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| 12.29.2008 | Monday
• BUSTED : A Mexican beauty queen has been sentenced to 40 days jail after she was arrested with an alleged
Ciudad Juarez drug cartel leader and a group of heavily armed men. Laura Zúñiga, 23, was arrested last Monday (Dec. 22)
at a military checkpoint in the western state of Jalisco while travelling with seven armed men in two vehicles
carrying $US100,000 ($A146,842) in cash, government sources said. A judge on Friday ordered "the cautionary measure"
of 40 days detention for Zúñiga and the men "for probably committing crimes" relating to drug trafficking and
transporting weapons, the office of Mexico's attorney general said. Zúñiga was picked up along with
Angel Orlando Garcia Urquizar, "presumed to be one of the leaders of the Juarez Cartel", the statement read.
Police earlier identified Zúñiga as Garcia Urquizar's girlfriend.
Zúñiga was crowned Miss Sinaloa in July, and also won the Queen of Hispanic America ("Reina Hispanoamericana") contest in November in Bolivia.
At the time of the arrests, authorities said they found two AR-15 rifles, three pistols, 633 cartridges
and 16 mobile phones along with the cash in the vehicles. The Juarez cartel is believed to be responsible for smuggling up to
20 per cent of all the cocaine consumed in the United States, for annual profits of $US660 million ($A969.16 million).
The group was "just coming to town. They came from different places and the young
woman said that the money was for making purchases in Bolivia and Colombia", said Jalisco public security director
Alejandro Solorio at the time of the arrest. Zúñiga is originally from Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa,
birthplace of one of Mexico's most powerful cartels. According to La Jornada, a leading Mexican newspaper, more
than a dozen lawyers have volunteered to defend the beauty queen. (AFP, 12/26/2008)
Whatever the circumstances and consequences of her arrest, Zúñiga's latest
challenge underscores the extent to which gangster culture has entered the mainstream of Sinaloa and other states
where drug smuggling has become a way of life. "This is a clear example of how organized crime has gotten into the
very marrow of society in the whole country," wrote one of more than 200 anonymous commentators responding to
Zuniga's arrest online in a Culiacan newspaper.
So many young women in Culiacan, Zúñiga's hometown, have taken up with
gangsters that they have become an instantly recognizable subculture at local shopping malls and fancy restaurants.
A recent article in Eme-Equis, a Mexico City magazine, snidely described the typical Sinaloa gangster consort — called
a "buchona" in local slang — as a striking young woman who is overly coiffed and, overly dressed. "Once seen, she is
impossible to forget," the article said. "It is said she belongs to a (gangster) who pays for her every whim. She
is part of his luggage, fulfills his erotic fantasies, is used by him to show off."
(Houston Chronicle, United States, 12/24/2008)
This article
reports "that cartels may have infiltrated contests to launder money."
My two-cents. This whole affair would not have attracted international attention if a beauty
queen had not been involved. Drug arrests happen all the time and they're just as common as the killings of innocent civilians in
Darfur, the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan, but it seems that we have become desensitized to those news. But what makes
Zúñiga's case more compelling and more interesting than the violent deaths of innocent civilians? Is it because it's hard to imagine
a beauty queen - who is supposed to be a role model for girls and young women - voluntarily getting herself involved with the
dregs of society? After all, she is human just like us, with strengths and weaknesses. Or is it because we have been
culturally, politically, socially and emotionally conditioned for many centuries to sympathize with beautiful people, no matter how ugly
their crime is? Discuss among yourselves!
• DETHRONED : As a consequence of her "criminal" activity, Laura Zúñiga has been stripped of her title as Reina Hispanoamericana
by Promociones Gloria, the company the owns and produces the Bolivian-based pageant. Zúñiga has been replaced by her
first runner-up, Viviana Noronha Cia of Brazil. Also, Lupita Jones, the director
of Nuestra Belleza Mexico, released a statement distancing the organization from Zúñiga and that it had no knowledge of Zúñiga's
alleged gangland ties. Jones also stripped Zúñiga of her title as Mexico's representative to Miss International 2009 pageant.
• HER STORY : Rosa María Ojeda Cuén, Mexico's representative to Miss Universe 2007, can sympathize with Laura Zúñiga's
situation. Ojeda - who is also from Sinaloa - said that when she won the state title, she received propositions from several
agencies who wanted to introduce her to important people who would give her anything she desired. But she sensed right away that
she would be dealing with bad company, so she politely declined the offers. Ojeda advises young women to be extremely cautious
about mixing with the wrong crowd; a year ago on a talk show, Ojeda confessed that she suffered from her boyfriend's verbal and
emotional abuse (he was obsessively jealous) and that she felt like a prisoner in her own house.
Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, the head of the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain, told The Times:
"This story is very common, unfortunately. We have tried to plug some of the holes in the whole system, but unfortunately our
clerics do not live on this planet. “They don’t understand. For them, controlling the sexuality of the woman is far more important
than justice, so we have this problem.”
Daftary, a Sunni Muslim from London whose family comes from Afghanistan, was crowned Miss Face
of Asia in a beauty contest last year. She was found critically injured by the apartment block in Salford Quays near the Manchester
United football ground on Saturday. She had been helping with makeup at a fashion show in the city but left early to collect
clothes from Jamil’s home. Daftary also wanted to arrange an Islamic divorce from him. She had undergone a Muslim wedding ceremony
in Brentford, West London, only to learn later that her husband already had a wife. Islam traditionally allows husbands to take up
to four wives at a time. (The Times, UK, 12/27/2008)
The Telegraph offers its own version of the story.
