Maria Sofia Gloria Mustonen | Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Bio

23 year old Maria Sofia Gloria Mustonen was born in Helsinki, Finland. While she was growing up, her dream of becoming a beauty queen developed. The desire to win a national beauty title became even stronger when she moved to the Philippines. "I think it's part of the culture here. Everyone wants to become a beauty queen" she said.

Sofia stands 5'6" tall and competed before in Miss Philippines Earth 2010. She is now one of the 50 contestants competing in the Bb. Pilipinas 2013 which celebrates it's 50 golden year's and be held on April 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.

Nicole Kim Donesa | Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Bio

Born in Fremont, California, 18 year old Nicole Kim Donesa representing Quezon City is one of the 50 candidates competing in the Bb. Pilipinas 2013 which celebrates it's 50 golden year's. It will be held on April 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.

Standing 5'6" tall, when Nicole first started with the pageant, she had no idea how to put on makeup and had to watch YouTube videos and read magazines a lot because she really wasn't used to wearing make up while she was growing up. "I usually would just curl my lashes and call it a day" she said.

Zandra Flores | Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Bio

24 year old Zandra Flores representing Manaoag Pangasinan grew up in Bradford, England. She competed in Miss Philippines Earth 2012 last year.

Zandra stands 5'6" tall and she feels grateful and very happy that she’s one of the chosen 50. “I was crying and very emotional when they were announcing the names of the official candidates. I promise to enjoy this and do my best.”

The Bb. Pilipinas 2013 celebrates it's 50 golden year's. It will be held on April 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines

Maria Bencelle Bianzon | Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Bio

Representing Iloilo City, Maria Bencelle Bianzon is an achiever but was an admitted frequently bullied in school.

“Kaya I decided to join kasi sabi ko sa sarili ko kaya ko to, despite what other people are saying behind my back (That's why I joined because i told to myself I can do it despite what other people are saying behind her back).”

Standing 5'6.5" tall, Bencelle is one of the 50 delegates vying for the crowns of the Binibining Pilipinas 2013 to be held on April 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.

Ria Rabajante | Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Bio

Ria Rabajante, a 23 year old stunner representing Oas, Albay wants to become a film director someday. She wants to make romantic movies, and make people laugh and fall in love through her work.

Ria stands 5'7" tall and will compete against 49 hopefuls vying for the crowns of the 50th Binibining Pilipinas to be held on April 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.

Miss Universe Pageant 2013

The Miss Universe Pageant is perhaps the most celebrated beauty pageant of all times. It was highly acclaimed to be one of the 4 largest beauty contests in the world.

The pageant was founded by California clothing company Pacific Mills in 1952. It was first co-owned and organized by Kayser-Roth and then Gulf and Western Industries, then in 1996, it was bought by business tycoon, Donald Trump. In 1998, from the name Miss Universe Inc. it was changed to Miss Universe Organization as well as it's headquarters being moved from Long Beach California, to New York City.

The pageant's main slogan was "Redefined for Today". They are looking for the delegates who possess intelligence, well-mannered, cultured as well as modernized women. The winner, since it was managed by Trump is signed a one-year contract with the Organization, traveling nationwide and abroad promoting the public awareness of HIV/AIDS, control of diseases and world peace.

According to pageant experts, the Miss Universe is the only pageant which is going with the flow of our present age and time. They are looking nowadays for beautiful, model-like and has a good runway skill winners.

MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT 2013:

Venue: Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia

Official Candidates: Batch A-D | Batch E-I | Batch J-P | Batch R-Z

Portraits: Headshots | Swimsuits

Venezuela wins it's 7th Miss Universe crown!

Mariya Velichko to represent Belarus in Miss World 2013

22 year old Mariya Velichko from Vitebsk was selected by the National School of Beauty, license holders of Miss World in Belarus to be the official representative of the country in the upcoming Miss World 2013 beauty pageant which was scheduled to take place on September 28 at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor in West Java, Indonesia.

Mariya stands 5'9" tall and was a part of the top 5 finalists in Miss Belarus 2012 and won the Miss Charity award.

Navneet Kaur Dhillon is Femina Miss India 2013 Winner

Standing 1.73m tall, Navneet Kaur Dhillon from Patiala won the title Femina Miss India World 2013 during the Pond's Femina Miss India 2013 pageant which took place last March 24 at the ash Raj Studios in Mumbai.

