Ariella Arida sizzles in Hermes bikini

MANILA -- Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida appears on the cover of Metro magazine's "Body" special, which was announced early this week as the ABS-CBN publication's first monthly issue in 2014.

On the issue's cover unveiled by Metro on its Facebook page, the chemistry graduate from Alaminos, Laguna is seen posing in a bikini top with colorful print and a grey bottom -- both, along with a scarf tied to Arida's wrist, said to be Hermes pieces.

The Body Issue, which also marks Metro's 25th anniversary, features several other personalities who "give an all new meaning to bold and daring."




Among those posing sexy for the magazine are Brent Javier, Carlos Agassi, Cristine Reyes, Dennis Trillo, Enrique Gil, Jake Letts, Janna Tee, Jason Abalos, JC de Vera, Jessica Yang, Joaco Cañas, John James Uy and Rafa Siguion-Reyna.

Also included in the "Metro Body" list are Randy See, Raphael Robes, Rayver and Rodjun Cruz, Rufa Mae Quinto, Sam Concepcion, Sky Yang, Sunshine Cruz, Tom Rodriguez, Valerie Weigmann, Victor Basa, Vince Ferraren, the Viva Hot Babes and Wendy Tabusalla.

This year, Metro's Body Issue, also released last January, had actor Enchong Dee on the cover. He was joined in the list by personalities including Megan Young, Joseph Marco and Jessy Mendiola.

Metro's January 2014 issue is out in newsstands now.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How Latinas treated Ariella in Miss Universe

MANILA -- Ariella Arida admitted she was apprehensive about meeting some candidates in Miss Universe, as she arrived in host country Russia amid a controversy surrounding her allegedly offensive comment about Latinas in the pageant.

The 24-year-old Laguna-born beauty arrived home Tuesday afternoon after finishing 3rd runner-up in the 62nd Miss Universe pageant, where Venezuela's Gabriela Isler was crowned winner.

During a press conference shortly after her arrival in the Philippines, Arida was asked to relate how she interacted with the Latinas in Miss Universe in light of her earlier comment on their English-speaking skills.

Before leaving for Russia early this month, Arida mentioned how Latina contestants in international pageants have difficulty "completing a sentence in English."

The comment was brought up by radio personality Mo Twister, and was subsequently defended by Arida's peers in the local pageant scene. Arida herself apologized for the comment later on.

When asked Tuesday who among her fellow contestants she formed close relationships with, Arida said, laughing, "Actually close ko si Panama (Carolina Brid), si Spain (Patricia Rodríguez) and Venezuela."

Arida was then asked if any issue surfaced between her and the group of Latinas in Miss Universe. Explaining she was nervous about meeting them in Moscow, Arida said she was relieved her apprehensions were unfounded.






"Ako, actually, nag-reach out ako ta's parang ewan ako, nag-e-explain ako, hindi nila alam kung ano 'yung sinasabi ko. Parang ganun," she said.

"So wala po, sobrang... Pagpunta ko do'n, sobrang concerned nga ako baka mamaya galit sila sa akin. Syempre, hindi nila alam kung ano 'yung real story, pero wala, pagpunta ko po doon, ang healthy ng environment," Arida added.

The beauty queen was also happy to share that she became close with Brazil's Jakelyne Oliveira, who earlier had to deny being behind a Twitter account criticizing Arida for her Latina remark.

"Si Miss Brazil, close din kami, kasi nga... Actually ako 'yung lumapit sa kanya because of the Twitter thing. Siya din nag-explain sa akin na hindi totoo 'yon, na wala siyang Twitter and all. Sobrang close po, sobrang healthy ng environment," Arida said.

Interestingly, Arida was the only non-Latina in the top 5 contestants of Miss Universe. Placing runners-up to Isler, in order, were Rodríguez, Ecuador's Constanza Báez, Arida, and Oliveira.

With her 3rd runner-up finish, Arida replicated the success of Shamcey Supsup, the Philippines' candidate in the 2011 pageant. Janine Tugonon and Venus Raj finished 1st runner-up in 2012 and 4th runner-up in 2010, respectively.

