At Miss Universe pageant, Myanmar's contestant pleads 'our people are dying'

Myanmar's Miss Universe contestant, Thuzar Wint Lwin, used the pageant on Sunday to urge the world to speak out against the military junta, whose security forces have killed hundreds of opponents since it seized power in a Feb. 1 coup.

"Our people are dying and being shot by the military every day," she said in a video message for the competition, where she was appearing in the finals at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

"I would like to urge everyone to speak about Myanmar. As Miss Universe Myanmar since the coup, I have been speaking out as much as I can," she said.

Myanmar's junta spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment.

Thuzar Wint Lwin is among dozens of Myanmar celebrities, actors, social media influencers and sports people who have voiced opposition to the coup, in which elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown and detained.

At least 790 people have been killed by security forces since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group. It says over 5,000 people have been arrested, with some 4,000 still detained -- including several celebrities.

Thuzar Wint Lwin did not make it to the last round of the Miss Universe competition, but she won the award for Best National Costume, which was based on the ethnic costume of her Chin people from northwestern Myanmar, where fighting has raged in recent days between the army and anti-junta militia fighters.

As she paraded with her national costume, she held up a placard that said "Pray for Myanmar." 

-reuters-

Anti-racist group protests tweets about Miss France 2020

An anti-racist association said Friday it has filed a complaint with French prosecutors over racist comments posted on social media after a black woman from Guadeloupe was chosen Miss France 2020.

Clemence Botino has been the target of racist comments, especially on Twitter, since she won the title on December 14, the Representative Council of Black Associations (CRAN) said in a statement.

"These comments must be sanctioned, they are totally unacceptable," CRAN president Ghyslain Vedeux said.

He also criticised the platform Pharos, which the French government had put in place to fight against hate speech online.

"There was no reaction from the authorities, or the government," he added, especially complaining about the lack of action on the part of Marlene Schiappa, secretary of state in charge of fighting discrimination.

CRAN also pointed out that there had been racist tweets about Evelyne de Larichaudy, originally from Reunion, after she won the Miss Ile-de-France beauty contest.

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Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa crowned Miss Universe

Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa is crowned Miss Universe by her predecessor, Catriona Gray of the Philippines, at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday evening, US time. Tunzi is the third South African to win the Miss Universe crown following Margaret Gardiner in 1978 and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017.

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What Catriona told Gazini Ganados after Miss Universe PH win

MANILA – Gazini Ganados has big shoes to fill since she is succeeding Catriona Gray, who brought home the Miss Universe 2018 crown to become the Philippines’ fourth winner in the prestigious pageant.

Nonetheless, the 23-year-old beauty from Talisay City, Cebu takes comfort that she has everyone’s support, including Gray’s.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News early Monday morning, Ganados shared what Gray whispered to her on stage while she was crowning her as the new Miss Universe Philippines.

“She just encouraged me that this will be the start, this will be a new beginning. I appreciate it,” she said.

With this kind of pressure on her, Ganados vowed to do her best to represent the Philippines in the international stage the best way she can.

“We’ve been training. Maybe we will create a walk that would best suit us. And [we will work on] the physical appearance and the Q&A, of course. It is very important to be well informed about the things happening around,” she said.

When asked if she thinks her Latina looks would work to her advantage in the Miss Universe pageant, she said she appreciates the comments.

“I’ll take that as a compliment but it’s not just usually the outlook or your physical appearance; it’s usually what your heart says,” she said.

Ganados, who describes herself as a model on her Instagram page, is an only child and was raised by a single mother.

Growing up without a father figure, Ganados developed a close relationship with her grandparents. It is because of this that she was inspired to raise awareness of how special the elderlies are.

Ganados joined Miss World Philippines in 2014, as well as other several other local pageants.

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LOOK: Catriona Gray in Atlanta for NFL honors

MANILA – Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray flew to Atlanta on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to attend the National Football League (NFL) Honors ahead of this year’s Super Bowl.

