Tag Archives: Stefania Fernandez

Karin Ontiveros knows that Jimena Navarette is a tough act to follow

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Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2010 Karin Ontiveros will be her country's rep to Miss Universe 2011 where the reigning winner is her predecessor Jimena Navarette.

Karin's soulful eyes speak a lot of her beauty and expressive disposition.

Back-to-back Miss Universe winners from the same country are as rare as painite*. In fact, it has occured only once when Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez did Venezuela proud in 2008 and 2009, which in turn, was recognized by Guinness World Records.

This brings us to the stunning Karin Ontiveros’ chances of duplicating Jimena Navarette’s victory last year. I’m no fortune teller but a 3rd win for Mexico could be a shot in the moon. Well, at least not yet. It’s just too soon a time. Aside from the highly competitive batch of beauties expected to converge in Sao Paolo, Brazil, the standards set by several participating nations for their reps have increased two-, even three-fold. And this is where unpredictable good luck can play a major role on whoever comes out on top by September 12, 2011.

Still, Karin is a worthy Nuestra Belleza Mexico successor to Jimena and I believe she will shine in Brazil. The pressure of winning will keep her on top of her game. Let’s see how far she will go. ;-)

*The painite is an orangish or reddish brown gem, with the brown tint coming from iron in the crystal.

We Are Family…at least until the Preliminaries on August 19

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Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009, and the 2010 Miss Universe Contestants pose for the official Dar Be Dar Swimwear group photo at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, August 12, 2010. The Miss Universe 2010 competition that will air live from Mandalay Bay on the NBC Television Network at 9 PM ET, August 23, 2010. ho/Miss Universe Organization LP, LLLP

The Miss Universe 2010 Preliminaries will be held this coming Thursday night, August 19 (Friday morning in Manila) at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. This is the do-or-die battle for the 83 ladies because the Top 15 for the Finals Night will be selected by then. Statistically-speaking, 68 delegates will end up being Thank-You Girls although it is only on the evening of August 23 when everything will be made known.

I decided to post once more the family shot of the Miss Universe 2010 batch. Because after the preliminaries, we won’t see them all together in one picture anymore – and that could be mean literally or figuratively. This is an all-out competition for survival after all.

Thank you to OPMB Worldwide for sharing this pic! ;-)

The Glamorously Back-Breaking Life of a Miss Universe contestant – in pictures!

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Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell and Miss Colombia Natalia Navarro inside the bus on the way to another Miss Universe function.

Never-ending. These two hyphened words best describe the whirlwind of pre-pageant activities that the 83 Miss Universe 2010 delegates are experiencing right now. 24 hours in a day fall short of covering everything that needs to be done and each one of them should be given a full supply of vitamins and energy drinks just to keep up with the pace or fall by the wayside and get no photo opportunities at all. Besides, all these tasks serve as acid tests for the eventual winner. No Miss Universe titleholder can afford to be lazy so she needs to be constantly on the move, with a permanent smile plastered on her face and a winning glow tailing her like a shadow all the time.

The pictures above and below represent the endlessly tiring days and nights of being a Miss Universe contestant…

Miss Israel Bat-el Jobi and Miss New Zealand Ria van Dyke serving food during a Miss Universe charity event.

Miss Netherlands Desiree van den Berg, Miss South Africa Nicole Flint and Miss Spain Adriana Reveron pose during a tour of the Nevada desert.

Miss Lebanon Rahaf Abdallah, Miss Malaysia Nadine Ann Thomas and Miss Mauritius Dalysha Doorga take a break during the Las Vegas Welcome Sign photoshoot.

Miss Peru Giuliana Zevallos and Miss Paraguay Yohana Benitez dressed to the nines for a Miss Universe formal event.

Miss Trinidad & Tobago LaToya Woods and Miss Bahamas Braneka Bassett do cheek-to-cheek during a Miss Universe function.

A Tale of Two Venezuelans as reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez and current Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibson pose for a self-taken souvenir shot.

Miss Ukraine Anna Povslaskaya and Miss Uruguay Stephany Ortega do their share of photo ops at the Mandalay bay lobby.

Miss Dominican Republic Eva Arias, Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin, Miss Argentina Yessica di Vincenzo and Miss Guatemala Jessica Scheel do a group shot.

And the activities just don’t stop!

Miss Argentine Yessica di Vincenzo and Miss Denmark Ena Causevic smile for the camera in a rest room pit-stop.

