SPECIAL COVERAGE: MISS UNIVERSE

1994

After 20 years, Manila became the host of Miss Universe pageant. The first one was 1974. 1994 Miss Universe might be called as one of the best pageant production ever in

history. There were 77 countries participating in the pageant, it was supposed 78 contestants that year but the first candidate ever from the country of Lithuania did not make it to Manila. Miss USA, Lu Parker was the first delegate to arrive in Manila while 3 delegates from Africa, Misses Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Nigeria were the last ones to arrive there. The contestant that endured the longest flight to Manila that year was Miss Puerto Rico, who endured an agonizing 31 hours of flying time.

There were some early favorites in the pageant, including Misses Belgium’s Christelle Roelandts (the most local favorite), Venezuela’s Minorka Mercado (the tallest delegate who stands 6’2’’ and Miss

Photogenic), Colombia’s Carolina Gomez, Australia’s Michelle van Eimeren (ended up marrying a Filipino singer named Ogie Alcasid), Italy’s Arianna David, Slovak Rep’s Silvia Lakatosova (the first representative of Slovakia to Miss Universe), USA’s Lu Parker and the hometown girl Philippine’s Charlene Gonzales.

Mabuhay! Two former Miss Universe titleholders from the Philippines , Gloria Diaz (1969) and Margarita Moran (1973) welcome all viewers worldwide to the pageant. It’s a great opening number of Miss Universe 1994 hosted by Bob Goen with special commentator of Arthel Neville and former Miss Universe Holland’s Angela Visser. After opening number and introducing host and co-host, it was the time for Parade of Nations where all delegates wearing their national costumes.

Then, it was the introduction of Angela Visser as commentator who favored Misses Belgium, Venezuela, Australia and Netherlands. After that, the announcement of Top 10 semifinalists. They were Misses India, Venezuela, Greece, Switzerland, USA, Italy, Sweden, Slovak Republic, Philippines and Colombia. All people were surprised by the early elimination for Misses Belgium (22nd) and Australia (11th).

’Here are the profiles of all semifinalists in Miss Universe 1994 (arranged by their preliminary scores):

Miss Colombia – Carolina Gomez (9.268)

Though she was not the topnotcher in swimsuit, interview and evening gown, she averaged the highest during the preliminaries with a composite score of 9.267. During the semifinal, she topped the Evening Gown competition. Her interview skill might as well be the best among all Colombians who joined MU. Carolina became an actress and a model in her country and has maintained a whistle-bait figure to date.

Miss Greece – Rea Toutonzi (9.256)

She topped the swimsuit and evening gown competitions during the preliminaries, yet she lagged behind Carolina by a berth of 0.01 in the composite scores landing her to 2nd place. She failed to impress the judges during the semifinal and she missed the Top 6. Currently, Rea is a top international model especially in Europe.

Miss India – Sushmita Sen (9.253)

She aced the preliminary interview competition and scored well too in swimsuit and evening gown competitions. She made India proud that year! Today, Sushmita is a famous Bollywood actress in her native country, India. She, however gained a

lot of weight but still beamingly beautiful.

Miss Philippines – Charlene Gonzales (9.225)

Charlene was not as glamorous that year as today but she exuded calmness during her interview. That must be the reason why she placed 2nd behind Sushmita in the preliminary interview by a thin of 0.01. Among the Top 10 finishers that year, she might have the most serene and happiest lovelife. She ended up marrying Aga Muhlach, ex-boyfriend of Dayanara Torres, and now living quiescently with their twin kids.

Miss USA – Lu Parker (9.202)

Lu is an epitome of a woman with substance and character. She really has a special heart for children as shown in the final. When Sushmita was announced

as the new MU and other candidates started to hover around her, you can clearly see Lu approached one Little Sister and carried the little girl around and walked over to the other ladies congratulating Sush. It was such a very nice gesture of her. After Miss Universe, she worked as a broadcaster and had just recently published her own book.

