By Ismael A. Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Who would it be that the Philippines’ 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray will crown as her successor?
Nobody knows as yet but that will be known before the day shifts from morning to afternoon today Monday, 09 December 2019.
To be exact, the Miss Universe coronation night will be held on December 8, 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia, that’s Monday, 8 a.m. (09 December 2019) in Manila.
Nobody knows as yet really but who knows, it could be PH’s very own Gazini Ganados that Her Royal Highness in 2018 Miss U Catriona Gray might put her crown on Monday morning, or somebody else’s.
GG is out to chalk up a rare Miss Universe pageant feat, a back-to-back pageant victory for the country as she competes against 89 other representatives at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States.
And should that happen – it might, you never know — President Rodrigo Duterte will have the distinction as the only Chief Executive to grace the land with back-to-back Ms. Universe winners. Take a bow, Mr. President.
Claims by some netizens putting the number of PH at three wins in the illustrious pageant had been rectified by a wire agency saying the “Philippines has won the Miss Universe title twice since Rodrigo Duterte became president. The pageant’s official website shows this is not true as the country’s two most recent victories were in 2015 and 2018. Duterte was elected in May 2016.
German-born, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was crowned December 20, 2015.
But, whatever. Lady GG has her own chances. Big chances at flattening the field and there are strong pre-pageant indicators that also predicted Ms. Cat’s victory before.
According to three betting sites abroad, Miss Philippines Gazini Ganados and her Thai counterpart Paweensuda Drouin are strong candidates among the field to likely romp away with the 2019 Miss Universe crown.
Bunched in third place are candidates from Brazil, El Salvador, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and the United States.
Betting odds in the UK, however, had it for Miss Philippines in third place while Brazil is hogging the lead.
Earlier last year, Miss Universe star Catriona Gray also showed the way in online betting sites.
The 2019 Miss Universe pageant actually kicked off last Saturday (December 7, Manila time) with the Preliminary and National Costume Competition at Marriott Marquis in Atlanta where the Miss Universe beauties will compete for a spot in the Top 20.
This year’s selection committee is made up of actress Gaby Espino, Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart Sebrechts, businesswoman Bozoma Saint John, Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega, beauty blogger Sazan Hendrix and Miss America 2018 Cara Mund.
Trivia on GG
Here are some trivia about Gazini Christiana Jordi Acopiado Ganados courtesy of Wikipedia:
GG was born 26 December 1995, and professionally known as Gazini Ganados, is a Filipino fashion model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2019.
She is known for her work in advocating for elderly care and HIV and AIDS research.
Early life and education
Ganados was born in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines to a Filipino mother and a Palestinian father.
She has never met her biological father and was raised by her maternal grandparents.
Ganados and her family moved and have resided in Talisay City, Cebu since she was in sixth grade.
She holds a degree in Tourism Management and a degree in Health Care Services NCII, both from the University of San Jose–Recoletos in Cebu City.
Pageantry
National Competitions
Ganados joined Miss World Philippines in 2014 and placed in the Top 13.
On June 9, 2019, she competed in Binibining Pilipinas 2019 representing Talisay, Cebu and won the title of Miss Universe Philippines 2019.
Ganados is the second Cebuana to win the Binibining Pilipinas Universe title, after Pilar Pilapil who won in 1967.
During the national costume competition, she wore an ensemble inspired by Queen Juana (queen consort of Rajah Humabon) of the ancient Rajahnate of Cebu and the whole representation of the festivities and meaning of the Sinulog Festival in the whole island of Cebu.
In honor of her Middle Eastern roots, she chose to perform a belly dance presentation during the talent competition.
As she is very close to her grandparents, her main advocacy is elderly care.
Ganados was crowned by outgoing Miss Universe Philippines 2018 and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
Awards won:
Best in Long Gown
Face of Binibini (Miss Photogenic)
During the question and answer portion of the national pageant, she was asked: “If you win the crown tonight, what can you do to get more women in the workplace?”
She replied:
“If I win the crown tonight, what I will do is to promote my advocacy. My advocacy is for us women to fight for our rights and for elderly care and for us to be able to know that someone is loving and someone is pushing us to whatever ambitions that we have. We will be able to rise from our decisions to whatever dreams that we have, goals that we have, and we will achieve it because of those values, those wisdoms that they gave us.”
Miss Universe 2019
As Miss Universe Philippines 2019, Ganados will represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2019 competition slated 8 December (09 December in Manila) at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, where Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, also from the Philippines, will crown her successor. (IAMIGO/CNS)
