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.

Megan Young One Step Closer to the Crown Amidst Plot to Destroy Her

Megan Young struck a pose during the announcement of the top 10 finalists for the Top Model competition
Fans' confidence were boosted after the Miss World website announced Megan's win in the Top Model challenge that was held on September 24, 2013. In a bevy of 127 beauties wearing gowns designed by top Indonesian designers, Megan's modeling runway prowess proved to be the best.

The country's bet also placed high in the Beach Fashion, where she finished 5th, and came in 4th place in the Multi Media Award.

The full results of the pre-pageant contests where Young was shortlisted:

Top Model

Winner- Philippines
2nd- United States
3rd- France
4th- Ukraine
5th- Brazil


Beach Fashion

Winner- Brazil
2nd- France
3rd- Ghana
4th- Jamaica
5th- Philippines


Multimedia Award

Winner- India
2nd- Thailand
3rd- Nepal
4th- Philippines
5th- Malaysia

The only challenges where our bet failed to advance were Sports and Talent. Host candidate Miss Indonesia won Miss Talent and Miss Netherlands was named Miss Sports Woman.

All challenge winners will be recognized during the live telecast of the finale on September 28, 2013.

With these results, will she be the country's first ever Miss World? I can say more likely. Although pageant observers say Ukraine, Brazil and France are the country's threats to win the blue crown.

Despite Young's superb performance, Cory Quirino, the director of Miss World Philippines, received news that there is a plot to destroy her chances of winning the Miss World 2013 title which is slated to be passed on by Wenxia Yu of China in the finals.

Quirino sent a text to former beauty queen Joyce Ann Burton regarding the issue:

"JOYCE I NEED YOUR SUPPORT. this is my statement- There has been a smear campaign by a negligible sector of the Ph pageant industry to destroy Megan’s chances for a win in MISS WORLD.  In Bali the mood and aura around Megan is positive and promising. I believe Mrs Julia Morley has explicitly answered this one relentless Anti Miss World Ph person/group to stop emailing the Miss World office as they are proud of all the candidates including Megan. My request to all our countrymen is to consider the honor the Miss World Crown will bring to the country. Lets join hands now to prove that the Bayanihan spirit is strong, alive and above all, genuine."

Megan Young posed for the Beach Fashion challenge. 

 The campaign refers to the sexy photos of Megan on the Rogue magazine. It was pointless to point that she was half naked in those shots. The photos were done with class and there is not even a single breast exposure. All you can see mostly is her back. I believe Miss World chair Julia Morley doesn't see anything wrong with those. There are just people who have the luxury of time to pull others down.

What saddens me is that the rumor about the people behind the plot. At first, Indonesians were accused of it, but it was found that rival camps of the group who trained Megan were the ones responsible of the malicious intention.

Miss World 2013 Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the Miss World 2013 pageant that took place just an hour ago in Bali, Indonesia proved to be spectacular. A number of prominent people were in the audience despite protests by hard-line Muslims against the contest.

Here's a video of the presentation!

Megan Young Chosen to Speak at Miss World 2013 Press Conference

Miss World Philippines 2013 Megan Lynn Young spoke in front of the media during the Press Conference in Bali.

Of all 160 beauties in the Miss World 2013 pageant in Indonesia, the country's bet Megan Lynn Young was among the nine delegates selected to attend the pageant's press conference. The chosen candidates were made to speak at the event which took place in the Westin Nusa Dua Resort in Bali on September 7.

The conference was a prelude to the Miss World 2013 Opening Ceremony which is happening tonight (as of this writing). Young showed her articulate side while speaking in front of the media.

Recent reports say that the grand finale of the pageant has been moved to Bali amid protests by uncompromising Muslims against the contest. The culmination was initially set for September 28 in Sentul, the outskirts of the capital Jakarta.

Megan together with the reigning Miss World and eight other candidates at the Miss World 2013 Press Conference

Megan seated with other eight candidates while waiting for her turn to speak at the Miss World 2013 Press Conference

Philippines Wins Miss Supranational 2013! How She Won?