And The Gulf Times reports that Jamil had sexually assaulted Daftary.
• THE NEW MISS BELGIUM is Zeynep Sever, 19, of Molenbeek. Zeynep who is of Turkish origin and who competed in Miss Turkey
2007 will now represent Belgium in Miss Universe 2009 and Miss World 2009. The first runner-up is Cassandra d`Ermilio, 21,
and the second runner-up is Michelle Thissen, 20.
• THE NEW MISS GABON is Marlyne Eyene Ella, 22, a university student from the capital city of Libreville. She was crowned Saturday
in a pageant that attracted eighteen young women from the nine provinces of Gabon. Her first runner-up is Marie Thérèse Bert from
Estuaire and her second runner-up is Cynthia Mboumba from Ngounié. Several beauty queens from Cameroon, the Congo, the Central
African Republic, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, as well as the current Miss Europe and Miss Russia, were invited as special guests.
The new Miss Gabon will not compete internationally; however, she is expected to promote Gabon culture and to be the guardian of her
country's traditions, ancestral influences and social values. (Afrik.com, 12/23/2008)
• PISSED FRENCH BEAUTIES : While the new Miss France Chloé Mortaud is getting a warm reception in her hometown of l'Arriège,
other French beauties - under the name "Miss en colère" ("Angry Misses") - are expressing their anger towards the Miss France Committee
headed by the Hat Lady, Geneviève de Fontenay. The group's spokesperson is Claudine Cassereau, Miss France 1972, who has
been fighting for fifteen years to have her name and photograph be restored in the official list of former titleholders of Miss France.
Here's a little background information: Charlotte Bouvier de Lamotte was the original 1972 winner, but she had to relinquish
her title two months later following a horse fall accident. Her first runner-up, Cassereau, replaced her as Miss France 1972 but
Cassereau's name is rarely mentioned in the official Miss France archives. Cassereau feels hurt and betrayed by de Fontenay.
More recently, the first runner-up to Mortaud, Marine Beaury, during the regional pageant
(Miss Albigeois Midi-Pyrénées), has hired a lawyer to have the results of the regional election annulled. According to Beaury, the votes
were rigged. There was no bailiff present during the election, which gives her the right to contest the results. Another beauty queen,
Lumir Ruchet, first runner-up to Katy Josse (Miss Picardie 2008), is demanding an explanation as to why she was ousted
unjustly from the regionals and forbidden to compete in the finals. (LaDépêche.fr, 12/23/2008; News France, France, 12/23/2008)
• DIVORCED : Deborah Carthy Deu, Miss Universe 1985 from Puerto Rico, has filed for divorce from businessman Luis Alfredo Caicedo Bonilla,
whom she married in Las Vegas on July 23, 2006. The former beauty queen, a very private person, did not reveal the reason for the breakup.
(Primera Hora, San Juan, 12/23/2008)
• NEXT UPDATE : CB wishes everyone a Happy New Year 2009! Watch out for CB's End-Of-The-Year Review on New Year's Day. The journal will
be updated on Monday, January 5, 2009.
PHOTO CREDITS: Associated Press, Miss News, The Times
| 12.22.2008 | Monday
According to Walcott, this lack of funding will impact the future of Miss TT and
cause many potential delegates to abandon their dreams of representing their country. “When I was a little girl I
used to dream about being Miss TT and that was only made possible by funding. Peter Elias put out of his own pocket
to finance my preparations for this pageant. I would not have wanted my dreams to be sabotaged by something that
is out of my control. If there continues to be a consistent lack of funding a lot of girls will be forced
to give up their dreams of being an ambassador to our country on the world stage.” She said that Miss TT serves to
set a good standard for a generation that is disoriented by foreign media. Walcott stated, “Our Government fails
to recognise the role of Miss TT as a positive example for young people who are exposed to the influences
of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.”
She praised Elias for making it his personal responsibility to ensure that
she was prepared and provided with everything, “I never felt pressured because of the financial limitations.
I must thank him for that.” As for his retirement, Walcott said he certainly left his mark on everyone he worked with,
“Peter Elias ended his career on a high note. He has had an amazing run. He had the winning formula.
We are definitely losing one of the greats.” (Trinidad News, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 12/21/2008)
• AND SPEAKING OF LACK OF SPONSORS : Vinah Mamba-Grey, the director of Miss Swaziland World, lamented the shortage
of sponsors for Miss Swaziland, saying that the country's representative Tiffany Simelane could have done much better in Miss World
if they had enough resources to support her. Mamba-Grey said, “Look, this entire event is taxing financially and you cannot
do it successfully without money, which mainly comes from sponsors. “For instance, to ensure that the girl is properly dressed
for the Miss World finals, you need about E60 000,” she said.
She said when Tiffany left for the month long Miss World event in South Africa,
they made it clear that they needed 10 evening dresses, five cocktail dresses, two tracksuits, two swimming suits, a bikini
and full one and sarongs and sneekers. “That’s a lot of money, more than the one you pay for her travelling ticket
and registration fees. One cannot, therefore, claim or boast of having rescued the Miss Swaziland pageant when you have not
catered for the many other costs that go with it. We need a lot of money,” she said. Mamba-Grey said it is working against
Swazi girls to go there without being fully prepared on the other aspects like being dressed to the nines for a big event like this one.
“Look, it becomes very intimidating and embarrassing that we will not participate in some activities because we
don’t have the proper gear for it. Miss Venezuela came with a luggage of 15 and here our girl came with one and such does
impact on her confidence,” she said. (The Swazi Observer, Swaziland, 12/20/2008)
• THE NEW MISS ANGOLA is Nelsa Suraia Pombal Alves, 21, from Ingombote in the province of Luanda, who was
crowned in the capital city of Luanda Friday night. She was crowned by last year's titleholder Lesliana Pereira.