Miss Italy – Arianna David (9.159)

She is remembered as the woman who wore the most stunning and the most mysterious evening gown in Miss Universe. She became an actress in Italy and a celebrated TV personality. She has maintained her slim figure and occasionally graces fashion shows in her homeland.

Miss Venezuela – Minorka Mercado (9.126)

Many people thought that Minorka had ace the preliminary of MU 1994, she only placed 7th. She, however, topped the swimsuit competition during the semifinals and she was the tallest among 77 entrants. She was also adjudged as Miss Photogenic and Best in Philippine Terno. After MU 1994, Minorka has faded from the limelight. While her compatriots became celebrities in their homelands, she is only remembered as a stunner in MU 1994. Her life after that to the present is unknown to the world.

Miss Sweden – Dominique Forsberg (9.000)

She was clearly the underdog from the Top 10 that year. Her eloquence and wit dutched her to the semifinal. Now, Dominique has aged a lot physically and she happily raising her own family.

Miss Switzerland – Patricia Fässler (8.973)

She had the most stunning eyes among the Top 10. She was 3rd place in the Most Photogenic Award. She participated in Miss World 1993 but failed to place herself in the semifinal of that pageant. Now, Patricia works as a model, photographer and a well-known human rights activist in Switzerland.

Miss Slovak Republic – Silvia Lakatosova (8.946)

Silvia was clearly the most elegant and had the best catwalk among the Top 10 that year. She almost missed the semifinal by placing 10th overall in the preliminary and beating Miss Australia by only 0.02. She topped the interview portion during the semifinal, which is quite surprising for non-English speaking country. She is now happily married and continues her modelling career. She is also the national director of Miss Slovak Republic to MU.

No black candidates entered the semifinal, Miss Namibia’s Barbara Kahatjipara was at 21st place won Miss Congeniality award. She even bet the most local favorite, Miss Belgium’s Christelle

Roelandts at 22nd place.

There were 10 sensational ladies, and now it’s the time for swimsuit competition. The stage was beautifully and perfectly designed with the background of a waterfall. All semifinalist wore beautiful dark blue swimwears from Jantzen and

Frederico-Leon shoes. Miss Venezuela, Minorka Mercado got the highest score in swimsuit competition and won $1,000 cash prize from Jantzen.

Picture: All semifinalists in Jantzen swimsuit (From L to R: Misses India, Greece, USA, Sweden, Philippines, Colombia, Slovak Rep., Italy, Switzerland and Venezuela).

Semifinal Swimsuit Scores:

Venezuela (9.752)

India (9.722)

Colombia (9.638)

USA (9.510)

Slovak Republic (9.447)

Philippines (9.425)

Italy (9.325)

Greece (9.288)

Switzerland (9.197)

Sweden (9.078)

After swimsuit competition, it’s the time for interview. Before beginning the interview competition, host Bob Goen introduced us then Philippine President Fidel Ramos and the First Lady Amelita Ramos. He also informed that the pageant would be held in Namibia next year! And the first representative of South Africa since 1984 would compete

next year. Then, the interview competition began... Miss India gave the best answer and proved her depth intelligence, Miss Venezuela shared her experience in the national volleyball team in Spanish, Miss Greece told about her modelling career, Miss Switzerland gave nice responses, Miss USA shared about her experience as a high school teacher and she spoke in Tagalog a bit, Miss Italy looked so nervous but she gave a joke, Miss Sweden told about the Laapland in Sweden, Miss Slovak Republic looked so elegant and she responded well, Miss Philippines told about her part-time acting career, and Miss Colombia told about what she did to help all teenage unwed mothers in Colombia. Surprisingly, Miss Slovak Republic won this interview competition.