20 year old Navneet is the daughter of an army officer and studied in Patiala’s Punjabi University after attending Army Public School. As the newest Indian titleholder, Dhillon will compete in Miss World 2013 on September 28 at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor in West Java in Indonesia.

Crowned as Femina Miss India Earth 2013 was Sobhita Dhulipala from Visakhapatnam. She will enter Miss Earth 2013 contest.

The winner Femina Miss India International 2013 title was Zoya Afroz from Lucknow. She will represent India in Miss International 2013 on October 27 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Finished as 1st run-up was Anukriti Gusain, while the 2nd run-up was Srishti Rana.

Completing the top 10 semi-finalists were Apurva Lonkar, Gail Nicole Da Silva, Sagarika Chhetri, Swati Kain and Vijaya Sharma.

LIST of SPECIAL AWARDS WINNERS:

Miss Active: Manasi Moghe

Miss Adventurous: Lopamudra Raut

Miss Awesome Legs: Lopamudra Raut

Miss Beautiful Lips: Akshitaa Agnihotri

Miss Beautiful Smile: Anukriti Gusain

Miss Beauty For A Cause: Radhika Sharma

Miss Beauty For Health: Anannya Sarmah

Miss Body Beautiful: Lopamudra Raut

Miss Congeniality: Sanjana D'souza

Miss Dancing Queen: Sobhita Dhulipala and Sukanya Bhattacharya

Miss Digital Diva: Sobhita Dhulipala

Miss Eye Conic Eyes: Swati Kain

Miss Fashion Icon: Srishti Rana

Miss Glowing Skin: Sagarika Chhetri

Miss Intellectual: Radhika Sharma

Miss Iron Maiden: Swati Kain

Miss Photogenic: Anukriti Gusain

Miss Ramp Walk: Anannya Sarmah

Miss Stylish Hair: Archita Sahu

Miss Talented: Sobhita Dhulipala and Archita Sahu

Miss Tech Diva: Anushka Shah

Miss Timeless Beauty: Navneet Kaur Dhillon

Miss Water Baby: Anannya Sarmah

The distinguish panel of selected judges are Yuvraj Singh, Chitrangada Singh, John Abraham, Ritu Kumar, Karan Johar, Shiamak Davar and Asin.

A total of 23 gorgeous candidates participated this year. The Femina Miss India re-acquired the franchise for Miss Universe and will conduct a separate pageant next June to elect the representative.

Ceska Miss 2013 winners Announced

Currently studying finance, 23 year old Gabriela Kratochvilova from Chotebor was voted by the television viewers and was crowned as this year's winner of Ceska Miss 2013 pageant held last March 23 at the Musical Theatre Karlin where 10 lovely delegates competed.

Standing 173cm tall, Gabriela will be the official representative of Czech Republic in Miss Universe 2013 in a date and venue to be announced later this year.

Meanwhile at the same event, 19 year old Lucia Kovandova from Dolni Kounice was chosen by the panel of judges as this year's Ceska Miss World 2013 winner. Lucia stands 176cm tall and will travel to Indonesia to compete in Miss World 2013 to be held on September 28 at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor in West Java.

The online visitors of http://www.blesk.cz/ have chosen Monica Leo from Dvorisko to be the winner of Ceska Miss Earth 2013. She will enter the Miss Earth 2013 competition.

Ishani Shrestha crowned Fanta Miss Nepal 2013

21 year old Ishani Shrestha bested out other 17 hopefuls as she won the title of Miss Nepal 2013 during an annual pageant held last March 20 at the Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi in Kathmandu.

Crowned as Miss Nepal World 2013, Ishani will be the official representative of Nepal in Miss World 2013 to be held this coming September 28 at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor in West Java, Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Rosjisha Shahi Thakuri was also crowned as Miss Nepal Earth 2013 or the 1st run-up place during the same event. The 19 year old will compete in Miss Earth 2013 later this year.

The 2nd run-up position and also crowned as Miss Nepal International 2013 was the 21 year old Shritima Shah. She will enter the Miss International 2013 competition to take place on October 27 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Petra Cabrera was Miss U.S. Paradise World 2013

Petra Cabrera won the title of Miss U.S. Paradise World 2013 during a pageant held at the St. George Village Botanical Garden in Frederiksted which was organized by Cyndee's Models in the Isle, license holders of Miss World in the islands.

As the new winner, Petra has the responsibility to represent United Stated Virgin Islands in Miss World 2013 to be held on September 28 at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor in West Java in Indonesia where almost 100 international beauties will participate.

