Will another Asian win Miss U?

In 1994 when the Miss Universe Pageant was held here for the second time (the first was in 1974, won by Miss Spain Amparo Muñoz), Madame Auring predicted that “Miss Valenzuela” would win. Of course, there was no “Miss Valenzuela” in the competition but there was a Miss Venezuela (Minorka Mercado) who finished second runner-up to Miss India Sushmita Sen. Sushmita, who became a Bollywood actress, is among the eight Misses Universe from Asia (not counting the two winners from Australia, Kerry Anne Wells in 1972 and Jennifer Hawkins in 2004).

Next Monday, Aug. 23 (Aug. 24 Manila Time), the 58th Miss Universe will be chosen at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (to be aired live by ABS-CBN starting at 9 a.m.) and beauty-watchers from Asia are hoping (against hope?) that another one of their kind will bring home the crown. So far, the Philippine bet, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj (photo), continues to hold the No. 1 spot in the Internet popularity poll sponsored by the Miss Universe Organization. Will Venus be the third Filipino Miss Universe (after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973)?

Funfare asked Celso de Guzman Caparas, this corner’s “other beauty expert,” to do an Honor Roll of Misses Universe from Asia, as well as those who finished runners-up. Here it is:

= JAPAN (2): Winners Akiko Kojima (1959) and Riyo Mori (2007). Runners-up: Kinuko Ito, second (1953); Keiko Takahashi, fourth (1955); Kikuyo Osuka, fourth (1969); Jun Shimada, third (1970, also one of the 10 Best in Swimsuit); Mizuho Sakaguchi, third (1988, also third Best National Costume); Miyako Miyazaki, fourth (2003); and Kurara Chibana, first (2006, also Best National Costume).

= PHILIPPINES (2): Winners Gloria Diaz (1969, also one of the 10 Best in Swimsuit) and Margie Moran (1973, also Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimsuit). Runners-up: Lalaine Bennett, third (1963); Chiqui Brosas, fourth (1975); Chat Silayan, third (1980); Desiree Verdadero, third (1984); and Miriam Quiambao, first (1999, also Clairol Style Award winner). Charlene Gonzalez was one of the six finalists.

= INDIA (2): Winners Sushmita Sen (1994) and Lara Dutta (2000, also second Best National Costume). Runners-up: Yasmin Daji, third (1966); Madhushri Sapre, second (1992); Manpreet Brar, first (1995); and Celina Jaitley, fourth (2001).

= THAILAND (2): Winners Apasra Hongsakula (1965) and Pornthip Nakhirunkanok (1988, also Best National Costume). Runner-up: Jeeranun Savettanun, second (1966).

Other Asian countries with runners-up:

= Hong Kong: Judy Dan, third (1952); Virginia Lee Wai-Chun, second (1954); and Pauline Yeung Bo-Ling, fourth (1988).

= Korea: Kim Myoung-ja, fourth (1963); Chang Yoon-jung, first (1988); and Lee Honey Ha-Nui, third (2007).

= Taiwan: Helen Liu Shiu-Man, third (1962); and Lana Yu Yi, fourth (1964).

= Sri Lanka: Maureen Neliya Hingert, second (1955).

= China: Zhuo Ling, second (2002).

Trivia:

= Only top 3 winners were selected from 1990 to 2000.

= China debuted in the Miss Universe pageant only in 2002.

= In 1988, Asians dominated the Top 5, except the second runner-up honors which went to Amada Olivares of Mexico.

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