Ariella Arida's Preliminary Performance

While there have been criticisms on her hairdo during the evening competition of the preliminary show yesterday, Ariella Arida is now on everyone's radar. Pageant fans who didn't include her on their lists is now starting to think she might snatch the crown come finals night on November 10, 2013.

Philippines' quest for the crown proved to be solid when Ariella delivered a stellar performance both in swimsuit and evening gown rounds at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow where the finals will be held on the said day. 

Will it be another success for the Philippines in international pageants? Will Ariell Arida be crowned the third Miss Universe from the Pearl of the Orient?

Full video of her preliminary competition

"Truth and Dare" with Ariella Arida

Miss Universe just published video interviews with its all 87 candidates in a truth or dare format. In her interview, Miss Philippines shows her fun side. She comes across as so engaging, natural and spontaneous without pretensions. Her personality shines through. She did a great job!

Ariella Arida, one of the favorites at Miss Universe 2013!

She has been criticized by some of her countrymen for her statement that Latinas can't complete a sentence in English in her interview by Karen Davila. But she hasn't let her critics get her down. Perhaps, one of the reasons is that she's been doing well in Moscow, Russia where the pageant is being hosted.

It came to light recently that our 24-year old bet Ariella Arida is among the favorites in the host country. She has been active in a few important events of the pageant.

Just last week, she was one of those who were selected out of 87 delegates to walk on the ramp for Yamamay and Tony Ward Couture fashion shows on October 26 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Yamamay is an Italian underwear brand.

The selected ones were modeling Yamamay's special collection of swimsuits for this year's edition of the Miss Universe pageant. The uniqueness of Tony Ward Couture fashion was showcased when the 27 selected candidates were wearing a set of fabulous cocktail dresses and evening gowns while strutting their stuff on the catwalk. 

Arida was the only Asian that night. Unfortunately, she was not able to participate in the swimsuit fashion show due to schedule conflict.

Fans thought her extra spotlight would stop there, but there's more. This week, she was the only Asian contestant among the five who were handpicked 

for a Mercedes-Benz commercial. The other four were from Austria, Germany, Mexico, and Poland. The commercial will run four weeks in television. 

Miss Universe is not just glitz and glamor. Miss Philippines, together with outgoing Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and few other candidates, visited the Moscow Children's Hospital. 

Miss Philippines, together with other selected candidates, pose in front of photographers at a Mercedes-Benz event

Solo pic from Ariella Arida's Facebook fan page

Miss Philippines together with fellow candidates and pediatric patients at Moscow Children's Hospital

Ariella Arida leaves for Moscow today!

As the Miss Universe 2013 fever is officially on, the country's bet is leaving for Moscow, Russia today, October 21, 2013. Though a bit pressured, she is ready to conquer the universe and bring home the third Miss Universe title for the country. 

In an interview by Rappler recently, she was asked if she felt any pressure after the victories of her counterparts Mutya Datul and Megan Young in Miss Supranational and Miss World respectively. She said, with sheer confidence, that she's ready to compete even if the contest would be staged the next day. She has the right spirit!

Recently, a new set of glam shots wowed her fans. It shows pulchritude behind the lens of a camera.

Here's the set of glamor photos that fans have been feasting their eyes on.

Miss World Visits Cannes

Just 18 hours ago, Megan Young was at the MIPCOM conference and exhibition events in Cannes, France. Another dream she has fulfilled! As part of her duties of traveling around the world, the new Miss World graced the event to represent the Miss World Organization.

Below are some of her photos taken at the event.

Wear Blue for Megan Young's Homecoming

Philippines' feat at the Miss World 213 pageant in Bali, Indonesia hasn't sunk in yet. Filipino pageant fans keep on reliving the moment with downloaded videos of the event on their smartphones, tablets, laptops or other devices. Well, who wouldn't want to savor your nation's international victory at least in that way? 

This Friday on October 11, everyone is asked to come in blue, the color of the official Miss World crown. That is for the new Miss World's homecoming. Megan Young will have a motorcade along Ayala, Buendia and Edsa which will begin at 2 p.m. It will end at the Mall of Asia on the said day as announced by Miss World Philippines chair Cory Quirino.

On her arrival day tomorrow Thursday, the new reigning Miss World will have a press conference.  

It will surely be a grand homecoming!

Fans' Fuss Over Megan Young's Finale Evening Gown

Megan Young in a coral pink gown during rehearsals last Friday night, September 27, 2013

I can't understand the behavior of some pageant fans in this country. They complain much about what Miss Philippines wear in the evening gown competition in Miss Universe pageant. That's acceptable. Colombian Alfredo Barraza has been known for dressing Philippines' representatives to the Miss Universe pageant. He is said to be one of the most popular fashion designers in his country. But most of his creations are tacky. They wouldn't even pass the standard in the fashion circle here in the Philippines! Which is why most fans rant most of the time that local fashion designers should dress our country's bets in the said pageant.

In Miss World, since the national franchise was given to Madame Cory Quirino in 2011, the country's bets are provided with better competition gowns. All of which were made by Filipino designers. 

This year, Megan Young is lucky to have Francis Libiran dress her. He is an international designer and has been known to have celebrity clients from Hollywood. He has dressed supermodel Tyra Banks for different showbiz functions in the United States. This fact alone proves that Libiran is a trusted designer.

But why the fuss? Worried fans have been complaining about the coral pink gown Young will be wearing in the finals tonight. They say it's too boring and ill-fitting. What the heck? I mean there has been a number of times where the eventual winner in the pageant donned a tacky, tastless dress in the finals. As we say "It's not the dress, it's the wearer". These retarded fans just want a more revealing gown for our representative. How could they fail to consider that the pageant is in Indonesia? A conservative country where Muslims make up the majority of the population. Consider that before you rant!

Although the competition gown has received a lot of negative comments, I thinks it's the right choice. It's just timely as the host country is a conservative one. Also, the color is very feminine and shows the softer side of Megan. So I think that's not gonna ruin her chances tonight.