TIMELESS SWIMWEARS

By Lavinia Otilla

The bikini came to be a wardrobe necessity for women in 1946. It was invented by French engineer Louis Reard and was named as such in reference to the explosive effect of the atomic bomb testing in Bikini Atoll in the Marshalls.. It has come to symbolize sexual revolution in the 1960’s and thus has become part of competitions in beauty pageants. This article reviews the swimsuits used in the Miss Universe Beauty pageant from 2001 till 2011.

Miss Universe 2001, Denise Quinones of Puerto Rico
and Miss Universe 2002 (dethroned), Oxana Fedorova of Russia

Miss Universe 2003, Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic
and Miss Universe 2004, Jennifer Hawkins of Australia

Miss Universe 2005, Natalie Glebova of Canada

From 2001 to 2005, the candidates wore a bikini ensemble, 2 red in color, 2 white in color and 1 in aqua marine base color with floweret design. From the way it looked, the bra portion of the ensemble had an underwire. Some call this a push up bra. These types of bras are very helpful most especially to breasts that tend to sag. The underwire allows the breast to have a rounder look. Even small breasts achieve beneficial looks with this type of bra because it does not only allow a rounder look for the breasts but also it creates a deceiving effect to someone looking at the person wearing it. It makes the breasts larger that it measures. Note the bottoms. They are no frills bottoms and it provides great coverage and it stays put in the hips. The bottoms are cut like the tanga exposing the thighs to show seemingly long legs among the contestants. From 2001 to 2004, I noted that the bottoms are just garterized at the waist area. On the other hand, it seemed that in 2005, the bottom showed that there are ties to hold it firm. On 2004, note that the bra area does not only have an underwire but also an overwire.  An overwire Is used to achieve a much rounder forms for the breasts while covering an ample amount of it.

Miss Universe 2006, Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico
and Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori of Japan

Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela
and Miss Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela

Miss Universe 2010, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico

Years 2006 to 2010 showed a new wave of swimsuits in Miss Universe. Together with the new swimsuits, the candidates showed gutsy attitude in the ramp.  In this series, 2006 showed brown designed prints, with 2007 showing white and dark brown prints assuming some kind of animal prints. In 2008, yellow was the color of the swimsuit while in 2009, floral prints came back and in 2010, it was a purple colored bikini ensemble with some glittery accessories. In 2006, the swimsuit showed a soft textile that hugged the breast of the candidate. The bottom needed to have ties to keep it from falling. In 2007, the bikini seemed to be skimpier as well as in 2009. The swim wears in 2008 were more like those seen in sports competition. In 2010, we see a spandex type of swimwear.

Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes
of Angola

What about 2011? In 2011, the swimwear seemed to have a tribal design. The bikini was so skimpy that it seemed like the bottom is just there to cover the necessary parts. It needed some revisions when most of the candidates complained. The revisions were not enough hence; they needed to put a removable skirt to protect the girls from obnoxious eyes.

It is such a wonder to review previous winners in their swimsuits.   It   is   also  a  revelation   to  note    that   the winning candidates showed great form and countenance during the swimsuit round. While the first part of the 2000’s showed girls to be more docile in the way they traversed the runway, some girls just really outshone the others such as in the case of Oxana Fedorova and Jennifer Hawkins. On other hand, the next half of the decade showed the girls to be in competitive spirits starting from Zuleyka Rivera, followed by Riyo Mori and Dayana Mendoza. During the 2009 and 2010, we saw the muted presentation of Stefania Fernandez and Ximena Navarette. Some pundits say it was such a boring presentation in the swimsuit segment but they did win. It was a muted demeanor but carried with so much class.

What would the next decade be? Would the performance of Leila Lopes be an indication of what is yet to come?

