Miss Philippines Pamela Bianca Manalo
Anna Lorraine Kier, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1977 asked me this question on my Facebook during my “coverage” of the Ms Universe 2009 pageant (thanks to Kat Kattera – I was just echoing his Facebook coverage, LOLOL!!!). Her question:
Why was Bianca not in the top 15? What went wrong kaya?
I’m going to deal with that question in this post (doubt if I could answer it) because many people are just as shocked as Anna Lorraine and I that Pamela Bianca Manalo did not make it. I hope you can help me figure it out as well – write down your thoughts in the comments section if you have an OPINION, THEORY or IDEA.
Here are a few random thoughts on this disturbing matter:
1) My personal opinion: Pamela Bianca Manalo is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS and deserves to be in the Top 15.
She has the height and has that beauty queen demeanor. She speaks well and trained very very hard to the point of losing 30 lbs for the pageant. From what we saw of her on the Miss Universe site, she outdid many of the other candidates. Most of the missosologists from all over the world had her marked down in their favored-to-win list.
2) Possibility: The judges most likely had no idea what was going on online.
There was a lot of noise going on ONLINE not just for Pamela Bianca Manalo but also for several Asian candidates namely Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. Rumours were flying all over the forums and websites and blogs that the Asians were catching everyone’s attention. I’ll repeat it again, Pamela Bianca Manalo was on the favored-to-win list of many of the top missosologists, Filipino or not.
Apparently, the articles that claimed that judges were impressed by Ms Philippines and the Asians were just wishfully thinking aloud. In my experience, judges don’t talk about their preferences to anybody outside of themselves and top organizers. You can only make a guess by observing their reactions when watching the candidates – and again, in my experience, most judges are polite and strive to either be blank-faced or impressed by every candidate.
It also seems pretty obvious that the judges paid little attention or did not even know about the ‘Asian Online Hype’. I will be the first to admit that reading articles online about the candidates changed my opinions about them. For example: Ms Vietnam had press releases left and right saying she was gaining the favor of judges, etc. etc… In the beginning I wasn’t a Vietnam fan but after reading all the articles on her, I became persuaded. This is not to say that she is not deserving; I just felt that she did not have the traditional Beauty Queen look.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the judges were asked to desist from going online to look up the candidates as media hype is very very influential. I am certain that if they did go online to read all the news articles, they would have seen a lot of Pamela Bianca Manalo and would have given her more consideration.
3) Theory: Pamela Bianca Manalo was not what the judges were looking for. And neither were they satisfied with the rest of the Asians.
Lets look at the distribution of the Top 15:
9 Europeans - Iceland, Albania, Czech Republic, Belgium, Sweden, Kosovo, France, Switzerland, Croatia,
3 Latinas - Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Domican Republic (altho this is geographically in North America, I’m putting this in the Latina corner as t is a Spanish-speaking nation)
1 African – South Africa
1 from Oceania – Australia
1 North American -USA
As you can see, Europe dominated the Top 15. Asians were completely OUT.
But in the TOP 5, Latinas dominated with 3: Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the winner Venezuela.
Europe had one: Kosovo, and Australia was the other runner-up.
4) Theory: This is from my friend and missosologist Jezzejames:
“Joyce, since Miss Universe is owned by Donald Trump and also owns Trump Modelling agency in New York. Beauty is in the eyes of Donald Trump! Mr. Trump will go for beauty than brains. (My observation only) He will have the last say since he owns the pageant. What he wants is to bring NBC ratings up. Beauty is business. Ms. Teen USA is out of US television this year becoz of poor ratings but can be watch at the internet. Although many contestants are smart with their answers. The biggest point in judging as far as Miss Universe is concerned is Beauty and proportioned. I know it’s sad but we’re living in material World. Bahamas probably will be in the top 15 for consolation. Beauty sells and it’s all business. Mr. Trump hires Ines Ligron(French) to manage Miss Japan. Japanese had been partners with Mr. Trump. I just missed the old Bob Barker days. then again I could be wrong…(it’s my own opinion) Ever wonder why Mr. Trump wants to see the girls face to face? becoz he has the last say.”
Well, what can I say except that it seems like Jezzejames seems to have a pretty plausible theory. My argument against Jezzejames though, is this: If his heory is true, i believe that Donald Trump would still be too busy to sit down and carefully choose his candidates so maybe he lists down 15 or so girls that he likes upon meeting and then bahala na the judges on the final rankings. Or he has an advisor or team of advisors outside of the judges who helps with the final choices.