Miss Slovensko 2013 Official Finalists

A night of elegance, beauty and fashion will once again held at the finals of Miss Slovakia 2013 locally referred as Miss Slovensko 2013 to be held on April 14 which was organized by FORZA Production House, Production Agency Oklamcak and will be broadcast live via TV JOJ.

The current Miss Slovensko 2012, Kristina Krajcirova will crown the new winner who will compete and represent Slovakia in Miss World 2013 to be held on September 28 at the Sentul International Convention Center in Bogor, West Java in Indonesia. Her run-up will enter the Miss International 2013 on October 27.

MEET MISS SLOVENSKO 2013 CANDIDATES:

Name: Luciana Cvirkova Age: 19 Height: 178cm. Hometown: Trebisov	Name: Simona Mudrakova Age: 19 Height: 178cm. Hometown: Rak
Name: Karolina Chomistekova Age: 19 Height: 176cm. Hometown: Oravsky Podzamok	Name: Alica Hoffmannova Age: 18 Height: 176cm. Hometown: Vlkanova
Name: Martina Brejova Age: 18 Height: 176cm. Hometown: Presov	Name: Julia Lassakova Age: 18 Height 176cm. Hometown: Oravska Jasenica
Name: Jasmina Hodermarska Age: 19 Height: 172cm. Hometown: Kosice	Name: Veronika Zatekova Age: 20 Height: 172cm. Hometown: Banska Bystrica
Name: Simona Gersiova Age: 19 Height: 172cm. Hometown: Spisska Nova Ves	Name: Nikoleta Duchonova Age: 19 Height: 171cm. Hometown: Trebatice
Name: Nikola Babjakova Age: 21 Height: 170cm. Hometown: Vlkanova	Name: Barbora Lucivjanska Age: 21 Height: 170cm. Hometown: Poprad

Miss Slovensko 2013 winner is Karolina Chomistekova

Constanza Baez Jalil wins Miss Ecuador 2013

Miss Ecuador 2013 contest took place at the Teatro Centro Civico Eloy Alfaro last March 8. The gorgeous Constanza Baez Jalil, a 22 year old from Pichincha won the top place and named Miss Ecuador Universo 2013, and was crowned by last year's winner Carolina Aguirre.

Constanza stands 5'9" tall is currently studying Economics. She will be representing Ecuador in Miss Universe 2013 pageant in a venue and date to be announced soon.

21 year old Nathaly Arroba Hurtado was crowned as Miss Internacional Ecuador 2013. This stunner standing 5'9" from Guayas will enter the Miss International 2013 later this year.

Also from Guayas was the winner of Miss Supranational Ecuador 2013 title and she is the 22 year old Giuliana Guiselle Villavicencio Freire. She stands 5'7" tall and will compete in Miss Supranational 2013 in Minsk, Belarus on September 6.

Finished as 1st run-up was Eliana Nathaly Molina Alarcon. 2nd run-up was Ena Cristina Cordova Sarmiento. And finally, the 3rd run-up position went to Maria Claudia Morales Mora.

The event was broadcasted live by Gama TV where 15 beautiful candidates participated. Former Miss Universe of 2008, Stefania Fernandez from Venezuela was among the panel of judges.

SPECIAL AWARDS:

* Miss Congeniality - Madeleyne Game

* Miss Photogenic - Tatiana Romero

* Miss Yanbal- Giuliana Villavicencio

* Miss Tec Italy - Ena Cordova

* Miss Cielo - Constanza Baez

* Miss Kotex - Emily Ormaza

* Miss Emprendedora - Fernanda Gonzalez

* Best National Costume - Ena Cordova

Yukimi Matsuo was crowned Miss Universe Japan 2013

The annual Miss Universe Japan 2013 was held last March 4 at the Kokusai forum in Tokyo. Emerged as the winner was the 25 year old Yukimi Matsuo representing Mie prefecture. She was crowned by the outgoing titleholder, Ayako Hara.

Yukimi is a passionate mangaka (cartoonist) and dreams to spread her country’s love of manga to the world. She stands statuesque at 173cm tall and she will enter representing Japan in Miss Universe 2013 later this year.

Nastassja Bolivar wins Miss Nicaragua 2013

24 year old Nastassja Bolivar won the title of Miss Nicaragua 2013 during the final coronation night held last March 2 at the Ruben Dario theater in Managua.