The first runner-up is Jercinda da Silva from Cabinda and the second runner-up is Vilma Leonardo from
Lunda Norte. Alves will represent her country in Miss Universe 2009.
• INSISTENT : The first runner-up of Miss World 2008 Parvathy Omanakuttan said she was done in by the jury alleging that its decision
to adjudge her only second best was “unfair”. “I have performed better than others in the personality and question-answer round.
This is not just that. All those who watched it felt like that. I feel the jury’s decision was unfair”, Parvathy, 21, who was adjudged
the first runner up from among 108 contestants at the Miss World pageant in Johannesburg, told local tv channel. “I had confidence.
I could do well. The question-round did not come as a challenge to me considering my background in literature,” said Parvathy.
(A Pakistan News, Pakistan, 12/20/2008)
• FIRST IMPRESSIONS AFTER VICTORY : In an interview with a Russian newspaper, the new Miss World Ksenia Sukhinova described the off
stage life of the contestants and also shared her plans for the future. She said she did not yet know how to spend the
100 thousand dollars she received as a monetary prize, but suggested that she could aid some Russian biathlon union.
"Honestly, I have not yet decided anything about the money. Why not donate it for biathlon? I had a degree in biathlon back home
in Nizhnevartovsk and I attended races in Khanty Mansiysk," the pageant winner told the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.
Sukhinova also added that contrary to the popular belief there were no hidden intrigues in the contest. "We had nothing of this sort.
I became real good friends with the girl from Ukraine, we live in one room. The girls from Latin America were really good
company as well", she said.
Sukhinova also said that the pageant was quite difficult and stressful. "The hardest thing
at the pageant were the rehearsals that lasted for hours. Me and other girl got really tired. I only slept for two hours before
the finals, I was so worried. And at the Miss Sport contest we were running, jumping and even doing press-ups". When asked if she
is seeing someone special, she replied, "My heart is vacant now. With one pageant following another, I have no time for personal life."
(Moscow News, Russia, 12/19/2008)
• MISS UNIVERSE IN LAS VEGAS? Alicia Jacobs, entertainment reporter at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, is reporting that
Donald Trump's Miss Universe pageant is "most likely" headed for Las Vegas. Trump, who was on the brink of
holding the event in Dubai, has been negotiating with the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority since Dubai
stipulated Miss Israel could not participate, Jacobs said. The event would be held at Planet Hollywood Resort,
which also hosts the Miss America and Trump's Miss USA pageants. (Las Vegas Review, Journal, NV, 12/21/2008)
• MISS YOUNG INTERNATIONAL UPDATE : Mark Ancheta, the fallen organizer of this pageant who was arrested last week for
fraud, is reportedly still in jail. Meanwhile, I received an e-mail from Lasma Sarkane who was supposed to have
represented Latvia in Miss Young International 2007 pageant in Taiwan. In her e-mail, Lasma wrote that Mark Ancheta had promised free
airfare to twenty delegates, but only on the condition that she and 19 others would be the first twenty delegates to pay
the US$500 franchise fee. Ancheta urged Lasma to pay immediately as there were only "three places left" in a free ticket row.
Lasma paid the fee to Ancheta and the pageant was supposed to have taken place in September 2007, yet five days before the
pageant Sarkane had still not received her free round-trip ticket.
Ancheta and his "staff" had also advised Lasma that they would call the Latvian embassy
to discuss Lasma's visa, but they never did. After the pageant, Lasma attempted to communicate with Ancheta to demand a refund.
Ancheta then responded that he would refer her inquiry to a certain Cathy Cheng. Instead of receiving
a reply from Cheng, Lasma received an e-mail from Ancheta's assistant, Aileen Evangelista who advised her that her letter would be
forwarded to the "accounting department." Naturally, Ancheta and his fellow corrupt colleagues never followed up with
Lasma. Lasma never got her money back.
Thanks, Lasma, for sharing your experience with the CB readers, and may it be a warning to
directors who are considering sending delegates to shady pageants.
• AND NOW... the winners of the Critical Beauty Awards for Miss World 2008!
Also, more photos added in Héctor Joaquín's Miss World galleries.
• NEXT UPDATE : CB wishes everyone a Merry Christmas! Peace, Joy, and Prosperity to everyone! The journal will be updated on
Monday, December 29, 2008.
PHOTO CREDIT: Trinidad & Tobago News
| 12.16.2008 | Tuesday
"I think I can help people and I want to help people and today if I walk away
with this crown I will do that," Sukhinova told judges through a translator after being asked why she should be crowned
the winner. Hailing from Nizhnevartovsk in the north west of Siberia, Sukhinova was dressed in a purple gown,
with a decorative neckline and flowing skirt. She is a student pursuing a science degree as an engineer of
administration from the Tyumen Oil and Gas University. Sukhinova becomes the second Miss Russia to win the global event after Julia Kourochkina took the crown in 1992.