During a Facebook live broadcast, Gray shared that she doesn’t know anything about American football but her New York apartment roommate, Miss USA 2018 Sarah Rose Summers, has been telling her all about it.

“Nothing. I have no idea. Sarah has been helping me understand the game,” she said.

Gray said she is more than excited to hit the red carpet because it will be her first one for this year and also a first with Summers.

Aside from attending the prestigious event, the two also got to meet Ryan Reynolds and Bozoma Saint John.

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Catriona Gray’s cover of ‘O Holy Night’ will lift your holiday spirit

MANILA – Before winning the Miss Universe 2018 crown, Catriona Gray gave Filipinos a Christmas gift in the form of a song.

A video of Gray singing her version of the Christmas carol “O Holy Night,” which was uploaded by IM Agency Manila in 2012, is now making the rounds online following her recent Miss Universe victory.

It has over 500,000 views as of writing. Watch it 


Days before the Miss Universe pageant, Gray released a song titled “We’re In This Together” as her way of supporting Young Focus International.

Prior to entering the pageant scene, Gray is known as a singer and model. 

She has a Master Certificate in Music Theory from Berklee College of Music in Boston.

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‘Next level fierce’: Tyra Banks wowed by Catriona’s Miss Universe performance

The Philippines’ Catriona Gray, the newly crowned Miss Universe, has earned new fans from around the world after the widely watched telecast of the pageant on Monday. 

Tyra Banks, it appears, is among them.

The American model and TV host took to Twitter in her reaction to Gray’s performance shortly after the Filipina’s crowning moment in Bangkok, Thailand.

Banks quoted an earlier tweet from Gray responding to her. They previously exchanged tweets about Gray’s trending “slow-mo twirl” in the Miss Universe preliminary competition.

“OMG back at you! You did it!” Banks wrote. “And that walk and confidence? I mean… Next level fierce! TyTy approves.”

Banks, perhaps best known for her original televised “Top Model” search that has spawned international versions, is considered an influential force in the fashion world and has mentored many who aspire to be like her.

“Fierce,” in particular, is a term she has used to encourage or motivate modeling neophytes, as seen in her TV shows.

Gray brings to Filipinos an early “Christmas gift,” after having clinched a fourth Miss Universe crown for the country after Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).

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What Miss Universe Catriona Gray said in first IG post since crowning

“I’ll forever be your Miss Philippines,” went the first Instagram post of Catriona Gray since she was crowned Miss Universe 2018 on Monday.

In the post shared to her followers — which notably doubled to two million in 24 hours — the beauty queen recalled that in her childhood, her mother had a prophetic dream of sorts about the crowning moment.

“When I was 13, my mum told me, ‘Honey, I dreamt of you winning Miss Universe in a red dress.’ At that time I thought nothing of it, and today my mother’s dream came true,” she captioned a set of photos showing her winning moment in Bangkok, Thailand.

Gray wore a Mayon Volcano-inspired red gown by Mak Tumang for her final look in the weeks-long competition, which saw her ultimately besting 93 other candidates from around the world.

“Where do I even begin? Lord God, I lift everything up to you — to glorify and honor you,” Gray said.

She went on, addressing her country and countrymen: “Philippines, what an amazing honor it has been to carry your name across my chest and to embody you in all aspects. I may now carry the sash of Miss Universe, but I'll forever be your Miss Philippines.”

Gray concluded her post by thanking each member of the team behind her Miss Universe bid.

Gray, 24, brings to Filipinos an early “Christmas gift,” after having clinched a fourth Miss Universe crown for the country after Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).

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Catriona Gray crowned Miss Universe

BANGKOK -- Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe here Monday, capping a two-year long journey from her heartbreaking loss at Miss World to her rise as visionary beauty queen and social media star.