Born in Miami with mixed of Colombian and Nicaraguan descent, Bolivar was popularly known after winning the Nuestra Belleza Latina 2011, a contest for United States residents of Latino descent which wass broadcasted nationally via Univision network.

Standing 177cm tall, Nastassja will represent Nicaragua in Miss Universe 2013 pageant in a venue and date to be announced later this year.

Finished as 1st run-up was Lubiana Torres. She will enter the Miss International 2013 event in October. The 2nd run-up was Cristina Soto. 3rd runner-up was Daysi Largaespada, and the 4th run-up was Celeste Castillo.

Contenders for Miss Nicaragua 2013

Winner of Miss Russia 2013

A native of Mezhdurechensk, 18 year old Elmira Abdrazakova was crowned as the new Miss Russia 2013 held at the Concert Hall of the Barvikha Luxury Village in Moscow on March 2.

Crowning Abdrazakova the most expensive beauty pageant crown in the world were the reigning Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo of USA, Miss World 2012 Wenxia Yu of China and the outgoing Miss Russia 2012 Elizaveta Golovanova.

Finished as 1st run-up was Anastasia Yazykova, while the 2nd run-up was Irina Tumanova.

Standing 1.63m tall, Elmira is currently a economics student. She receives 100,000 USD and the opportunity to represent Russia in Miss Universe 2013 and Miss World 2013 which will be held on September 28 at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor in West Java in Indonesia.

Yityish Titi Aynaw won Israel's Queen of Beauty 2013 title!

For the very first time, an Ethiopian-born woman won the title of Miss Israel, 21 year old Yityish Titi Aynaw from Netanya was crowned as this year's Israel's Queen of Beauty 2013 held last February 27 at the Haifa Convention Center.

During the final question round of the pageant, Titi's remarkable response

“It’s important to have a first (beauty) queen from the Ethiopian community. Israel has many ethnic groups and many colors, and it’s important to show it to the world”

made her to bagged the crown.

Another witty answer Anyaw responded to the judges is when she was asked which historical character had influenced her the most, she replied Martin Luther King:

“He fought for justice and equality, and that’s one of the reasons I’m here – to show that there are also good things in my community, which are not presented in the media.

I see it as a mission to represent Israel’s different colors. There are not enough dark-skinned models in Israel.

I hope to become a successful model thanks to the contest and create a change in the perception of dark-skinned models. I would be happy to be the first Ethiopian television host, an Israeli Tyra Banks.”

Named with a meaning "a look to the future", Yityish currently works as an officer in the IDF and now runs a fashion store. She moved and lived to Israel at the age of 12. Now, she will have the responsibility to represent Israel in Miss World 2013 on September 20 at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor in West Java in Indonesia.

Meanwhile at the same event, 18 year old Bar Hefer was crowned Israel's Maiden of Beauty 2013. She will compete in Miss Universe 2013 later this year.

Finished as Miss Israel's 2nd run-up was Sabina Yosifov.

Meet Miss Israel 2013 Candidates

Gloria Tang (鄧佩儀) wins Miss Chinese International 2013

20 year old Gloria Tang 鄧佩儀 representing Vancouver Canada won the 24th Miss Chinese International 2013 held at the TVB City, Hong Kong last February 24. She was crowned by last year's winner Kelly Cheung of Chicago, USA.

Finished as 1st run-up was Denise Tan 陳楚寰 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. While 2nd run-up was Carat Cheung 張名雅, Miss Hong Kong,Hong Kong.

Completing the top 5 finalists were Boonyisa (Poppy) Chantrarachai 王思翊 representing Bangkok, Thailand and Jessica Song 宋沁禕 from Toronto, Canada.

Delegates who make it as the top 9 finalists were Lauren Weinberger 周慧倫 of Los Angeles USA, Jacky Cai 蔡潔 of Melbourne Australia, Samantha Chin 陳冠曄 from Seattle USA and Sunnia Liu 劉夢涵 representing Sydney Australia.

Voted by the other candidates as Miss Friendship was Lauren Weinberger 周慧倫 (Los Angeles). Star of Tomorrow Awardee was Jessica Song 宋沁禕 (Toronto). And the award for Media Popularity was given to Jacky Cai 蔡潔 (Melbourne).

A total of 16 international contestants competed in this year's Miss Chinese International 2013 pageant with it's theme "A Beautiful Revolution" 「美麗革命」.

Miss Chinese International 2013 Contestants