She was crowned by her predecessor Zhang Zi Lin of China. (Africasia, UK, 12/13/2008)
I saw the entire show on the E! Channel Sunday night and I echo the same
sentiments voiced by many pageant fans. First, there's no doubt that the winner is stunning, perhaps the most beautiful
Miss World winner since Aishwarya Rai back in 1994. Second, the show was like "a musical concert with models
strutting around on stage," as one fan wrote. It's true. Another fan asks this burning question, "Five of the girls are fast-tracked past
the first cut, but how are the others selected?" Mexico's Anagabriela Espinosa won the Beach Beauty contest, was one
of the four finalists for the Beauty With a Purpose award, was in the top 10 of the Top Model competition, and was among the
top 19 in the Talent contest, yet why was she not advanced to the top three? Instead, Miss India - who did not win any fast-track event
- ended up as the first runner-up. Puerto Rico and Peru both made the top 32 of Top Model, Puerto Rico also made the top 10
of Beach Beauty whereas Peru made the top 6 of the Sports competition. One would think that athleticism is more noble
than runway skills, yet the judges thought differently and advanced Miss Puerto Rico instead of Miss Peru (or was it because
of Wilnelia Merced, the perpetual Puerto Rican judge in the panel?)
And speaking of the Talent competition, I am puzzled as to how Barbados won this event.
Her voice is shrill and her rendition of "Don't Let It Rain On My Parade" was simply atrocious. My dog's whimpering is more soothing. Nevertheless, the judges scored her higher
than Miss Austria who performed a difficult and more entertaining hoola hoop exhibition. Other oddities: the male host Tumisho
Masha asked the same question to the other finalists ("Tell us something about yourself that you think should impress the
judges to give you this title tonight."), but gave a different question to Miss India ("What was some of the highlights being in Johannesburg?").
See the top 5 interview here. Later backstage, Masha dismissed Miss Angola while he interviewed the other four. Overall, the show was boring,
from beginning to end. Too much waiting. Too much contrived suspense (or lack thereof). Too many pauses. No wonder this
pageant is not popular in the United States where the general public is accustomed to fast-paced spectacles.
• SOURGRAPING? Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan was originally quoted as saying, “I objectively felt that my answer to my final question was
better than those given by the rest of the contestants. That is the reason I could not hold back my tears when my name was
announced as the runners-up. My parents who were standing by, caught my eye and gestured to me to remain calm,
but I was heartbroken.’’ In other words, she really felt that the crown was hers. (The Economic Times, India, 12/14/2008)
However, the Indian beauty is now denying the media report that she has questioned
the jury's decision. Speaking to NDTVMovies.com on phone from Johannesburg, she said, "I never questioned jury's decision.
The contest was fair, and free from all biases. They were just and reasonable to each and every contestant. I have been
totally misquoted on that point. I never said to anybody that I was not rightly judged. I have a lot of respect for
judges in the contest." According to an agency report, Parvathy in a statement to India Vision,
a Kerala based news channel had said "I have performed better than others in the personality and question-answer round.
This is not just. All those who watched it on Saturday felt like that. I feel the jury's decision was unfair".
(NDTV.com, India, 12/15/2008)
• END OF THE ROAD : Danielle Walcott's Miss World third placer for Trinidad & Tobago is certainly great news for her director
Peter Elias who said that Walcott's Beauty With A Purpose award is a big deal because the charity work was showcased
on international television during the pageant, which was viewed by millions of people around the world. Noting that this was
his last pageant, Elias also said: "This pageant is the end of the road for me. It was my final pageant but I am hopeful that from this
result everyone in this country will feel that they have the potential to be great." He said all of the hard work that he has
done in promoting the beauty pageant locally over the past 15 years was for that purpose. "We have seen our flag flown high over
time,
• THE NEW MISS SOUTH AFRICA is 24-year-old Tatum Keshwar of Durban. She was crowned yesterday in Johannesburg.
She will now represent her country in Miss Universe 2009 and Miss World 2009. Her first runner-up is Anja van Zyl, 20,
and her second runner-up is Buyisiwe Shongwe, 24.
• THE NEW MISTER GERMANY is Dirk Schlemmer, photo, a 24-year-old law student who was crowned in the tiny north-eastern town
of Linstow on Saturday. The 6'3" tall, blonde, blue-eyed Mister Baden-Wuerttemberg beat out 17 competitors to be pronounced
Germany's best looking man. He may have to take a break from his favorite hobbies - snowboarding and soccer - to prevent
any damage to his flawless and now valuable body during his one year on the throne. (Deutsche Welle, Germany, 12/14/2008)
• MISS GAY NEPAL (ERR, MISS TRANSGENDERED NEPAL) : As Nepal undergoes a series of social and cultural revolutions, Sandhya Lama, 20, has emerged as an
unusual icon. "I realised I was different from others when my classmates started ragging me in Class 8," says the slender, poised
5 ft 4'' Lama who could be mistaken as a model. "'Why are you so girlish,' they would taunt me. "I liked women's clothes and I
liked dancing and I gradually realised that I was actually a girl at heart," the transgender youth told IANS. She was lured by
an older acquaintance to leave her home in Hetauda town and go to Kathmandu with him, where he promised to launch her career as
a dancer. He cheated Sandhya but she survived the sexual exploitation to carve out a new identity as a woman.
One day, Lama saw a programme on the state-run television channel about a gay rights group,
Blue Diamond Society (BDS), which was helping sexual minorities fight for their rights. Excited, she contacted the NGO and began
working for it as a peer counsellor, advising gays, lesbians, commercial sex workers and intravenous drug users about the
perils of HIV/AIDS. This month, Lama beat 54 other transgender contestants to win Nepal's three-year-old gay beauty pageant
and become the Himalayan republic's gay ambassador to tackle stigma and discrimination related to HIV and AIDS.
Strangely Miss Nepal, Nepal's oldest and best known pageant, was blocked by the ruling
Maoist party this year on the ground that it debased women by reducing them to merchandise to promote products manufactured
by the sponsoring companies. However, BDS, the organiser of the Miss Gay pageant, says it faced no opposition. But then,
unlike the Miss Nepal criteria, which were opposed by the Maoists, the Miss Gay contest is more liberal. A contestant can
be married and aged up to 40 years. In the talent round, Lama performed a skit in which she was the HIV, depicting how the
virus attacked the human body and the precautionary measures. Where does Lama see herself in the next five years?
