♔UNOLOGY: Miss Universe 2019, and what lies ahead...♔
This thread is dedicated to the many pageant fanatics who are into pageant facts, histories and other trivias. Well, my readers know that my threads are always long like the Titanic film. So good luck.
This 2019, what could this mean for Miss Universe? In this thread, I will be enumerating different decades and will try to incorporate what had happened in that particular year or decade, and parallel it to what is likely to happen or might happen this year at Miss Universe. It has been six long decades and will soon turn to their seven. Pageantry has been an ocean of knowledge and historical facts. And these newbies who are into pageantry now, must learn and understand that it is not just about the competition, nor bashing nor the everyday battle for supremacy, but it is about understanding the very core and soul of what pageantry is really all about.
And in my thoughts, why not try to read and understand the past, and realize that the past events in pageantry could actually affect the outcome of what is now. And let me begin from five decades ago...
50 Years (1968-1969 to 2018-2019)
I remember myself smiling when Julia Horta won last Saturday night. And I can’t help but imagine her finally bagging their third Miss Universe crown after 51 long years. There is this aura in her that feels deja vu, and it reminded me of Catriona, Demi, and Paulina. Right there and then, after winning their separate national pageants, there was this automatic feeling that “She is the ONE.” And who knows, maybe in Julia's case, she is really the ONE.
In 1969, outgoing Miss Universe 1968 Martha Vasconcellos from Brazil crowned the first Filipina Miss Universe, Gloria Diaz. And after that, Brazil hasn’t won again another Miss Universe. Was it a kiss of death?
Since the conception of Miss Universe in 1954, Brazil had shown an impressive resume. Three first runners up in 1954, 1957 and 1958; a fourth runner up in 1959; and three Top 15 finish in 1955, 1956 and 1960. The 60s, Brazil was indeed unstoppable as they scored two Miss Universe wins. First was in 1963 via Iêda Maria Vargas. Brazil became the first Latin country in history to have won Miss Universe twice. To date, their closest bid was in 2007 as first runner up. Though yes, Brazil has been placing for 8 consecutive years since 2011 up to 2018, with three consecutive Top 5 finish (2011, 2012, 2013). Philippines has nine straight years of placements since 2010 with four top 5 finish and two Miss Universe crowns. So it is safe to say that Brazil's win can happen very soon too.
Wouldn’t it be sweet and poetic to see another Filipina (Catriona Gray) returning the Miss Universe crown to Brazil (Julia Horta) after the 50th Anniversary of Martha crowning Gloria? In my book, Brazil’s straight placements year after year is a clear indication that MUO is patiently waiting for the perfect Brazilian queen to win their third Miss Universe. And I wouldn't mind seeing it happen this year.
A Decade (2008-2009 to 2018-2019)
Who would ever forget the very first and only back to back win that was pulled by Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez in 2009?
In 2006, Puerto Rico holds the most number of wins in the Latin region with 5 wins (1970, 1985, 1993, 2001 and 2006), and making them superior against their latin rival Venezuela with only 4 wins (1979, 1981, 1986 and 1996). Dayana Mendoza’s win tied the race. But with Stefania’s win, Venezuela surpassed Puerto Rico and gain back their superiority status. A back to back win finally happened at Miss Universe and Venezuela is the only country to have pulled this off in their 57 years of existence in 2009. Then Venezuela won again in 2013 via Gabriela Isler, scoring Venezuela 7 versus Puerto Rico with 5.
In the other corner of the world, the Philippines made history as the first Asian country to have won Miss Universe twice in 1973. Venezuela then haven’t scored one until their first win in 1979. Philippines even had a Miss Universe win first than Puerto Rico. It was Gloria Diaz who actually crowned their first ever Miss Universe winner.
But the Philippines had a four-decade long drought after. To think, Philippines hosted Miss Universe twice in 1974 and 1994 but still unlucky to score their third win. They had two closest bids in 1999 (Quiambao) and 2012 (Tugonon), but felt short. It is only in 2015 (Wurtzbach) that Philippines finally scored another win. And three years after, they conquered their fourth Universe title, making the Philippines the ultimate Asian Beauty Pageant Powerhouse.
