Miss International 2014 Welcome Dinner

As the candidates from around the world keep on arriving in Japan for Miss International 2014, they got together for the contest’s orientation and later had their welcome dinner.

The girls seem to be having a lot of fun!

Miss International 2014 will be crowned on November 11, in Tokyo, Japan.

* See also Miss International 2014 Complete Coverage

Catalina Morales wins Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2015

Catalina Morales, 23, the representative of Guaynabo, is Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2015 and is expected to represent her island in Miss Universe 2015, possibly in 2016. The event was marked by booing, protest and endless mistakes on the live telecast, reported El Nuevo Dia. Catalina is a law student at the University of Puerto Rico.

Miss Cayey, Nicole Colón, the 2nd runner-up, was the crowd favorite. Those watching the contest on location were furious with the judges’ decision.

Gabriela Berrios, elected in 2013, and who will represent Puerto Rico in Miss Universe 2014, in 2015, crowned her successor. When describing her year of reign on live television, Gabriela said: “It’s been mostly stressful!”. Berrios, a former Miss Supranational Puerto Rico (2012), will compete in Miss Universe 2014, on January 25th of 2015, in Miami, USA.

Mariana Jimenez of Guarico wins Miss Venezuela 2014

Mariana Jimenez, Miss Guarico, was the winner of Miss Venezuela 2014 contest, held in Caracas, and will represent her country in Miss Universe 2015, possibly in 2016. She is 20 years old and a student of social communication. Mariana was one of the favorites for the crown. She was crowned by Migbelis Castellanos, elected last year and her country’s representative in Miss Universe 2014, which will happen in January of 2015, in Miami, USA.

Edymar Martínez, Miss Anzoategui, won the title Miss Venezuela International 2015 and will compete in Japan next year. Miss Amazonas, Maira Rodríguez, is expected to compete in Miss Earth 2015.

The other two finalists were Lorena Santos, Miss Distrito Capital, and Erika Pinto, Miss Zulia.

Gabriela Isler, the current Miss Universe from Venezuela, attended the event.

The new Miss Venezuela competed in Miss Grand International 2013, in Thailand, having placed in the Top 10.

Valerie Weigmann wins Miss World Philippines 2014

The highly anticipated Miss World Philippines 2014 contest took place on October 12th SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Crowd favorite Valerie Clacio Weigmann won 10 special awards, in addition to the main title.

She is 24 years old and 1.72 m-tall.

Complete Results:
Miss World Philippines 2014: Valerie Clacio Weigmann
1st runner-up: Lorraine Kendrickson
2nd runner-up: Nelda Ibe
3rd Runner-up: Nicole Donesa
4th runner-up: Rachel Louise Peters

Special Awards:

Yahoo Philippines Readers’ Choice: Rachel Louise Peters
Best in Sports: Lorraine Kendrickson
Miss Camarines Sur: Valerie Weigmann
Miss Photogenic: Nelda Ibe
Best in Swimsuit: Valerie Weigmann
Miss Friendship: Kristine Estoque and ChristineBalaguer
Best in Fashion Runway: Valerie Weigmann
Miss Talent: Jean Marie Feliciano
Miss Sun Cellular: Kimberly Anne Sareal
Best in Long Gown: Valerie Weigmann
Miss Solaire: Valerie Weigmann
Miss Organique: Nelda Ibe
Miss Figlia: Valerie Weigmann
Jesi Mendez Salon Ambassador: Valerie Weigmann
Miss Bench: Valerie Weigmann
Miss Olay: Valerie Weigmann
Most Alluring: Rachel Louise Peters
Miss Hana: Valerie Weigmann

13 SEMI-FINALISTS:
Candidate No. 16 Ina Dominica Guerrero
Candidate No. 7 Rachel Louise Peters
Candidate No. 14 Nicole Donesa
Candidate No. 12 Christine Balaguer
Candidate No. 6 Kristine Angeli Estoque
Candidate No. 3 Alexa Kirby
Candidate No. 4 Priscilla Kimberley dela Cruz
Candidate No. 13 Kimberly Anne Sarreal
Candidate No. 17 Kimberly Pajares
Candidate No. 19 Valerie Weigmann
Candidate No. 20 Nelda Ibe
Candidate No. 1 Lorraine Kendrickson
Candidate No. 5 Gazini Christiana Ganados

Valerie Clacio Weigmann, or Val for short, is an actress, professional model and an entrepreneur. She is probably best known for her stint on Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus, and as one of the host of the noontime show Eat Bulaga!

She succeeds Megan Young, the Philippines’ first Miss World, in her country, who was present at the event. Now she will try to conquer the back-to-back Miss World title in London, England, on December 14th.