"Definitely not as a politician. But contributing as a social worker and trying to establish myself as a dancer."
(IANS, Mangalorean, India, 12/14/2008)
• RELIVING AN UGLY MOMENT : Miss World 1998 Linor Abargil of Israel, turned model and actress, and renowned Dutch
filmmaker Cecilia Peck (daughter of U.S. actor Gregory Peck) are making a movie together about rape and the fear of
women in denouncing the crime and their aggressors. Abargil was a victim of rape ten years ago in Italy, weeks before she
captured the Miss World crown. She will narrate her own story for the documentary that she will shoot with Peck. Abargil
said that after her case was divulged, women from all over the world have been sending her e-mails with their own stories,
and she now acknowledges that her "purpose in life" is to encourage other rape victims to break their silence. The shooting will
start in Israel next July and will continue in several countries for a year with a budget of approximately one million dollars.
(Agencia Judía de Noticias, 12/14/2008)
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, December 22, 2008
PHOTO CREDIT: Miss World Organisation, Deutsche Welle
| 12.12.2008 | Friday
• ARRESTED : Mark Ancheta, the organizer of Miss Young International 2008 pageant, was arrested by the
Philippine police when he failed to pay the bill for the hotel where the candidates had been lodged. The popular
Philippine news show "TV Patrol" interviewed the remaining candidates, including Miss Canada's grandmother, and also
showed Ancheta being held in prison and covering his face in shame. Watch the report
in YouTube. A caption reads "Pekeng Beauty Pageant" (Fake Beauty Pageant).
Ancheta was detained two hours before the pageant that was supposed to
have taken place Monday night. However, he was released hours after posting bail.
| 12.09.2008 | Tuesday
• PAGEANT FROM HELL : Mark Ancheta, the organizer and self-proclaimed president of the revived Miss Young International pageant,
has once again unleashed his powers of deception in the third edition of the pageant that is taking place in the Philippines.
Alicia Michioka Jones, a former Miss Hawaii USA and the national director for Miss Young Hawaii and Miss Young USA, wrote to me
yesterday to share some information that she had gathered from her two representatives who - along with the remaining contestants -
are literally being held hostage by Ancheta. The pageant is so bad that several girls have already returned home. Jones gives
the following report:
I wanted to find out more details about Ancheta's misdeeds so I called Alicia last
night and spoke to her for over half an hour. Alicia picked up the phone, and I introduced myself. Alicia mentioned the following:
- the Internet votes have generated approximately US$150,000 in revenue, and that Ancheta is obviously using the pageant to make
money
- Ancheta took the girls outside of Manila and into the province of Nueva Ecija so he could present the girls to the mayors
and businessmen (presumably for sexual favors)
- Miss Ukraine and Miss Belarus were so fed up with the lousy treatment that they decided to leave the pageant
(and when the other girls inquired why their two fellow contestants had left, Ancheta told them that "they were arrested" - which
was a big lie)
- the accomodations outside Manila were substandard, the girls slept in mattresses infested with termites and bedbugs and
covered with blood-stained sheets and they had to relieve themselves in buckets
- Miss Hawaii and Miss USA's titleholder sashes were confiscated and replaced by cheap, stenciled banners
- Miss Venezuela was informed that she could not leave the pageant because she had signed a contract that would prevent
her from leaving the pageant before it was over (which is entirely false, as no such clause is found in the contract)
- that there was dissension even among Ancheta's staff; the quarreling became so intense that the staff broke up into two
camps - one consisting of loyalists to Ancheta, and another consisting of followers of a certain "Roland" who had met Ancheta
less than a month ago
- some of the girls, including Misses Hawaii and USA, were told that they would not make the finals because they had chosen not to go out
with the group and participate in "absurd" events
- that the mother of Miss Bahamas, a wealthy woman, would suck up to Ancheta by paying for some of the expenses
- when the girls finally returned to Manila, they were kept in their hotel for two days without any planned activities and that
their passports were confiscated
- Ancheta's staff had keys to all the girls' rooms, and some of them suspected that their room might have been bugged
- Ancheta would hysterically laugh at the girls if they got involved in a quarrel
- the mother of Miss Philippines felt so embarrassed by Ancheta and his staff's arrogance and unprofessionalism that she came up
to the mothers of Misses Hawaii and USA to apologize (subsequently, a staff member warned the mother of Miss Philippines that
she was forbidden to talk to others
and so forth, and so on...
It's interesting to note that the official MYI website has been "temporarily unavailable" for
nearly two weeks now, which implies a couple of things: first, that Ancheta had not paid his Internet service provider, or second, that he intentionally shut it down to avoid
publicity. A pageant organizer that does not share information with the public has definitely something to hide. Alicia also said
that last Friday the contestants complained to the Philippine police about the mistreatment that Ancheta had been giving them,
but the police remained nonchalant to the situation. The girls suspect that the police had been bribed by Ancheta to work for him,
The finals of the pageant was supposed to have been held Monday night, but I have been cruising the Internet looking for information
but I could not find any. We'll find out sooner or later.