The 24-year-old Filipino-Australian won the Philippines' fourth Miss Universe crown, pulling all the stops from a giant lantern strapped to her back, a slow-motion twirl in a hot pink bikini, and a long gown in flame hues that symbolized a mythical Filipino bird.

Fans screamed at the IMPACT Arena here as outgoing Miss Universe Demi Leigh Nel Peters from South Africa crowned her successor.

Pia Wurtzbach last won the Miss Universe crown for the Philippines in 2015 and the succeeding edition was hosted in Manila.

Tamaryn Green of South Africa was first runner-up followed by Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutiérrez.

During the final question, Gray was asked "What is the most important lesson you've learned in your life and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?"

She replied: "I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is... it's poor and very sad. And I've always taught myself to look for the beauty of it, to look for beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful. And I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe, to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. If I could teach also people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their faces. Thank you."

FROM THE WORLD TO THE UNIVERSE

Only 2 years ago, Gray was widely tipped to win the Miss World crown, a campaign that ended in defeat to Puerto Rico's Stephanie del Valle.

A photo of Gray weeping, clutching the Philippine flag close to her chest, made the rounds on social media platforms.

Miss World Philippines head Cory Quirino stepped down after Gray's defeat and the Philippines struggled to make the winner's circle of the London-based pageant since then.

Gray reemerged in January for the Binibining Pilipinas screenings, trading the high bun for long curls and the baby pink dress for a short red dress.

In an Instagram post at that time, Gray said much of her transformation happened away from the public eye.

The self-described "stubborn" and "visionary" beauty enlisted the help of a new team and went outside her old mentors' circle, which was largely behind the Philippines' hot streak at Miss Universe since Venus Raj broke the 10-year semifinals drought and finished in the top 5 in 2010.

The Philippines has made at least Top 10 at Miss Universe since Raj's breakthrough performance in Las Vegas. This year, the country's Miss International bet, Ahtisa Manalo placed first runner while Celeste Cortesi finished top 8 in Miss Earth.

FOR THE PHILIPPINES

Gray has 1 million followers on Instagram and her photo on the Miss Universe Facebook page was liked or loved by over 600,000 users, the most for any candidate.

She made ear cuffs a conversation piece when she wore a gold and diamond "three stars and the sun" on her right ear during her Miss Universe-Philippines crowning.

From there, her every move was rife with nationalist symbolism.

Her national costume, while difficult to walk in, paid homage to the Philippines' 3 main islands. A government body praised Gray for highlighting Filipino civilization before the Spanish occupation with her 'pintados' body suit.

Her fire orange and yellow gown stood out from a sea of sheer and gold tones, symbolizing both the Ibong Adarna, which can cure with song, and the rising phoenix from which the Miss Universe crown by Japanese jeweler Mikimoto was patterned after.

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‘Pinoy power to the max’: Tyra Banks has glowing words for Catriona Gray

She has probably seen it all, having screened countless of aspiring models strut on "America's Next Top Model," a fashion reality series she created and hosts that just wrapped up its 24th season.

So when former supermodel Tyra Banks gushes about a walk, it's perhaps the highest praise a model could receive in the runway world.

This Saturday, Banks' attention was turned towards Catriona Gray's "slow-mo twirl" during the Miss Universe preliminaries.

Her verdict? "I mean . . . Pinoy Power to the Max!!!" she tweeted after watching a recap of Gray's much-talked about performance.

This isn't the first time Banks has praised a Pinay. She is a known fan of young actress Maymay Entrata.

The 2018 Miss Universe is currently being held in Thailand, with the pageant's coronation night scheduled for this Monday.

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Rachel Peters thankful for Miss Universe experience

MANILA – She may not have won the crown, but Rachel Peters is still thankful for the opportunity to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2017 pageant.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Peters called her Miss Universe stint “my greatest achievement to date.”

She also thanked all the people who have supported her in her journey as a beauty queen.

