Zozibini Tunzi to 69th Miss Universe candidates:"Unfollow pageant pages"

If there is one advise that Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi would give to the 69th Miss Universe contestants, that is to unfollow pageant pages.

"We love pageant fans and we love pageant pages. But if you feel like they are not doing well for your mental health when you are competing, it's ok sometimes to unfollow them for little while. And it's ok sometimes, not even to unfollow just like don't pay attention to what people are saying to you during that time because it is you who's competing," Zozibini said during the virtual meet and greet on Wednesday, April 28.

"You have to be there. Thank them for their support. Thank them for being there because we wouldn't be where we are if it wasn't, you know, for the Miss Universe fans. We appreciate them but if you are getting a lot of negative energy and it is disrupting you from competing, it's ok to kind of build the walls and focus on yourself during the time of competing. Don't let the noises disturb you from doing your best work," she added.

She also advise the candidates to have fun during the duration of the competition.

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"By the time that you get to the Miss Universe location, be ready to compete and also just know that you've already worked hard so make those memories and don't forget to have fun because sometimes when you forget to have fun, you worked yourself up and you panic. And then you end up probably not doing well in your interviews or not doing well on stage," she said.

"So be ready mentally to get into that interview to the best that you can possibly can. And once that is done, when you are on stage, you've done everything you can. So that is the final stage, have fun, let people see your heart. Just do things that you will proud of when you get there," she added.

The longest reigning Miss Universe was joined by Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo in a meet and greet that is made possible by Lazada Philippines. 

The event was also attended by selected press and lucky fans who got the opportunity to virtually meet them and ask questions during the open forum.

Miss Universe Voting

Leading eCommerce platform, Lazada, strikes an exclusive partnership with the Miss Universe Organization to be the official voting platform in the Philippines for the highly-anticipated 69th Miss Universe competition. Fans nationwide will also be able to exclusively tune-in to the preliminary competition through Lazada. 

Starting April 8 until May 15, beauty pageant viewers nationwide will have the exciting opportunity to vote for their favorite delegate into the top 21 through the Fan Vote function, available exclusively on Lazada. The delegate who receives the most votes through the Fan Vote system on Lazada and Miss Universe's Voting page, Choicely, will automatically earn a spot in the pageant's Top 21, bringing her one step closer to the most coveted crown!

Fans are entitled to one (1) Free Vote and can show their support by voting for their favorite delegate(s) multiple times a day during the designated period. The fans can also choose to purchase more votes via the Voting Packages offered in the voting page.

Consumers can cast multiple votes a day through the unlimited purchase of voting packages and can begin voting through the 69th MISS UNIVERSE Competition voting page on the Lazada App/site: http://lzd.co/lazadaxmissuniverse.

Rabiya Mateo shares what motivates her while training in the US for Miss Universe

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo waste no time in preparation for the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Florida.

She is currently in Florida ahead of the scheduled registration and fittings on May 6th.

Speaking to selected press and fans during the virtual meet and greet, Rabiya gives a sneak peek about her normal day right now while prepping for the pageant.

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo during the Lazada Queens Meet and Greet on Wednesday, April 28.

"It feels like I'm back at school like you wake up in the morning, you have tons of things to do. It starts with a workout routine. I really need to be physically fit for the competition, for the swimwear part. And then for the rest of my day, I would do catwalk trainings," Rabiya said.

Aside from physical training, Rabiya also takes time to consider her mental health.

"Aside from the physical stress, of course I really need to protect my mental health as well. I make sure that before the day ends, I would read a quote that would motivate me, that would empower me. Because this is the biggest fight of my life. And I really need to pour my heart into this one. To be wearing the Philippine sash across my chest, it's a great honor and I really wanna enjoy this beautiful journey because I learned a lot. Hopefully, in the coming days I make my kababayans proud," she said.

The Ilongga beauty got teary-eyed while delivering message to fellow Filipinos.

Speaking in Tagalog she said: "Maraming salamat po talaga sa init ng suporta't pagmamahal niyong binigay sa akin. It's hard to be far away from home, you know. Pero everytime I see a Filipino send me a message of love, it meant a lot. It gives me the energy to really do well in the competition."

"At yung pangako ko, ilalaban ko talaga itong Miss Universe. Gagawin ko ang lahat-lahat para lang maging proud naman kayo sa akin. Mahal ko kayo. Palangga ko kamu tanan," Rabiya added.

Rabiya was joined by the reigning Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi in a meet and greet made possible by Lazada Philippines on Wednesday, April 28.

Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi during the Lazada Queens Meet and Greet on Wednesday, April 28.

Lazada, strikes an exclusive partnership with the Miss Universe Organization to be the official voting platform in the Philippines for the highly anticipated 69th Miss Universe competition. Fans nationwide will also be able to exclusively tune-in to the preliminary competition through Lazada. Starting April 8 until May 15, beauty pageant viewers nationwide will have the exciting opportunity to vote for their favorite delegate into the top 21 through the Fan Vote function, available exclusively on Lazada. The delegate who receives the most votes through the Fan Vote system on Lazada and Miss Universe's Voting page, Choicely, will automatically earn a spot in the pageant's Top 21, bringing her one step closer to the most coveted crown!

Rabiya Mateo in getting the Miss Universe crown: "Ilalaban ko 'to"

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo took to social media on how grateful she is to fellow Filipinos who voted for her on the Lazada application.

Wearing a white bathrobe with Instagram filter, she posted her message via Insta story on Monday, April 26.

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"Hey there guys! To all the Filipinos who voted for me in the Lazada application to help me get into the Top 21, thank you so much. Utang na loob ko sa inyo lahat ng suporta't pagmamahal niyo na nagbibigay ng lakas sa akin ngayon. Sa mga hindi pa nakaboto, we still have time guys. Vote lang ng vote para makapasok 'yung Philippines sa Top 21," Rabiya said.

She also took the chance of thanking her official fans club called 'Rabiyanatics'.

"I just wanna thank also my 'Rabiyanatics' for showing their love and support. Kahit nandito ako sa Florida ramdam ko talaga 'yung init ng pagmamahal n'yo sa akin. It gives me the motivation to really do good sa May 16. Kaya sana po patuloy ninyo akong ipagdasal at suportahan kasi ilalaban ko 'to. Pangako ko 'yan," she said.

Rabiya Mateo and team are now in Florida for final preparations prior to hotel check in on May 6. 

Miss Universe Voting

Leading eCommerce platform, Lazada, strikes an exclusive partnership with the Miss Universe Organization to be the official voting platform in the Philippines for the highly-anticipated 69th Miss Universe competition. Fans nationwide will also be able to exclusively tune-in to the preliminary competition through Lazada.

Starting April 8 until May 15, beauty pageant viewers nationwide will have the exciting opportunity to vote for their favorite delegate into the top 21 through the Fan Vote function, available exclusively on Lazada. The delegate who receives the most votes through the Fan Vote system on Lazada and Miss Universe's Voting page, Choicely, will automatically earn a spot in the pageant's Top 21, bringing her one step closer to the most coveted crown!

Fans are entitled to one (1) Free Vote and can show their support by voting for their favorite delegate(s) multiple times a day during the designated period. 

 Consumers can cast multiple votes a day through the unlimited purchase of voting packages and can begin voting through the 69th MISS UNIVERSE Competition voting page on the Lazada App/site: http://lzd.co/lazadaxmissuniverse.

Is Rabiya Mateo the next Miss Universe? Past MUP titleholders weight in

From left to right: Ara Arida, MJ Lastimosa, Gazini Ganados and Rabiya Mateo

Entertainment journalist Gitri San Diego invited three past Miss Universe Philippines titleholders in a live chat interview on Monday night, April 26.

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She invited Ara Arida (Miss Universe Philippines 2013), MJ Lastimosa (Miss Universe Philippines 2014) and Gazini Ganados (Miss Universe Philippines 2019).

During the interview, San Diego asked the beauty queens about the chances of Rabiya Mateo getting the fifth Miss Universe crown for the Philippines.

Gazini Ganados, who placed Top 20 in Miss Universe 2019, talked about the good qualities of Mateo.

Gazini Ganados, Miss Universe Philippines 2019 competes on stage in G. Sonsie Swimwear during the MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta on Friday, December 6, 2019. 

"She speaks from the heart. That's the most important thing for me talaga, to have a substance, purpose. Her story is very unique. It's not just about her talking about her story. It's about other people. After she won, people posted stories about how she [finished] education and then pinaaral niya pa 'yung kapatid niya. Natutulog lang siya sa sahig," Ganados told San Diego.

"That's very inspiring for people who lived in the provinces. Not only the provinces, those who dream to be Miss Universe Philippines. She's very driven to everything and she's willing to learn. She's eager to learn. I know that she will make us very very proud," Ganados added.

Miss Universe Philippines 2013 3rd runner-up Ara Arida wished that Mateo should maintain the qualities she had during Miss Universe Philippines (MUP).