I feel very much for Alicia and for all the national directors who had been conned by
a smooth-talking and sly serpent who exploits young women and shatters their chances of winning a beauty crown. Unfortunately, Ancheta will
continue with his ugly deeds as long as there are gullible people out there who will take his bait. The only way to put an end to his
if he is apprehended by honest authorities and jailed.
| 12.08.2008 | Monday
I am constantly amazed by the production of this pageant, and it seems to get
better and better every year. The stage, the costumes, the musical selection and the presentation of the candidates reflect
true Gallic elegance and sophistication. And humor, too, especially in a pre-taped segment in the beginning of the telecast
showing the last five titleholders stealing the crown from each other. However, I take an issue with the final Q & A segment during which the five finalists were
asked the same question: "Why do you think the public should vote for you to become Miss France?" - without having to
get into an isolation booth or having to put a headset to prevent them from hearing the question - which gave Mortaud (the
fourth one to respond) - plenty of time to formulate her answer which happened to be the best. Miss France is
also one of the very few pageants that discourage cosmetic surgery or where the contestants hardly obsess about it - and this may also be the reason French delegates are rarely noticed
these days in international pageants. It doesn't really matter, because the French are non-conformists by nature. Besides,
being Miss France - to the inherently "superior" French people - is far more prestigious than all of the major league
international pageants combined. (Ouest-France, Yahoo, 12/7/2008)
To see highlights from the pageant, visit this website.
• MISS WORLD UPDATES : Three more fast-track events were awarded to three lucky contestants. On December 3rd, Miss Russia Ksenia Sukhinova
won the Top Model competition, followed by Miss Angola Brigith dos Santos and Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan.
On December 5th, Miss Iceland Alexandra Helga Ivarsdottir won the Sportswoman award, followed by Miss Nigeria Adaeze Igwe
and Miss Portugal Andreia Rodrigues Condesso. And yesterday, Miss Barbados Natalie Olivia
Griffith, (photo right), won the Talent contest, beating first runner-up Miss Austria Kathrin Krahfuss and second runner-up
Iryna Zhuravska. All three fast-track winners are now guaranteed a semi-finalist spot.
CB's Héctor Joaquín is in Johannesburg and he will be bringing us the latest updates (and comments)
in his blog.
• GENEVIEVE'S RAGE Geneviève de Fontenay is huffing mad at the Miss World Organization for accepting a candidate
from Guadeloupe to compete in this year's Miss World pageant because it implies that Guadeloupe is not part of France. De Fontenay
declared that there should only be one representative from France, and it should be Laura Tanguy. However, since 2002 -
as a consequence of a series of differences with the Miss France Committee, a dissident regional Miss Guadeloupe International
was created. (El Mundo, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 12/4/2008)
• THANKS, BUT NO THANKS : Although the State has given the locally-based Miss Trinidad and Tobago Pageant Committee over $500,000
to send two national delegates to the Miss Universe and Miss World competitions, committee head Peter Elias says the
Government should not be too quick to boast. Following a statement by the Ministry of Culture, publicizing its contribution last Wednesday,
Elias told the Express that while he was grateful for the funds, which add up to about 70 per cent of the girls' total
expenses, the money was late in coming, and a lack of funds almost crippled the committee this year. Elias said he had written
several letters to the Ministry of Culture throughout the last few months, and it was only after a desperate call to the Prime
Minister's Office were any funds released for Miss Universe delegate Anya Ayoung Chee's trip in June.
He said every year he has to write many letters begging for sponsorship,
for a competition which is a legitimate means of promotion for Trinidad and Tobago. For the first time in years, he said,
this country did not send a representative to the Miss Universe competition last year. Elias said this was due to the fact
that the committee was only given last-minute funding, and they were unable to prepare a representative for the Miss Universe
competition on time. However, the country did send Valene Maharaj to the Miss World competition with the $300,000 which the
State contributed in 2007. Although Elias was clear in stating his appreciation to the ministry yesterday, he said $100,000
of the total sum was given on Monday, although Miss World representative Gabrielle Walcott left more than two weeks ago.
Elias said he could not comprehend the logic behind the timing of the last contribution, particularly because the check,
which he received on December 1, was dated for delivery since November 13.
"I don't understand the lack of concern," Elias said. But the ministry's release
stated that the Government was, in fact, concerned and "conscious of the tremendous opportunities afforded by both the
Miss World and Miss Universe pageants". The ministry also urged the private sector to lend its financial support to the
local franchise holders for future competitions. (Trinidad & Tobago Express, Trinidad and Tobago, 12/4/2008)
• POLL RESULTS : To the poll question, "Miss Earth 2008 - Did they crown the right girl?" - out of the total 1,063 votes, 61%
of the voters said Yes, 31% said No, and 7% said Not Sure. The comments are quite diverse. Supporters of the new Miss Earth, Karla
Henry, think she deserves the title and that the pageant has its own selection system that may not necessarily please
the followers of the other grandslam pageants. One fan wrote: "It's so unfair for people to judge the new Miss Earth by
simply looking at photos, if you have only watched the pageant you can say that her win was justifiable. I have even predicted
back in May when she was crowned Miss Philippines Earth that she could take it all!" Those who disagreed with Henry's victory
claim that the only reason she won was because the judges were mostly Filipinos, and that second-placer Miss Tanzania should have won.
Thank you, dear readers, for participating in this poll. Your thoughts always matter.
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, December 15, 2008
PHOTO CREDIT: Ouest-France, Miss World Organisation
| 12.01.2008 | Monday
• MISS WORLD UPDATES : Miss Mexico Anagabriela Espinoza Marroquín, (photo, center) won the Beach Beauty competition in
Miss World 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The judges had selected 25 semifinalists which were cut down to
ten finalists that included Spain, Russia, Philippines, Lebanon, Angola, Venezuela, Mexico, South Africa, Puerto Rico,
and India. South Africa's Tansey Coetzee (left) placed second and Russia's Ksenia Sukhinova (right) placed third.