Also, Pamela Bianca Manalo is not the flirtatious type at all. In my interview with her, she was very demure and a little cool (but not unfriendly). Maybe when she met Donald she was very Filipina and conservative – characteristics that he might not find bankable if we are to go by Jezzejames’ theory.
Donald Trump with Ms Philippines Pamela Bianca Manalo photo from Beauty Expert Felix Manuel
5) Theory: Gone are the days when Ms Universe judges made politically correct choices.
I am not sure if the almost total disregard for being PC was a good thing.
First disturbing thing I noticed: The host candidate, Miss Bahamas was not in the Top 15. Personally, I am astounded by the rudeness of this.
There were no Asians in the Top 15.
There were no very dark-skinned ladies in the Top 15.
They allowed Venezuela to win twice in a row. I personally do not mind this “un-PC” move as Ms Venezuela IS deserving and in my opinion, had the best answer of all the 5 finalists.
Asking all 5 girls different questions. I prefer it when ONE question is asked while the other ladies cozy up in a soundproof booth. Some questions just happen to be easier to answer than others…in my opinion, a ONE question pageant is more PC.
6) Truth: The panel of judges who chose the Top 15 were not the same set of judges for the final night.
This certainly ties the hands of the final set of judges. They’re stuck with the choices of the first set. I wonder… what if Dean Cain and co. were the judges from the very start? Would the final 15 be different?
I also feel bad for the African-American judge on coronation night Tamara Tunie: I’m sure she would’ve been much happier if the first set of judges selected a few African or dark-skinned ladies for the Top 15.
7) Theory: It’s just not the year for Asians.
My good friend Ross has this to say:
There’s such a thing as flavor of the month or year. Remember that year when the ones who won the grammys were latino artists…santana, ricky martin, JLO, etc. Asians are just not popular this year!
8) TRUTH: GOING BACK TO MY NUMBER 1 RANDOM THOUGHT – Pamela Bianca Manalo is drop dead gorgeous. She comes from a country where ALL beauty queens are loved and adored. And she is THE MISS UNIVERSE for us. Congratulations for your fantastic performance can’t wait to see you back home!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
According to ABS-CBN journalist Dyan Castillejo who is in the Bahamas, our girl Pamela Bianca Manalo seems content and not too bothered by not placing in the Top 15. Bianca says she did her best to bring the crown home but it did not happen so there’s nothing that can be done about it anymore. After the pageant, scores of Filipinos and even foreigners came over to have photos taken with her. Many of them said they expected her to place or to win. Pamela Bianca Manalo will stay one more day in the Bahamas with her family but will be back in the Philippines on Thursday, August 27, 2009.
UPDATE: Pamela Bianca Manalo eventually admitted that she was affected by not being in the Top 15. She even used the word “depressed” to describe what she felt backstage at the Ms Universe. I believe that Pamela Bianca Manalo kept a brave face after the pageant for the sake of her Filipino supporters and her family. Click here to watch my CS/9 TV Report on Pamela Bianca Manalo’s return to the Philippines.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK???? SAY YOUR PIECE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION!!!
sad ‘coz Ms. Philippines didn’t make it.
reason:
many are violently reacting that Trump is a racist. lol!
but really controversial that there’s no asian finalist XD
Well, Japan did win Ms Universe two years ago….
I guess there’s always going to be controversy with something of this scale. But the Philippines can be very proud of your representative, regardless of the outcome.
I was just listening to some radio hosts on AM talking about exactly what you just said Kevin. The Philippines is a country that loves it’s beauty queens and fights for them. We know that pageants are unpredictable and yet at the same time we can almost always guess which two or three countries always get included. But Pamela Bianca Manalo is loved and is considered a winner through and through!
I watched the Miss Universe Pageant last night and I was shocked and mad that our candidate, Miss Philippines did not make in top 15 at least even in special awards.
Well, you’re right about the things that why Miss Philippines did not make it in top 15.
I noticed that the judges are mostly Caucasians and Europeans. No Asians in top 15. Dati laging pasok ang India pero three years na hindi pumapasok ang India. Iyong Philippines ay lalo na since 1999.
Nasa judges naman ang pag-asa ng mga candidates. Lahat sila ay magaganda iyong nga lang ay may discrimination pero hindi nila pahahalata iyon. I am very sad for that.
