With the recent triumph of Megan Young in the 2013 Miss World beauty pageant held in Indonesia, the Filipinas are seemingly on a run in international beauty contests. Megan's crown was the first ever Miss World crown for the Philippines.
These some kind of a run started in the 2010 Miss Universe beauty pageant wherein Venus Raj finish fourth runner-up. Venus could have taken home the crown in that year if not for her major-major blunder in the question and answer portion. She was a heavy favorite to win the crown.
In the following year 2011, Shamcey Supsup finished a notched higher as 3rd runner-up in the 2011 Miss Universe tilt. The Filipinos was really hoping for Shamcey to finally take home the crown. Shamcey was simply gorgeous to the highest level ! She seems perfect. But still short of winning the elusive Miss Universe crown.
Janine Togonon came close to winning the 2012 Miss Universe beauty pageant. She finished 1st runner-up. She almost made it! Oh boy! But the breaks did not go our way. Even as Miss USA Olivia Culpo was crowned Miss Universe 2012 and the
most beautiful woman in the world, her victory came as a big surprise as
a majority of viewers were expecting Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon to
win the crown. Yet we're proud because our contestants consistently placed among the top 5 in three consecutive years.
The last time the Philippines has won the contest was in 1973 when Margie Moran won. The first who won it for the country was Gloria Diaz in 1969. Since 1973 there was a long drought except in 1999 when Miriam Quiambao came close to winning being the first runner-up.
Early this year, Mutya Johanna Datul won the fifth edition of the 2013 Miss Supranational beauty pageant which was held in Belarus on September 6, 2013. Johanna was the first Asian winner of this contest.
I hope these run continues until we win again a Miss Universe title. The signs are promising. It could finally be this year. If we win it this year it's kinda grand slam year. Miss Supranational 2013, Miss World 2013 and Miss Universe 2013! Our bet for the 2013 Miss Universe pageant is Ara Arida. The photo below shows the four of them Janine, Shamcey, Venus and Ara. Look at the standings of the previous three. 4th by Venus, 3rd by Shamcey, and 1st by Janine. Will Ara finally nail it and win the third Miss Universe title for the Philippines?
Photo credit Arnold Mercado
By the way, congratulations to Aces & Queens headed by Jonas Gaffud. These guys are the ones behind the training of our beauty contestants. For the 2013 Miss Universe pageant which will be held on November 9 at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia, I'm sure Aces and Queens will move heaven and earth to make sure that Ara is more than ready to face the universe once the competition begins.
I don't believe in number thirteen to be unlucky. I think 2013 is a lucky year for Filipina beauties. Wanna bet?
Ara Arida
