Miss Universe 2009

All posts tagged Miss Universe 2009

Still undisputed: Venezuela’s back-to-back Miss Universe wins

Posted by Norman on April 12, 2020
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza and Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez (Photo by Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images for Univision)

Photo by Dario Cantatore/Getty Images

The record remains undisputed to date. Venezuela’s back-to-back wins in Miss Universe, that is. In the modern history of this pageant, there were close calls to break the solo bragging rights. But what amuses me is that a Filipina always blocked the way for them to happen. Like last 2015 when Pia Wurtzbach prevented Ariadna Gutierrez of Colombia from following the victory of Paulina Vega. Or last 2018 when Catriona Gray obstructed Tamaryn Green of South Africa from directly connecting with the reign of Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters the year before.

Venezuelans Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez are like two peas in a pod who distinguished themselves from the rest of the litter, so to speak. The former nailed the title of Miss Universe 2008 in Nha Trang, Vietnam inspite of facing tough opposition from Taliana Vargas of Colombia. On the other hand, Estefania Fernandez may have needed to pass through the eye of a needle before squeaking past Ada Aimee dela Cruz of the Dominican Republic and Marigona Dragusha of Kosovo.

Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez and Osmel Sousa (Photo by Rodrigo Varela/WireImage)

At the end of the day, both Dayana and Stefania owned their achievements, and proved that they deserved the back-to-back. And this is most especially true during their respective reigns when they were able to sustain the continuous popularity of Miss Universe from Latin America to Asia and beyond.

Without a doubt, this ranks high as one of the best shining moments of Osmel Sousa (right photo with Stefania) and the entire country of Venezuela in international pageantry.

Three Venezuelan Queens in one frame: (L-R) MU2013 Gabriela Isler, MU2008 Dayana Mendoza and MU2009 Stefania Fernandez when they attended the Angel Sanchez fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2015 at The Pavilion at Lincoln Center on September 8, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

Sunday Senti Specials: Bianca Manalo then and now

Posted by Norman on March 1, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

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Bianca's looks from 2009 till now

July, 2009 was the time that got me started in blogging. While I don’t necessarily credit our subject today as the reason behind my active online presence and all, she was the primary focus at the time.

Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2009 Pamela Bianca Ramos Manalo represented our country during Miss Universe 2009 held in Nassau, Bahamas. It may not have been the most memorable of all participations, but still, it had its news-worthy points such as the huge-bow-accented evening gown of Alfredo Barraza she wore during the Preliminaries.

Some pageant fans thought she really had a good shot at making the first cut at least. She was considered one of the many favorites in the host city. But sadly, it wasn’t meant to be.

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane about her.

Here is the clip showing the announcement of winners during Bb. Pilipinas 2009.

courtesy of Green

And I bet you can still remember the time when she went to Colombia prior to arriving in Nassau, Bahamas for Miss Universe 2009?

courtesy of Beauty Mania Org

More importantly, can you still recall how she did during the Miss Universe 2009 Presentation Show?

courtesy of LIFE

And how about her launching Afternoon Program on ABS-CBN, “Juanita Banana”?

courtesy of Beki Mon

image Bianca is still active in showbiz. Aside from continuous teleserye projects at ABS-CBN, she is affiliated with both Star Magic and now with Mercator Artist and Model Management for her other modeling stints.

Do you have fond thoughts of her that we can perhaps discuss below?

Or are we still stuck with that blue gown she got identified with ever since?

Below is a video of Bianca’s latest TV guesting on The Tim Yap Show. Check out the much shorter haircut now. 😉

courtesy of GMA Network

MJ Lastimosa: Roaring and raring to do Miss Universe

Posted by Norman on November 14, 2014
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa as photographed by Jack Alindahao

Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa as photographed by Jack Alindahao

MJ (1st from right) with the other Bb. Pilipinas 2014 Queens

MJ (1st from right) with the other Bb. Pilipinas 2014 Queens

In the accompanying article by Paul Palmero(published in Inquirer.net) of the photos above, it made mention that Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa is “gathering strength to triumph in Miami this January“. And I can attest to that.

MJ is preparing hard for the competition you can never imagine the sacrifices and the perks she is giving up all for love of flag and country. For starters, you can bet that she will be eating a lot less but more on meals with nutritional value over the festive holidays. That’s tough, but she doesn’t mind at all.

