Sushmita Sen thanks ‘second home’ Philippines for 25 years as Miss Universe

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen celebrates 25 years of being a Miss Universe winner by thanking Filipinos and describing the Philippines as her second home.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Sushmita posted photos of her with family members celebrating her milestone.

She began her post by thanking her home country, India, for giving her the “proudest identity.”

“What a journey!!! Thank you my Motherland India, for giving me my proudest identity #INDIAN. The love,respect & adulation I have been showered with for 25 years, is undoubtedly my life’s greatest earning!” Sushmita wrote.

She added that she thanked God for winning the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines as Filipinos continue to overwhelm her with their love.

“As we celebrate 25years of making History, of India winning Miss Universe for the very first time...I want to remember & Thank the people of my second home #philippines. I Thank God for the privilege of having Won Miss Universe in their beautiful country, they continue to overwhelm me with their love & belonging to this day, even naming their children ‘Sushmita’ #mahalkitaphilippines,” she said.

She also thanked the people who were with her in her journey as Miss Universe.

“My gratitude to Mr. Martin Brooks (then President of MU organisation) all the chaperones, travel managers, Ms. Barbara, resident manager Ms. Jane, for being such a FORCE of change, for teaching an 18year old me in 1994, the power of professionalism, Value for one’s word, earning of reputation, commanding of respect & to always have a inclusive Global view,” Sushmita said. 

“Their teachings have helped me make many important decisions in the past 25yrs, thereby shaping the Woman I am today I remember with great love all 77 contestants who competed for Miss Universe 1994!! And, of course, the beyond gracious Miss Colombia @carogomezfilm who won first runners up that year, and yet celebrated India’s first victory as if it were her own!!!” she added.

To conclude her post, she thanked everyone around her for inspiring her to keep growing and more authentic.

“Thank you God, family, friends, my children & all of you, who have consistently inspired me to keep growing & be more of my authentic self!!! Your wishes came pouring in & have me overwhelmed, THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!!! “May the Universe always conspire in your favour” I love you guys, #yourstruly #43rdmissuniverse #indiasfirst #missuniverse1994 #india #duggadugga,” the 43-year-old actress said.

Following her win as Miss Universe 1994 in the Philippines, where she competed with Filipina actress Charlene Gonzales, Sushmita became one of Bollywood’s most awarded superstars.

Sen, the first Miss India to win the Miss Universe title, became famous for her answer to the pageant question, “What is the essence of being a woman?”

“The origin of the child is the mother and is a woman. A woman is one who shows a man what love and sharing and caring is all about. That is the essence of a woman,” she said.

source: philstar.com

Miss Philippines is 2015 Miss Universe

LAS VEGAS- Miss Philippines was named Miss Universe Sunday in a drama-filled turn worthy of a telenovela.

The pageant's host, comedian Steve Harvey, misread his cue card which he initially said had Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, as the winner.

She was briefly, very fleetingly, crowned in Las Vegas and started the customary smiling and waving.

But not for long.

As she blew kisses, Harvey awkwardly said "I have to apologize. The first runner-up is Colombia."

"Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines," he added, with the Colombian contestant left like a deer in headlights and the actual winner, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, looking stunned.

And all on live television with millions watching from Manila to Manchester.

"It was my fault," Harvey stammered as a perplexed audience held its breath.

"Please don't hold it against the ladies," added the talk show host.

The contest, held in Las Vegas this year, is wildly popular in Latin America and much of Asia.

Later in his Twitter account, @IAmSteveHarvey, the host apologized for his mistake: "I want to apologize emphatically to Miss Philippians (sic) and Miss Columbia. This was a terribly honest human mistake and I am so regretful."

Congrats from Malacanang
Malacanang immediately sent a congratulatory note, saying the entire country “unites in celebration” of Wurtzbach’s win.

“Throughout her journey, Ms. Wurtzbach showcased to the world the characteristic beauty, intelligence, and elegance for which Filipinas are renowned. In the first few moments of the original announcement, she showed tremendous poise and control, and even more tremendous graciousness when the real verdict was finally announced,” said Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

“We congratulate her for this success as the third Miss Universe of the Philippines, following in the footsteps of Ms. Gloria Diaz and Ms. Margie Moran-Floirendo,” he said.

Lacierda noted the Filipinos’ support of Wurtzbach.

“In bagging this victory, Ms. Wurtzbach not only serves as a tremendous source of pride for our people, but also holds up the banner of our women and of our country -- as a true representative of what the Filipina can achieve. Indeed, this triumph is the result not only of her beauty but also of her passion for positive change, as one who is confidently beautiful with the heart. Over 42 years and today, once more the Philippines shines forth with joy and celebration,” he said.

Advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention
Congresswoman Kaka Bag-ao (Lone District, Dinagat Islands), one of the principal authors of the Revised Philippine HIV/AIDS Policy Act in the House of Representatives and awaiting Senate approval, said: "I'm very happy that we do not only have a Miss Universe; we have a brave advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention. By taking on the issue, she is greatly helping in reducing stigma and discrimination."

Labor group the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa also welcomed "the positive and exponential presence" of Miss Universe into the campaign against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). "Pia's leverage into the campaign against HIV and AIDS in the country is a morale booster to HIV/AIDS advocates and activists. She comes into the issue at a time when the campaign is at all-time low because of appalling high growth of incidence and everyone seemed not to care anymore. Ms. Wurtzbach's energy and vitality into the advocacy will radically change the equation," said TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay.

source: interaksyon.com

Miss World Yu Wenxia arrives in Manila for goodwill tour

Look who’s in town to spread cheer and goodwill in time for the Chinese New Year.


The reigning Miss World, Yu Wenxia, arrived Friday afternoon in Manila on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH704.

The Chinese beauty queen was met at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by Miss World Philippines pageant director Cory Quirino.

Wenxia will have a meet-and-greet event at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on Sunday.

Her packed itinerary also includes a courtesy call with Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and visits to the Chinese Art Exhibition at the Manila Hotel and the Philippine General Hospital, a long-term beneficiary of the Beauty With a Purpose charity.

Wenxia, a model, was crowned Miss World 2012 last August, besting 115 contestants in a pageant held in the desert city of Ordos in the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia.

It was the second time since 2007 that a Chinese candidate won the Miss World title on home soil.

source: interaksyon.com