Miss Universe 2017 Pageant Takes on New Format

By: Robert R. Requintina, Manila Bulletin

The announcement of the Top 16 semifinalists for the Miss Universe 2017 beauty pageant takes a new twist during the finals in Las Vegas, Nevada on Nov. 26 (Nov. 27 in Manila).

“For the first cut, three candidates from each region will be selected based on scores plus one spot for the girl with the most votes in that region,” said Norman Tinio, of normannorman.com, a popular blog on international and local beauty pageants, during an interview in Parañaque City on Thursday night.

Miss Universe 2016, Iris Mittenaere and the 92 Miss Universe contestants stand on stage during rehearsal at the AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on November 22, 2017.
(AFP PHOTO / THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION / Patrick PRATHER / MANILA BULLETIN)

Tinio said: “And then, there will be four remaining Wild Card spots from around the world.”

“So there will be four girls from the Americas, four girls from Europe, four from girls from Asia, Africa and Pacific; and four wild cards. A total of 16 semi-finalists,” said Tinio.

While fan votes will help advance a candidate to the Top 16, unconfirmed reports said that the 92 candidates will choose among themselves a girl who will also join the Top 16 semifinalists.

The worldwide fan voting for the Miss Universe 2017 pageant will end on Nov. 25, one day before the finals.

In high spirits 

Rodgil Flores, head of the Kagandahang Flores beauty camp which trained Miss Philippines Rachel Peters, will fly to Las Vegas to catch the Miss Universe pageant on Sunday, Nov. 26. Flores will be accompanied by his cousin Gio Flores.

Also, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach and mentor Jonas Gaffud of the Aces and Queens beauty camp have left for Las Vegas for the Miss Universe contest.

“On our way to Las Vegas! Excited for Miss Universe 2017,” said Gaffud as he shared a picture with Wurtzbach at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Parañaque City on Thursday.

Wurtzbach has been chosen as one of the telecast judges in this year’s pageant.

Flores said Peters is in high spirits as the pageant date approaches despite the controversy on social media that leaked her reported evening gown for the finals of the Miss Universe contest.

Reacting to the design of the evening gown that leaked, Flores said: “She brought six gowns for the Miss Universe contest. We have already chosen which gown she will wear in the finale.”

He refused to confirm if the evening gown that went viral was for the finale. “Abangan na lang po nila. Ilang araw na lang naman.” (Let’s just wait for the finals).

Peters slammed the uploader of her evening gown on the Internet.

“To whoever leaked pictures of my evening gown, thank you for teaching me a lesson about being more careful who you trust.

“Not sure what your intentions were but no matter what, you’re not dragging me down.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about the dress you wear, how you walk or even the elements of surprise. What’s important is that you are kind and true to yourself… that’s when a girl truly shines!” said Peters.

It has been a tradition for the management of the Bb. Pilipinas beauty contest not to reveal the outfits of their competing delegates to international pageants until the finals night.

Flores said he texted Peters after the preliminary competitions.

“I congratulated her for her wonderful performance. Basta happy s’ya at happy kami kasi andun ‘yung control, very queenly s’ya,” said Flores. (I’m happy and we’re happy (during the preliminaries) because the control is there, she’s very queenly).

Flores said that based on the performance of Peters in the preliminaries, “she deserves a spot in the Top 16.”

Sought to give his final advice to Peters, Flores said: “Just stay focus. This is it! Ang lapit-lapit na! You worked so hard for the past years, eto na yung culminating night.”

Flores also said the Bicolana beauty queen is not the type of person who will back out because of pressure.

“Gagalingan pa n’ya lalo kasi na-inspire s’ya dun sa comments and reviews sa prelims n’ya which is outstanding naman yung performance n’ya. At saka boto lang po kayo for Rachel,” said Flores. (She will do her best in the finals because she was inspired by the positive reviews and comments she got during the preliminaries which is outstanding. Let’s continue to vote for Rachel).