The Philippines is still hoping to produce its third Miss Universe winner after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

New Miss Universe models $1-million swimsuit

MOSCOW --Newly crowned Miss Universe, Gabriela Isler of Venezuela, took up her duties in Moscow on Sunday, twirling in a jewel-studded swimming costume valued at $1 million.

Isler, 25, spoke to reporters a day after winning the title at a glitzy ceremony at a Moscow concert hall, saying she had stayed up all night talking to friends and family on the phone.

"I feel very happy to share my first day as Miss Universe," Isler said. "I'm a simple girl. I am just come to have fun, to enjoy the moment -- and here I am."

She said she felt "honored" at becoming the seventh Venezuelan Miss Universe, triumphing over 85 other women at the first competition held in Russia in its 61-year history.

Isler wowed the judges including Aerosmith singer Steve Tyler with her appearances in a bikini and sparkly silver evening dress.

She then won the final interview round by saying in response to a question about her greatest fear: "We should overcome all our fears and this in turn will make us much stronger."

As the new face of an Italian lingerie company, she posed in a Moscow hotel in a white cut-away swimming costume featuring an emerald pendant and swirls of diamonds and rubies, with a fur boa wrapped around the hips.

"It's very simple but very elegant, so it's like me," she said.

The organizers of Miss Universe said the costume was sewn with 900 stones and is worth $1 million.

"We do have armed guards, so don't get any ideas," quipped the president of the Miss Universe organization, Paula Shugart.

The organizers did not make clear whether the swimsuit was for sale. Isler said she did not know what would happen to it next, but she would like to keep it.

"I'm still asking: where are those guards, because I'll run with it," Isler joked, although her towering heels would have hindered an escape attempt from the hotel's 20th floor.

The Miss Universe competition, which began in the United States as a promotional campaign for swimwear, includes several rounds in which the contestants are judged based on their appearance in bikinis and one-piece swimsuits.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ariella Arida tipped to win Miss Universe?

MOSCOW -- Russia on Tuesday began hosting Miss Universe for the first time in the pageant's 61-year history, with contestants from 86 countries shimmying along a catwalk in a concert hall in Moscow.

Politics came near to overshadowing the glitz as one US host refused to come in protest at an anti-gay law, while the contest's owner, Donald Trump, declared US leaker Edward Snowden, who is living in hiding in Russia, persona non grata.

Tuesday's preliminary round saw participants strut across a stage with a backdrop of onion domes, first in black and red bikinis, and then in sparkling and slinky evening dresses.

The women did not speak except to give their name and country. The biggest cheers went to the Russian contestant as well as those from Mexico and the Philippines, who were greeted by flag-waving fans.

The winner will be crowned at the main show on Saturday, which includes an interview round.

The judges for the main show will include Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler and flamboyant Russian pop king Filipp Kirkorov, while ex-Spice Girls star Mel B will co-host.

The organizers promise the unveiling of a million-dollar "emerald, ruby and diamond" swimming costume on Saturday, which the winner will get to wear.

While hardly a trail-blazer on gender issues, Miss Universe this year has prompted a row on gay rights.

The show's initial co-host Andy Cohen, who is openly gay, pulled out in August because of the choice of Russia as the venue.

He criticized a law passed by Putin in June that bars promoting homosexuality in the presence of minors and has prompted international concern that it can be used to crack down on gay pride events.

However NBC host Thomas Roberts, who is also gay and has married his partner, has taken over the role.

"I choose to offer my support of the LGBT community in Russia by going to Moscow and hosting this event as a journalist, an anchor and a man who happens to be gay," he said in a statement, while calling Russia's treatment of gay people "unacceptable."

Miss USA, Erin Brady, said she understood why Cohen pulled out.

"I think a lot of people had mixed emotions coming here. If that's something he believed in and he didn't feel comfortable, then I support that," she told AFP.