“I am so lucky to have every single one of you in my life. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would be brave enough to do something like this, but you all are the reason I got to where I am,” she said.

“I’m still overwhelmed by all the love.”

Peters, who finished in the Top 10, assured her fellow Filipinos that she did her best in the pageant.

“I promise I gave my all, but I’ve always been a believer in fate, destiny, and God’s perfect timing, so I’m thankful for the opportunity and the memories,” she said.

“I am so looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me, and to come home to the Philippines,” she continued. “First thing on the agenda – sinigang!”

Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa was crowned Miss Universe 2017 in Las Vegas on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

The Philippines has three Miss Universe titleholders, with Pia Wurtzbach the last to win the crown in 2015.

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Rachel Peters in new Miss Universe bet

Rachel Peters (center) waves to the crowd shortly after being crowned the new Binibining Pilipinas Universe Monday. The Filipino-British Peters beat 39 other hopefuls in a glitzy, hours-long pageant at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

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Meet the boyfriend of Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere

MANILA - Rumors about the sexuality of Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere started going around after some got a little too nosy with her Instagram photos.

After seeing her getting cozy with a female friend, many were quick to jump to the conclusion that she's a lesbian. Having an openly gay woman as Miss Universe would have been unprecedented.

But as it turned out, Mittenaere, the first Frenchwoman to win the Miss Universe crown in decades, has a boyfriend, dentist Matthieu Declercq. She told GMA News that she's in love with him.

While the two may not share many photos together online, Declercq was seen supporting his lady love during the coronation night of the 65th Miss Universe pageant here in the Philippines.

And based on their Instagram posts, the two also have a lot in common such as their penchant for travelling and football aside from their love for oral hygiene.

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Miss Canada returning to PH for Tim Hortons launch

MANILA -- Miss Universe Canada 2016 and body positive activist Siera Bearchell is coming back to the Philippines.

Bearchell, who was just in the country last week as she competed in the 65th Miss Universe competition, will be returning to Manila for the local launch of Tim Hortons, Canada's iconic coffee and donuts chain, scheduled at the end of February.

"I'm coming for you!" the beauty queen told her Filipino fans in a Facebook post on Tuesday. "I cannot wait to see you all!"

Tim Hortons' first store in the Philippines will be at the Uptown Place Mall in Taguig.

Bearchell was part of the 65th Miss Universe pageant, where she finished in the top 9.

During her stay in the country, Bearchell made headlines when she took on critics who body-shamed her for her size, endearing herself to many Filipinos.

"As soon as I started to love who I was rather than always trying to fit what I thought society wanted me to be, I gained a whole new side of life," she said.

"This is the side I am trying to bring to the Miss Universe competition, the side of life that is so rare to find: self-worth and self-love. We always focus on the things we wish we could change rather than loving everything we are," she added.

On Tuesday, Bearchell once again slammed these shamers for their comments on Lady Gaga, who took the Super Bowl stage for an epic 12-minute halftime show wearing a bedazzled outfit that exposed her midriff.

She blasted the trolls for focusing on Lady Gaga's body rather than the apparent talent on display.

"Why are we bringing down this woman who just gave one of the best performances ever displayed on one of the biggest, most celebrated stages in the world?" she asked on her latest Facebook post. "Further, what message does that send our young women?"

"Regardless of your talent, we will still focus merely on the physical appearance of your body? Despite your creativity and genius ideas, we will only talk about your waistline?

"Even though you may be the first woman to forge a path in your field, we will only compare your body to our expectations of beauty? It's time to change this conversation," she concluded.

According to Bearchell, she will be auctioning off a dress she wore at the Miss Universe pageant to raise funds for her cause of giving young women who have ever questioned their self-worth role models.

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France crowned Miss Universe in celebration of diversity

MANILA - France's Iris Mittenaire was crowned Miss Universe on Monday in a glittering ceremony that celebrated diversity and overcoming life struggles over the perfect runway strut that has become the pageant's trademark for decades.

