[MUST WATCH] Facebook Live Chat With Iris Mittenaere and Pia Wurtzbach

Philippines: Four-Peat Placement At The Miss Universe 2013

Philippines claimed it's fourth placement at the Miss Universe beauty pageant competition. Last 09-NOV-2013, Ms. Ariella Arida, 24 years old from the Philippines proclaimed as the Third Runner Up for this year's competition which was held in Moscow, Russia.

For the last four years, four modern, beautiful Filipinas have left an outstanding impression on the Miss Universe stage.

Maria Venus Raj - MU 2010 Fourth Runner Up
Shamcey Supsup - MU 2011 Third Runner Up
Marie Janine Tugonon - MU 2012 First Runner Up
Ariella Arida - MU 2013 Third Runner Up

Personally, these four ladies are have her own unique beauty and they appeal differently, see side-by-side-by-side-by-side photos of these women during the competition.

Swimsuit Round

Evening Gown Round

National Costume Parade

The big question is, 'Will the Philippines continue to place next year'? It all depends if the country will ever find someone who's got the height body and grace of Venus, the precious smile, charm and likeability of Shamcey, the elegance, wit and intelligence of Janine and the appeal, determination and gutsiness of Ariella.

We'll standby and wait until next year, for the meantime watch and enjoy the video playlist featuring ladies' overall performances during their competition below.

Ariella Arida in Prepares as Miss Universe 2013 Nears

'It's for the Philippines,' Laguna beauty says

MANILA -- Ariella Arida, the Philippines' candidate to Miss Universe 2013, was overwhelmed with emotions Thursday as she referred to her nearing pageant bid in Russia as a "great responsibility."
The 24-year-old Laguna-born beauty took the stage during a send-off press conference held by Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., the local license holder of Miss Universe, three days before her departure on Monday.

The 62nd edition of the international pageant, which will gather over 80 candidates, will be held on November 9 at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia.
"This opportunity is a great responsibility that I am facing," an emotional Arida said on Thursday. "I'm not just fighting for myself, but this time, it's for our country."
"So I'm doing everything, I'm doing all my best to meet the expectations of everyone. And I know si God na po ang bahala kung ano ang gusto niyang ibigay sa akin... It's all for the Philippines. I'm sincere, it's for the Philippines," she said.

Since 2010, the Philippines has produced three consecutive runners-up in Miss Universe -- in order, Venus Raj, fourth; Shamcey Supsup, third; and Janine Tugonon, first.
This year, two Filipinas were crowned winners in separate international pageants -- Megan Young as Miss World, and Mutya Datul as Miss Supranational.


Ariella Ara Arida - Miss Philippines 2013 - Stunning New Photos by jo2306
'My biggest strength'
Arida, a chemistry graduate from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, was also emotional as she thanked her parents, Alresito and Estella, for supporting her in her bid to bring pride to her country.
"They didn't expect where I am today," Arida said. "I came from a simple life. I never expected to be this huge. I'm really thankful that who I am right now is part of what they've taught me."
Arida's father, a retired public school sports coordinator and teacher for 44 years, was also a district coordinator for physical education for 20 years. The beauty queen's mother, meanwhile, began teaching in 1972 and has been a school principal since 2005.

Both are flying to Russia for the first time to support their daughter.
Speaking with ABS-CBN News' Dyan Castillejo, Alresito said he never thought his daughter would land this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of representing the Philippines. Estella, noting their family's background, echoed her husband's sentiment.

"Sobrang happy kami, masaya," Alresito said. "Even sa aming panaginip, hindi namin naisip na si Ara ang mapupunta sa pwestong iyan."

"It's unexpected," Estella added, "dahil napakadaming magagandang contestants, ano, sa Binibini, at ang anak namin ang nakasungkit from the small town of Alaminos."

Estella is particularly proud of her daughter's determination to bring home the crown. She noted that Arida went on an indefinite leave from work and invested fully in preparing for the big event next month.

"She is determined. Determined na siya. Naging gutsy na rin, dahil dati mahiyaan. Nag-devote na siya ng time at kinarir na niya talaga itong Binibining Pilipinas. Kinarir niya talaga," she said.
Referring to her parents as her "biggest strength," Arida said in her speech, "My mom and dad, salamat nang marami, para sa support na binibigay nila sa akin."

"Also to my relatives and friends, who never stop believing in me. From the start, they were there. Since the day I decided to join Binibini, they've been very supportive of me," she said.



Since being crowned Miss Universe Philippines in April, Arida has undergone rigorous training, focusing on her physique, walk and question-and-answer performance. She cited these, at the time, to be the areas she hoped to improve on.

Five months later and with only weeks before the coronation night, Arida said she is now focusing her attention on preparing emotionally.

"Hindi mo maiiwasan kung anong pwede mangyari, pero hindi ko siya iniisip eh," she said, referring to the results of the culminating event. "So positive na lang iniisip ko. Mas makaaktulong sa akin."
Part of this focus, Arida emphasized, is claiming the crown, "silently, in my mind."

Referring to herself as her "greatest competitor," Arida said, "It's just myself who will do everything. It's just myself who I can rely on in the competition. If you think positively and if you think you will get the crown, then you know, there's no way that you won't make it."

5 Modern-Day Filipinas Who Excelled In International Beauty Pageants from Year 2010 to 2013

When Venus Raj clinched 4th Runner-Up honors in the Las Vegas-hosted Miss Universe. The following year saw the Philippines claiming runner-up finishes in both Miss Universe and Miss World (c/o Shamcey Supsup and Gwen Ruais, respectively). And just last year, Janine Tugonon was named 1st Runner-Up to Olivia Culpo, with Stephany Stefanowitz a close 2nd in Miss Earth and Rizzini Gomez pulling a Miss Tourism International.

More than a week back, we finally bagged the Miss World crown via Megan Young, with the Mutya Datul victory in Miss Supranational adding more spice to a 2013 looking more optimistic than ever. And let’s not forget that this year’s editions of Miss Universe, Miss Earth and Miss International are still upcoming.

Are we looking at another Golden Age while establishing the Pageant Powerhouse status of the Philippines? Will the winning streak run till 2015? Or will it even go beyond that? I say yes. For sure, the element of luck will still come into play. But with the diligent training and preparations being given to our carefully-chosen representatives, there’s no reason to slide back and be relegated to anonymity anymore.


5 Modern-Day Filipinas Who Excelled In... by jo2306
Things are definitely looking up. There’s no room for resting on our laurels. It’s full steam ahead for the Philippines!

Adele Calls X Factor's Ella Henderson 'Absolutely Incredible'Songbird

tweets support to contestant

The 'Someone Like You' singer, who previously backed Rebecca Ferguson back in 2010, called the 16-year-old "incredible" in a Twitter shout-out during the show yesterday (October 13).

She wrote: "Ella Henderson on X Factor is absolutely incredible! I LOVE her!! Good luck xx" But Ella, who has over 200,000 followers on Twitter, has been having plenty of celebrity support. Last night she retweeted praise from Made In Chelsea's Millie Mackintosh, Andy Merry from The Risk, Big Brother's Luke Scrase and former X Factor singer Lloyd Daniels. She wrote: "Thank u everyone for the support last night! It really put a smile on my face! U guys are the best! #lyrics #TeamElla" Ella is considered 200/1 outsider to be eliminated tonight, and remains the clear frontrunner to win the show.

Relive her breathtaking performances below.

Powered by Dailymotion