Miss Supranational 2013- Miss Philippines Mutya Johanna Datul

The final gala of Miss Supranational 2013 saw a stunning Asian beauty crowned as the first from her continent in a glittery coronation that took place at Sports Palace in Minsk, Belarus on August 6, 2013. Our country's bet Bb. Pilipinas - Supranational 2013, Mutya Johanna Datul, bested 82 other entrants from the four corners of the globe.



In the evening gown competition, the 21-year old lovely lass sported a white long sleeve ensemble which set her apart from other beauties who donned sexy and glittery dresses. Datul became unstoppable right when she came out on stage during the lingerie fashion segment of the competition where all the top 20 finalists rocked the venue like it was a Victoria Secret fashion show.

Mutya Johanna Datul reacts after being announced Miss Supranational 2013.

From the beginning of the three-week event, the country's pride really didn't go unnoticed. She even bagged the Miss Personality award for her charming smile that was sure to warm everybody she met and her feisty attitude. You could tell that she would, in the end, would clinch the crown.

So far this year, the Philippines is doing very well in international pageants. Another Filipina beauty in the person of Clarize Angelica Barrameda brought honor to the country earlier this year. She finished 2nd to Miss Thailand Butsaban Rueangphairot in the Miss Southeast Asian pageant that was held in Bangkok.

Predecessor Ekaterina Buraya of Belarus crowns her successor Mutya Johanna Datul of the Philippines as Miss Supranational 2013 in a glittery ceremony at the Sports Palace in Minsk, Belarus.

The full results of Miss Supranational 2013 are in accordance with the list which follows:

Winners:

Miss Supranational 2013: Philippines
1st Runner-Up: Mexico
2nd Runner-Up: Turkey
3rd Runner-Up: Indonesia
4th Runner-Up: US Virgin Islands
Miss Supranational Africa: Gabon
Miss Supranational Europe: Belarus
Miss Supranational America: Brazil
Miss Supranational Asia & Oceania: Australia

Top 20 finishers (in random order):

Venezuela

Puerto Rico

Poland

Canada

Thailand

Luxembourg

India

Myanmar

Russia

Latvia
Ukraine

Megan Young currently second at Miss World 2013.

Miss World 2013 app vote

A new Miss World app vote has just been rolled! Currently, the country's bet, Megan Lynn Young, at the prestigious contest ranks second out of 160 delegates from the four corners of the world. 

The app features what you need to know for the upcoming Miss World finals in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 28. You can use it to vote for Megan or any other candidate you like.

This app can be downloaded from iTunes App Store and Google Play for Android phone users. It costs around PHP 44.00 ($0.99). Upon download and registration to the Miss World Club, you are given two votes free of your choice.

You can also buy votes for Megan if you have extra budget to spend.

Charities of the Miss World Organization will receive the proceeds

So now let's make a big effort in voting her as the one with the highest vote will advance to the final round of the pageant.

Megan Young's Chances at Miss World 2013

If you were to ask me, how high she'll place at the Miss World pageant in Jakarta, Indonesia, I honestly can't tell yet. One thing I'm certain is that she'll make the semis. But the possibility to clinch the crown is vague for now. Why?

It's not Miss Universe that is glitz and glamour! 

The Beauty With A Purpose segment in Miss World is one of its biggest highlights. All pageant followers know about that for sure. It is a huge factor in choosing the winner.  A contestant must be able to impress the judges with her humanitarian project. Her national organization is the one responsible for giving her the task. However, it seems that the Miss World PH organizers have not yet chosen a specific project that Megan will be presenting to the contest. 

While there has been tidbits that she'll be wearing a Francis Libiran or a Cary Santiago gown in the finals, there's no information yet about what project that would be.The start of the pageant is just a week away. By this week, our delegate should be prepared already with it. 

Miss World Philippines, hurry up! You're running out of time. We don't like surprises!

Congratulations Megan Young!

My gut feeling proved to be right when Megan Young was adjudged as Miss World Philippines 2013 at Solaire Resort & Casino in Parañaque City last Sunday, August 18, 2013. She bested 24 lovely candidates from different parts of the country. Proud and excited, I would like to congratulate our new Miss World Philippines. It's better late than never!

