Your blogger with Cloie Syquia Skarne during ME2016
It’s already a given that Filipinos are the best exports the country has. Be it in contracted work or immigration, our kababayans almost always excel in anything that they set their hearts into, pageantry included.
In the Scandinavian region and Western Europe, four (4) Filipinas have scored wins in the national pageants of their respective home countries. These ladies went on to compete for three of the biggest crowns in international beauty contests – Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth. And the Pinoy connection cannot be denied. Apart from looks and names, they themselves have proudly stated their roots.
1) Froken Norge or Miss Universe Norway 2007 Kirby Ann Basken (who also represented the Philippines during Miss Intercontinental 2006)
2) Miss World Denmark 2011 Maya Celeste Padillo Olsen (Conceived in Nepal, born in the Philippines and raised in Denmark, Maya’s second name originated from her grandfather Celestino)
3) Miss Earth Sweden 2016 Cloie Syquia Skarne (we all know that she is the daughter of actor Gabby Concepcion and Jenny Syquia)
4) Miss Belgium 2018 Angeline Flor Pua (she is 100% Pinoy in heritage)
Miss Japan, Riyo Mori crowned Miss Universe 2007 (Photo by Victor Chavez/WireImage)
Miss Japan, Riyo Mori crowned Miss Universe 2007 (Photo by Victor Chavez/WireImage)
The victory of Riyo Mori during Miss Universe 2007 easily sticks out in the mind of followers of modern pageant history because: 1) an Asian delegate prevailed over the Latinas in their own turf which presumably led to 2) Zuleyka Rivera looking disenchanted when she crowned her successor especially that 3) Riyo wore the most non-pageant competition evening gown on the road to the crown, and 4) another Asian – Honey Lee of Korea – making it all the way to Top 5 (which happened again in 2011 when the Philippines and China emerged as runners-up).
Donald Trump gave his two thumbs up to the win of Riyo Mori regardless of his personal preferences. After all, pageantry is and will always be a business. And the Japanese beauty really delivered when it mattered. Never mind the pressure from the Latin American audience and watchers. Truth be told, I was secretly hoping then that Natalia Guimaraes of Brazil would be named winner. But 1st Runner-Up ain’t bad.
Photo by Marc Stamas/Getty Images
The life of Riyo took a 180-degree turn from the time she was named Miss Universe 2007. From being a ballet dancer and model/actress in Japan, she embraced the bigger limelight and made herself available for all the commitments and public demands of the title. As a result, she was one of the most well-traveled titleholders after visiting Indonesia, Spain, the Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis, China, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Vietnam, France, Monaco, San Marino, Russia and Italy throughout her reign.
Below is a video of Riyo being interviewed by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray during Miss USA 2019.
Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage
Riyo eventually starred in the MTV reality TV show “Pageant Place” that ran for one season, as well as the VH1 program “The Price of Beauty”. She was last seen in the Philippines as judge during the 65th Miss Universe. Below is one of her photos in Atlanta, Georgia where she also served as judge during Miss Universe 2019.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 08: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori attends the 2019 Miss Universe Pageant at Tyler Perry Studios on December 08, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Ayako Hara is one of the Asian delegates of Miss Universe 2012 with a long shot at winning the Diamond Nexus crown later in the week. And I wouldn’t be shocked if she eventually does a Riyo Mori should her lucky stars cooperate. Of course, with the forceful strength of the Latinas, the hard-to-ignore string of European bombshells and fellow regional reps who have shown fierceness to the max, she still needs to prove herself worthy. And in last week’s preliminaries, she has shown her outstanding potentials in all rounds. From hereon, how far can she actually go? A sure Top 16 slot? Very Possible. A breeze to the Top 10? Why not? This Japanese knockout has what it takes to give the others a good run for their money. Let’s see what magic tricks she still has up her sleeve. 😉
Lebanon is one of a few or more countries which send the same representative to the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants.
For 2011, Yara Khoury-Mikhael is the girl who will anchor Lebanon’s participation in the Miss Universe 2011 in Sao Paulo, Brazil and the Miss World 2011 in London, England (and possibly, even Miss International 2011 if the schedule permits). The 19 year-old, who stands 1.76m (5’9 1/2″), is a fashion model and student at the Lebanese American University.
So what are Yara’s chances in Sao Paulo? Well, let’s put it this way. I don’t see the full glam appeal of Georgina Rizk (the first and only Lebanese to win Miss Universe way back in 1971) nor the subtle charm and elegance of Christina Sawaya (the first and only Lebanese to win Miss International last 2002) in her. At least not yet. But who knows what she has up her sleeves to deliver in any of the two or three Grand Slam beauty competitions? Let’s see what she can work her way into come pageant time. 😉
When Aferdita Dreshaj was crowned Miss Universe Kosovo 2011, pageant followers around the world gasped with eyes wide open. Here is a singer/celebrity in her own country and a model at that who embodies the real meaning of a glamazonic beauty. Literally standing 6 feet tall (1.83m) without heels on, she can effortlessly tower above ladies surrounding her, let alone guys who thought that they are already safely vertical at 6’1″ or thereabouts.