TIMELESS AND QUINTESSENTIAL BEAUTIES

by Raphael Porciuncula

Throughout the years, people try to define what beauty is and up to this present day, there is no consensus among people as to its meaning. Even pageant connoisseurs do not have a standard meaning for beauty as they have different tastes, cultural upbringing and experiences. However, there seem to be an agreement that something beautiful provides perceptual experience of enjoyment, delight and contentment. The results of our survey on Timeless Beauties underscored the saying “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” We sent out more than 20 survey letters and 10 beauty pageant aficionados responded. They came from all walks of life – newsmen, academics, healthcare specialists, entertainment and ordinary folks. They all have something to say about beauty. And by the results of the survey alone, beauty can not be standardized. Beauty in every culture has a different standard and this overwhelming majority can not be achieved, unless probably, the questionnaire will have a preselected list of beauties and respondent will just have to tick his or her choices. In our survey, we wrote our responders to enumerate 5 international beauty queens which they think is timeless from orders 1 to 5 -one being the highest order of their choice. There were 10 respondents and we can see that only 30% of our respondents agree to the number 1 choice. The same is true with the number 2 choice. We have such a varied response that we feel our respondents see beauty in all. What may be beautiful for one may not be for the others.

Our survey results are as follows:

17 POINTS

Stephen Diaz  - 5

Khristianne Luna Bernardo – 5

Jetset Alejandro - 5

William Prendiz Jurado – 2

Oxana Fedorova, dethroned Miss Universe 2002 fills the number 1 position. Oxana despite being dethroned still lingers in everyone’s consciousness among pageant enthusiasts. Who would not forget this blushing lady who captured the hearts of everyone when she set foot in San Juan, Puerto Rico? Everyone was mesmerized by her classic and angelic beauty.  She  was  full   of charms and correspondingly witty. She had the body everyone ogled at and she walked fleetingly onstage. She was everyone’s dream girl.

She however, had a short reign and was replaced by her first runner-up Justine Pasek of Panama. Whatever reason Oxana had or the organizers for her dethronement, Oxana continued to be of interest to everyone’s fancy. Many pageant wannabe’s idolized her. They aped her walk, her gown and monitored her career. She had become the standard of what beauty should be. Some even elevated her to a “goddess” status. She had become a beauty that through the years, in every pageant or beauty discussion, her name is always a topic that cropped up. Oxana later on pursued higher education in a field where men dominates. She however, showed that women can be strong and formidable in the police force and she shine through her endeavors. It is no wonder, she topped Queentessence survey. She is not only timeless but a quintessential beauty.

13 PONTS

Bonner Lasquite – 5

Khristianne Luna Bernardo – 4

Jetset Alejandro – 4

Jennifer Hawkins came in second. Who can not forget this lady who had unassumingly led the Miss Universe candidates in 2004 held in Quito, Ecuador. After being crowned Miss Universe 2004, pageant co-owner described her as the “most beautiful Miss Universe in many many years.” Who would not say that? Everyone sees her as saccharine sweet, loveable, beautiful and chic. If Oxana is said to be enigmatic, Jennifer  is  said  to  be  candid. During her reign, mishaps happened during one of Jennifer’s functions where her skirt was accidentally removed when she stepped on it. It revealed her in G-string to the awe of the people watching her. But instead of losing her star, it added more luster to it and Jennifer was well loved by everyone. She became a popular commercial model and now a businesswoman.

11 POINTS

William Prendiz Jurado = 5

Zarly of Veestarz = 3

Bobby Baradi     = 3

Gemma Cruz is the first Miss International Beauty Queen from the Philippines who garnered the title in the fifth edition of the pageant in 1964. She came in third in our survey. In the fifth edition of pageant, actress Arlene Dahl, a member of the board of judges noted that Gemma had an unmistakable air of class that set her apart from the other. She is very regal and she had an exceptional breeding and bearing that the judges saw. Gemma further endeared herself to everyone when she donated all her cash prize earnings to the Boys and Girls Town, an orphanage in the Philippines. For those who know her well, it was not a surprise for them to hear that Gemma did donate her cash prizes. However, for ordinary Filipinos, Gemma’s feat in the pageant is something they hold up in steam and donating her cash prize to the needy is a great and valued character of a person. When Gemma became the Tourism Secretary during the Estrada administration of the Philippines, every pageant observer still gets awed by the enthralling presence of Gemma. Her formidable height, her resplendent beauty and her presence are enough get star-struck with this beauty queen. This beauty queen really aged gracefully and how exceptional she did.