And it is in this parallelism that we cant help but hope that eventually, just like Venezuela, the Philippines can also pull a back to back Miss Universe win. Who knows, now that Catriona is the reigning queen and if Bb. Pilipinas will crown a worthy and deserving representative, nothing is indeed impossible. Well, those people bashing Philippines wouldn't want this scenario to happen. But yes, it is possible.
40 Years (1978-1979 to 2018-2019)
In 1978, a white South African finally bagged their very first Miss Universe crown via Margaret Gardiner. At Miss World, their country has scored a win in 1958 via a white Miss South African named Penelope Anne Coelen. In 1974, Miss World winner from United Kingdom Helen Morgan resigned and the title was given to the first runner up, another white South African named Anneline Kriel. So, bagging that Miss Universe crown in 1978 was very huge in the world as it was the very first time a winner from the African continent won. And in 1979, Margaret crowned the first ever Venezuelan, Maritza Sayalero, who we can say the game changer. Maritza was indeed "in it, to win it."
Maritza's victory was really big in Venezuela as it began a national interest in beauty pageants for the Venezuelans. Her name has become synonymous with beauty among Spanish language speakers, not only in Venezuela but with the neighboring countries too. Following her victory, it is said that many parents named their daughters Maritza and even at least one ship was named in her honour.
Before 1979, Venezuela's only Big 3 crown was their 1955 win at Miss World via Susana Duijm. That time, Venezuela hasn't really decoded the winning formula until October 1981, when the president of the MVO Ignacio Font Coll died. Cuban-born Osmel Sousa became the president of the Miss Venezuela Organization, and it was indeed during his three decade-career that Venezuela started winning Miss International, Miss Universe and Miss World. Osmel is considered to be the driving force behind the large number of Venezuelan queens bagging the Big 3 pageants, and later even at Miss Earth.
In parallel four decades ago when South Africa crowned Venezuela, will this year mark the same scenario - Philippines' Catriona Elisa Gray crowning a country who hasn't won Miss Universe yet like for example Indonesia, and then later become a pageant powerhouse?
Is Indonesia the next big thing in the world of pageantry?
Well, we can see, Indonesia only returned to pageantry in 2005, but even before that, they are already inviting Miss Universe winners like Oxana Federova in 2002, Amelia Vega in 2003 and Jennifer Hawkins in 2004 as their guests. This country has already scored a win at Miss Gwand International and at Miss International. In 2013, they even hosted Miss World. And even up to now, they have built a strong relationship with MUO and has continuously invited their reigning queens to attend their national finals.
Business-wise, Indonesia is indeed has the money, and Miss Universe can anytime use this opportunity. Philippines and Indonesia is likely to be the next Venezuela and Puerto Rico when it comes to pageant rivalry. And I know, some of these boastful Filipinos reading my thread right now is probably disagreeing to me. But, we shouldn't underestimate other Asian countries. Yes, many Puteris were being trained in the Philippines. Kevin Liliana was honed in the Philippines and she later bagged Miss International. Philippines was once in their shoes who also sought help for trainings and groomings. Miriam Quiambao was trained in Venezuela, and other girls like Zorayda Andam, Nina Ricci Alagao, Karen Agustin to name a few, were even sent to Colombia for trainings too. So why would we be selfish right?
20 Years (1998-1999 to 2018-2019)
Ten years before that historical Back to Back win from Venezuela, there was this other historical occurrence at Miss Universe. The first Black to Black Miss Universe crowning happened in 1999, when a newbie and Botswana's first ever candidate to Miss Universe bagged the crown. Outgoing Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam crowned Mpule Kwelagobe, the first black winner from the continent of Africa. Mind you, this historical occurrences happened during the Trump Era - two Latinas back to back win and two black to black win.
