Granados
• Ukraine: Olga Storozhenko
• China: Jin Ye
• Ecuador: Constanza Baez
• Great Britain: Amy Willerton
• Indonesia: Whulandary
• Venezuela: Gabriela Isler
• Dominican Republic: Yaritza Reyes
• Puerto Rico: Monic Perez
• Spain: Patricia Yurena Rodriguez
• USA: Erin Brady
• Nicaragua: Nastassja Bolivar
• Switzerland: Dominique Rinderknecht
• India: Manasi Moghe
• Brazil: Jakelyne Oliveira
• Philippines: Ariella Arida

 The announcement of the final slot  was nerve-wracking  and tension filled memory  for Filipinos around the world , being called the last .  According to the host , She won the MU online voting which worried some; it was like the kiss of death, because it meant that the winner won by popularity and not her own merit.

BUT,  Since Miss Universe is a show and to create suspense and drama – They might have called Miss Philippines , last on stage .

According to several missosologists and Filipinos in Russia, There were about 700 to 750 Filipinos at the Crocus Hall during the pageant finals.

FAN VOTE

I am not surprise with Miss Philippines getting the ” Fan Vote ”  of the Miss Universe 2013 pageant .  In this  social media age,  where almost 33 million Filipinos in the Philippines are hook on different social media networks like facebook, twitter, instagram, four square etc.

Plus,   there is also a large support group from overseas Filipinos in different countries  . Cheering for their country and their candidates in any way that they can .  You Tube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIm6YHcSDiU

Philippines is considered a voting BLOCK in the world of pageantry. BUT i must say it is not only Filipinos who voted for Ms. Ariella Arida but also expats and foreigners from around the world. Proving skeptics that Filipinos are among the most beautiful people in the globe.

Miss Philippines -Aileen ” Leng ” Damiles group picture with Miss Thailand and Miss Indonesia- photo courtesy : Miss Universe 1996

If I can remember , when the selection of the ” Miss Photogenic” was done via internet  at the Miss Universe 1996 pageant was introduced  .  Miss Philippines – Ms. Aileen ” Leng” Damiles consistently top the voting sites.  Same story goes in 1997 .

Miss Abbygale Williamson-Arenas also won Miss Photogenic via fan vote

Ms. Denise Quinones – Miss Universe 2001 won Miss Photogenic award via online voting

Internet voting was halted by the organization for a few years then resuming back in 2001 when Puerto Rico stepped  into the limelight with national voting marathons organized to give support to their candidates  . Same story goes in 2002, 2003 then 2004.

Miss Lia Andrea Ramos won Miss Photogenic at the Miss Universe 2006

Philippines again won ” Miss Photogenic” award in 2005, 2006 and 2007 proving that pageant fans from the Philippines  played a very active role with the selection.  Some pageant aficionados would quick in defending their votes, ” Kesa umuwing luhaan  ang ating kandidata at least may pakonsuelo “.

“Instead of our candidates  would go  home empty handed at there  is some sort of consolation . ”

BUT active fan voting is not  the sole monopoly to the Philippines.

 Miss Portugal-  Laura Goncalves ( Fan Vote  ) Miss Universe 2011- Top 10 semi-finalist

Latin American and Carribean  countries like Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia , Peru, Ecuador, Brazil , Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic  are also major voters ! Hence in 2011 – When Miss Portugal  was called as semi-finalist on the top- 16 thru internet voting , some pageant gurus  were shocked with the results !  BUT they did not know that it was thru the help of the Brazilians and Latin American countries which campaigned for her inclusion.

Ms. Anna Theresa Luy Licaros photo courtesy : Miss Universe

Emerging Asian voting block includes Thailand . Their candidates are winners of fan base, Best National Costume  in 2008 , Miss Photogenic 2009,  Miss Photogenic and Best National Costume 2010- winner of 4  fan base internet voting.  Vietnam, India, Indonesia , China and now Myanmar were not far behind.

Fonthip Watcharatrakul

Miss Thailand 2010 – winner of ” Best in National Costume”  and ” Miss Photogenic” via online voting

Some netizens  and beauty pageant experts sometimes nickname the fan base vote as ” Miss Votedgenic ” or ” Puertogenic “,” Pinaygenic” and ” Thailandgenic”  the last three are names of the country of origin ( Puerto Rico ), ( Pinay is a colloquial term for Filipino women),   ( Thailand) with huge internet voting fan base.

What makes the Filipinos at par with the Latin American countries? Filipinos love pageants, some of the oldest known national pageant dates back in 1908 ( Manila Carnival Queen ) See the link:   http://manilacarnivals.blogspot.com/

Almost any type of pageant just like its Latin counterparts , There are pageants in almost every barangays, barrios, sitos, schools, universities etc…  A fiesta is never complete without pageant.

What makes Filipinos different with the Latin American countries? Unlike some Latin American countries which have some sort of beauty schools and radical views on beauty like cosmetic surgeries etc…. Majority of the Filipinos still regard pageants as past time and still prefers natural beauties.  This is a long debate.

Shocking Surprises:

Early favorites like Miss Poland, Miss Israel, Miss Mexico , Miss Hungary , Miss Curacao and hometown bet Miss Russia failed to make it.  Some say Mr. Donald Trump had an upper hand with the selection of ” Trump’s Bet”, ” Trump’s Pick”  or ” Trump’s Angels”  to enter in the finals.  Some say there were 6 of them, while some place them at 8. – As they always say, not all front -runners will make  it to the finals!

Ms. Ariella Arida casual wear during the introduction -photo courtesy of : Miss Universe

Ms. Ariella Arida – swimsuit during the finals

Ms. Ariella Arida during the evening gown finals

Miss Universe top-5

Miss Universe top 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e4DfQjMPp0

Question and Answer:

 Ecuador came first and was asked what she thought the world would be without the Internet. Her response about computers having [their] advantages and disadvantages and not having enough time for family [seemed] somewhat related, but she did not directly answer the question.

Brazil followed and was asked a question about women in countries who are not allowed to vote, hold elected office and even drive. Jackelyne noted that even if women have achieved independence [today], there are still problems. She referred to her country where the president is currently a woman. Perhaps Brazil could have answered this better?

Spain was next and her question was political. What more could be done for more women to be elected to public office? With the help of a translator, Patricia answered in Spanish saying that women “must possess good qualities in order to do a good job — discipline, knowing how to adapt…so she can fulfill her job.” Spain seemed almost assured of the crown with this answer.

The Philippines was asked about what could be done about the lack of jobs for young people who are starting their careers around world. Ariella’s answer:

“For the people who have lack of jobs, I do believe that we people should invest in education. And that is my primary advocacy, because if every one of us is educated and we‘re well aware of what we are doing, we could land into jobs and could land good careers in the future. So, education is a primary source and it is a ticket for a better future,” she replied.

Arida was the only contestant from the final five who replied in English. The rest of the Spanish-speaking contestants needed their respective translators to convey their answers.

Venezuela was the last to answer: “What is your biggest fear and how do you plan to overcome it?” She said in her native language, “We must overcome all our fears and this in turn would make us stronger. As soon as we overcome our fears, we can face any challenge.”

Although she said it well, Gabriela took a different approach to the question by answering obliquely.

Note: I think it is not the final question and answer portion that made Miss Venezuela won the pageant, It was the overall performance and the judges impression that made her win.  Just like last year when Miss Venezuela was over-rated at 2nd runner-up and even Miss USA which eventually got the crown.