Semifinal Interview Competition:

Slovak Republic (9.668)

Colombia (9.655)

Venezuela (9.592)

Philippines (9.587)

India (9.562)

USA (9.478)

Sweden (9.423)

Italy (9.378)

Switzerland (9.298)

Greece (9.027)

After the break, there was a very special musical number. Peabo Bryson and Dayanara Torres who wore the red gown sang the hit song “A Whole New World”. All contestants also sang the song by wearing elegant gown in black

and white. The stage was set by a big globe.

Then, the show was continued by Evening Gown competition. Many people thought that Miss Italy would win this competition. The stage was design classy with a beautiful fence. All Little Sisters sang “You Are My Star”. Miss India wore a simple white gown, Miss Venezuela wore a beautiful white gown with a cleft on her thigh, Miss Greece wore a green gown, Miss Switzerland wore a simple gown with flower motive, Miss USA wore a black gown, Miss Italy wore a very stunning and elegant black gown and she looked like a beautiful enchanter, Miss Sweden wore a simple yellow gown, Miss Slovak Republic wore a white gown, Miss Philippine wore a looked-alike doll golden gown and Miss Colombia wore a very shining gown with zebra motive. And Miss Colombia got the highest score in this competition.

Semifinal Evening Gown Competition:

Colombia (9.897)

Venezuela (9.843)

India (9.792)

Philippines (9.720)

Italy (9.708)

Slovak Republic (9.700)

USA (9.697)

Sweden (9.643)

Switzerland (9.623)

Greece (9.618)

And now, it’s the time for Top 6 Announcement, they were:

Colombia (9.730)*

Venezuela (9.729)*

India (9.692)*

Slovak Republic (9.605)*

Philippines (9.577)*

USA (9.561)*

Italy (9.470)

Sweden (9.381)

Switzerland (9.373)

Greece (9.311)

In Top 6 Question, all 6 finalists did a good job to answer the judges’ questions. Miss Colombia and Venezuela gave their best answer. And of course, Miss Colombia got the highest average score.

Top 6 Finalists Average Scores:

Colombia (9.62)*

Venezuela (9.61)*

India (9.60)*

USA (9.54)

Slovak Republic (9.45)

Philippines (9.43)

And then, Bob Goen announced the Top 3, they were: Misses Venezuela, India and Colombia. And the final question was: “What for you is the essence of being a woman?”

Miss India gave the best answer, she said: “ I think being a woman is a God’s gift which all of us must appreciate. The origin of a child is a mother, and she is a woman. And a woman is one who shares love, to share and show the man about love, carrying,sharing its all about. That’s the essence of a woman. Thank you.”

Then, there was a video clip of the prize package modeled by Miss Universe 1993, Dayanara Torres. And the new Miss Universe would get more than $225,000 in cash and prizes, including:

$40,000 employment contract from MISS UNIVERSE, Inc.

$10,000 cash plus swimwear and sportwear from JANTZEN, INC.

$10,000 cash plus eyewear collection from RAY.BAN

$3,000 cash plus an active/casual shoes collection from PAYLESS SHOESOURCE

$2,000 cash plus a year’s supply of !exclamation fragrance products from COTY

$2,000 cash or a one week trip for two to Hawaii plus a generous supply of suncare products from HAWAIIAN TROPIC

$35,000 shopping spree at RUSTAN’S, the Philippines’ premier department store

The all-new Firebird convertible from PONTIAC DIVISION

The stunning, 1994 Miss Universe Diamond Signature Brooch designed by Lauren Pipkorn of HAMMERMAN Jewelers, New York

An exquisite, $20,000 18 karat gold and diamond Italian designed Swiss Ladies Watch from BERTOLUCCI WATCH COMPANY

A $12,000 shopping spree of leather or fur coats and jackets awarded by world-famous FLEMINGTON FUR COMPANY

A $10,000 South Sea Pearl Jewelry Ensemble from JEWELMER INTERNATIONAL

A pair of first class tickets to any worldwide destinations on PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, including Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and USA

$10,000 worth of MINOLTA photo equipment

An extensive assortment of fashionable formal footwear by FREDERICO-LEONE

A personal appearance travel wardrobe and luggage from Miss Universe, Inc.