Miss Costa Rica Marva Wright and Miss Dominican Republic Eva Arias inside the bus before stepping out for another photoshoot.

A big group shot at the hotel lobby before starting the day's back-breaking appearances.

Miss Ireland Rozzana Purcell and Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell enjoying a bus ride with the other delegates.

Miss Turkey Gizem Memic and Miss India Ushoshi Sengupta find the hotel corridors good enough for a souvenir shot.

An aproned Miss Japan Maiko Itai trying her hand at food serving during a Miss U charity event.

Miss USA Rima Fakih, Miss Romania Oana Paveluc and Miss Venezuela during a sponsor's event.

Miss USA Rima Fakih, Miss Philippines Venus Raj and Miss Ghana Awurama Simpson getting ready for their swimsuit photoshoot with Fadil Berisha.

The pictures can go on and on and on, but only one thing is for sure – being a Miss Universe contestant is no easy job. And we’re just halfway through with covering the pageant. The all-important preliminaries are still upcoming! ;-)

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada from the Miss Universe 2010 Candidates!

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These shots will be seen during the finals of Miss Universe 2010 on August 23. The 83 ladies spent one whole morning shooting their waves and greetings at the famous Las Vegas welcome sign landmark together with reigning winner Stefania Fernandez.

Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez heads the 83 ladies at the Las Vegas Welcome Sign Photoshoot.

Here’s the news video of the shoot:


video courtesy of YouTube/TakiBreaxti

And here’s another video which shows some ladies being interviewed during the same as covered by TV Patrol World:


Video courtesy of YouTube/TakiBreaxti

And here is a group photo of all 83 Miss Universe 2010 delegates in front of Mandalay Bay…courtesy of Mabuhay Beauties USA…

Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009, and the 2010 Miss Universe Contestants pose for the official Dar Be Dar Swimwear group photo at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, August 12, 2010. The Miss Universe 2010 competition that will air live from Mandalay Bay on the NBC Television Network at 9 PM ET, August 23, 2010. ho/Miss Universe Organization LP, LLLP

Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009, and the 2010 Miss Universe Contestants pose for the official Dar Be Dar Swimwear group photo at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, August 12, 2010. The Miss Universe 2010 competition that will air live from Mandalay Bay on the NBC Television Network at 9 PM ET, August 23, 2010. ho/Miss Universe Organization LP, LLLP

Miss Universe 2010 videos of the media tour ladies in L.A.

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video courtesy of YouTube/Niloysobhan

Above is a video showing the 6 Miss Universe 2010 delegates who joined the media campaign of the pageant in L.A. You will also get to hear sound bites from the ladies.


video courtesy of YouTube/utubesapuet

Above is a video of the 6 ladies doing the Miss Universe shoot for Telemundo.


video courtesy of YouTube/OPMBvids

Above is a video interview of Venus Raj with Ronqui of OPMB Worldwide.

The six media tour ladies (together with reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez - extreme left) before boarding the bus to Las Vegas.

Let the Miss Universe battle begin! ;-)

With Marelisa Gibson, Venezuela will be seeking a rare Miss Universe three-peat!

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Miss Universe-Venezuela 2009 Marelisa Gibson is one of the heavy favorites for Miss Universe 2010.

Venezuela is one of the best-performing countries in the Miss Universe Pageant. With six previous wins (Maritza Sayalero in 1979, Irene Saez in 1981, Barbara Palacios Teyde in 1986, Alicia Machado in 1996, Dayana Mendoza in 2008 and Stefania Fernandez just last year), the country – which prides itself as the home of thoroughbred beauty queens – is not just hoping to nail win #7 (and tying the USA’s record of 7 wins in the contest) but also to establish a new world record by claiming the Miss Universe sash for the 3rd consecutive year! Talk about being in a league all their own!

Marelisa Gibson is all pumped up to become Miss Universe 2010 and score an almost unimaginable three-peat for Venezuela.

Marelisa Gibson is the encapsulation of a world-class beauty - tall, beautiful, queenly and smart!

And Osmel Sousa is not just dreaming because the signs are encouraging. He actually has very good prospects of doing for Venezuela what other country directors have not even achieved. Marelisa Gibson is, quite simply, drop-dead gorgeous and a cinch to make heads turn 360 degrees in Las Vegas. If he does up the ante high enough come August, the South American country should give him a National Artist award and be tax-free for life!

