The Miss Universe beauty pageant coronation will take place on January 30. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE
(Eagle News) — Miss Philippines’ bet Maxine Medina made it to the top six of the Miss Universe candidates, along with the bets from France, Kenya, Colombia, Thailand, and Haiti.
The top six then advanced to the crucial question and answer question.
It was also Maxine who was the first to be called for the question and answer portion.
Although she had an interpreter with her, Maxine chose to answer in English.
Her question was this: “What is the most significant change you’ve seen in the world in the last 10 years?”
Medina replied, “In the last 10 years of being here in the world, is that I saw all the people bringing in one event like this, Miss Universe. And it’s something big to us that we are one, as one nation we are all together.”
The top six were chosen out of the initial top nine Miss Universe bets who were from the United States, Thailand, France, Mexico, Kenya, Colombia, Canada, Haiti, and the Philippines.
Controversial host Steve Harvey called Medina as the audience applauded inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“I can’t believe this,” said Harvey as he initially called on Medina, and also Miss Colombia during the announcement of the top 13.
The top 13 then wore their best swimsuits for the next phase of the contest.
It is however the top nine bets who went on to the evening gown competition.
Over 100 million votes from the fans at home were the basis of the choice of the top 13 bets.
The other bets who made it to the top 13 are the Miss Kenya, Miss Indonesia, Miss USA, Miss Mexico, Miss Peru, Miss Panama, Miss Canada, Miss Brazil, Miss France, Miss Haiti and Miss Thailand.
During the announcement of the initial top 13, Miss Philippines’ bet Medina was asked by Harvey about what advice her aunt, a former Miss Philippines bet, had given her for the competition.
Medina answered, “To be myself and to be more confident since it (the competition) is going to be here in the Philippines.”
Medina was the eighth candidate called by Harvey.
Before the top 13 candidates were called, reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzback was interviewed by Harvey about her experience as the Miss Universe.
During the interview, Pia thanked Harvey for making her the “most popular Miss Universe,” referring to the mistake where the host called on Miss Colombia Ariadne Gutierrez as the winner, only to take it back a few seconds later after realizing the major error he did.
Pia “thanked” Harvey as he was about to finish the interview on her ending reign as the 2015 Miss Universe.
“I never got to tell you Steve, but thank you for making me the most popular Miss Universe,” Pia said, a remark which was applauded by the audience inside the packed SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Harvey was a bit surprised, but recovered after a few seconds, and replied, “Thank you too for making me the most popular Miss Universe host.
Pia said she wanted the Philippines to be back on the world stage, and said that she was very happy that the contest was held this year in her home country.
Eighty-six of the world’s most beautiful women will be vying for the Miss Universe crown Monday as the Philippines — last year’s winner — stages the beauty contest in a bid to boost tourism and investment.
Last year’s host, Emmy Award winner Harvey — who shot to notoriety for initially announcing the wrong winner — returns for this year’s three-hour pageant that starts at 8:00 am (0000 GMT) in Manila.
(with a report from Agence France Presse)