So back to my question. Is she your type of Miss Universe? Donald Trump will surely find Aferdita to his liking, and I bet she will take the route of last year’s Rozzana Purcell who remains firmly etched in a bite from the man’s apple. And there’s an even better chance that she will make it to the Top 5 if she plays her cards right. But then again, she might also end up acting like a diva from start to finish. She is used to all the attention, the flashes from cameras and the adulation of the press. In the company of equally gorgeous ladies in top fighting form, she is likely to rub others the wrong way.
Aferdita has legs that stretch out forever!
But Miss Universe is not the biggest and most prestigious beauty pageant in the world for nothing. Each continent offers its best and brightest bets. And for now, Aferdita holds the European banner up high. In my opinion, she can take on a Vanessa Goncalvez or a Roselin Luo Zi Lin without lifting a finger.
But let’s hold our breath first and wait to exhale once we finally see her arrive in Sao Paulo. That will be the real acid test on what kind of impact she will emanate when pitted against the other delegates.
Truth be told, Aferdita is a front-runner at this point. She may not be my ideal type of Miss Universe, but if luck is on her side, then all remaining contenders will do well accepting their respective fates. Kosovo is blood-thirsty for a first Miss Universe crown (after placing well in a couple of the recent editions) and 2011 could be the year to realize that.
Below is the video of Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori appealing for support and donations for her countrymen.
As the whole world knows by now, the deadly earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last week is a grim reminder to everyone that life is too short. The hardest-hit Eastern part of the country needs our help and prayers.
If you’re either a Globe or Smart subscriber, you can send your donations by following the instructions below:
Globe subscribers: you can help Japan via mobile donations to the Philippine National Red Cross. Send RED to 2899. You can donate 5, 25, 100, 300, 500, or 1000.
Smart subscribers: Send RED to 4143. You can donate 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500, or 1000.
The amount specified (in Philippine ₱) will be deducted from the prepaid subscriber’s load credit or charged to a postpaid user’s next monthly bill. For those who have a credit card ready, they can donate at least ¥100 through Google Checkout via this LINK.
video courtesy of itnnews
Please donate to the Japan earthquake and tsunami victims. You can course them through several worldwide agencies. Learn more by clicking HERE.
If, by now, you’re still at a loss on what to do when tsunami strikes, read Christopher Beam’s article below:
Tsurvival : What to do if a tsunami hits
A tsunami hit the Japanese coastline north of Tokyo Friday, triggered by a massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake. The official death toll is more than 300. How do you survive a tsunami?
Run uphill. If a tsunami is on its way, the safest place is naturally-formed high ground, like a hill or a mountain, as far from the coastline as possible. Otherwise, the roof of a tall, sturdy building will do. (Big beachfront hotels tend to be secure; small wooden houses are not.) If you can’t get to high ground in time, the last best option is to climb a strong-looking tree as high as you can. Trees often get torn out of the ground during tsunamis, though, so choose wisely. If you can’t find a tree or a structure to climb, cling to something that floats, like a log or a fishing boat. If you’re in a boat on the ocean when the tsunami hits, don’t head to shore—the most damage is done right along the coastline.
If you’re smart, however, you’ll have prepared ahead of time. First, learn whether you’re in a region with a risk of tsunamis. (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration can tell you the risk of an earthquake or tsunami in your area.) Devise an evacuation plan that would get you to the nearest high ground fast. Don’t count on roads being accessible, since they might be overcrowded or damaged from an earthquake. It doesn’t hurt to have a disaster supply kit with food, water, and first-aid materials. Learn to swim.
Know the warning signs of a tsunami, because every second counts. An earthquake is a clear tip-off—if the ground rumbles and you’re near the ocean, move. Some areas have emergency alarms that sound when a tsunami is about to hit, but most don’t, and a tremor may be the only signal you get. If you’re on a beach, you can tell a tsunami is coming because the water often gets sucked away from the beach before rushing back onto land. (Think of an extreme version of the way water runs ocean-ward past your ankles before a wave arrives.) At that point, you may have mere seconds to find shelter. Animals rushing away from the shore is another warning sign. Resist the temptation to watch the waves come in.
Wherever you end up, stay there until emergency authorities issue an “all clear.” Tsunamis come in multiple waves, and the first one is rarely the biggest. After the water recedes, hazards remain: electrical wires, rickety bridges, and houses that are still mid-collapse. As a rule of thumb, don’t enter buildings that are still full of water.
Once more, please donate to the Japan earthquake and tsunami victims. You can course them through several worldwide agencies. Learn more by clicking HERE.
If you’re either a Globe or Smart subscriber, you can send your donations by following the instructions below:
Globe subscribers: you can help Japan via mobile donations to the Philippine National Red Cross. Send RED to 2899. You can donate 5, 25, 100, 300, 500, or 1000.
Smart subscribers: Send RED to 4143. You can donate 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500, or 1000.
The amount specified (in Philippine ₱) will be deducted from the prepaid subscriber’s load credit or charged to a postpaid user’s next monthly bill. For those who have a credit card ready, they can donate at least ¥100 through Google Checkout via this LINK.
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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