Smart and Witty Girls comprises this year’s Miss Universe Competition

Smart and Witty Girls comprises this year’s Miss Universe Competition
Report: Raymund Thom Golez | Managing Editor
Photos: Raenen Golez

ATLANTA, GA – Eighty-seven of the most beautiful women in the universe has joined together to achieve a common goal and that is to win the crown and be hailed as the new Miss Universe. But the competition is not just about physical beauty, as many of this year’s candidates showed their witty side as members of the international media met with them during the “press junket” held on Thursday morning, December 5 at ballroom of Marriott Marquis in Downtown Atlanta.

Miss Sierra Leone Marie Esther Bangura said that she “wants to use the platform of Miss Universe to share with the world what her country has to offer and for people to see that Sierra Leone is a beautiful country with beautiful and loving people, far from what others perceived“. It took two years for Bangura to prepare and raise funds in order for her compete in this year’s pageant.

Miss Indonesia Frederika Cull believes that “no matter what background or economic status you came from, there’s no limit on what you can do in your life, for as long you set your eyes on what you want to achieve in the future“, as she shares with this writer that valuing education is her topmost priority in terms of her advocacy. Cull was a non-government organization (NGO) founder in her country.

“After the devastating experience that we had from years passed, I must say that my country is now gearing towards improvement in terms of infrastructures after all the restoration that has been done by the government, and we are very hopeful for greater things to come“, Miss Haiti Gabriela Clesca Vallejo shared.

“Soaring high is what I always believe in my life and in myself. Being raised by a single parent, life has never been that easy for me and family, but no matter what you’ve gone through, greater things will come your way and you have to take advantage of it ’til you get to the success that you would want to be“, shares Miss Philippines Gazini Ganados, whom the people dubbed as “the Phoenix”. She also happened to be the most sought-after candidate in this year’s meet with the press.

Miss Belgium Angeline Pua expressed that she is very proud of her roots and in being multi-cultured. “I was born and raised in Belgium by Filipino parents and I’m grateful and that I’m representing Belgium. These two cultures have molded me into a person I am today“, shares Pua.

“It’s great to have Miss Universe so close to home,” explained Miss USA Cheslie Kryst. “So many family and friends will be here. Charlotte is just a four hour drive to Atlanta and there are a couple people from North Carolina that just joined me in this press conference“. Kryst hails from nearby Charlotte, North Carolina.

Indeed, Miss Universe’ tagline “Confidently Beautiful” exceeds what it truly means, as year after year, more and more impressive ladies are joining the force.

The 2019 Miss Universe pageant is being held this year at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia with the finals on FOX on Sunday night.