Category Archives: Beauty Pageants

The New Miss Universe: Mexico’s Ximena Navarette

Conquering the Universe this year is the fair lady from Mexico who has been a frontrunner to the crown eversince she won the Nuestra Belleza México in 2009. Twenty-two year-old Ximena Navarrete Rosete battled it out with 82 equally beautiful candidates all over the world to emerge as the queen of the Universe. She’s only the second Mexican delegate to win the prestigious title after Lupita Jone’s major win in 1991, Ironically both won at the same venue –Las Vegas.

Just how did Ximena planned her successful conquest?

As simple as this.

<3<3<3

The Runner-Up’s

1st Runner-Up: Miss Jamaica – Yendi Phillipps


2nd Runner-Up: Miss Australia – Jesinta Campbell

(who was also voted by fellow contestants as the most congenial)


3rd Runner-Up: Anna Poslavska

(I just don’t understand why she placed this high)


4th Runner-Up: Miss Philippines – Maria Venus Raj

(the crowd favorite)

PaddylastInc. does not own any of the photos. Credit to the owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Miss Universe 2010 Top 15 Predictions

Almost a month ago, I picked my favorites for the semis for the 2010 Miss Universe to be held on August 23, 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. Barely two weeks before the competition will start; I will again pick our pre- “preliminaries” favorites after seeing some of their official and non-official Miss Universe photos.

Here’s our  Top 15 predictions this time:

1. Australia (Jesinta Campbell) – she’s one of my top favorites for the crown now for simply delivering those endearing smiles and captivating eye contact.

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2. The Philippines (Venus Raj) – she’s my “most-likely” favorite to win the crown because of her spunk and the hunger I see in her eyes. Her fierce photos and the attention she’s getting from the pageant’s sponsors is giving me good vibes about this prediction.

3. Russia (Irina Antonenko) – she’s without question the perennial Top 5 favorite of almost every pageant fans all over the world since she won the national competition. After seeing her lackluster photos though, I’m hoping that she could live up with everyone’s hype!

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4. Israel (Bat-El Jobi) – Her exotic look and girl-next door  sex appeal are what endear me to Bat-El. I’m giving her a very comfortable spot in the Top 15.

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5. Albania (Angela Martini) – Initially, I never thought of Miss Albania to be Miss Universe material but after seeing her photos / videos, I’m so dead wrong!

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6. USA (Rima Fakih) – this girl is all personality and whether she delivers mediocre photos is not my concern now. Her always sunny smile reminds me of the ever- luminescent dessert of Las Vegas and she’s gearing up to conquer it!

7. Mexico (Ximena Navarrete) – yes, it’s a mistake not to include (X) Jimena in our early predictions but I’m only human right? I’m making it up though, because I have this core-tingling feeling that she’d sail through the competition and be part of that group who will be answering the final question!

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8. Ireland (Rozanna Purcell) –I’ve been hearing the buzzes about this fine young vixen from Ireland and I’m quite impressed with the package – I’m just not sure if she could carry this on to win it all.

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9. Haiti (Sarodj Bertin) – for a long time now, the still distraught country of Haiti decided to send a delegate with just the right angst to make it and it’s not pity that would catapult her to the semis; I hope I’m right.

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10. Trinidad and Tobago (LaToya Woods) – she’s quite fierce and I’d like to commend the confidence she exudes. It’s almost convincing that after over 11 years, she might just sneak in to grab the crown.

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11. France (Malika Menard) – I just love her smile and yes! –she’s got that look to die for. Merci.

12. Puerto Rico (Mariana Paola Vicente) – girls from this country always end up winning when you least expect them to and I’m eying her now –yes you Mariana!

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13. India (Ushoshi Sengupta)– I’m disappointed at first but I’d still like to believe that she could carry on the almost lost Miss India legacy.

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14. Canada (Elena Semikina) – she’s the tallest and she’s half-Russian so I figured that she would easily stand out right?

15. Venezuela (Marelisa Gibson)  – The most disappointing delegate from Venezuela in years. Let’s admit it though, she’s everyone sentimental favorite and she’s hoping she could continue her country’s winning streak. Gawd bless her.

My fearless forecast for the crown? (The Philippines, Canada and Mexico)

Photos are entirely owned by the Miss Universe Organization.
PaddylastInc does not own any of the photos above. Credit to the owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Miss Universe 2010 Top 10 Picks

The 59th Edition will be held next month at the Mandalay Bay Resorts and Casino, in Las Vegas USA. 85 contestants from all over the globe are expected to compete with Miss Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez crowning the new Queen.

Here are PaddylastInc’s TOP 10 Picks out of all 81 contestants. Note that there will be 15 semi-finalist come next month’s competition.

