Miss U crown remains elusive for the Philippines; MJ made it to Top 10
by Leony R. Garcia
The Philippines claim for the third Miss Universe crown ended when crowd favorite Ms. Philippines Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa ran short of breaking into the competition’s Final 5 Monday morning (Philippine time) of January 26 at the glittering presentation held at Florida International University in Doral City, Florida state, US.
The first Miss U crown for the country was courtesy of Gloria Diaz in 1969, followed by Margarita Moran in 1973.
MJ’s lost also put a stop to the country’s four-year winning streak in the most highly anticipated and prestigious beauty contest. The country’s bets Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Janine Mari Tugonon and Ariella Arida made it to the Top 5 and earned 4th, 3rd, 1st, and 3rd runner up respectively for themselves.
Lastimosa elicited loud cheers from the crowd whenever she did her signature “bomb” walk. Her unique blend of Pinay beauty (with a mix of Spanish and Arab features), her vavavoom body, and her infectious smile makes her a standout among 88 candidates from around the globe. Overall, MJ has this illuminating presence that makes her really hard to ignore, according to beauty enthusiasts.
No wonder many were disappointed when she didn’t make it to the mythical five thus ending her and the country’s chance for the elusive crown. Had she make it to the top 5, she should have given a good fight for Ms. Columbia or end up as Miss Universe herself!
But making it to the top 10, with MJ as the lone Asian among the candidates, is a big feat in itself. 2013 Ms. Universe Gabriela Isler from Venezuela did the best promotion for the Philippines when she announced that her visit in the country (in the aftermath of Superthypoon Yolanda) was the best travel she ever had. Thank you, Gabriela!
Going back to MJ, she is described as a beauty queen with an unwavering passion for charity and public service. Born in a province (North Cotabato) torn by armed conflict, she learned the value of courage and became determined to excel in academics. Her surroundings did not stop her from pursuing her passion for dance, music and the performance arts.
Our beauty queen graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering by way of three academic grants. “I fought for my education. I believe that I had to finish so I could make my parents proud.
I knew I wanted to take up engineering because I love the arts, I love to draw, I love math. All the men thought that I wouldn’t be able to survive it because there were just a few women inside the classroom. I’m a fighter and I was able to do it,” she said in the official interview video.
Certainly, you have made our country proud, MJ! Congratulations for fighting the good fight. With or without the crown, you would always be our Miss Universe!
The winners for this year’s pageant are:
Colombia—Paulina Vega (Miss Universe 2014)
USA—Nia Sanchez (1st Runner Up)
Ukraine—Diana Harkusha (2nd Runner Up)
Netherlands—Yasmin Verheijen (4th Runner Up)
Jamaica—Kaci Fennell (4th Runner Up)
Special awards:
Nigeria — Queen Celestine (Miss Congeniality)
Puerto Rico — Gabriela Berrios (Miss Photogenic)
Indonesia — Elvira Devinamira (Best in National Costume)
Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao was one of the judges of the Miss Universe 2014. He was introduced as the “fighter of the decade.” Meanwhile, Miss Universe 3rd runner up Ariella Arida also served as a backstage and red carpet host of the 63rd edition of the beauty pageant.