We have to remember though Armando that two years ago Japan won Miss Universe. And Donald Trump has been running the show for something like 12 years if I’m not mistaken. But it still would’ve been wonderful to see Bianca or even one of the Asians in the Top 15…
I guess it’s just a business thing for Donald Trump…i’m very proud of Bianca no amount of luck could help her coz it was already decided before the pageant began. There weren’t even a single asian that made it to the top 15…just do the math….Bianca mabuhay ka!!!
Your #6 item is intriguing. Why a different set of judges for the Top 15 and then the finals? That seems odd.
I’m sure those who didn’t make it have just as good an attitude towards the whole thing as Pamela. I’m sure their experience there was more than worth it, and they are all queens in their own right anyway. Congratulations, your majesties!
Joyce, great coverage. I had to rely on your updates because our tv can’t pick up the channel that covered the pageant. Thanks! ^_^
You really gave your heart in all of your research about the Candidates! I can feel the passion in it Ms. Joyce! Nobody will overthrow you in your throne as the Blogging Beauty Queen! If Triple H is the KING of KINGS, YOU are the only “BEAUTY QUEEN BLOGGER OF BEAUTY QUEENS ” AMEN!
I somehow believe in theory number 4 that implies that Donald Trump has the final say on who will win the Pageant. This is sometimes the sad realization when it comes to Beauty Pageants, that the judges and organizers look up to the physical beauty not the “substance” of a candidate.
But I also agree with your NUMBER 1 RANDOM THOUGHT that Pamela Bianca Manalo is drop dead gorgeous.
Maybe God willed that to happen, because he might have thought that we already had our time and its time to give chance to others.
But I faithfully believe that God has a wonderful plan waiting in store for Bianca Manalo that will surely give honor and praises to our Country.
i agree in having just 1 question for the finalists, in that way magiging fair ang judging. The questions are really easy, I bet if Bianca was chosen, she’ll be able to answer it in a very intellectual way. She’s really pretty, parang napaka-natural ng look, no bonggang make-up needed… *wink*
Hello, Joyce. Thanks for your blog — it’s great to get insights from someone who’s “been there” and share information with people interested in these discussions.
Was the general exclusion of Asians (again) among the narrowed down list shocking? Having worked in some capacity for the Miss USA (a project of the same organization that owns the the Miss Teen USA and the Miss Universe pageants) years ago, I am not surprised at all about what happened. This doesn’t diminish my revulsion for the politiking, however, each time I see it happening right before my very eyes.
Although I’ve expressed some of my thoughts in your Facebook account, allow me to add these:
(1) Our representative was stunning, charming, and prepared for this competition. She should not be embarrassed and should be proud of the way she handled herself.
(2) The critical part is getting into the semifinals (in this year’s case, the top 15) after the preliminary judging, as it has been traditionally easier for our bets to show what standouts they are once the voluminous number of candidates has been cut down. It is also during the selection of semifinalists that biases become very obvious. Even if the Miss U were to eventually award the title to, for example, Miss Japan, if all the other semifinalists are only black and caucasian people, or Latinas, there is something very wrong in the judging, and it’s obvious that the selection of the Asian winner is made partly to prevent accusations of discrimination [and this is now being used as an excuse by defenders of the Miss U's pervading discriminatory practice].
(3) The pageant is owned by the US, using primarily American resources and sponsors. Is it really surprising that the Miss USA candidates (many of whom I wouldn’t even personally include in the top 40) are ALWAYS picked?
(4) Many changes have been done (for the worse) since Trump took over the pageant. In the past, all semi-finalists were interviewed first for everyone to get a glimpse into their personalities and all of them went through the swimsuit and evening gown parades, so people knew that those that moved on somehow had “the complete package.” Then a succession of interviews would follow to determine the finalists and then the top 3. Now, all that determines who gets to the top 10 is how their disproportionate bodies fit into their swimsuits, then the evening gown, and so on.
(4) This competition is primarily a business for the organizers (yes, people, they’re not really out there to promote “world peace,” but we still hope that whoever wins indeed does something significant towards that end), so given the significantly declining viewership and ratings (this pageant used to be watched by as many as 600 million around the world), controversies are welcomed by the organizers, although that doesn’t mean that they will automatically publicly support any contestant or winner who is involved.
