between Puerto Rico and (surprise, surprise) Japan! My golly, this year is perhaps the most surprising Miss Universe of them all. Imagine, Miss Russia made it to the Top 20! And Japan, despite having beautiful candidates in the past, I have never imagined this year’s Miss Japan would reach the prestigious Top 5!
There is a twist in this year’s Top 20 lineup. While Europe and the Americas dominated the roster, it was a shock that none from the favorite Latin countries – Mexico, Colombia, even Venezuela – made it to the Top 5. Perhaps Puerto Rico, another Caribbean bet, is the only exception.
Last year’s Top 5 saw the only non-Latin beauty – Miss Canada, Natalie Glebova – winning the crown. This year, the Top 5 was a dazzling and a “multi-faceted” roster – Switzerland (Lauriane Gillieron), Paraguay (Lourdes Arevalos), USA (Tara Conner), and as mentioned before, Puerto Rico (Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza) and Japan (Kurara Chibana). I liked the last two as they fared well in the final question and answer portion. In the pre-final question, however, Miss Japan wowed the crowd as she attempted to steal the limelight by making a last-minute greeting in not-so-fluent English. But that made me think that perhaps she might become this year’s Miss Universe. Nevertheless, Miss Puerto Rico, like Miss Japan, answered intelligently in the final question.
Announcement time came, and the hosts said the name: disappointingly, Miss Japan landed only on the second spot. And obviously it was Miss Puerto Rico who took home the bacon – or the pearl-and-diamond-adorned tiara, so to speak. (She, by the way, reportedly fell unconscious after the pageant due to fatigue) Which means that the Latinas reigned once more. Anyway, I am still happy that Japan reached the Top 5, and nonetheless got the first runner-up slot. At least, she also bagged the Best in National Costume trophy as she donned a samurai-like attire. And she was the only Asian in the Top 5, and also the best evening gown (that’s my opinion). That for me is an achievement worthy of recognition back home.
But some old things never change: the Philippines failed again in its bid to see another Filipina wear the crown. On the other hand, Lia Andrea Ramos only earned something that can be still considered an achievement – Miss Photogenic, despite the fact that it was based on people’s choice (online poll, that is), and you know how great Filipinos are at this. Miss Congeniality was Miss Ghana (Angela Asare), and (as already mentioned) Miss Japan won the Best in National Costume award.
It was an amazing ceremony. Among the four hosts, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’s Fashion Savant Carson Kressley managed to blurt his usual funny spiels despite having admitted to still being on a jet lag (thanks to his trip with the other members of the Fab 5 here in Manila over the weekend). I just wondered why Miss Universe this year aired only now (the month of July), which usually occurs every last week of May. Perhaps we should ask… The Donald (Trump).