Nora Xu Crowned Miss Universe China 2014

Nora Xu was crowned Miss Universe China 2014 in Shanghai, on September 13th. Nora is 19 years old, 1.78 m-tall, and comes from Luoyang, Henan province. Her hobbies include practicing sports, especially running.

China has reached Miss Universe’s final (Top 5) on two occasions, in 2002 (3rd place) and 2011 (5th place). Nora will try to become her country’s first Miss Universe.

Miss Universe 2014 will be held in Doral, USA, on January 25th.

Dalreena Poonam Gill wins Miss World Singapore 2014

20-year-old soccer referee Dalreena Poonam Gill was crowned Miss World Singapore 2014 at the One Farrer Hotel and Spa on September 13th.

Gill beat 19 other local contestants to clinch the coveted crown and the opportunity to represent Singapore at the Miss World 2014 pageant in London.

She will also receive about $8,000 in cash and prizes.

Gill, who stands at 1.71 m tall and boasts vital statistics of 32B-26-36, is the youngest of only three female soccer referees in Singapore and aspires to become a referee for global soccer body FIFA in the next two years.

“The reason why I’m here today is to represent the minority in Singapore. Pageantry is a doorway for those who want to be on stage, give back and of course learn more about themselves,” said Gill in a personal bio-sheet explaining her decision to join Miss World Singapore 2014.

The first runner-up was Kimberley Lam (details to come), followed by second runner-up Louissa Lavnea Thomas, 25.

Singapore started participating in Miss World in 1972 and its best historical result is a semi-final placement in 1976, with Pauline Poh Neo Cheong.

Miss World 2014 will be crowned on December 14th.

Lourdes de Guzman is Miss World Spain 2014

The city of Benicássim welcomed this year’s Miss Spain World candidates and the final event took place on September 13th. Miss Spain World 2014 is Lourdes Rodriguez de Guzman, 20 years old, 1.75 m-tall.

The winner hails from Daimiel, a small town of 17 thousand inhabitants, located in the province of Ciudad Real.

The 1st runner-up was Lorena Gonzales and the 2nd runner-up was Estafania Martinez.

Last year Spain placed in Miss World’s Top 6, finishing in 4th place. Spain has never won the title and Lourdes will try to change this scenario on December 14th, in London, England.

DR's Geisha Montes de Oca is Miss United Continents 2014

The city of Guayaquil served as host for the second edition of Miss United Continents. Thirty-one candidates competed and the winner was Miss Dominican Republic, Geisha Montes de Oca, 27 years old, from Santo Domingo. Geisha won USD 10,000 in cash, a crown worth USD 20,000, among other gifts, such as a trip to the Galapago Islands in company of the 1st and 2nd runner-ups.

First runner-up, or “virreina”, was Wi Mai Nava, Miss Venezuela, while the 2nd runner-up (1st princess) was Miss India, Gail Da’Silva.

In 4th place (2nd princess) was the crowd favorite Miss Colombia, Paola Ruiz; the 5th position (3rd princess) went to Miss Ukraine, Anna Sardyga; rounding out the Top 6, in 6th place (4th princess) was Miss Paraguay, Julia Frison.

Semi-finalists were the representatives of Brazil, Camila Nantes, Haiti, Marie Darline, Kazakhstan, Aygerim Kozhakanova, and Sweden, Felicia Aden.

Gama TV was in charge of the live telecast, which was seen in 9 different countries.

Julija Bizjak wins Miss Slovenije 2014

Julija Bizjak (20, 1.75m, Lesce) was crowned Miss Slovenije 2014 at the Atlantis Water Park in Ljubljana on September 11. She will represent Slovenia in Miss World 2014 in London, England on December 14.

Anja Mihelič and Anja Kragelj finished in second and third place, respectively.

Miss Universe 2014 to be held in Doral, Miami, Florida on January 25

The 63rd Edition of Miss Universe will happen in January 25. It is the first time since 1952 that the competition skips a year.

Luigi Boria, Mayor of the City of Doral, confirmed on Friday September 12th that the 64th Miss Universe Pageant will take place in Doral (Miami). The announcement had the presence of Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart, and the reigning titleholder Gabriela Isler, Miss Universe 2013 from Venezuela.

Boria confirmed via Twitter that the live telecast of Miss Universe 2014 will take place on Sunday, January 25th.

Members of the City’s Council voted three against one to approve the hosting of the Miss Universe Pageant.

The City will pay USD 2.5 million dollars, expecting a return on their investment via sponsorships and publicity.

Most of the activities will take place at the Trump National Hotel in Doral. Miami-Dade county and Miami Beach will also be involved in the organization of the event.