For instance, in the case of Miss USA ’92 winner Shannon Marketic who was kept hostage and sexually assaulted by royalty in Brunei, she received no support – even from her own country, the U.S., which did not, and still does not, believe that there were such things as “Bruneiyukis” or that such things went on in that kingdom dyuring those days (show you how “out of touch” Americans can get, especially about anything beyond their shores). In fact, the American media went as far as defaming Ms. Marketic (instead of criticizing Brunei) on national TV, using personal information (such as student loan records, which were unethically released by her supposedly “Christian” school, Pepperdine University in California) and made it appear that all she wanted were money and publicity. Worse, her companion to Brunei who was also hostaged and sexually assaulted, Miss Teen USA ’89 and Miss USA ’97 Brandi Sherwood, refused to speak up, reinforcing the belief that Ms. Marketic only wanted money and publicity.
There were many other scandals and issues that jolted me out of my “naivete” (or should I say, ignorance, for believing that these competitions were “fair”) in my brief involvement with the pageant, so I say: Let’s select great contestants at the local level and support them and wish them well at the international level. However, if they don’t make it, keep in mind that their fate didn’t really rest fully in their hands to begin with.
Mp Santos
Los Angeles, CA
P.S. The U.S. also needs to realize that no amount of Miss Universe crowns will change Venezuela’s long-standing anti-U.S. political position. Now that ties with France are looking good, maybe they should seriously think about inviting and crowning Miss Cuba …
Why didn’t Miss Philippines Bianca Manalo make the finals? I think it’s because she fits what we as Filipinos believe are the ideals of a Miss Universe namely beautifully stunning, charming, graceful, captivating, demure, intelligent and well spoken. These are no longer the ideals for the Miss Universe as I see it. They want someone that they can sell as a commodity. Reality show material, controversial and even maybe someone most likely to pose in a men’s magazine. We treat and respect Filipino beauty queens almost like royalty. My theory is this, if Miss Philippines Bianca were ever allowed to enter Miss America she would win hands down only because that pageant still has same ideals as we do in the Philippines. Looks like they are working on changing that now too. Hence, the Miss America Reality show.
We should just welcome Miss Philippines Bianca Manalo home with open arms and thank her for showing the Miss Universe organization the true beauty of the Filipina.
[...] of a Beauty Queen received a comment in reaction to the previous article “Why was Ms Philippines Bianca Manalo NOT in the Top 15?” and it’s been one of the best comments so far, if not the best and therefore deserves [...]
Asian countries should boycott this pageant – meaning not send any representative from Asia. So then we’ll see what impact will it have for Mr Trump’s business!
She is absolutely gorgeous and stunning. Her smile is charming and she is absolutely a queen.
Miss Bianca Manalo is our Miss Universe no matter what. We were able to spend time with her and she knows that she made the country proud. Her family was also awesome and she is truly blessed top 15 or not.
Attending some events of the pageant was made worthwhile by Miss Bianca Manalo
We would like to thank the Manalo family for gracing us with their presence after the pageant. That was one unforgettable moment.
It should not be called Miss universe. it’s obvious is a beauty contest for Latinas. itg should be called Miss Latina Universe. Unbelievable result, can’t believe Venezuela wins back to back… There are some other very deserving contestant. Miss Kosovo should have won, Bianca congrats, u did your best. Stop sending Philippines to Miss Universe. Also remove Stella Araneta as Miss Philippines franchise holder. We should all be together kung gaano natin kamahal ang ating candidate sa mga pageant kailangan mag kaisa tayo palitan na si Stella. ABS CBN should handle it. Get a Filipino Designers for costumes and gowns.
could it be because of her youtube where she underwent a major enhancement before the competition? i wonder…..
Hello gurl buga! Its definitely is not about physical enhancements or plastic surgery because the winner, Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela had several enhancements of her own: the tip of her nose was fixed, she had a breast enlargement and liposuction. It is the norm now for beauty pageant powerhouse nations to invest thousands of dollars into the “body improvements” of their candidates. Earlier this year, the Ms USA Franchise (same guys who own the Ms U) paid for the breast enlargements of Carrie Prejean, a top contender for the Ms USA 2009 title. They fixed her breasts BEFORE the pageant. She wasn’t even the winner yet. Enhancements are accepted these days….
its really true dapat mga pilipino ang mag-handle sa binibining pilipinas . ABS-CBN can do it . Bianca Manalo is really a Miss Universe material as I see it sayang there is something wrong with Miss Universe. Next time send latin beauty filipina I believe we have it and yet we filipinos are more witty than those latinas since we could speak the english language fluently
lousy judging, lousy show and very disappointing result. the organizers have to change the judging system – especially in the choice of judges!!! many of them are unheard of. its so unfair for the contestants to put their fate in the hands of a few unqualified judges. there has to be a more democratic selection of semi-finalists and even in the selection of judges.
this is by far the worst staging of this once prestigious contest. maybe asia, africa and other continents should seriously consider boycotting this contest next year and the years to come since europeans and the latinas are ALWAYS the favored ones.
