What Miss Universe contestants have to say about MJ Lastimosa

MIAMI, Florida – Miss Philippines wowed the crowd at the Miss Universe Preliminary Competition in Miami, Wednesday night.

The Philippines’ bet MJ Lastimosa made jaws drop as she showed off her perfect figure in a Yamamay two-piece swimsuit and as she elegantly wore a white gown designed by Colombian fashion designer, Alfredo Barraza.

Fellow beauty queens who got to know Miss Philippines throughout the duration of the pageant say they were captivated by Lastimosa.

“She’s such a loving girl,” said Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell. “She’s so sweet. Oh my goodness, always smiling and just a heart of pure gold. I love her.”

“Miss Philippines, she’s a great human being,” said Miss Colombia Paulina Vega. “She’s so beautiful. She’s a total lady and she gave me a gift from the Philippines on my birthday. I really love it.”

“Philippines is a sweetheart,” said Miss Aruba Digine Zimmerman. “We love her. She has a great energy.”

But when Lastimosa came on stage wearing this colorful flower-power inspired national costume created by Barraza, netizens took to social media to express their dislike.

Some blamed the designer, comparing Lastimosa’s national costume to a floral wedding cake, a Santacruzan gown, or something that reminded them of favorite Filipino desserts such as halo-halo and sapin-sapin.

But for Miss Philippines, there is more to Miss Universe than just celebrating physical appearance.

“Because it’s not the boxed girl, the most stiffest girl will win,” said Lastimosa. “It’s the girl who enjoyed so much. It’s the girl who is willing to show her real personality. That’s what I’m trying to do now.”

On Sunday, only one of the 88 beauty queens will be crowned the 63rd Miss Universe winner in Miami.

Lastimosa says she can’t thank her Filipino fans enough for the support she received from them wherever they may be.

“It’s overwhelming, super fun,” said Lastimosa. “I did not expect that your love and support will be this strong. Let’s hold on and keep supporting me. Just a few more days till the pageant. So hopefully that night will be our night and hopefully we’ll be able to bring our third Miss Universe crown.”

Miss Universe airs live in the U.S. on Sunday and on Monday in the Philippines.

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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