But she said that Roberts "had a different outlook on it, he thought: well you know what, I want to come here and show people that it's OK."

The show's billionaire owner Trump took to Twitter last month to bar National Security Agency leaker Snowden from attending the show.

"Message to Edward Snowden, you're banned from @MissUniverse. Unless you want me to take you back home to face justice!" he wrote.

Snowden is believed to be living in or near Moscow after leaving its Sheremetyevo airport for a secret address in August.

Trump issued an invitation to Putin, however, telling NBC in October that: "We have invited Vladimir Putin and I know for a fact that he wants very much to come."

"It would be beautiful to have him there and I would be honored to meet him," said Miss USA Brady.

The contest began in Palm Beach in 1952 and still bans its contestants from being married or pregnant. Complete with swimsuit round, the contest remains hugely popular, particularly in Central and South America.

Widely tipped to take the crown this year is Miss Philippines, 24-year-old chemistry graduate, Ariella Arida.

Russia won Miss Universe in 2002, but the policewoman Oksana Fyodorova was dethroned after US shock jock Howard Stern provoked her into chatting about her sex life. She now presents a children's television show.

The show is being held in Crocus City Hall, a concert venue by the Moscow ring road. Performing at the show will be pop singer Emin Agalarov, whose family company built the venue. He has made a video with the current Miss Universe, American Olivia Culpo.

The singer, known as Emin, is also the son-in-law of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and performed at the Eurovision song contest when it was held in Baku last year.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

All set for Miss Universe preliminaries

MANILA – In a few hours, the real game will start for the Philippines’ Ariella Arida and the rest of the Miss Universe 2013 candidates.

The preliminary competition of Miss Universe 2013 will be held at 8 p.m. on Tuesday in Moscow, Russia (around 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday in Manila).

The event, which will be livestreamed on the Miss Universe website, will be hosted by last year’s winner, Olivia Culpo of the United States.

The contestants – 86 of them, all in all – will compete in their swimsuit and evening gowns before a panel of judges at the Crocus City Hall, where the coronation night will also be held.

On Monday (Tuesday in Manila), the Miss Universe 2013 candidates toured the city of Moscow, stopping at the Red Square, the Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theater.




The beauty queens also showcased their respective national costumes, with Arida wearing a gold Filipiniana gown.

Dubbed as an “online favorite,” Arida is hoping to surpass the successes of her last three predecessors in Miss Universe – Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon – who all finished in the international pageant’s Top 5.

Tugonon, who arrived in Russia on Tuesday to show her support for Arida, was Culpo’s runner-up in last year’s Miss Universe.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ariella Arida glows in national costume parade

MANILA, Philippines – Miss Philippines Ariella Arida was literally shining as she donned a butterfly-inspired gown at this year’s Miss Universe national costume parade.

Arida took to the runway on Monday (Manila time), wearing a glamorous gold Filipiniana gown, partnered with a grand feathery headdress.

The Laguna beauty confidently walked onstage, proving that she has what it takes to be the next Miss Universe.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Arida said she is very happy with what she wore for the parade.

“Gusto ko po 'yung gown ko. Sabi ko nga puwede siyang for competition gown din. I love it, I love the color. Ang ganda sa stage, okay dalahin very smooth sa paglalakad,” she said.

Over 80 candidates from around the world wore costumes that best represent their culture.

Meanwhile, Arida thanked Filipinos around the world who have rallied behind her in her attempt to make a history for the Philippines.

“Hello po sa inyong lahat. Sobrang saya ko kasi randam na ramdam ko 'yung suporta nila para sa akin kahit malayo ako. Ramdam na ramdam ko pa rin na parang nandiyan lang sila. Ang sarap gawin lahat ng makakaya mo,” she said.

In a post in her Instagram account, ABS-CBN News’ Dyan Castillejo, who is currently in Russia to cover the beauty pageant, said Arida has the most number of supporters at the parade compared to the other candidates.

The coronation night of this year’s Miss Universe will be held on November 10 (Manila time).