9 POINTS

Peter Sereno = 5

Giovanni Yazon = 4

Miss Universe 1991 Lupita Jones came in 4th in our survey. In 1991, this beauty showed so much grace and elan as she romped away with the crown against 72 other candidates in Las Vegas, Nevada. She eased through all the rounds by topping all the scores from swimsuit, evening gown and the interview.  It was the first time a Mexican won in the Miss Universe Beauty pageant. A graduate of Business Administration, she founded a company and created Nuestra Belleza Mexico. After 13 years she produced a winner in the person of Priscilla Perales as Miss International 2007 and remarkable the most, she produced another Miss Universe for her country in the same place where she won the title – Ximena Navarrete, Now she's single and has one son with ex-husband Simón Charaf.

8 POINTS

Zarly of Veestarz = 4

Bobby Baradi = 4

Another Miss Universe completed the 5 timeless beauties in our survey, 1973 winner Maria Margarita Moran from the Philippines. She won the title in Athens, Greece among other   candidates. Just like Gemma, Margie came from a pedigreed clan and this clearly showed in her competition during the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. She won Miss Photogenic during the preliminary judging. During the pageant itself, she became the darling of the crowd because of her regal bearing and class. She was exceptionally graceful, refined and polished.   It   was   no  surprise  for  everyone that she was crowned the winner in that fateful day. Margie soon became a wife to another well-known political person in the Philippines. And as wife of a politician, she started different advocacies such as Mothers for Peace, Friends of Habitat, Foundation for Arts, Culture and Ecology and Save Davao Gulf Ecology. Truly with these advocacies, she is a Quintessential beauty by its meaning.

There is something notable among the choices of our respondents. They did not only select beautiful and lovely women but they chose women who after their reign became successful in their chosen endeavors.

WHO CHOSE OUR TIMELESS AND QUINTESSENTIAL BEAUTIES

By Raphael Porciuncula

First on our list is Andhy Blake. Andhy is a beauty queen mentor and coach for Universe and World delegates from New Zealand and Australia. He is presently based in New Zealand and Fiji. He is the now the National Director for Miss World Fiji. His choices?

1.Wendy Fitzwilliam (Trinidad and Tobago) - Miss Universe 1998

2. Mpule Kwelagobe (Botswana) -  Miss Universe 1999

3. Linor Arbagil (Israel) -  Miss World 1998

4. Wilnelia Merced-Forsyth Johnson (Puerto Rico) -  Miss World 1975

5. Sushmita Sen (India) -  Miss Universe 1994

Next on our list is William Prendiz de Jurado. William is a known pageant aficionado and has followed the Miss Universe Beauty pageant  for  the last 52 years. His admiration for beautiful girls had been taken into consideration by many pageant observers and he is well-respected by them. And his choices are as follows;

1.Gemma Cruz – always a lady, kind to everyone

2.   Luz Marina Zuluaga – no attitude, happy to be greeted and loved by everyone

3. Armi Kusuela – felt like in the presence of a royalty, so much class, lady-like and very gracious

4. Gladys Zender –another classy lady

5. Oxana Fedorova – she is a complete beauty and very flawless.

Jetset Alejandro is a medical doctor by profession. He’s passionate however with beauty pageants. He had been doing pageant reviews since 1998. He is Queentessence resident pageant reviewer. His choices are as follows:

1. Oxana Fedorova

2. Jennifer Hawkins

3. Sushmita Sen

4. Amparo Munoz Quesada

5. Alicia Machado

Bobby Baradi is an architect who dabbles also as a designer. Based in San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines, Bobby had an eye for beauty and had been a recipient of many Best Design pageant gowns. His choices are as follows:

1. Gloria Diaz

2. Margie Moran

3. Gemma Cruz

4. Mirriam Quiambao

5. Shamcey Supsup

Zarly is the webmaster and owner of the site Veestarz- another pageant related site. Zarly hails from Beaverton, Oregon, USA and the following are his personal choices:

1. Barbara Palacios

2. Margie Moran

3. Gemma Cruz

4. Anne Sidney

5. Armi Kuusela

       Stephen I. Diaz is a teacher and is based in Gyoda City, Japan. He holds a degree in economics and finance. At the side he is an avid missosologist . His top choices are as follows:

1. Oxana Federova (MU 2002 dethroned)

2. Aishwarya Rai (MW 1994)

3. Mimilanie Marquez (MI 1979)

4. Janelle Commisiong (MU 1977)

5. Angela Visser (MU 1989)

Giovanni Paolo Yazon on the other hand is a pageant journalist based in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines. He is a freelance entertainment writer but most of the time his write-ups are read at Manila Standard Today. His choices are as follows:

1. Stella Marquez Araneta

2. Lupita Jones

3. Jacqueline Aguilera 

4. Barbara Palacios 

5. Apasra Hongsakula

Peter Sereno is the trainer-consultant of Miss Universe Australia Organization.  Peter Sereno is a pure blooded Filipino. He is born here in our country and migrated to Australia years later. He is also a pageant junkie just like all of us, and that paved his way in becoming an associate to the MUA Organization and being the one in charge of sculpting victories in the Land Down Under. He selected the following as he described his top choices.

1. Lupita Jones - always a lady. She was pure class on stage when she won Miss Universe and she is pure class now.

 2. Zhang Zilin - Another woman who just seems to grow more and more beautiful.

3. Michelle Mclean - This woman just improves with age. Grace in the body of an amazon.

4. Agbani Darego

5. Justine Pasek

Khristianne Luna Bernardo is a missosologist and hails from Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines. His top 5 choices are the following:

1. Oxana Fedorova

2. Jennifer Hawkins

3. Sushmita Sen

4. Amparo Munoz Quesada

5. Alicia Machado

Bonner Lasquite is the owner of the website Pageant Mania. He is also a known Pageant enthusiast  and is based in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. His choices are as follows:

1. Jennifer Hawkins

2. Natalie Glebova

3. Ksenia Sukhinova

4. Nicole Faria

5. Lara Precious Quigaman

TRAVEL FEATURE

TIMELESS PLACES IN AMAZING THAILAND
By Mika Iha

Thailand, officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand, is the most visited country in the Southeast Asian region. Located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia, it has a foreign tourist arrival of 15.1 million last year, and it is anticipating a total number of 18.3 million tourists this year, making Tourism as one of the prime movers of the country’s economy.

Thailand is very attractive to foreign tourists mainly because of its strategic location, tourist friendly tourism law, smiling and hospitable people, sumptuous food, rich culture, and amazing sceneries.

The country is located strategically in the middle of SEA region. It is bordered to the north by Myanmar/Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Burma. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea to the southwest. From Thailand, one can easily travel in the neighboring countries by land taking the bus or train, while to other neighboring SEA countries by budget airlines.

Thailand has hosted the Miss Universe pageant twice, during the 1992 and 2005 edition which was both held in the capital city of Bangkok.

Amazing Thailand, as it is marketed around the world, offers its tourists an amazingly different kind of experience. Here are some of the famous spots in Thailand one should not miss when visiting the country:

The Grand Palace :  Known as Prha Boromma Maha Ratcha Wang in Thai, this is the most popular tourist destination in Thailand. Constructed in May 1782, the palace was the official residence of the King, his court and his royal government from 1782 to 1925. The Grand Palace is made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. Its asymmetry and eclectic styles are due to its organic development, with additions and rebuilding being made by successive reigning kings over 200 years of history. It is divided into several quarters: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; the Outer Court, with many public buildings; the Middle Court, including the Phra Maha Montien Buildings, the Phra Maha Prasat Buildings and the Chakri Maha Prasat Buildings; the Inner Court and the Siwalai Gardens quarter. The Grand Palace is currently partially open to the public as a museum, however it remains a working palace as several royal offices are still situated inside.  Most  famous within the compound of the Grand Palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha which was built in 1783. This temple was constructed in accordance with ancient tradition dating back to Wat Mahathat, a royal chapel within the grounds of the royal palace where the famed Emerald Buddha is kept within the grounds of the temple.