Well, the Trump Era at Miss Universe was different from the Trump nowadays who wants to build a wall in their border. Since 1996, he has 10 winners from Latin America (1996, 2001, 2002 when Panama assumed the title from Russia, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014), two Americans - one from Hawaii (1997) and the other one is of Italian descent (2012), one from Canada who was a Russian and was born in Russia and migrated to Canada (2005), one from Australia, and two from Asia (2000, 2007).
In addition, during his regime, it was only the time when black Africans were crowned Miss Universe (1999 Botswana, 2011 Angola).
Isn't it IRONIC? Don't you think?
So yes, that 1998-1999 crowning moment has a BIG say in the history of pageantry. It was only after these years that Miss World finally crowned a black woman from Africa in 2001 (Agbani Darego, Nigeria). Miss International has yet to crown one. Miss Earth did in 2002 (Kenya, Winfred Omwakwe), but it was only because Džejla Glavović (Bosnia & Herzegovina) was dethroned.
In parallel to what had happened two decades ago, since the reigning Miss Universe is Asian, will it be "the very first Asian to Asian crowning?"
Perhaps from India, or Vietnam, or Indonesia, or China or Korea or Japan? Or will it be Thailand's turn for their third Miss Universe crown this year? Or even a Filipina to a Filipina crowning like what I mentioned above? Or Miss Universe will crown a newbie like Botswana in 1999? Perhaps, Nepal after having a breakthrough year in 2018? or Laos, or Cambodia, Myanmar? Who knows?
30 Years (1988-1989 to 2018-2019)
Last Miss Universe edition, we saw our very endearing Miss Universe 1988, Porntip Nakhirunkanok as one of the judges as her home country Thailand hosted the event. This made us realize that it has been three decades since her country's last win at Miss Universe.
Thailand was the second Asian country to have won Miss Universe twice, next to Philippines. India and Japan followed after. A year after, Angela Visser scored their first and only win as her country Holland bagged the 1989 Miss Universe title. A year after, they changed their name to Netherlands. And in 1991, they almost scored their second victory via Paulien Huizinga who was first runner up to Lupita Jones.
Was Angela's win in 1989 a win a one hit wonder?
Well, in 1959, Holland scored their very first Big 3 win at Miss World (Corine Rottschäfer). It was followed in 1961 at Miss International as Stam van Baer became the successor of Stella Marquez de Araneta, and making her the first European to win Miss International. In 1962, Holland bagged their second Miss World crown via Catharina Lodders, and making their country as the second country in the world and in Europe to have won Miss World twice, next to Sweden who bagged the first and second Miss World win in 1951 and 1952 (the first ever back to back win).
With 2 Misses World, 1 Miss International and 1 Miss Universe, the Netherlands is just waiting for their Miss Earth win in order to be included in the Big Four Pageants Elite Circle (Brazil, Venezuela, Philippines).
As Catriona Gray is turning over her Mikimoto crown this year, are we going to see a first time winner just like Netherlands in 1989?
Ecuador has bagged two Misses Earth (2011, 20016) and one Miss International (2011) but hasn't scored a win at either Miss Universe or Miss World.
Czech Republic has scored in both Miss World (2006) and Miss Earth (2012) but zero at Universe and International.
Iceland has scored a Miss International (1963) and three Misses World (1985, 1988, 2005) but never a Miss Universe.
And UK has scored an impressive three Misses International (1969, 1972, 1986), and a whooping four Misses World (1961, 1964, 1965, 1983), and one dethroned (1974), but NEVER a Miss Universe. To think Miss World has crowned three Americans (1973, 1990, 2010). Their closest bid at Miss Universe were in 1961 (Rosemarie Frankland) and 1974 (Helen Morgan) who both represented Wales, 1964 (Brenda Blackler) who represented England, and 1980 (Linda Gallagher) who represented Scotland in 1980. All four placed as first runner up. And it was in this decade that Great Britain was sending three representatives, one from England, Scotland and Wales from 1961 to 1990. Was it the more entries, the more chances of winning? But sadly, that three decades never scored them a win.
1st Runner-up
In parallel to what had happened in 1989, perhaps just like Porntip, Catriona will crown a European country this year, who has been winning crowns in other Big 5 pageants, but never a Miss Universe yet?