Meanwhile, Filipinos can continue voting for Arida in pageant's online poll to send her through the semifinals.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Meet the other Pinay in Miss Universe

MANILA -- Ariella Arida, the Philippines' representative to Miss Universe, is competing with another full-blooded Pinay in her bid to bring home the country's third crown from the international pageant.

Riza Santos, who is representing Canada in the 62nd Miss Universe, may be familiar to some Filipino TV viewers, as she finished second place in the top-rating reality TV show "Pinoy Big Brother" in 2007.

Following her stint on the ABS-CBN program, the 27-year-old model went full-time in showbiz, with appearances on several Kapamilya programs, including the concert variety show "ASAP," and TV series like "Palos" and "I Love Betty La Fea."

Her time as an actress in the Philippines is even mentioned in her profile on the official Miss Universe website: "Riza has acted in four major Filipino films, including the box office hit 'Dobol Trobol,' where she played the leading lady and was trained in knife throwing."

Although born and raised in Canada, Santos is pure Filipino. Her father, Ruel Santos, is from Bulacan; while her mother, Dina Buenaventura, hails from Bataan.

Connecting with Pinoys

Before the Miss Universe kick-off late last month, Santos, along with her mom, even organized a charity event for an ailing Filipino girl's operation.

Held in Calgary, Santos' hometown in Canada, the event aimed to raise funds for 15-year-old Maria Fe, who is suffering from a life-threatening scoliosis.

Santos learned of the girl's condition through her aunt, Delia Tumak, who is based in Vancounver.

Among the attendees of the event was Philippine Ambassador to Canada, Leslie Gatan, who referred to the gathering as a "bayanihan among all Filipinos."

"Believe in yourself and to become the best that you can be," Santos said at the time, referring to the theme of the fund-raising activity.

"Once you do that, you really have the ability to become the best that you are and it gives you more opportunity, affords you more resources that you can help other people, people like Maria Fe who really does need our support," she said.

Meeting Ariella

Along with the 85 other candidates of Miss Universe, Santos is currently in Moscow, Russia, where the coronation night will be held on November 10 (Manila time).



On her page on image-sharing service Instagram, Santos posted a photo of her with Arida, who she said is her roommate.

In an earlier post by Arida also on Instagram, the Alaminos-born beauty shared a photo of her with Santos and Guam's Alixes Scott, captioned: "Mabuhay ang Pinay!"

It is unclear whether Scott also has Filipino roots.

Another candidate, Gabon's Jennifer Mouchita, was earlier reported to be half-Filipina. While Mouchita has said she has "origins" in the Philippines, she clarified in a Twitter post that her parents are both Gabonese.

Arida is hoping to surpass the successes of her last three predecessors in Miss Universe – Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon – who all finished in the international pageant's Top 5.

Should Arida be named Miss Universe 2013, she will be third Filipino to win the crown after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ariella, 4 others to do shoot with Mercedes-Benz

MANILA – The Philippines’ Ariella Arida is one of the five Miss Universe 2013 candidates chosen to do a photo shoot for an event of the luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz.

According to a statement sent by Miss Universe Philippines, Arida will be joined by beauty queens from Puerto Rico, Poland, Spain and Russia for the shoot of Mercedes-Benz, one of the sponsors in the international pageant.

“I was likewise fortunate to have been interviewed by the Fashion Channel in Russia and another by Fashion TV,” Arida was quoted as saying in the statement released Monday.

Arida and 26 other Miss Universe 2013 candidates were recently chosen to model creations by Lebanese designer Tony Ward during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Russia.

During the rehearsals for the event, Arida was also able to meet Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo of the United States.

“Olivia’s gorgeous! It was also a thrill to be part of the Fashion Week in Russia and the huge show that was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. All the pieces we wore were elegant and classy. I never imagined I missed walking the runway that much,” the Filipina beauty queen said.

Arida is hoping to surpass the successes of her last three predecessors in Miss Universe – Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon – who all finished in the international pageant’s Top 5.

The Miss Universe 2013 coronation night will be held in Moscow on November 9.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com