Miss USA is always in the top 15 simply because Donald Trump is an American. She does not even deserve to be in the top 50 as far as i’m concerned.
miss universe pageant has become like miss world with the franchise owners seriously meddling in the choice of winners.
I say again BOYCOTT Miss Universe and Miss World. Let’s not be a party to this FARCE of a beauty contest.
what a disappointing result for our Miss Philippines representative this year…she should at least be included in the top 15 , but alas, the Miss U pageant is not fair enough to the contestants…they should at least included an asian contestant to make it more universal…this year it was just obvious that discrimination exceeds and rules out in the pre-judging context…
therefore,this is an eye-opener for the Binibining Pilipinas Organizers that not only a meztiza looking girl can best represent our country…they should consider the exotic and stunning brunnette girl is the best and who can represent
indeed the brown race to the rests of the world..
…and one more thing i suggest that our representative should wear gowns and dresses locally designed by our own fashion designers as they are trully the wealth of our Filipiino intellect and culture
…MRS. ARANETA please handover your influence and personal criteria of the said pageant to the new generation
and let the new generations manage the BINIBINING PILIPINAS ORGANIZATION to save our face of distinction as a country of dainty demure beatiful FILIPINAS–the true beauty of creation!
Bianca Manalo didn’t win because she doesn’t have what it takes to become the Miss Universe. If you place her beside those girls, she really just looks ordinary. Miss Venezuela deserves the spot, and so are the rest in the Top 15.
Asia beauty queens are loud in the internet because most users are Asians and are fond of beauty pageants and the hype about them are caused by the media and these so-called Asia Pageant Experts. How did they even become one? Haven’t you noticed that most special awards done via voting thru the internet are won mostly by Asians (i.e. Miss Photogenic)?
If you like Miss Philippines because of a patriotism thingy, well then get real!
Dear Hay Naku, my blog was created to support Philippine pageants and Filipina beauty queens in thier international pageants. Our Filipina Beauty Queens need all the support they can get whether people think they are deserving or not. I’m sure you get the support you need from your parents or friends even in times when you are not deserving. ANd if you are asking me to get real, then I have the right to ask you to get a new attitude and learn how to be kind to others.
PS. One last thing – I said it in my previous post and I will say it again here – Viva Venezuela!!! and congratulations to every girl who wuns!!! They all deserve it!!!
Hi Ate Joyce,
I absolutely agree with you that we need to support our very own kababayan Pamela to win the contest. Hay Naku you need to change your attitude to be kind to others.
Pamela do not worry if you did not win. Everything happens for a reason. God has a fantastic plans of your life ahead in the future.
I believe you will become famous as hollywood actress. If this prediction of mine will come to pass, then you will remember me
Mabuhay si Pamela!!!
joyce,
glad you knocked some sense into that person’s head
I think your last paragraph about Bianca that she is not bothered because she didn’t make the top 15 is erroneous. It is because she admitted when she cam back here in the phil. that she was depressed and cried backstage when her name wasn’t called in the top15. =)
Hello there! I based that story on the report of ABS CBN reporter Dyan Castillejo who was at the Bahamas and had access to Bianca right after the pageant. Bianca had not yet admitted that she was upset – I believe she had to keep a brave face for the Filipinos there and for her family and for herself. Later on, she did admit it hurt her. I think she did the right thing, being brave but then later on sharing her feelings. THanks for the comment, I will add a note to that story so it will be clearer, SALAMAT!!!
Miss Universe is a big business! They charge thousands of dollars for one Miss Universe appearance. They would of course look for the supermodel type. The one who could model a swimwear or do a photo shoot with top fashion house.
The problem with Philippines is the selection process which is undertaken by the Bb Pilipinas Charities Inc. They should select a supermodel type of girl to be sent to Miss Universe Pageant. The selection process of Bb Pilipinas is really outdated. The lack of proper training and the garbage and recycled gown from Cumbia Boutique do not help our reps either. Colombia’s Alfredo Barraza has been dressing our reps with his garbage of a gown.