I’m with you all the way, dear! 🙂

Would you consider Zuhair Murad’s style for our Binibinis?

Posted by Norman on July 13, 2013
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , .

zuhair1 Zuhair Murad (photo left) is a Lebanese fashion designer who has gained much success globally with his haute couture and ready-to-wear (even eyewear) lines. With shops both in his native country and in Milan, Italy, the guy’s creations have been worn by celebrities (and royalties) like Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Ivana Trump and Princess Al-Taweel of Saudi Arabia . Pageant-wise, he lent his creative genius to the long gown worn by Miss France 2009 Chloé Mortaud who went on to place 6th during the Miss Universe finals held at Atlantis in the Bahamas. Watch his latest collection in the video below:

courtesy of Zuhair Murad

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How I would love to see our Ara wear a divine Zuhair Murad piece like the one above!

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Meanwhile, the style above should look well on Bea Santiago for Miss International, no?

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Mutya will float like a goddess in Belarus with this!

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And Cindy Miranda? She should be able to bring this number with a lot of oomph!

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What do you say about this one for Pia Wurtzbach if she gets fielded abroad?

Norman’s Blog turns 4!

Posted by Norman on July 9, 2013
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .

4yearslater

4 may be an unlucky number for the Chinese. Not for this blog's anniversary, though.

4 may be an unlucky number for the Chinese. Not for this blog’s anniversary, though.

July 9 is and will always be memorable for me. This is the date back in 2009 when I started my alternate life as a blogger. While my wealth of pageant knowledge is enough reason to be one, what triggered me wasn’t any earth-shaking reason or occurence. I simply wanted to post my online thoughts about Miss Universe 2009 held in the Bahamas. That was enough to start the ball rolling, so to speak. What was initially intended as just a short-lived online site turned 1, 2, and 3 in number of years. Forgive my dramatics, but I can’t believe that I have already reached my 4th blogoversary. If that’s not enough, my statistics are fast approaching an all-time high of 4 million hits – averaging nearly 1 million per year for a one-man effort. Not bad, considering that I kept on questioning my viewership reach at the onset.

4blog1 Nowadays, life won’t be complete without the trusty Note 8.0 and Google Nexus tab by my side. They make blogging so much easier, such that I can come up with new posts in a jiffy – wherever, whenever and however. Gone are the start-up years when all I had to rely on was a laptop that has been succeeded by so many updates and upgrades. As soon as I wake up in the morning, I come up with at least 1-2 new scheduled posts even before taking a cold shower. It has become a routine alright. But something repetitive that has become neither cumbersome nor mentally demanding.

Allow me to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported Norman’s Blog by way of daily visits, steady following, regular replies/comments, active participation in discussions and what-have-yous. I won’t go into naming names of supporters anymore because you know who you are (and I don’t want to miss a single soul). The road has not always been a smooth one – what with bumps, humps and lumps along the way. But it’s something I will not exchange the past four years of my blogging life for anything less fulfilling and exhilarating. Maraming Salamat po! 😀

Renate Cerljen: Miss Earth Sweden 2011 will shine in Manila

Posted by Norman on November 21, 2011
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , .

Miss Earth-Sweden 2011 Renate Cerljen is a sight for sore eyes!

Renate Cerljen is no pageant greenhorn. She has represented Sweden in two earlier international beauty competitions and placed in both. Way back in 2009, she took part in the Miss Universe Pageant held in Bahamas and landed a spot in the Top 15. And last year, she flew to China for the Miss Beauty of the World contest. She placed fifth.

This time around, the 23 year-old Swede – who used to be an elite gymnast – will invade Manila for Miss Earth 2011. She was handpicked by the people behind Miss Universe Sweden to be the country’s bet for the environment-focused tilt that will see around 80 ladies vying for the crown currently worn by India’s Nicole Faria.

What are her chances in the contest? I’m confident that she will be one of the front-runners. If a European is destined to win this year (the last one was a long time ago), then she should be up for the task. Let’s see how the competition holds up once all delegates arrive for Miss Earth 2011. 😉

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

Posted by Norman on May 22, 2010
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, Blog Bites: Miss Universe 2010. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

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! 😉

Bianca Manalo comes home

Posted by Norman on September 8, 2009
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2009 Bianca Manalo fresh from her Miss Universe stint in the Bahamas.

Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2009 Bianca Manalo fresh from her Miss Universe stint in the Bahamas.

Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2009 Bianca Manalo was recently feted by the local organizers to a homecoming press conference at the Gateway Mall. She may not have placed in the competition, but she did the country proud with her efforts of doing so. She became one of the favorites and was even highly regarded by many pageant enthusiasts around the world…well, that is, until the shutout of Asian candidates in the semifinals.

Manalo said, ” I am so blessed and honored to represent the more than 80 million filipinos in the most prestigious pageant in the world. There were lessons learned during my 3 weeks stay in Bahamas. I’ve found not only 83 new friends from different parts of the globe but also won the respect and admiration of filipinos who took their time to gave their supports during my campaign in the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant.”

Bianca Manalo as photographed during her homecoming press conference at the Gateway Mall last weekend.

Bianca Manalo as photographed during her homecoming press conference at the Gateway Mall last weekend.

The same press conference was graced with the presence of the two other reigning Binibining Pilipinas winners – Marie-Ann Umali (Bb. Pilipinas-World) and Melody Gersbach (Bb. Pilipinas-International) – who are next in line for competitions in South Africa and China, respectively. Mrs. Stella Marquez de Araneta, Chairperson of BPCI, was also around to welcome Bianca Manalo back.

Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Bianca Manalo posing with Bb. Pilipinas-World Marie-Ann Umali (L) and Bb. Pilipinas-International Melody Gersbach (R).

Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Bianca Manalo posing with Bb. Pilipinas-World Marie-Ann Umali (L) and Bb. Pilipinas-International Melody Gersbach (R).

If I am not mistaken, this is the first homecoming press conference hosted by BPCI for a non-winner so Bianca must have really done a great job in the Bahamas regardless of the outcome.

Welcome back, girl!

Images courtesy of Noli Berioso/OPMB Worldwide Forums.

Stefania Fernandez on top of the world (universe, if you will)

Posted by Norman on September 4, 2009
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , , .

One of the biggest perks of winning the Miss Universe crown is a year’s stay in New York City where she will reside in one of the plush apartments at Trump World Tower right smack in the busy streets of Manhattan. This is exactly what recently-crowned Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela is experiencing at the moment. She is literally on top of the world (universe, if you will) and having the time of her life in the Big Apple.

Here’s a shot of Stefania at the Empire State Building.

Stefania Fernandez is living it up in the Big Apple!

Stefania Fernandez is living it up in the Big Apple!

In addition, she wins a US$100,000 scholarship at the New York Film Academy and loads of other prizes that can make other wannabes green with envy. She should also take advantage of all the opportunities that will come flooding her way within the next 12 months or until the next Miss Universe gets to be chosen in 2010.

p.s. Stefania is now in the middle of English-language lessons to help her get through the numerous interviews she will give throughout her reign.

image courtesy of ecurb of OPMB Worldwide Forums.

Thank you, Bianca!

Posted by Norman on August 26, 2009
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages. Tagged: , , .

As we close the chapter of Miss Universe 2009, let me take this blog opportunity to send my heartfelt thanks to our representative, Bianca Manalo.

Miss Philippines, Bianca Manalo, during the Miss Universe 2009 reception.

Miss Philippines, Bianca Manalo, during the Miss Universe 2009 reception.

Bianca may not have reached her objective in the Bahamas. But in the eyes of all Filipinos and supporters from other countries, she made all of us proud with her mesmerizing beauty, unstinting fighting spirit and total grace under pressure.

Miss Philippines during the Miss Universe 2009 auction.

Miss Philippines during the Miss Universe 2009 auction.

Bianca will always be remembered as the Filipina beauty who gave the Philippines reason to hope. I know that it was heart-breaking for her not to make the Top 15 at the very least, but all things being equal, she did an excellent job all around. Many external factors may not have gone to her favor and….on second thought, let’s not even go there so as not to spoil things up.

Bianca's offering of pearl necklace and earrings during the Miss Universe auction.

Bianca's offering of pearl necklace and earrings during the Miss Universe auction.

You should come home to the Philippines with head held high. We know how you tirelessly fought to reclaim some glory for your country and for that, Maraming, maraming salamat!

Mabuhay ka, Bianca!

One final smile from Bianca. We're proud of you, girl!

One final smile from Bianca. We're proud of you, girl!

Images above are courtesy of OPMB Worldwide Forums.