A misty-eyed look at Armi Kuusela, the 1st Miss Universe

Armi Kuusela with Virgilio Hilario

Fifty-four years ago today, a beautiful 17-year-old girl from Finland was crowned (by Hollywood actress Piper Laurie) the first Miss Universe at a glittering ceremony at The Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California, with a court of honor composed of Hawaii’s Elza Kananionapua Edsman (first runner-up), Greece’s Daisy Mavraki (second runner-up), Hong Kong’s Judy Dan (third runner-up) and Germany’s Renate Hoy (fourth runner-up).

Message from Armi Williams (former Hilario, former Kuusela) Miss Universe 1952

First Miss Universe - Armi Kuusela of Finland

I arrived in the Philippines in February 1953 as a young and impressionable Miss Universe to attend the official opening ceremonies of the first international fair in Manila. I was completely overwhelmed by the outpouring enthusiasm, warmth and adoration of the crowds of people wherever I went. I had never expected anything quite so magnificent – nor the extraordinary and special arrangements that were made to make me feel welcome and comfortable.

Miss World 2001: The Triumph Of The Bayamon Alumni; The Best Miss World Pageant Ever!

By Joseph Vitug
Excerpt from Mabuhay To Beauty:
Profiles of Beauties and Essays on Pageants

Miss World 2001 Agbani Darego

In the tradition of this year’s Miss People’s Republic of China, Bing Li, I’d like to make the following apologies:

First, to Henrique, Ed, and Marcio of Global Beauties: Sorry for failing to post my annual “homestretch” review for this pageant. Work commitments, physical exhaustion, and illness have prevented me from coming up with my review, even though I took the time to view the “You Decide” show.

Miss Universe 2002 Review: A Return To The Classics: Visions Of The Fairest Maidens In White

By Joseph Vitug
Excerpt from Mabuhay To Beauty: Profiles
of Beauties and Essays on Pageants

Miss Universe 2002 Oxana Fedorova

The title of my review has three key words: Classic, Fair, and White… These terms seem to be very apt in depicting the telecast and the outcome of this year’s Miss Universe pageant. And what makes the experience of watching this pageant richer is how the various contexts of these terms came into play…

Quotes from the Beauty Queens

Sushmita Sen, Miss Universe 1994

What is the essence of being a woman? Sushmita's famous answer: "Just being a woman is God's gift. The origin of a child is a mother, a woman. She shows a man what sharing, caring, and loving is all about. That is the essence of a woman."

Pinoy Men and the Beauty Queens

Collected by Ranz

Beauty Title: First Miss Universe (1952)
Country: Finland
She: Armi Kuusela was a Finnish beauty queen. She won the national beauty contest Suomen Neito and was presented with a trip to the United States to participate in the first-ever Miss Universe contest in Long Beach, California. She was the first winner of Miss Universe Pageant.

Beauty Pageant + Reality Show Format

By Ranz

Since hit na hit ngayon ang mga reality shows sa international viewers, bakit hindi natin subukan ang approach ng reality show?

Miss Earth: The Pros & Cons (1)

by Ranz
September, 2005

BIG FOUR

Nakatutuwang malaman na ang Miss Earth, in a short span of time, ay itinuturing ng isa sa Big 4 Pageant na mayroon tayo. Kahilera ng mga matatagumpay at kinikilalang mga Beauty Pageants sa mundo: ang Miss Universe, Miss World at Miss International.

Miss Earth: The Pros & Cons (2)

PRODUCTIONS

Anu-ano nga ba ang mga areas ng Miss Earth ang madalas na pinupuna ng mga fans, pageant websites at mga pageant commentators?

1. Stage Design

This is an international event so dapat lang na pagtuunan ng pansin at sapat na budget ang stage design ng Miss Earth. Miss Universe and Miss World are both outstanding in stage management. Since naungusan na ng Miss Earth ang Miss International, dapat lang na ang sinusundang standard ng Miss Earth ay ang pagpantay o paghigit sa Two Giants.

Miss Earth: The Pros & Cons (3)

7. Awarding

Ganito ang way ng pag-presenta ng award sa Miss Universe: Ia-announce ang winner. Pupunta centerstage ang nanalo at aabutan ng crystal trophy. Fast-pacing. No sash. No envelope. Walang maraming presentors.

Miss Earth: The Pros & Cons (4)

HOORAY!!

Hinirang na isa sa Big 4 Pageants, kinilala bilang 'Top 3 International Pageant' na mayroon tayo at sinipa ang ilang-dekada ng Miss International, ang Miss Earth ay naging kaabang-abang at exciting para sa lahat. Kasabay ng mga kritisimo at pagpuna ang mga pagpunyagi at pagsasabing nasa Miss Earth ang lahat ng potential para maging isang matagumpay na International Beauty Pageant.