The beautiful Miss Universe Trophy

The dazzling Miss Universe crown from INTERNATIONAL GEM & JEWELRY SHOW

During her reign, Miss Universe 1994 will reside in a luxury apartment in Los Angeles, California, USA.

And then, Dayanara Torres did her farewell walk as the reigning Miss Universe. After that, Bob Goen introduced two former Miss Universe titleholders from the Philippines: Gloria Diaz and Margarita Moran. Then, he announced the final results. The 2nd runner-up was Miss Venezuela, Minorka Mercado. She looked dissatisfied for this result. And then there were two, India and Colombia. The 1st runner-up was Miss Colombia, Carolina Gomez and that meaned Miss India, Sushmita

Sen was the new Miss Universe. Miss India looked so surprised!!!

Miss Sen looked so beautiful that night as she walked like a humble queen.

And then she sat on her throne, and all contestants congratulated her.

’ Miss Romania, Mihaela Ciolacu and Miss Russia, Inna Zobova

almost didn’t make it to the pageant. They both had lavoyers in Bangkok, Thailand where they were detained by airport police for lack of documents in order to enter that country. After hours of intense scrunity, the police let them go. Since Miss Romania was stripped of her sash in Thailand, the welcoming commitee had a hard time finding her at the airport when she finally arrived in Manila.

Miss Australia, Michelle van Eimeren ended up marrying a Filipino singer named Ogie Alcasid.

Miss Mauritius, Viveca Babajee ended up staying in the Philippines and became an actress. She was involved in a controversy during an acting award ceremony where she announced a different winner than what the official card said.

The Filipino crowd favorite during the entire pre-pageant activities was Miss Belgium, Christelle Roelandts. Unfortunately, the preliminary judges had a different opinion. She didn’t make the semifinala and ended up in 22nd place overall.

If there had been 15 semi-finalists during that year like they have today, the other five delegates would have been Miss Australia, Michelle van Eimeren; Miss Russia, Inna Zobova; Miss Thailand, Areeya Chumsai; Miss Peru, Karina Calmet and Miss Denmark, Gitte Andersen.

Miss USA, Lu Parker was the first delegate to arrive in Manila while 3 delegates from Africa, Misses Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Nigeria were the last ones to arrive.

The shortest contestant was Miss Northern Marianas, who stands at 5’4’’, while the tallest was Miss Venezuela, who stands 6’2’’.

The contestant that endured the longest flight to Manila that year was Miss Puerto Rico, who endured an agonizing 31 hours of flying time.

70% of the contestants that year were still at school and over 40% work as models in their own countries.

They actually awarded second and third place winners for the national costume competition, which were won by Miss Mexico and Miss Russia respectively.

There were supposed to be 78 contestants that year but the first candidate ever from the country of Lithuania didn’t make it to Manila.

Argentina – Solange Magnano

Aruba – Alexandra Ochoa (1st RU International 94)

Australia – Michelle van Eimeren

Bahamas – Meka Knowles

Belgium – Christelle Roelandts (SF International 93)

Bolivia – Cecilia O’Connor-d’Arlach

Brazil – Valeria Peris

British Virgin Islands – Delia Jon Baptiste

Bulgaria – Nevena Marinova

Canada – Susane Rothfos

Cayman Islands – Audrey Ebanks (World 93)

Chile – Constanza Barbieri

Colombia – Carolina Gomez*

Cook Islands – Leilani Brown

Costa Rica – Yasmin Morales

Curacao – Jasmin Clifton

Cyprus – Maria Vasiliou

Denmark – Gitte Andersen

Dominican Republic – Vielka Valenzuela Lama

Ecuador – Mafalda Arboleda

Egypt – Ghada El-Salem

El Salvador – Claudia Mendez

Estonia – Eva-Maria Laan

Finland – Henna Merilainen

France – Valerie Claisse

Germany – Tanja Wild

Great Britain – Michaela Pyke

Greece – Rea Toutonzi*

Guam – Christina Perez

Guatemala – Katya Schoenstedt

Honduras – Jem Haylock

Hong Kong – Mok Hoi-Yan

Hungary – Szilvia Forian

Iceland – Svala Bjork Arnardottir (4th RU Europe 93)

