Editor’s Note: Two judges in the annual competition have pulled out of the 8-member jury, with one claiming that an “impromptu” panel had already selected 30 finalists from among the 136 participating countries, and the other citing “unforeseen personal reasons.” For the first time ever, the Miss Universe pageant has welcomed a delegate from Palestine,...
Tag: Miss Universe
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‘Miss Universe Asia’ is the Philippines’ latest beauty title
The Philippines may not have clinched the Miss Universe title at the recently concluded competition held in Mexico, but the country’s delegate Chelsea Manalo still made history as the first recipient of the “Miss Universe Asia” title. Manalo, also the first black woman to represent the Philippines in the most important international beauty pageant for...
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Beauty and destiny on one stage at Binibining Pilipinas 60th-year bash
“Monumental” would be insufficient to describe the grand Binibining Pilipinas pageant’s 60th-anniversary celebration: an event that saw more than 100 beauty queens gathered together on one stage, including the most iconic international title-holders that the country has produced. For the first time ever, Miss Universe winners Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, Pia Wurtzbach, and Catriona Gray...
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Pia Wurtzbach urges ‘allies’ to help fight for LGBTQIA+ rights
Pia Wurtzbach has been a staunch ally of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and others) community since her much-celebrated journey into pageantry. And nine years after she was crowned Miss Universe in 2015, the actress and global influencer is still advocating its cause. In welcoming Pride Month this June, Wurtzbach gallantly...
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Despite controversy, the appeal of beauty contests does not wane
Filipino American Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel clinched the 2022 Miss Universe crown, but suspicions are being aired against the organization that made her the new queen of the universe in its 71st year. Critics are saying that the Miss Universe Organization, now owned by transgender businesswoman Anne Jakkapong Jakrajutatip, had a hand in Gabriel’s proclamation as...
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Celebrating multi-identities and diversity
This year, Philippine sports got a big boost by the performance of its women’s national football team. In February, the team, Filipinas, reached the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup, thus qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. In May, it copped a first-ever medal finish (bronze) at the 31st Southeast Asian Games. And...