Mittenaire touted the open immigration policy of her country and Europe as the United States under Donald Trump tightened immigration controls. She said she sees mistakes as learning experiences.

Haiti's Raquel Pelissier placed first runner-up while Colombia's Andrea Tovar finished second runner-up. The Philippines' Maxine Medina, Thailand's Chalita Suansane and Kenya's Mary Esther Were completed the top six.

DIVERSITY

The 13 semifinalists included women of color: Tovar, Were, the United States' Deshauna Barber, Brazil's and Raissa Santana.

Canada's Siera Bierchell talked about how she overcame criticism about her weight while Indonesia's Kezia Warouw spoke of the awkwardness of being six feet tall, one foot taller than the average woman in her country.

Peru's Valeria Piazza overcame an accident that nearly paralyzed her. She said participating in Miss Universe was her main motivation.

Blonde and statuesque Mariam Habach from Venezuela, a favorite during the preliminaries, missed the first cut.

The show opened with tight close ups of the contestants, rallying women to be strong and hosts Steve Harvey and Ashley Graham played up how this year's batch included a microbiolgist and an army soldier.

"Every shape every size every height is beautiful. You should not be defined by what you wear. You should not be defined by material wealth," Were said in a video message.

Bierchell said joining pageants helped her do humanitarian work in Kenya. "Pageants can be a platform to achieve your greatest dreams," she said.

The pageant was a showcase for Philippine tourism, which hosted Miss Universe for the third time since 1974.

"I think it's time to bring the Philippines back on the world stage.... We have so much beauty and so much to offer," Wurtzbach said.

Watch the 65th Miss Universe coronation live on ABS-CBN Channel 2 on January 30, 2017 Monday 8 a.m. (Manila time)

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What do judges look for in the new Miss Universe?

MANILA - Half of the panel of judges of the 65th Miss Universe are former titleholders who are keen on finding a winner who has more to offer than just charming looks, good posture, and the cliche answer of 'world peace' to every question.

DAYANARA TORRES

Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres said she wants the new Miss Universe to be "somebody who has personality."

"We need somebody who can bring some happiness. Whatever she says, people will listen so somebody who can handle that kind of job," Torres said.

Torres also hopes to crown a person who "is not just like a robot answering prepared questions."

"The preliminaries is the best part because you get to see them and get to talk to them one-by-one. You get to see a little more of their personality: What they are and how they act," she said.

SUSHMITA SEN

Torres' successor, Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen, described her ideal Miss Universe as a "spectacular, 21st century woman."

"She has to be someone who is unapologetic about being beautiful; someone who can elevate her life and lead it by example; someone who can inspire change; someone who has a soul; and someone who you just look at and say, 'Ah! Miss Universe!'" Sen said.

LEILA LOPES

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes said she is "looking for a girl who is confident, beautiful and strong."

Lopes said she even browsed the Instagram accounts of candidates in search of "a girl who is going to inspire other women and young girls."

"I'm not going to look for a girl who looks like me or talks like me or has the same ideas as me. I'm going to look for the best," Lopes said


LAST-MINUTE TIPS

Though Miss Universe Organization chief Paula Shugart has been vocal in saying that the next winner will have "big shoes to fill" because of the performance and work ethic of the reigning Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach declined to give her successor tips on how to be a successful titleholder.

"Each reign is different. I don't want to try to dictate what she should do," Wurtzbach said.

"I dont want to have to teach her the ways because she'll learn it as she goes along, just like what I did," Wurtzbach added.

Meanwhile, Sen reminded candidates to calm their nerves and just enjoy the show.

"You've come this far, you've represented your country beautifully. When you stand on that stage, don't be sad. Applaud and celebrate your countries," Sen said.

Watch the 65th Miss Universe coronation live on ABS-CBN Channel 2 on January 30, 2017 Monday 8 a.m. (Manila time)

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Miss Universe judges named

MANILA – The full list of judges for the 65th Miss Universe pageant has finally been revealed.

