Two Asian countries - INDIA & the PHILIPPINES.
India dominated in the world of pageantry in the 90’s, while the Philippines is dominating it since 2010. But, one interesting similarity is how both nations managed to pull BOTH a “Back to Back Win” and a rare “SANDWICH Victory”.
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In 1997 (Diana Hayden) and 1999 (Yukta Mookhey) INDIA did it at Miss World. And it was followed by a back to back win as Yukta crowned Priyanka Chopra in 2000.
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The Philippines however did it in reverse. In 2014 (Jamie Herrell) and 2015 (Angelia Gabrena Ong), they pulled a Back to Back Miss Earth win. And in 2017, Karen Ibasco sealed the very first Sandwich Victory for the Philippines.
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Isn’t it AMAZING? Two ASIAN Powerhouses making pageant histories?
I know, Missosology has been witnessed in the many quarrels and bashing against Indians and Filipinos. But realizing what Asian countries like India and Philippines can do in the wonderful and colorful world of pageantry, isn’t it about time to focus on strengthening our relationships and friendships. Might as well celebrate and help other neighboring Asian countries and work hand in hand.
In 2018, Big International pageants are heading to Asia.
Miss Universe in Thailand
Miss World in China
Miss Earth in the Philippines
Miss Gwand International in Myanmar
Miss International in Japan
Miss Intercontinental in the Philippines
Why do you think they are all coming to Asia? It is simply because ASIA is now a “FERTILE” soil.
In the end, a territory where there is funds and money, pageants and its organazers will follow.
Interestingly, these past five/six years, ASIA has been winning. It made me smile whenever an Asian queen is crowning another Asian.
Japan opened it in 2012 by bagging their one and only Miss International winner. The next year, she crowned a Filipina (Bea Rose Santiago).
Indonesia has now one Miss International (2017) and was crowned by another Asian (Kylie Verzosa). They also became the first Asian country to win a Miss Gwand International (2016).
Korea surprised us by winning Miss Supranational 2017. She was crowned by another Asian queen too from India, a Mangaluru lass named Srinidhi Shetty.
India is indeed back in the game. Two Misses Supranational (2014, 2016), one Miss Globe, and another Miss World win. Interestingly, India’s first Miss Supranational - Asha Bhat was crowned by the Philippines’ first Miss Supranational - Mutya Johanna Datul. And India’s first Miss Globe (Dimple Patel) was also crowned by the Philippines’ first Miss Globe (Ann Loraine Colis).
Philippines is currently unstoppable as since 2013 to 2017, they are bagging crowns left and right. Two Misses International (2013, 2016), a Miss Globe (2015), three Misses Earth (2014, 2015, 2017), a Miss Supranational, a Miss World, and of course — another Miss Universe (2015). Megan Young became the first Filipina to win Miss World and was crowned by an Asian - China’s Yu Wenxia.
In the history of Miss World, only 4 Asian countries managed to win.
India of course is leading the pack with (1966, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2016) and these 6 Miss World crowns of India can be paralleled to Philippines' 6 Miss International wins (1964, 1970, 1979, 2005, 2013, 2016).
The other 3 Asian countries are Israel in 1998, China in 2007 and 2012, and the Philippines in 2013.
Isn’t it amazing that in the 90’ alone, Asia has 5 Miss World crowns? And for 4 consecutive years it was a back to back to back to back Asian Victory (1997 to 2000).
Indeed, it has been a long hard climb for Asians to be noticed. I was very young then when every year, I was cheering for India as they had been the torchbearer of Asia for more than a decade. Asians has always been considered as the minority. But, since pageantry is continuously evolving, all eyes are glued to Asia. We can always coined it in the rise of the Philippines, and now India being back in the game.
Do you still remember the time when the Philippines was enjoying their “Golden Era” in the late 60’s and 70’s.
In 1969 (Diaz) and 1974 (Moran) within five years frame, Philippines became the first Asian country with 2 Miss Universe wins.
In parallel, India became unstoppable at Miss Universe in the 90’s with a Miss Universe crown in 1994 (Sen) and six years after another one in 2000 (Dutta).
While Philippines has two Misses International back then (1964 Gemma Cruz, 1970 Aurora Pijuan). India was the only Asian to have won Miss World during those times (1966 Reita Faria).
To date, only three countries are included in the Elite Big Four Pageant Circle.
Brazil, Venezuela, and the only Asian country - the Philippines. India is in the running as they only need a Miss International win. Will India be the fourth country to be included in this elite group? Well, we can only hope so, as it’s been long overdue.