1. Japan – Maiko ItaiMU Japan

Miss Japan exudes that Kurara Chibana appeal when strutting her stuff on the runway and we can’t help but think that she might just end up winning the crown!

2. Belgium– Cilou AnnysMU Belgium

There’s something fresh with Miss Belgium that is why she’s part of our Top 10.

3. Mexico – Ximena NavarreteMU Mexico

Miss Mexico is pure sex appeal. Yep. That’s it.

4. Russia – Irina AntonenkoMU Russia

I know. They all look alike. Her body’s not that enticing during the national competition but her face could launch…anything!

5. Australia –  Jesinta CampbellMU Australia

She’d surely gonna work it in the prelims. Mark our words, she’s gonna make it in the top 15 by her catwalk skills alone.

6. Canada – Elena SemikinaMU Canada

We were thinking that she could do a repeat of that Natalie Glebova’s conquest when she snatch the Universe from the Latinas in 2005!

7. Philippines – Maria Venus RajMU Philippines

She’s probably one of the most searched Miss Universe contestants this year;  thanks to her dethronement from the crown and official reinstatement to represent her country to the Miss Universe. We’d love to see her flaunt her 22″ waistline in the semi-finals. A body deemed to be the best among the contestants this year.

8. Kosovo –  Kështjella PepshiMU Kosovo

Yes. This would be their 3rd year in the competition and she’s not an exception, she might just be the first Miss Universe from Kosovo!

9. Venezuela – Marelisa GibsonMU Venezuela

I don’t think Venezuela will get a threepeat with Marelisa. She’s pretty alright but she’s not as stunning as both Dayana and Stefania.  It is almost secured though, that she’ll have a place in the semis.

10. USA –  Rima FakihMU USA

Miss USA may have the edge for being “Miss USA,” although  she’s not that of a stand out physically, contestants should watch out for her because she’s smart as hell

PaddylastInc does not own any of the photos.

Binibining Pilipinas 2010 Winners: Will They Make It?

Three ladies were chosen once again at the Big Dome to represent the Philippines in the three most prestigious beauty pageants in the world –  the Miss Universe, Miss World and the Miss International. In this year’s pageant, 24 lovely Filipinas battled it out to grab one of the three crowns.

Maria Venus Raj

Maria Venus Raj from Bato, Camarines Sur was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe. With a towering 5’9″ physique, elegant walk and incredible tan – Raj was actually favored to win from the get-go grabbing Miss Friendship, Best In Terno and Best In Long Gown during the finals. I have this feeling that she’d have a very good chance of at least making it to the semi-finals come Miss Universe 2010 because of her semblance to some Latinas who are ruling the Donald Trump-owned pageant.

Krista Kleiner

The Binibining Pilipinas-International went to GMA Network contract star – Krista Arrieta Kleiner (winner of Miss USA-Philippines) and girlfriend of Philippine RNB prince Jay-R. In my opinion, Krista along with Helen Nicolette Henson (2nd Runner Up) gave the best answers during the Q&A portion of the pageant. She was asked what would she tell President Obama if she were to have five minutes with him. The eloquence in her answer proved her smart thinking and that she actually deserved the title. She will be representing the Philippines in Shanghai, China October of this year.

Czarina Gatbonton

Manila Bulletin Reader’s Choice Awardee and Bulacan-native Catherine Czarina Gatbonton snagged the Binibining Pilipinas World title. She’s the only contestant who answered in the vernacular and when asked if she were to live again, what would she want to be? She answered “Puno” as in the girl wanted to be a Tree. Everyone inside the coliseum were mostly puzzled by her winning over crowd favorite Helen Nicolette Henson who received three awards and end up placing fifth overall. Gatbonton will be representing the country come November 2010 – possibly in Vietnam. As of this point, the Philippines has yet to win the Miss World crown.

Diane Necio

Diane Elaine Samar Necio of Albay was the night’s first runner up. She is also the reigning Miss Bicolandia- 1st Runner Up.

Nicolette Henson

Helen Nicolette Henson of Pampanga , 2nd Runner up.

I am not quite sure if we stand a chance in the international competitions. I’ve mention that I think Venus has a slight chance of making it to the semi-finals. If I were one of the judges, I would’ve picked Krista to represent us to the Miss Universe or Miss World (she could actually make it to the semi-finals by merely getting the Best In Talent –  an award she got at the Binibini.) For Miss World, we’d probably end up empty-handed once again for the nth time. Czarina just doesn’t click for me as Miss World material. I was hoping that Nicolette Henson will be chosen for Miss International but unfortunately the judges were not into her.

Let’s all hope for the best though . Out of all the three winners– I’d say Krista has the best chance of making it.