It’s not MUOs fault that we did not place. It’s BPCIs fault.
Braggito, you are not the only one saying this…. but I was wondering.. out of this year’s Bb. Pilipinas batch, whom would you have selected to represent the Philippines in the Ms Universe?
Hi Joyce,
I thoroughly enjoyed watching your Miss Universe 1985 presentation during the parade of nations on youtube and I think you are very beautiful, which led many beauty pundits both filipinos and non-filipinos alike to ask why you did not get into the magical top 10. Kung tatanungin mo ako, mas maganda ka pa sa nanalo nung 1985. If you dont mind me asking, Totoo ba ang chika, na dapat nakapasok ka daw sa semifinals pero na disqualify ka the day before the pageant due to citizenship reasons because you were a US passport holder? However, they still allowed you to march in the parade of nations …Sayang naman kung tutoo, because if you had been given the chance to enter the semis, you would have been our 3rd Miss Universe!!!! Ang ganda mo, at ang galeng mo pa mag ingles!
SECRET! Hahahaha! Yun nga ang chika but I will just let sleeping dogs lie.
Kwento ko nalang sa yo in person…
Ikaw tlga Joyce ha…ang daya mo talaga…LOL, papaano mo iqikwento sa akin sa personal kung nasa estados unidos ako, hahaha. Email mo na lang sa akin ang istorya mo, hahaha, although I think I know na the answer. Sayang talaga! Que bonita pa naman ikaw!!!
San ka ba sa States? My el guapo son lives and works in SocaL, my nanay is in Honolulu and my sistah is in Texas
Nasa Big Apple ako…New York
Here is the reason why Bianca Manalo did not place in the top 15. According to an article from a Cebuano newspaper (investigative journalism at its best) , Bianca placed #12 in the preliminary evening gown and swimsuit (not including interview). But as Paula Shugard, president of MUO, says, the preliminary judges pick only the top 9 of the 15 while the remaining six are picked by Donald Trump and the MUO. So really the Philippine delegate has to place in the top 9 to be assured of a semifinals slot. The remaining six are anybody’s game
Check out this article:http://entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/09/02/does-donald-trump-fix-the-miss-universe-pageant/?action=late-new&order=asc
The choreograpaher for the Miss Universe pageant, Michael Schwandt, said in an interview that Donald Trump hand picks six of the 15 Miss Universe finalists, and that the judges are only responsible for the final nine.
“His reason for doing so, as he told me and he’s told the girls before, is that he left it all up to preliminary judging in the past and some of the most beautiful women, in his opinion, were not in the top fifteen and he was kind of upset about that,” Schwandt told the website Guanabee.com. “And he decided that he would pick a certain number and let the judges pick a certain number.”
PHOTOS: Swimsuit shots of this year’s Miss Universe contestants – which ones may Trump have chosen himself?
But according to the Miss Universe Organization, the information the choreographer gave was “inaccurate and incomplete.”
“As disclosed at the top of each broadcast, members of the Miss Universe Organization play a role in the selection of the Top 15 semi-finalists. In the 2009 Miss Universe competition, a preliminary panel of judges selected nine of the Top 15 and members of the Miss Universe Organization, including owner Donald J. Trump, selected the remaining six,” MUO President Paula M. Shugart said in a statement to FOX411. “A separate panel of judges, introduced live at the Finals telecast, is solely responsible for the selection of the Top 10, Top 5 and the ultimate winner of the pageant.”
Shugart also stated that the system (which has been in place since 2005) is “fully disclosed” to all those associated with the pageant and that the procedure is overseen by the accounting firm of Ernst & Young and NBC Program Standards and Compliance.
“To in any way call into question the integrity of the judging process or suggest the pageant is somehow orchestrated or “rigged” is utterly false and misleading,” she added.
Thanks Darito for the info! It gives this post more depth. I appreciate it a LOT!
You are very welcome…I would like to believe that the Ms. Universe Organization is still fair at wala silang galit sa mga pilipino. Pero, nagtataka rin ako kung dahil 10 years na hindi nakapasok ang pilipinas bilang semifinalista since in the past decades, we have at least made it twice per decade. In your opinion, relasyonado kaya ito sa masamang imahen ng pilipinas sa mundo?