India – Sushmita Sen*

Ireland – Pamela Flood (World 93)

Israel – Ravit Yarkoni

Italy – Arianna David*

Jamaica – Angelie Martin

Japan – Chiaki Kawahito

Korea – Sun-young Goong

Luxemburg – Sandy Wagne (International & Europe 94)

Malaysia – Liza Koh

Malta – Paola Camilleri

Mauritius – Viveka Babajee (World 93)

Mexico – Fabiola Perez Rovirosa

Namibia – Barbara Kahatjipara (World 93)

Netherlands – Irene van der Laar

New Zealand – Nicola Brighty (World 93)

Nigeria – Suzan Hart (World 94)

Northern Marianas – Elizabeth Tomokane

Norway – Caroline Saetre

Panama – Maria Sofia Velasquez

Paraguay – Liliana Gonzales

Peru – Karina Calmet

Philippines – Charlene Gonzales*

Poland – Joanna Brykczinska

Portugal – Monica Pereira (Europe 94)

Puerto Rico – Brenda Robles (International 93)

Romania – Mihaela Ciolacu

Russia – Inna Zobova

Singapore – Paulyn Sun

Slovak Republic – Silvia Lakatosova (Europe 93) *

Spain – Raquel Rodriguez

Sri Lanka – Nushara Pramali (World 94)

Swaziland – Nicola Smith

Sweden – Dominique Forsberg*

Switzerland – Patricia Fässler (World 93)*

Taiwan (R.O.C) – Joanne Wu (World 94)

Thailand – Areeya Chumsai

Trinidad & Tobago – Lorca Chelsea Gatcliffe

Turkey – Banu Usluer

Turks and Caicos – Eulease Walkin

Uruguay – Leonora Dibueno (World 92)

USA – Lu Parker*

Venezuela – Minorka Mercado*

Zimbabwe – Yvette D’Almeida-Chakras

NOTE : * Top 10 Semi-finalists

Carlos Arturo Zapata, a famous fashion designer (COLOMBIA)

Florence LaRue, a singer and actress (USA)

Richard Dalton, a famous professional celebrity hairstylist (SCOTLAND)

Beulah Quo, an Asian-American actress (USA)

Dr. Emilio T Yap (PHILIPPINES)

Stephanie Beacham, a British actress (UK)

Jonas McCord, a film director (USA)

Mona Grudt, Miss Universe 1990 (NORWAY)

Miss Photogenic: Miss Venezuela – Minorka Mercado

Miss Congeniality: Miss Namibia – Barbara Kahatjipara

Best National Costume: Miss Philippines – Charlene Gonzales

Best Kodak Smile Award: Miss Thailand – Areeya Chumsai

Best in Philippine Terno: Miss Venezuela – Minorka Mercado

Most Beautiful Eyes: Miss Colombia – Carolina Gomez

Best in Swimsuit: Miss Greece – Rea Toutonzi

Most Beautiful Hair: Miss Belgium – Christelle Roelandts & Miss Philippines – Charlene Gonzales

Philippine Airlines Ambassador to the World: Miss Denmark – Gitte Andersen

Minolta Photo Contest: Miss Denmark – Gitte Andersen

We hope you can enjoy our special coverage for MISS UNIVERSE 1994. If you have a suggestion or request, you can send to universalbeauty@rocketmail.com or najib_lubis@hotmail.com

Coming soon in section:

: Miss Universe 1992

: Miss Universe 1993

Sources: Global Beauties, Ben Kramer’s Pageantlovers, Missology.org, Wikipedia, Pageant Almanac, Beau Land, Veestarz