Espinoza's victory automatically guarantees her a top 15 spot in the finals which will be held on December 13th.
Mexican beauties have been winning the body awards in three major pageants so far this year: Elisa Nájera
in Miss Universe, Abigail Elizalde Romo in Miss Earth, and now Espinoza in Miss World.
For more recent updates, visit HJ Blog.
• BANNED FROM MODELING : The curvy Laura Coleman started her career as a skinny size eight model.
However, opting for a healthier figure, is said to have ruined her catwalk and magazine career. But the 22-year-old blonde,
who has dated cricket star Stuart Broad, says that she is comfortable with herself. I'm a size 10 to 12," The Sun
quoted her as saying. "I really think the curvy girl should be promoted more as a positive image in the media.
But the modelling agencies seemed to have a problem with me when I wasn't skinny any more. It puts you in a different
type of modelling. But I think as long as people are comfortable with themselves that's all that matters. And I'm just
proving that I am comfortable with myself as opposed to feeling under pressure to be a size zero," she added.
Meanwhile, Laura is representing England in the Miss World pageant taking place in South Africa. (NewKerala.com, 11/29/2008)
• BAGHDAD BEAUTIES : A country club in Baghdad has staged the Iraqi capital's first public beauty contest since the downfall
of Saddam Hussein. As Noor Samir sashayed on stage a round of applause rippled out among the 500-strong
audience. Her outfit of knee-length skirt and knee-high boots, topped off with a long sleeve shirt was modest for a
beauty contest, there was certainly no bikinis on display. But the very fact one was being held in Baghdad at all was
cause for celebration. "It is a good thing we are doing this," Ms Samir, a 24-year-old IT worker, told The Sunday
Telegraph with a smile. "It is my first time."
A year ago when sectarian violence in the Iraqi capital was at its peak, and girls were
killed in the street for simply having their head uncovered, the openness of this contest would be unimaginable.
Fourteen young ladies arrived for the contest, including one girl who later dropped out. It was unclear if it was due to
nerves or being underage. As the competitors walked on stage and answered questions from the five judges, the Iraqi
media lapped up every scene. Although Iraq has a long history of beauty pageants, just one has been held, two years ago,
since Saddam Hussein was overthrown in 2003. Its location was shrouded in secrecy and the media banned from the event
for fear of putting the lives of contestants at risk.
The first public contest, held at Baghdad's Hunting Club, an exclusive private-members'
establishment with two swimming pools, tennis courts, sauna and bar, complete with imported spirits and beer, drew guests
from Baghdad's elite. Many of those gathered, such as Samara Mohammed, 23, a secretary and contestant who had fled
the country to live in Germany, only returned in May this year. "The security has improved and we hope it will get more and more.
It's a nice thing that I am here. All my friends and family are supporting me," she said.
The five judges, who would vote for Miss Hunting Club, included a cigar smoking Tony
Soprano-type and a chain-smoking female MP. They quizzed the contestants on their education and employment. In a scene
unthinkable just a year ago, Shamss Tallal, an elfin 18-year-old, drew whistles of approval from the audience during
the question and answer stage. Talla later won the contest, with a straw poll of audience members revealing she was
also the people's choice. (The Sunday Telegraph, UK, 11/30/2008)
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 27: Miss USA Crystle Stewart attends the 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day
Parade
• PACIFIC BEAUTY : A fresh graduate of Saipan Southern High School reaped most of the special awards on her way to winning
the crown in the 2009 Miss Marianas Universe pageant, besting four other contestants during coronation night on Saturday
at Palms Resort Saipan. Sorene A. Maratita brought home fabulous prizes including $1,000 cash and $1,000 scholarship
from the organizing Stellar Marianas, one year use of a brand new car from Triple J Motors, a cell phone from PTI,
gift certificates and one-year supplies of other products. More importantly, this 18-year-old fan of supermodel Tyra Banks gave
herself a once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent the CNMI both in the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant and Miss International
Pageant-all-expense paid courtesy of Northwest Airlines. Winona Chance Camacho, 17, was adjudged the first
runner-up after taking two specials awards: best in swimsuit and best in evening gown. (Saipan Tribune, 12/1/2008)
• AFRICAN BEAUTY : The new Miss Guinea is Anne Fatoumata, a student from Conakry who was crowned November 28th.
She will represent her country in the Miss CEDEAO pageant to be held in Côte d’Ivoire on December 6th. Her first
runner-up is Aissatou Diallo and her second runner-up is Fatim Karel Touré. Fourteen young women participated
in this year's pageant. (Afrik.com, 11/29/2008)
• CRITICS ATTACK BRITISH PAGEANT : Students unions up in arms over ‘cattle market’ approach to women in London’s colleges.
Read more.
• WHAT'S UP WITH TALI? Taliana Vargas, Miss Universe 2008 first runner-up from Colombia, gave up her national crown
nearly two weeks ago. What is she up to now? Well, she will be going back to Washington, DC to live with her family again
and to finish her studies in fashion merchandising and communications. She will also be traveling weekly to New York City as an exclusive model for the Trump
Modeling Agency, owned by Donald Trump. (El Tiempo, Bogotá, 11/29/2008)
• THE END OF MISS TRINIDAD & TOBAGO? "Miss Trinidad and Tobago for Miss World and Miss Universe may well be taking their final
bow this year. Pageant organiser and local fashion personality Peter Elias is lamenting that the powers-that-be have not
readily come forward to offer financial support for the pageants and he is at the point of throwing in his hat when it
comes to promoting this country internationally." Read more.