Included in the panel for the coronation night are former Miss Universe winners Dayanara Torres, Sushmita Sen, and Leila Lopes.

Torres, who was crowned in 1993, arrived in Manila on Tuesday and was ecstatic to be back in the Philippines.

“It’s great to be a judge. This is my third time actually being a judge. It’s fun. It’s definitely less nerve-wracking because you’re not the one standing on stage. You’re only judging. But hopefully, we’ll find the perfect girl for the job,” she said.

Sen, on the other hand, will be arriving in the country on Thursday, 23 years after she was crowned as Miss Universe in the Philippines 1994.

“I am so excited, emotional and looking forward to returning home to the Philippines after 23 years. It’s where it all began. Life comes full circle from winning Miss Universe to having owned its Indian Franchise to now…returning back to Manila this time as a judge,” she wrote on Instagram.

Meantime, Lopes, who won the Miss Universe in 2011, said on social media that she is already excited to come to the Philippines.

Aside from the three former Miss Universe winners, also part of the judges’ panel are fashion magazine editor Mickey Boardman, television star Cynthia Bailey, as well as social entrepreneur Francine LeFrak.

Miss Universe also announced that some of the finals judges will also be judging in the preliminary competition.

Included in the list of preliminary judges are Torres, Bailey, LeFrak, former journalist Rob Goldstone, president of the People's Choice Awards Fred Nelson and Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori.

Watch the 65th Miss Universe coronation live on ABS-CBN Channel 2 on January 30, 2017 Monday 8 a.m. (Manila time)

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Cebu joins Las Vegas, Bahamas as Miss Universe bikini spot

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – Eighty-six women paraded in swimsuits before international cameras at a water park here, as this island province sought to reassert itself as a tourism destination by hosting Miss Universe candidates.

Cebu’s JPark Island Resort joined the ranks of Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas and Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas as among few destinations in the world that hosted the 65-year-old pageant’s swimsuit presentation.

“We're looking at it as good for the country because we can put Cebu all over the world,” park owner Justin Uy told ABS-CBN News.

“By hosting it, it means we can do it. We have the quality, we have the staff and Cebu is really the right venue,” he added.

Cebu is the second-most popular point of entry for foreign tourists after Metro Manila, accounting for nearly 18 percent of the half a million arrivals in October last year, data from the Department of Tourism showed.

Aside from JPark, Cebu also hosts hotels from the Shangri-La and Marco Polo chains and one of the largest developments of SM Prime Holdings, SM Seaside.

The Philippines is hosting the Miss Universe pageant for the third time in 43 years and half a month’s worth of activities include visits to Boracay Island, the Hispanic city of Vigan and the mountain resort city of Baguio.



Watch the 65th Miss Universe coronation live on ABS-CBN Channel 2 on January 30, 2017 Monday 8 a.m. (Manila time)

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LOOK: More Miss Universe candidates arrive in Manila

More beauty queens arrived in Manila on Friday to complete the remaining 86 countries competing for the 65th Miss Universe pageant at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 30. The ancillary events leading to the coronation night will begin Saturday, with an event in the Philippines' famous island getaway Boracay.

Here are some images of the arrival of the Miss Universe candidates.

Miss Universe Italy Sofia Sergio arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila for the Miss Universe pageant on Friday.

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LOOK: Luxury yacht of Miss Universe candidates

MANILA – The luxury yacht to be used by the candidates of the 65th Miss Universe pageants has arrived in Manila.

Called “Happy Life,” the triple-decker Alfamarine boat was brought from Italy by former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson.


Singson, along with Okada Manila, Solar Entertainment Corporation and Philippine Airlines, are among the major sponsors of the Miss Universe pageant scheduled on January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The former Ilocos Sur Governor said his group shouldered about $12.9 million for the event.

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