Baiyoke Sky Hotel :  Located in the heart of Bangkok, this is Thailand’s tallest building, and is considered as the tallest hotel in SEA, and the fourth-tallest all-hotel structure in the world. This 85 story hotel offers a public observatory on the 77th floor, a bar and restaurant on the 83rd floor that serves buffet meals at considerable price. On the 84th floor is the 360-degree revolving roof deck that offers tourist a 360 degree amazing view of the city.

Patpong : Many of my friends say that one can’t brag that he has traveled to Thailand if he has never visited Patpong. This place is internationally known as Bangkok’s red light district; the heart of Bangkok’s sex industry. Amidst numerous red-light districts in the country, this is one of the most famous districts. The place becomes busy as soon as the sun sets. Night market opens at around 6pm, becoming the façade of the several ago-go bars in the area, disco houses, and bars. The place close at around 2-3pm, while there are still bars that operate beyond that. Close to Patpong is the famous Silom Soi 2 which is considered the heart of Bangkok’s Gay scene.  Most famous disco house in this street is DJ Station where gays all over the world crowd up to party and hook-up.

Chatuchak Weekend Market :  Considered as the largest market in Thailand, this place is flocked by around 200,000 visitors each day with most stalls mostly open only on Saturdays and Sundays. Also known as the JJ Market, it’s western section is actually open daily, so as the JJ Mall which is located in the west corner. The market offers a wide variety of products including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and live animals. For tourists, there are a number of onsite companies who send purchases abroad.

Ayutthaya Historical Park : Located in Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand, this historical park has 18 park sites where the ruins of the old city can be seen. Most famous in the park are the Wat Chaiwatthanaram (A royal temple where the king and his successors performed religious ceremonies. Princes and princess were cremated here, including King Boromakot's son Chaofa Thammathibet), and Wat Mahathat (most striking of all of the temples in the park, with large crumbling stupas surrounded by low laterite walls and rows of headless Buddhas. At the entrance is the famous Buddha covered with the roots of the tree). The park was declared a UNESCO World heritage site in 1991. According to "Tourism Asia," thirty-three monarchs including King Rama IV governed from Ayutthaya.

Pattaya : Two hours bus ride from Bangkok is the busy city of Pattaya which offers a “hot” beach experience and “wild” nightlife. This is called the city that never sleeps because of the continuous activities 24 hours a day. In daytime, the city is flocked with beach goers; while in the evening becomes a night market and a party place. Not to mention several red-light districts in the city.

Phuket :  Breathtaking scenery, stunning tropical sunsets and spectacular blue sea awaits every tourist in Asia's most popular beach destination, Phuket. This fun city is the second largest tourist hub in the country, located in southern part of Thailand, about one and a half hours by plane from Bangkok. Among the must see in Phuket is the James Bond Island (where the “The Man with the Golden Gun" James Bond movie was shot in 1974), Khrabi Island (where Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie, The Beach, was shot), and Patong Beach (the largest beach resort, known for its nightlife).

Doi Suthep and Doi Pui  :  Located in Chiangmai, in the northern part of Thailand, these two places are among the highest peak of Thailand where you can have a breathtaking panoramic view of nature. Flowing from these heights are some of the most highly enjoyable and accessible waterfalls in the Kingdom's northern reaches. Mae Sa Falls, Huay Kaew Falls and Monthathan Falls are among the most popular sights of the park and are easily reached from the main road. The forest is also home to a variety of wildlife, including many small mammals and birds as well as the rare Crocodile Salamander, which is only found in four places in Thailand.

Photo credits: Yuri Sanchez Pastores