I don’t think galit sila sa mga Pinoy. Baka hindi lang talaga time natin. Maybe their idea of beauty has changed. But I am sure favoritism is involved because Ms USA almost always makes it into the semi-finals. Also Venezuela. And you can’t blame naman Ms Universe for favoring nations that REALLY invest in thier beauty queens.
Kasi naman, some other nations, they just have a pageant with like 5 or 10 contestants from the main city and the winner goes na to Ms Universe.
But for a girl to make it as Ms USA Universe or VENEZUELA Universe, they have to go through training, then provincial or state pageants then more training then the nationwide pageant then training ulit finally Ms Universe. They also almost always have surgical improvements as well. Investment talaga.
My biggest worry about the current Ms Phils Universe is whether Donald Trump will like her or not. But as far as I’m concerned Venus Raj will be a great representative for the nation!
Yes, I don’t see why we don’t have surgical investments for our candidates. I also think that the right girl has to be picked for the right pageant—I am very sure that Venus Raj will give an all out performance but imho, her exotic beauty is either hit or miss, it’s a 50/50 chance…either they really like her or they don’t. Don’t get me wrong, I love Venus but among the top 10, I think Krista Kleiner would have been a better choice for Universe. She’s half American, very fluent in English, psychology student (so she knows which buttons to push), flirtatious and bubbly at the same time. As for last year’s edition, Umali or Gersbach would have best for Universe given Donald’s partiality toward the more Caucasian looking delegates. I seriously think that Bianca Manalo would have placed at Miss World should she have been sent there (they are looking for elegance, sophistication, good family breeding). Can you take over the Miss Universe franchise na lang yata from Stella Araneta? LOL….
Darito, i have mixed feelings about surgical enhancements because I don’t believe in fixing what God has already created. However, I do ALSO believe in enhancing or multiplying what He has given you whether it be money, beauty, skill or talent. So IMHO, it is okay to enhance beauty contestants as long as they want it and their health and safety are prioritized.
As for picking the right girl for the right pageant, we have to be wise talaga. There were two or three mulattas in the top 10 of ms universe 2009 last year if memory serves me right. At least one, Dominican Rep made it to the top 5. So D Trump does have an eye for kayumanggi skin. Let’s hope Venus catches his eye.
ONE VALID REASON WHY PAMELA MANALO DID NOT WIN THE MISS UNIVERSE IS MAINLY BECAUSE, SHE HAD HER BODY AND FACE RE-CONSTRUCTED SOMEWHERE IN SOUTH AMERICA. YOU CAN ACTUALLY WATCH IT IN YOUTUBE!!
Yep I saw that video. All Miss Venezuelas in recent years have had surgical enhancements. I heard some of them even had a couple ribs removed for a smaller waistline. But they keep on winning… the crown just wasn’t for Bianca.
But let me say this – losing Miss U is a battlescar that any beauty queen should be proud to carry….
Looking back at Ms. Bianca Manalo, maybe she wasn’t really Tramp’s typical beauty queen compared to how he favorited Venus Raj.
Yeah, now all Pinoy pageant fans love Donald… hahaha! Last year we were all mad at him. Funnnnyyy….
I think the reason why she had not placed is because of her gift-wrapper like gown. Many missosologists had commented about it that her gown looks tacky and cheap.. parang gift-wrapper daw…. I don’t want to sound rude ate joyce but honestly hindi ako na-impress sa fadil shots niya sa MU 2009 parang namamasyal lang unlike venus raj na very stunning ung fadil shots niya… hindi ko sila kinokompara pero maybe un din ung reasons kung bakit ganun ung naging fate niya.. dapat kasi filipino designers like michael cinco or oliver tolentino ung nag-dedesign ng gowns for international pageants .. hindi dapat ibang bansa ung nag-dedesign like barazza.. Madam Stella should learn from this… I was not even impress of Venus Raj’s gown on MU.. but she carried it well.. effortless… However, I like shamcey’s gown..=)))
Agree ako na dapat Filipino designers ang gumagawa ng gown natin sa Miss U. Thanks for your comments, medyo strong words but I feel that you are sincere in saying that they are honest opinions…. Thanks Cutie Pie…
By the way, I think mary anne umali should be the one who have sent to MU that time and Bianca at MW….
If only we could turn back the hands of time and shuffle our winners – ano kaya ang magiging result? An interesting thought…
some chismis says that she was 12th in prelim but was eliminated due to trump cards for 11 to 15.