• THE NEW MISTER INTERNATIONAL is Ngo Tien Doan, a 25-year-old university lecturer and model from Vietnam who was
crowned in Tainan, Taiwan (ROC) on November 24th. His court includes first runner-up Mohamad Chamseddine of Lebanon,
second runner-up Zhang Lun Shuo of China, third runner-up Mihovil Barun of Croatia and fourth runner-up
Vincent Cleuren of the Netherlands. Making the top ten were the delegates from Belgium, Brazil, Greece, Philippines
and Venezuela. Completing the top fifteen were the delegates from India, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan (ROC) and USA. Doan's
victory marks Vietnam's first title in any international beauty pageant, male or female. Doan had competed earlier this
year in Manhunt International in Korea but failed to make the finals.
Read my comments about the pageant in my Mister USA Blog.
Also see pics from Ivan's Taiwan experience in the galleries.
• NEXT UPDATE : Monday, December 8, 2008
PHOTO CREDITS: Miss World Organisation, Film Magic, Associated Press
NOVEMBER 2008
• VICTIM OF MUSLIM POLYGAMY? The death of a model who learned that her husband was already married has shone a light into the world o
f Muslim polygamy in Britain. Sahar Daftary, (photo), 23, fell 150 feet from the twelfth story of a block of apartments where
she had gone to collect her belongings at the home of a businessman whom she had married in a religious ceremony last year.
Her husband, Rashid Jamil, 33, was arrested on suspicion of murder but bailed by police after they found no evidence that
the death was anything other than an accident or suicide.
• A BLEAK FUTURE : Gabrielle Walcott, photo, the second runner-up in the Miss World pageant 2008, fears the worst for the
future of Miss Trinidad and Tobago. The 24-year-old beauty queen who represented TT on December 13 in South Africa,
said, “It is very sad that we do not invest in our national heroes and that our Government does not have the
foresight of the potential of Miss TT.”
• THE NEW MISS WORLD is Kseniya Sukhinova (photo), a 21-year-old blue-eyed blonde beauty from Russia, who was
crowned Saturday night at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. She also won the contest's top model
award and took the third place in the swimsuit competition. The first runner-up is Parvathy Omanakuttan of India and the second runner-up is Gabrielle Walcott of Trinidad & Tobago.
The other finalists were Tansey Coetzee of South Africa and Brigite Santos of Angola. The remaining
semi-finalists were the delegates from the Ukraine, Venezuela, Brazil, Spain, Croatia, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Mexico,
Puerto Rico and Barbados.
and I wish that my successor would get much more support than I did to continue that because the true benefit of
pageants like this is building national pride and promoting the country." (Trinidad Express, Port of Spain, 12/14/2008)
"The girls actually wanted to be there for the competion but left because it became no longer safe for them to be there.
It was confirmed that Mark tried to take their passports, then tried to keep them there at all cost! Because Mark is using this
pageant as a front to exploit the girls and make money off them by booking dinners and practically using them as escorts!
When they finally were able to leave, they had to be escorted out by government officials who were Americans from the Embassy!
Even then, they still tried to keep them there! They confirmed that the lines had been tampered with and they had been cut
off of communication via phone in the hotel, Internet and pre-paid Philippines cell phone. With all the terrorism in the world,
the girls were never given any reason to feel secure or safe. It was clear that there was going to be no prize money.
Mark has year after year cheated the winners from their promised money. It was not worth it for the girls to stay there
and compete for a $25 crown and spray painted banner! It wasn't worth it to stay and see if they would fall victim of something more!"
• THE NEW MISS FRANCE is Chloé Mortaud, a 19-year-old business school student (photo left) representing the department of Albigeois Midi-Pyrénées. Mortaud
was crowned Saturday night during a spectacular show at Puy du Fou, in Vendée. She is also the first Miss France
winner to have dual citizenship, French and American, organizers said Sunday. Mortaud received US citizenship through her mother,
an African-American who emigrated from Mississippi to France 25 years ago, and has a grandmother who lives in Los Angeles. Besides
French, she also speaks English, Spanish and Chinese. The first runner-up is Camille Cheyère,
Miss Lorraine; the second runner-up is Elodie Martineau, Miss Pays de Loire; the third runner-up is
Esthel Nee, Miss Mayotte; and the fourth runner-up is Bianca Taillard, Miss Bretagne. Mortaud was
crowned by Sylvie Tellier, Miss France 2002, the new director of the Miss France Committee. The outgoing queen Valérie Bègue explained that her absence was
due to "casting for a film" in Los Angeles, and not to her ongoing conflict with Geneviève de Fontenay.
Bègue's first runner-up, Laura Tanguy, could not crown the new Miss France because she is currently competing
in Miss World 2008 in South Africa. 
The winner of the last fast-track event - Beauty With a Purpose - will be announced during the finals on December 13th and will automatically advance to
the semifinal round. The four finalists for this last event have been announced and they are the delegates from
Gabrielle Wolcott, Trinidad & Tobago; Szilvia Freire of Hungary; Ruth Kinuthia of Kenya; and
Anagabriela Espinoza of Mexico. So far, besides winning the Beauty Beach award, Mexico has made the finals in
the Top Model and Sports events. She will not win the Beauty of the Purpose award because she already has a semifinalist
spot, unless Miss World Julia Morley changes the selection process at the last minute and allows a candidate
to win two fast-track events. Based on Mexico's good performance so far, the country may well be on its way to
winning its first Miss World crown! According to the betting agency BetED.com, the top favorites for the crown are
Ukraine, Spain, Ecuador, Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico.
on the streets of Manhattan on November 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic)