Dashed Miss U hopes lead to social media uproar

Paulina Vega of Colombia is the new Miss Universe. MISS UNIVERSE PHOTO

MIAMI, Florida—Loyal fans from around the world turned to social media to air their disappointment that the Philippines was not included in the top five finalists during the 63rd Miss Universe pageant Sunday night here.

Not a few came up with disturbing observations. Thirty-seven-year-old songstress Jesse Cabalza, who has been a pageant aficionado since she was 10, believes it was the “ugly, ill-fitted dress” that cost Davao-born Philippine bet MJ Lastimosa a spot in the top five slots.

“It was definitely the evening gown that cost her,” Cabalza wrote on her Facebook page. “Plain and simple — in order to place in the top five, one must score at least ‘fifth place’ in the evening gown competition. This is a fact. I mean, why would they have an evening gown competition anyway? The gown was definitely not a ‘looker’ and did not complement MJ’s figure in any way. Honestly, the dress was perfect — for a wedding!”

New York catering director Chester Ford chimed in: “It’s time to replace the Colombian designer of Miss Philippines! We didn’t make top five because the gown was ugly.”

Miss Philippines MJ Lastimosa. MISS UNIVERSE PHOTO

To which salon and spa owner Gloria Cabrera quickly added: “Agree, Chester! There are many Filipino designers who are good. Why did they have to venture out? The gown was ill-fitting on MJ.”

Because of the fiasco, Cabalza is suggesting that it’s time to replace Stella Marquez Araneta, chairperson of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, who is a Colombian native.

“The Philippines is a pageant-loving nation and is ‘hungry’ for their third Miss Universe crown. To make this dream a reality, all factors must be considered including replacing the national director,” she said.

‘Out of touch’

Araneta commissions a fellow Colombian to create the national costume and evening gown for Miss Philippines contestants in the annual Miss Universe competition. This tradition has raised many people’s eyebrows. Many are wondering why and how it has gone on all these years.

In a live interview with ABS-CBN during the Miss Universe pageant night, Araneta described the Filipino designs she had received for earlier pageants as “no good,” hence her decision to hire a foreigner. She also mentioned in the live interview that Miss Philippines 1999 Miriam Quiambao had won Miss Universe Best in National Costume.

“For a fact, Miss Colombia’s evening gown was designed by Alfredo Barazza, the same designer of MJ’s gown,” Cabalza noted. “Now, if I were a Colombian designer, wouldn’t I give my best design to the Colombian delegate, knowing that she was obviously a frontrunner the day she won her national pageant? Diyan pa lang, talo na tayo (On this alone, we’d lose)!”

Pageant blog site Missosology has also refuted Araneta’s statement about Quiambao winning the best national costume award.

“Well, Madam Stella’s incorrect recollection of the facts means she is simply out of touch with the reality. The truth is Miriam never won the Best in National Costume award. In fact, not a single Filipina won the award ever since the foreigners (actually just one foreigner – Alfredo Barazza of Colombia) began designing the national costumes (and evening gowns!) of the Filipinas at Miss Universe.”

Over at Florida International University Arena, the venue of the year’s much-anticipated spectacle, Araneta allegedly gave Lastimosa a hard time backstage before the pageant. The Fil-Arab stunner was ready to wear a pink gown, made for her by Filipino designer Leo Almodal, as contestants had been told to wear gowns of their choice.

But Araneta, according to a Manila Mail source who requested anonymity, threatened to sue Lastimosa if she wore the alternative gown. “The reason why MJ was down is because Araneta was giving her a terrible time backstage,” the source said.

Results

Paulina Vega from Colombia is the new Miss Universe.

Vega’s win met with boos and criticisms as thousands were rooting for Jamaican beauty Kaci Fennell and were shocked that Miss Jamaica placed last among the top five.

The Miss Universe pageant was broadcast live via NBC and Telemundo. Approximately one billion viewers tuned in to witness the annual event worldwide.

Colombia was proud to have Vega as their second titleholder so far.

The 22-year-old is a university student majoring in business administration. She graduated from a German school in Colombia, and speaks English and a bit of French. Paulina has been a model since she was eight-years-old and belongs to a big family with four sisters and three brothers.

Natalie Morales of “The Today Show” and MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts co-hosted the three-hour show. Veteran Miss Universe commentator Jeannie Mai, took viewers behind-the-scenes as she engaged with contestants, talents and fans throughout the telecast.

The evening’s musical performers included Nick Jonas, Gavin DeGraw and Prince Royce.

The judges who sealed the fate of this year’s winner were Filipino pride Manny Pacquiao; Kristin Cavallari, TV host and shoe designer; Rob Dyrdek, entrepreneur and star of MTV’s “Ridiculousness”; Emilio Estefan, Grammy Award winning musician and producer; Nina Garcia, creative director of Marie Claire Magazine and “Project Runway” judge; DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins wide receiver; William Levy, TV and film actor who was previously named People En Espanol’s Sexiest Man Alive; Louise Roe, fashion journalist; Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins outfielder; and Lisa Vanderpump, star of “Vanderpump Rules” and “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”

Here are the final results: first runner-up: Miss USA, Nia Sanchez; second runner-up: Miss Ukraine, Diana Harkusha; third runner-up: Miss Netherlands, Yasmin Verheijen; fourth runner-up: Miss Jamaica, Kaci Fennell.

The rest of the top 10: Miss Argentina, Valentina Ferrer; Miss Australia, Tegan Martin; Miss Philippines, Mary Jean Lastimosa; Miss Spain, Desire Cordero Ferrer; and Miss Venezuela, Migbelis Castellanos.

The Miss Universe 2014 prize package includes among others: a year-long salary as Miss Universe; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a one-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy; a new custom diamond tiara valued at $300K and designed by DIC; a shoe wardrobe from Chinese Laundry; two business class round-trip tickets to travel from USA to Asia provided by Delta; a modeling portfolio by photographer Fadil Berisha; representation by Rubenstein Public Relations; casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization; extensive travel representing sponsors and charitable partners; access to various New York City events including movie premieres and Broadway shows; year-long consultation with a fashion stylist; and access to a personal appearance wardrobe.