Let’s see what wonders Venezuela will come up with next month! ;-)

Miss Universe 2010: Las Vegas, here they will come!

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Come August 22, Miss Universe 2010 will be crowned in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bright lights city has taken the chores of hosting the biggest global beauty pageant. It will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The different country representatives can now heave a sigh of relief that a venue has already been chosen.

Las Vegas has already hosted the Miss Universe Pageant in 1986 (when Venezuela’s Alicia Machado won) and 1991 (when Lupita Jones of Mexico was crowned.) Third time could be a charm for this “sin city” when gorgeous ladies from around the world start pouring in by the first week of August to vie for the most prestigious crown in beauty contests. Miss Universe 2009, Stefanía Fernández from Venezuela, will crown her successor at the end of this event. More than 80 countries and territories will compete for the title and the pageant will broadcast live on NBC and Telemundo.

Here are some early tidbits: For the first time, Azerbaijan will be represented. Haiti will also be returning. Bulgaria, on the other hand, won’t be fielding a candidate this year, just as Cayman Islands will be missed. Great Britain’s sash will be worn for the first time by a Latina – Tara Hoyos-Martinez – who is of Colombian descent. Nicaragua will have a black woman as its bet – another first for this Central American nation. We all know by now that the USA will have Rima Fakih – the first Arab-American to win the title, while the Philippines – barring any further complications – will be bannered by half-Indian Maria Venus Raj.

Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela will be crowning her successor in Las Vegas come August 22.

I’m sure the Filipino community in Las Vegas will be in full support for our own delegate, just as their counterparts in California and other US states will be in attendance.

Let’s all look forward to Miss Universe 2010! ;-)

Controversy hounds Miss Indonesia

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I read with much interest the controversy brewing over the newly-crowned Miss Indonesia (Puteri Indonesia 2009), Qori Sandioriva, who is getting a lot of criticisms and protests from Muslim clerics from the region of Aceh which she represented during the national pageant.

Qori Sandioriva

Sandioriva, 18, was born in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta but having an Acehnese mother allowed her to participate in the pageant as Miss Aceh. What triggered the anger was that she failed to wear a traditional veil that is supposed to follow the Sharia Law and which represents the values of Aceh province. The teenager reasoned out that she had to do away with the veil as it will cover her hair that would have lessened her chances of looking good and standing out in the contest. This further outraged Aceh’s Ulama Association through its Secretary General, Teung-ku Faisal Ali.

Qori Sandioriva, Miss Indonesia 2009 with Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009

Qori Sandioriva, Miss Indonesia 2009 with Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009

Now I’m beginning to wonder how furious Qori’s Muslim elders will become once she wears a swimsuit during next year’s Miss Universe Pageant. For the past number of years, controversies always erupted once Miss Indonesia would parade in swimwear during the same. Next year should be more newsworthy given the stricter traditions Ms. Sandioriva will follow.

I suppose this is the most modest attire she could wear in the Miss Universe without getting the ire of Muslim clerics

I suppose this is the most modest attire she could wear in the Miss Universe without getting the ire of Muslim clerics


Qori Sandioriva as Miss Aceh during the Miss Indonesia 2009 preliminaries.

Venezuela’s Miss Universe winners set Guinness World Record!

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Venezuela is experiencing a rich harvest season in the world of beauty pageants. After wins in the Miss Universe, Miss Intercontinental and a very successful staging of the Miss Venezuela 2010 finals, here’s another feather to add to their already fully-adorned cap. Guinness World Records recognized the country with the honor of having the Most Consecutive Wins of the Miss Universe Contest. This comes after Stefania Fernandez duplicated Dayana Mendoza’s efforts and achieved a rare back-to-back victory for Venezuela at the Miss Universe Pageant for 2008 and 2009.

(L-R) Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez, Jack Brockbank of Guinness World Records and Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza

(L-R) Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez, Jack Brockbank of Guinness World Records and Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza

I am quoting part of Jack Brockbank’s personal account of the awarding ceremony:

“On Friday 25 September I went to Caracas, Venezuela to present official Guinness World Records certificates to the current and previous winners of the Miss Universe contest. I had been invited there by Venevision, one of Venezuela’s most popular TV stations, as it is the first time in history that any country has ever won the Miss Universe contest two years running. I arrived in the evening and met with the producers. It was immediately clear what a massive event this was going to be for Venezuela. The Miss Universe and Miss World contests are like a national sport for them, in many ways as important and popular as football is in the UK!

The next day I was picked up from the hotel for the evening show, which was to go out live to the whole of Latin America. Back stage at the television studios I was introduced to a range of previous Miss Universes and Miss Venezuelas. Everyone was very excited and made me feel very welcome. A little later I was invited down to the studio and stood behind a screen, waiting for my section to begin. After a massive introduction and with dramatic music playing, the screen was raised and I approached the podium to give my presentation. Standing to my left were Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez, the previous and current Miss Universes and representatives from the organisations supporting them, The Miss Venezuela Organisation and The Cisneros Group of Companies.

After the show I was introduced to Stefania and Dayana and photographed with them in their dressing room. It had been a truly memorable moment for Guinness World Records and for Venezuela.”

Here is a video of the awarding ceremony shown on Venezuelan TV and the rest of Latin America:


video courtesy of YouTube/josevasb

Congratulations are in order for Dayana Mendoza, Stefania Fernandez, Osmel Sousa (and his team of beauty experts) and Venezuela! Kudos as well to Guinness World Records for recognizing this rare feat!

Image courtesy of Jack Brockbank of Guinness World Records

Miss Venezuela 2010: recap of winners!

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Marelisa Gibson Villegas, 20, from Miranda, was proclaimed Miss Venezuela Universe 2010 and will attempt for a back-to-back-to-back victory in the Miss Universe Pageant 2010 in a yet undisclosed venue. On the other hand, Adriana Vasini, 22, from Zulia, earned the right to represent her country in the Miss World 2010 in Nha Trang, Vietnam by virtue of winning the Miss Venezuela World crown, while Elizabeth Mosquera, 18, from Trujillo, was the 3rd victor after being named Miss Venezuela International and will gear up for next year’s Miss International to be held in Japan and China. Completing the Top 5 are 1st Runner-Up Mariangela Bonnani of Tachira and 2nd Runner-Up Jessica Guillen of Amazonas.

(L-R) Jessica Guillen of Amazonas, 2nd Runner-Up, Adriana Vasini of Zulia, Miss Venezuela World 2010, Marelisa Gibson of Miranda, Miss Venezuela Universe 2010, Elizabeth Mosquera of Trujillo, Miss Venezuela International 2010 and Mariangela Bonnani of Tachira, 1st Runner-Up

(L-R) Jessica Guillen of Amazonas, 2nd Runner-Up, Adriana Vasini of Zulia, Miss Venezuela World 2010, Marelisa Gibson of Miranda, Miss Venezuela Universe 2010, Elizabeth Mosquera of Trujillo, Miss Venezuela International 2010 and Mariangela Bonnani of Tachira, 1st Runner-Up

Actually, I was able to pick 4 of the 5 winners in a previous blog. I missed Elizabeth Mosquera (who I personally placed just in the Top 10) and thought that Flory Diez of Anzoategui would take at least a runner-up slot. Just the same, I think that the new set of winners will set a higher benchmark level for the next round of international finals in 2010.

The gorgeous Marelisa Gibson waves to the crowd after winning the top plum.

The gorgeous Marelisa Gibson waves to the crowd after winning the top plum.


Reigning Miss Universe and outgoing Miss Venezuela Universe Stefania Fernandez putting the sash on her successor, Marelisa Gibson. Do we see back-to-back-to-back wins in Miss Universe next year?

Reigning Miss Universe and outgoing Miss Venezuela Universe Stefania Fernandez putting the sash on her successor, Marelisa Gibson. Do we see back-to-back-to-back wins in Miss Universe next year?


A prophetic picture? Before the finals, these ladies were photographed together and all 3 of them ended up winning the national pageant. Left to right, Adriana Vasini of Zulia, Elizabeth Mosquera of Trujillo and Marelisa Gibson of Miranda.

A prophetic picture? Before the finals, these ladies were photographed together and all 3 of them ended up winning the national pageant. Left to right, Adriana Vasini of Zulia, Elizabeth Mosquera of Trujillo and Marelisa Gibson of Miranda.

Congratulations to all the winners! I’m dead sure that at least one of them will win one of the big crowns next year. I’m going for a gut-feel and predict that Marelisa Gibson might just score her country’s 7th Miss Universe title.