Miss Universe Extravaganza

 MUO greenlights 71st edition, MUPh opens 2023 season

By Earl D C. Bracamonte

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO), through its new owner, Anne Jakrajutatip, greenlighted the 71st Miss Universe edition through an event simply dubbed "Miss Universe Extravaganza" at the Siam Pavalai Royal Grand Theater in the 6th Level of the Paragon Complex in Bangkok.

Four former titleholders - Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova of Canada, Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes of Angola, Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Mesa of Mexico, and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray of the Philippines - together with reigning queen Haarnaz Sandhu of India, graced the afternoon event that filled the venue to the rafters. 

The event was also graced by past Thai national winners Maria Lynn Ehren (2017), Amanda Obdam (2020), Anchilee Scott-Kemis (2021), as well as reigning Miss Universe Thailand Anna Sueangam-iam. Miss Universe Spain 2018 Angela Ponce, the first transgender to compete in the pageant was also present to grace the occasion.

MUO president Paula Shugart, MUO chief executive officer Amy Emmerich, jewelry sponsor Fred Mouawad, and skin sponsor Olivia Quido were some of the guests-of-honor. During the short Q&A with the queens, Catriona serenaded the spectators with her version of the Beatles ballad, "Imagine."

On the same day of the extravaganza, Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh), through its social media page, announced the beginning of its 2023 season. In a post, it wrote, "The most prestigious crown in the country can be yours for the taking. Bring out the queen in you as we open the application process for Miss Universe Philippines 2023."

Applicants must be:

- Female, regardless of civil status

- Filipino citizen

- 18 - 27 years old, and

- No height requirement.

Interested parties may download and fill out the form via https//bit.ly/MUPH2023 and send the accomplished copy to contact@missuniverseph.com.

One Universe is the new platform that allows married, single mothers, and divorced women, as well as transgender women to be part of the competition, starting with the 72nd edition. While MUPh did not expressly include transgenders in its qualifications, they may extend courtesy to them should a trans applicant be interested to join. By early next year, we will find out if one, or more, makes it to the final lineup (or not).

The deadline for submission of accomplished copies is on January 29, 2023 at 11:59 pm. Stay tuned!