Ariella shines even without Universe crown

MOSCOW – The Philippines had a ray of sunlight amid the tragedy brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda when Ariella Arida, the country’s bet in the 2013 Miss Universe beauty pageant, finished third runner-up among 86 hopefuls during the coronation night held at the Crocus City Hall here at 10 p.m. Saturday (2 a.m. yesterday in Manila).

The new Miss Universe is 25-year-old Venezuelan television presenter Gabriela Isler while her roommate, Miss Spain Patricia Rodriguez, is first runner-up.

Completing the Miss Universe entourage are Miss Ecuador Constanza Baez and Miss Jakelyne Oliveira (second runner-up) and Miss Brazil (fourth runner-up).

Arida’s name was the last to be called in the list of top 16 candidates during the pageant finals. She advanced to the semifinals round after winning the online Fan Vote wherein the public had the chance to rate their favored candidates.

Miss Philippines was again shortlisted to the top 10, then to the top 5 after facing off with other candidates in a bikini round and evening gown portion.

Arida was the only Asian among the top 5 finalists.

Decisive round

During the critical question and answer portion that concludes the competition,

Judge Steven Tyler of the American rock band Aerosmith asked Isler what her greatest fear was.

Responding through an interpreter, Isler said: “I believe we should overcome all our fears and this in turn will make us stronger.”

Arida, for her part, was asked by judge Tara Lipinski, an American gold medalist in figure skating, what she thought could be a solution to the insufficiency of jobs for young people in the world.

“We should invest in education and that is my primary advocacy. Education is a primary source and it is the ticket to a better future,” Arida answered.

Ecstatic

Arida told The STAR after the glittering ceremony that she is overwhelmed with the results of the pageant.

“I am super happy. I am happy with my performance and my experience here in Russia,” Arida said. “I just hope I was able to make my fellow Filipinos back home happy somehow, especially after what they have just gone through.”

In phonepatch interview with Filipino reporters following the private screening of the Miss Universe pageant hosted by Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. at the Araneta Center, Arida also said she never expected she would reach this far in the competition.

“I was very nervous during the semifinals, I thought my name will not be called. I’m very thankful that God gave me this,” she said.

In retrospect, Arida believes she could have answered more during the interview portion.

“But I am happy that I made it to the top 5 and we’ve continued our winning streak,” she said, referring to the top 5 finishes of her predecessors, former Miss Philippines Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup and Janine Tugonon.

She added that knowing that she had the support of Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo is more than enough for her.

“I was elated when Olivia gave me a buzz after the pageant and told me, ‘I was rooting for you,’” Arida said.

Meanwhile, Arida’s mother, Estella, told The STAR her daughter’s third runner-up finish is already a great achievement, even if many were hoping she would become the Philippines’ third Miss Universe.

“We are so proud of her,” she said.

Mrs. Arida said they were grateful to see that the Filipino community in Russia kept its promise to fully support her daughter during the pageant.

Arida will be back in the Philippines on Nov. 12.

“See you Philippines! I am so excited to go back home,” Arida said.

Clueless

During the press conference right after the show, Miss Venezuela could still not come to terms with her victory.

“I am still in shock. Maybe tomorrow, I’ll realize what happened,” the 5-foot 10-inch brunette told reporters.

“I was really surprised because I didn’t understand that I had won. Only when Olivia Culpo came to me and shouted, ‘Eres tu!’ and gave me the crown that I understood I had won,” she said.

Isler, who had no problems disclosing her Catholic faith to the media, said she is looking forward to working with different organizations as part of her duties as the new Miss Universe.

When asked why she thinks Venezuela is a constant winner of the pageant, Isler said, “It’s a secret!”

Venezuela has produced seven Miss Universe titleholders in the pageant’s 62 years.

“We have a whole year of preparation for the pageant. We work very hard for everything. I have to learn to show with my eyes who I really am,” she said.

In an earlier interview with The STAR, Miss Venezuela said people do not realize the job of a Miss Universe.

“It is a job. You have to work for and with different organizations and causes, give love to people, teach values. You are like a queen who always gives love and works for the different groups of society - for children, foundations, hospitals. I want to show people that above everything else, we are women who have hearts,” she said.

Isler will be signing a one-year contract with the Miss Universe Organization and will be flown to New York where she will immediately begin her duties as the new Miss Universe.

Throughout the year, she will be traveling all over the world to work for and serve as spokeswomen for various cause alliances.

Dedicated to Phl, Vietnam

The much-awaited and globally viewed Miss Universe pageant began with hosts Thomas Roberts and Mel B. of the Spice Girls dedicating the live telecast to the typhoon victims of the Philippines and Vietnam.

After the presentation of candidates, the pace and intensity of the show just kept accelerating all the way to the conclusion.

Viewers and observers said there was never a dull moment in the two-hour beauty pageant with all its grandiosity.

Pinoys all out

More than 200 Filipinos residing in Moscow flocked to the Crocus City Hall to support Arida.

Even after the pageant, elated Filipinos continued to cheer in the Hall Foyer, more so when Arida went out to greet them.

Even some Russians supported Arida.- With Nathalie Tomada, AP