New Miss World 2013 Megan Lynn Young poses, together with her predecessor Queenierich Rehman, in front of photographers at the conclusion of a glittery ceremony of the Miss World Philippines 2013 pageant at Solaire Resort & Casino, Parañaque City on August 18, 2013.

Megan Young Might Be the Next Miss World PH!

Candidate #20 Megan Lynn Young crowned Miss World Laguna

The excitement is mounting in the ongoing selection of Miss World Philippines 2013. Recently on August 9 in Laguna, heavy favorite Megan Lynn Young was awarded Miss World Laguna in a special show. It's a sign! The official 26 candidates competed in three segments: cocktail dress competition, swimsuit competition and question and answer portion. Two ladies tied but the judges decided to break it. As a result, the actress was crowned as the winner.

The final results were:

Winner: #20 Megan Lynn Young
1st Runner-Up; #14 Vina Openiano
Top 5: #10 Janicel Lubina
           #17 Jennifer Hammond
           #19 Maria Paula Bianca Paz


Last year, the award was won by Vanessa Amman from Cebu who eventually placed third in the final event on June 24, 2012. Could there be a shake-up in this year's event? Will the award winner eventually take home the Miss World Philippines crown?

Rumors Surrounding Miss World Philippines 2013

Since actress Megan Young's confirmation on her candidacy in this year's edition of Miss World Philippines, pageant fans have been speculating that she'll bag the title come coronation night on August 18. If it comes off, she'll be the second actress to be bestowed with the title, next to Ruffa Gutierrez who eventually placed third in the 1993 edition of Miss World pageant in South Africa.

Candidate #20 Megan Lynn Young, representing Olongapo City

Young's participation in the pageant has prompted the question "Why she joined?". Despite her success in tensil town, she is sacrificing it now to fulfill her dreams of becoming a beauty queen. In an interview, she explained that it is something that she has have always wanted to do. And she doesn't want to have any regrets when she gets older thinking she should have done things that she wanted to. Although her chances of winning are high, there is still a ton of risk. But she is hoping to get a good result out of the risk.

There are also considerations that the actress may not be granted the right to represent her country to the Miss World pageant in Indonesia by reason of network war. Since the national pageant will be broadcast on GMA 7, it will be awkward to crown a talent who's not under the network's management. Megan may have topbilled the drama series "Hiyas" last year on the rival network ABS-CBN, she still is a freelance actress. A proof to that is her recent appearances in another network- TV 5. She is also a product of GMA 7's defunct talent search "Star Struck." So it can be safe to say her work with rival networks will not necessarily ruin her chances. 

Other fans suppose that it may not be Megan Young taking on the weight of carrying the country's name in the international pageant. The name of pageant veteran Janicel Lubina surfaced as some aficionados announced that she who the national director Cory Quirino was looking for. Before the final selection of the official 24 candidates, the screening was supposedly to be a one-day event. But it was extended for another day when Lubina tried out. Right before the first day of screening, there were some fans spreading around that a dusky, 5'9" tall beauty and pageant veteran would show up during the screening. These descriptions exactly matched the tall titleholder from Rizal who is Janicel Lubina herself.

Candidate #10 Janicel Lubina, representing Rizal

Aside from the aforementioned speculated candidates, fans are also rooting for an alumna from Bb. Pilipinas. Patricia Lae Ejercitado is expected to be giving Young a run for her money. Let's see if its' gonna happen. She's one of my favorites for the crown. Also, Bianca Paz, who was disqualified from Bb. Pilipinas 2011, is also a favorite to win as it is her second time of joining the pageant. She was third runner-up for the eventual winner in 2011, Gwendoline Ruais. Will she make the top five again or win the top plum this time? The answer is uncertain. All of the official candidates seem to be hungry for the crown!

Candidate #19 Maria Paula Bianca Paz, representing Nueva Ecija

Candidate #22 Patricia Lae Ejercitado, representing Rizal