The 65th Miss Universe just keeps on surprising. Past Miss Universe queens will be gracing the most beautiful night in the universe. It’s like a homecoming of queens held in a country obsessed with beauty pageants, nonetheless. It’s like when Comic-Con announced that Hodor was coming to Manila. The excitement, the panic… everything is so surreal! I can’t wait for Mondaayyyyy!
*breathes* Okay. I’m OK now. These confidently beautiful pageant legends are the stars aligning in our country next week. Okay, enough “universe” references!
1. Gloria Diaz, Philippines, 1969
Gloria Diaz made history by being the first Filipina Miss Universe. Needless to say, without her, parang may kulang. Her winning answer to her final question was as historical as her.
Q: “In the next day or so, a man will land on the moon. If a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?”
A: “Oh, just the same things I do. I think if he has been on the moon for so long, I think when he comes over he wants to change, I guess. ”
2. Margarita Moran, Philippines, 1973
Margarita “Margie” Moran was the second Miss Universe from the Philippines, but she made her own mark with her regal beauty and elegance.
Q: “If you had one million dollars what would you do with it?”
A: “I would buy a big house where I can live with all the people I love”.
She is indeed confidently beautiful with a big big heart. <3
3. Lupita Jones, Mexico, 1991
Lupita was the shortest among the top three contestants in 1991. She also had the most grace in answering her final question, which was very politically and socially relevant. Kudos to the top three girls and the 1992 organizers!
Q: “What is the most difficult problem facing your country today? What do you think should be done about it?”
A: “Well i think the most recently thing we have in hand is the free trade we are working in. and i think it will be hard for my country because we have to compete with very advanced technology from other countries that are recent than we are but i know we are gonna make it i know we are a big country and our people are great so i feel hope with my people.”
4. Dayanara Torres, Puerto Rico, 1993
Dayanara Torres won the title in 1993 and she went to the Philippines to turnover her crown to the new Miss Universe. The country fell in love with her and she stayed here for a few years. She appeared in television and several movies. My personal faves are: Hataw Na! (with Gary V) and Type Kita Walang Kokontra! (with Cesar Montano). Yes, I watched a lot of Pinoy Box Office channel when I was a kid. HAHA!
Q: “If you were to become Miss Universe, what is the single important thing you want to accomplish?”
A: “I think that we would have to work basing ourselves on our past, working hard in the present to provide for a better future. I believe that we should turn our energies to the children of the world to provide for them a better future because that is where our future lies.”
There was a bit of controversy that year. Miss Mexico didn’t make it into the semifinals. Considering the pageant was being held in Mexico, majority of the crowd was unhappy and they started booing. Hopefully, this doesn’t happen on Monday. Rooting for Maxine Medina all the way, though!
5. Sushmita Sen, India, 1994
Sushmita Sen won in 1994 when the Philippines hosted the pageant for the second time. I’m sure everyone who watched the 1994 Miss U will be nostalgic seeing Sushmita Sen judge the pageant she won after 12 years. She made her mark on the hearts of Filipinos not only because of her winning the title but also her final question arguably became the most popular question in pageant history.
Q: “What is the essence of being a woman?”
A: “Just being a woman is God’s gift that all of us must appreciate. The origin of a child is a mother, and is a woman. She shows a man what sharing, caring and loving is all about. That is the essence of a woman.”
6. Natalie Glebova, Canada, 2005
Natalie Glebova first joined Miss Universe Canada in 2004 but she only placed 3rd Runner-up. She joined again in 2005, won the national title and eventually declared Miss Universe 2005. Pageants are really a “try and try until you succeed” thing noh? #Persistence
Q: “What is the biggest challenge in your life?”
A: “The biggest challenge in my life is always trying to be positive. I consider myself the kind of person who always looks as a glass half-full, instead of half-empty. And even though, sometimes, it’s hard to look at life this way, I always try to maintain the positive side in life. Kop khun ka!
7. Riyo Mori, Japan, 2007
Riyo Mori was the second Japanese to bag the crown and third to land in the top 5. She also auditioned for a role in the 2007’s Heroes. Asians represent! 🙂
Q: “What is the one lesson you learned as a child that still affects your life today?”
A: “I have been dancing since I was a child. I grew up among many students and teachers. I learned to always be happy, patient and positive. That is also what I want to teach to the next generation. Thank you.”
8. Leila Lopes, Angola, 2011
Leila Lopes stole our hearts in 2011. Her beauty just shouts sincerity and I personally think that was her edge in the competition. Looking back, her answer to her final question was quite similar to Shamcey Supsup’s.
Q: “What physical appearance that you want to change to be beautiful? And what is the most important principle that you hold?”
A: “I am really grateful to God because He had created me, I am satisfied with the body and the way God had given to me. I wouldn’t change any single thing of my body. I considered my self as a woman blessed with inner beauty. I got many great life principles from my family, and I will hold that principle for my whole life.”
9. Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Philippines, 2015
Last but not certainly not the least, Pia Wurtzbach is the reason why Miss Universe is being held in our country. She broke the 42-year drought when she was crowned the title in 2015. Her winning answer can be used for a Miss Universe commercial.
Q: “Why should you be the next miss universe?
A: “To be Miss Universe is both an honor and a responsibility. If I would be Miss Universe I would use my voice to influence the youth and raise awareness to causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country, the Philippines. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart.”
I’m already happy with these crop of beauties coming to the Philippines. I’ve heard there are more coming in the next few days leading up to the coronation night. But here are three more that I wish to see here in the country:
Ariadna Gutierrez, Colombia, 2015 1st Runner-up
With the controversy that surrounded last year’s coronation, I’m sure everyone would have wanted to see 2015 Miss Universe 1st Runner-up Ariadna Gutierrez in SM MOA Arena. Closure, kumbaga.
Mpule Kwelagobe, Botswana, 1999
1999 Miss Universe Philippines Miriam Quiambao will always be a winner for us Filipinos, but Botswana’s Mpule Kwelagobe, who took the crown that year, also has a special place in the hearts of beauty pageant fans here.
Michelle Van Eimeren, Australia, 1994 Candidate
Michelle Van Eimeren placed 11th during her Miss U stint but she quickly became a household name in Philippine showbiz. I especially loved her in Manolo en Michelle: Hapi Together where she played a mermaid. HAHA! Happy times.
The 65th Miss Universe promises to be an important event not just among beauty pageants but also in our country’s history. Gathering all these past Miss U queens in one night is sure to add a lot more glitz and glamor to the event.
Who among the past Miss Universe queens are you most looking forward to seeing again? Who would you have liked to join in the 65th Miss Universe festivities? Sound off in the comments below.
2 Comments
For some reason, I had the same persons in mind na sana pumunta for the coronation night. Most especially Ariadna. Lam na. Char 😂
Diba!? 😂👸🏻