Will it be UK (Great Britain), Iceland or Czech Republic?
60 Years (1958-1959 to 2018-2019)
And on the last part of my thread, let's take down a memory lane six decades ago.
In 1958 and 1959, both Colombia (Luz Marina Zuluaga) and Japan (Akiko Kojima) scored their first win respectively. But, their wins became a real TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW, as it took them ages before they finally scored their second win.
Japan waited 48 long years before Riyo Mori finally won in 2007. While Colombia waited 56 long years (technically 57 years as the Miss Universe finals was held January 2015 in Doral, Florida). Thanks to Paulina Vega. And taking into consideration the decades of drought both Colombia and Japan had before finally making a comeback, in my mind, IMG and MUO will probably be back in crowning countries with the longest gap in their wins.
Longest gap as of now with 62 years is Peru. They have one win in 1957 via Gladys Zender.
Long overdue for Brazil with 51 years and two wins (1963, 1968).
Finland has two wins (1952, 1975) but it has been 44 years.
Sweden has 35 years gap since their last win in 1984.Though yes, Sweden has three Miss Universe wins already (1955, 1966, 1984).
Thailand has 31 years gap now since Porntip won it in 1988. Thailand has two wins under their belt (1965, 1988) and who knows, their third is coming very soon.
The following countries are with one win:
Germany (1961) with 58 years gap
Argentina (1962) with 57 years gap
Greece (1964) with 55 years gap
Lebanon (1971) 48 years gap
Spain (1974) 45 years gap
Israel (1976) 43 years gap
New Zealand (1983) 36 years gap
Chile (1987) 32 years gap
Netherlands (1989) 30 years gap
Norway (1990) 29 years gap
Namibia (1992) 27 years gap
Well, who among these countries will end their drought? Peru with six decades of drought reminded me of France winning in 2016. More than 5 Decades of drought for Germany, Argentina, Greece and Brazil, and it made me realized how sweet it was when Colombia finally bagged their second win in 2015 after 57 years.
That same year, Luz Marina Zuluaga died, and it felt like, she has kept the torch burning for so many years, and now that Paulina has brought Miss Universe back to her native land, it was time to depart, and leave that same torch to Paulina.
Catriona might be crowning one of these countries. Or Catriona will crown another first timer just like Japan back in 1959, who was petite, underrated, an underdog, and out of the box vixen, but surprisingly worthy, and deserving just like Akiko. Whichever way will it be, I know it will be another exciting reign.
Well, in retrospect to the many beautiful historical occurrences back then, the world of pageantry today has truly evolved. I remember the years when we do not have access to the pre-pageant scenes and the internet was still very slow and only this few studio shots of the candidates were posted in their websites. Worst, we can only get updates from the evening news. In this day and age, fans like us, can now interact with these queens. Those decades, beauty queens are untouchables. We can't even reach them. Unlike now, we can even be friends with them. We can see their daily activities and routines. And lucky you, if you will be given the opportunity to hone them and share your expertise.
Everything has been an easy access. And with all these advances and the rise of social media, us pageant fans are oftentimes forgetting the very essence of beauty pageants. To us old schools, it is about having a break from our daily routines. it is an indulgement in a world almost like a fairytale where these beautiful queens we idolized are parading in their exquisite gowns, and national costumes. It was like a trip around the world, - an olympics of beauties that caters to our eyes and fantasies. As gay as it may look, beauty pageants has been a way of life to many of us. I think it is privilege that we are now part on the "now", of this generation, and for whatever is happening today, we are indeed shaping it. And for the generations who are coming after us, we hope that they will still value and acknowledge the rich history of these beauty pageants. That, they may still write and share threads like this, so that the next generation can read and learn something.
Time indeed flies very fast. And before we know it, another decade has passed. I am excited to see what 2018-2019 crowning would be all about. And a decade from now, I hope what Catriona and other queens have contributed in the world of pageantry, will be acknowledged and valued by the next generation of Missosologists.
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