Mexico And Miss Universe Pageant

WHAT IS PAPUA NEW-GUINEA?

I am a fan of Miss Universe pageant since when I was a boy. In my household, the biggest television event was the Miss Universe. Since then my mother admires Gladys Zender Meir, Miss Universe 1957. My mother once said: "Gladys Zender was one of the most beautiful women in the 20th century".

In 1982, Peru hosted the Miss Universe pageant in Lima. I was surprised that this event took place in Lima, my city. I remember that I saw Miss Papua New Guinea. What’s Papua New Guinea? What’s this? I did not understand nothing! However, throughout the Miss Universe I had interest in foreign affairs.

MEXICO A WONDERFUL COUNTRY

For the fourth time, Mexico will host of the 56th the Miss Universe pageant. The final will be at the National Auditorium (Auditorio Nacional) in Mexico City or simply Mexico, on May 28th. "Mexico last hosted the competition in 1993 and we are excited to be back for the 2007 show", said Paula M. Shuggart, president of Miss Universe Organization, at the press conference in Mexico City. "Mexico offers an abundant supply of breathtaking locations and the warmth of the Mexican people will resonate throughout the world as we showcase the country".

Certainly, Mexico is one of the world’s exotic countries. It is known for its heritage of the amazing pyramids built by Aztecs and Mayas. The Latin American country is famous for its traditions, culture ecology and beaches. There are excellent beaches for relaxing, swimming and sailing. The Cancun beach is one of the most popular travel destinations of the Mexican Caribbean.

HISTORY: MEXICO IN MISS UNIVERSE

1952: Long Beach, California. Miss Mexico qualified for the semifinals at the Miss Universe.

1953: Miss Mexico, Ana Bertha Lepe, was the 3rd runner-up at the Miss Universe. After she became an actress in the Mexican cinematography.

1956: Miss Mexico qualified for the semifinals at the Miss Universe pageant.

From 1957 to 1977: Miss Mexico participated in the Miss Universe but did not place.

1970-2004: Mexico has had several judges in the Miss Universe history: actor Julio Aleman (1970 and 1971); actor Mario Moreno( 1978); actor Jorge Rivero (1991); actress Lucia Mendez (1984); actor Fernando Allende (1988); singer Emmanuel (1989); painter Jose Luis Cuevas (1993); former Miss Universe Lupita Jones (1993); actress and singer Lucero (1995); supermodel Elsa Benitez (2004); and actor Mario Cimarro (2005).

1977: Elizabeth Gonzalez, first favorite by journalists, finished second place at the Señorita Mexico. In Santo Domingo, hosted the Miss Universe 1977, Bob Barker, American host, announced the next Miss Universe in Acapulco (Mexico). Like Ambassador of Miss Universe 1978, Mario Arturo Moreno Ivanova, best known as "Cantinflas", went to Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic.

1978: Acapulco (Mexico) hosted the Miss Universe pageant. Martha Eugenia Ortiz, first favorite by journalists, finished second place at the Señorita Mexico. Miss Merida and Miss Mexico, Alba Margarita Cervera Lavat, qualified for the semifinals at the Miss Universe.

1979: Miss Universe 1979, Maritza Sayalero, went to Mexico City.

1988: Taipei (Taiwan). Miss Mexico, Amanda Olivares, was the 2nd runner-up at the Miss Universe.

1989: Cancun (Mexico) hosted the Miss Universe Pageant. Miss Mexico, Adriana Abascal, was the 4th runner-up.

1990: Miss Mexico, Marile del Rosario Santiago, qualified for the semifinals at the Miss Universe.

1991: Las Vegas, Nevada. Miss Mexico, Lupita Jones, was elected Miss Universe. After, Miss Universe 1991 was acclaimed in Mexico City as a national heroine.

1993: Mexico City, Mexico. Miss Mexico, Angelina Gonzalez did not qualify for the semifinals.

1996: Miss Mexico, Vanessa Guzman, qualified for the semifinals. She admires Indira Gandhi, who was Primer Minister of India.

1999: Miss Mexico, Silvia Salgado, qualified for the semifinals at the Miss Universe.

2004: Miss Mexico, Rosalva Luna, qualified for the semifinals at the Miss Universe pageant.

2005: Miss Mexico, Laura Elizondo Erhrad, was the 3rd runner-up at the Miss Universe. She was one of the favorites to win in the final.

2006: Miss Mexico, Priscila Perales Elizondo, qualified for the semifinals at the Miss Universe pageant. Miss Mexico 2006 was one of the favorites to win in the final.

2007: Miss Universe in Mexico City. The favorites are: Miss Canada, Inga Skaya; Miss Russia, Tatiana Kotova; Miss Tanzania, Flavia Matata; Miss Ukraine, Lyudmila Bikmullina; Miss USA, Rachel Smith; and Miss Venezuela, Ly Jonaites, a supermodel who speaks English, French and Spanish.

Miss Universe 2006, Zuleyka Rivera, finished her reign. Like Miss Universe, she has worked as an advocate for HIV and AIDS education. During her reign, she went to Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, France, Turkey, Greece, India, Mexico and the United States.