Isler said that she is extremely happy that the event will take place in Doral. “It is the home to many Venezuelans and it makes me feel like home” she added.

An official statement is yet to be issued by the Miss Universe Organization.

See also: Miss Universe 2014 Complete Coverage

Panama's Nicole Pinto wins Miss Latin America in the World 2014

Panama bagged its first ever Miss Latin America in the World crown in the Dominican Republic. The representative of Panama and new queen is Nicole Pinto.

Spain placed second with Yanire Ortiz, Brazil’s Patricia Guerra was 3rd, Michelle Cohn of Guatemala was 4th and Peru’s Miluska Huaroto Maradiegue placed 5th.

Completing the Top 12 were the representatives of Argentina, Portugal, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, USA Latina, Canada Latina and Chile.

Charlotte Molina wins Miss Supranational Chile 2014

19 year old Charlotte Molina from Santiago was the winner of Miss Supranational Chile 2014. It was the pageant’s first edition. Chile will participate in Miss Supranational for the first time ever.

Miss Supranational 2014 will be held on December 5 at the Miejski Ośrodek Sportu i Rekreacji in Krynica-Zdrój, Poland.

Dhio Moreno wins Miss Mundo Dominicana 2014

24 year old Dhio Angelica Moreno Santos was crowned Miss Mundo Dominicana 2014 at the Plaza Sambil in Santo Domingo on September 10.

Standing 1.83m tall, Dhio Angelica will represent Dominican Republic in Miss World 2014 in London, England on December 14.

Barbara Santana finished in second place and will compete in Miss International 2014 on December 15 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Maite Brito finished in third place.

Aykol Alykzhanova wins Miss Kyrgyzstan 2014

24 year old Aykol Alykzhanova (24) was the overall winner of the Miss Kyrgyzstan 2014 pageant and was crowned Miss World Kyrgyzstan 2014 at the Malachite Hall of Opera and Ballet in Bishkek on September 7. She is expected to represent Kyrgyzstan in Miss World 2014 in London, England on December 14.

Tattuububu Ergeshbaeva finished in second place and will compete in Miss International 2014 on December 15 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Nguyen Thi Loan to represent Vietnam in Miss World 2014

Nguyen Thịi Loan was appointed as the new Miss World Vietnam 2014 and will represent Vietnam in Miss World 2014 in London, England on December 14.

Her designation is due to the ongoing Miss World Vietnam pageant that will select Vietnam's representative to Miss World 2015.

Zita Oliveira is Miss Republica Portuguesa 2014

24 year old Zita Oliveira was crowned Miss Republica Portuguesa 2014 at the Tivoli Theater in Lisbon on September 6.

Adriana Conduto was the first runner-up and Isabela Spínola was the second runner-up.

Zita will now prepare to represent Portugal in Miss World 2015 pageant next year.

Carolyn Desert wins Miss Haiti 2014

25 year old Carolyn Desert was crowned Miss Haiti 2014 at the Karibe Hotel in Port-au-Prince on September 6.

Rose Cathelyne Paul and Chistie Désir finished in second and third place, respectively.

Carolyn will now represent Haiti in Miss World 2014 competition in London, England on December 14.

Du Yang crowned Miss World China 2014

22 year old Du Yang from Beijing was crowned Miss World China 2014 at the Xiaomeisha Sea World in Shenzhen on September 6.

Xu Cong Rui was the first runner-up and Yan Ting was the second runner-up.

Standing 1.83m tall, Du Yang will compete representing China in Miss World 2014 pageant in London, England on December 14.

Chanel Cruz Jarrett wins Miss World Guam 2014

A new Miss World Guam was recently crowned at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort in Tamuning. 20 year old Chanel Victoria Cruz Jarrett of Agana Heights, who not only took home the crown but also took home the Top Model Award. This is the second straight year Miss World Guam hails from Agana Heights, with 2013’s queen, Camryn Mendiola, also from the central village.

1st runner up was Province Chargualaf Poppe who also won the Beauty with A Purpose Award for raising $3,800 for her charity, the Edward M. Calvo Cancer Foundation. She also won Best Evening Gown, Best Swimsuit, Miss Photogenic, and Miss Congeniality. Anjoelais Rose Mendiola was second runner-up.

Krystal Paco took home the People’s Choice Award.

Chanel will represent Guam and will try to conquer its 2nd Miss World title on December 14th, in London, England.

Josefin Donat wins Miss Germany Universe 2014

20 year old Josefin Donat from Leipzig was crowned Miss Germany Universe 2014 on August 31. She will represent Germany in Miss Universe 2014.

Sandra Lopez and Valmira Krasniqi finished in second and third place, respectively.