Ariella Arida, Miss Universe Philippines 2013, is announced as one of the top five contestants during MISS UNIVERSE® 2013 from Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia on November 9, 2013 at 9:00 PM ET on NBC.

 "The moment I saw her during MUP pa lang, just do the same thing talaga. I don't know how she managed to talagang sway me that night, the way she performed. I guess gawin niya lang 'yun the same thing," Arida said.

Arida also advised Rabiya not to overthink.

"And alam ko naman ang dami pa niyang ginawang improvement ngayon so sana 'wag mag-overthink. Kasi iba ang nagagawa pag nag-ooverthink eh. Ayun nga Miss U din ngayon eh more on kelangan spokesperson ka talaga eh. They bring out the realness in you specially with the one-on-one interview specially on your final answer. So feeling ko naman she's well trained now for that. So kung ano 'yung ginawa niya nung MUP performance wise, with swimsuit and the gown I love it so much. I really high hopes that Rabiya can really win it." Arida said to San Diego.

MJ Lastimosa, Top 10 finalist in Miss Universe 2014, shared how Rabiya is willing to improve in the pageant.

Mary Jean Lastimosa, Miss Universe Philippines 2014 poses for photos on the red carpet before the opening of The 63rd Annual MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant, broadcast live from the FIU Arena in Doral-Miami, Florida on January 25, 2015 at 8:00 PM ET on NBC. 

"When the moment that I cheered for Rabiya in Baguio on that pageant night kasi I really knew to myself that this girl deserves our support. During the final moment na nung Top 5, nung isa nalang 'yung question. The way Rabiya just handled everything, I really knew that this girl is in to win it. And then after that when she came back, she would always reach out to me. She asked questions. She is looking for all the things that she can improve, all the things that she has to learn and what else she can do to actually level up. For example may mga hindi nagustuhan yung pageant fans na may ginawa siyang activity today that I'm not even aware of. She would message me and ask me na 'Ms MJ mali po ba to? Yung ginawa ko ganyan. Should I change my hair?', MJ shared to San Diego.

Lastimosa is also confident that Rabiya will perform well in the Q&A round.

"She always asks question and I think that's a good thing. When you asked questions you learn more. 'Yan ang ginagawa ng taong matatalino and you just can tell that Rabiya is 'di ba? We know that she's an educator. So speech wise, Q&A, I know that she is going to ace that. She is actually working so hard to improve her body para maging Miss Universe level pa. I know that she is giving her all. Kaya bigyan naman natin siya ng chance."

The 69th MISS UNIVERSE® competition will air from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on Sunday, May 16, 2021. The competition will broadcast LIVE around the world from 8:00 to 11:00 PM ET. 

The three-hour event will feature women representing dozens of countries competing in multiple categories, including personal statement, swimsuit, evening gown and interview, ending with Zozibini Tunzi, who will be the longest-ever reigning Miss Universe, crowning her successor.

Shoemaker Jojo Bragais reminisces journey; made first sale after two months in the shoe business

We all know now that Jojo Bragais is the official footwear provider of 69th Miss Universe competition. He is also the official footwear partner of Bb. Pilipinas since 2015. His shoes walk in the pageant scenes both local and international. His shoes were also worn by some Hollywood biggest stars such as Mel B of Spice Girls.

But it was not an easy journey for Jose Joaquin “Jojo” Bragais. Due to a heartbreak, he became depressed and was in the lowest point of his life. With the advise from his family and relatives, he transferred to Binangonan, Rizal from his native town, Albay, Bicol.

His shoemaking business commenced in 2013 in Binagonan, Rizal. From there, he met an owner of a closed and old shoe factory. He bought the factory and started making shoes with only 2 staff.

Bragais' shoe factory worker.

Jojo now employs more than a hundred staff.

Contrary to what other people think, he has no formal education when it comes to shoe designing and creation. He is a licensed nurse and midwife and was supposed to pursue medicine.

He told the press during the press conference via Zoom on Friday, April 23, that he applied the skills of carpentry when it comes to shoe creation.

Jojo Bragais during the virtual press conference on Friday, April 23.

"Alam mo 'yong techniques ng carpentry na pwede kong ipasok, pinapasok ko siya sa shoes as long as it would work tulad ng pagpapako, pag-tuturnilyo. May mga ibang machine na pinasadya ko siya depende sa trip ko," he said.

He chose “Bragais” – his family name – as the brand name to represent all the values, he learned and grew up with in the family and now treasure them dearly. 

"Ang maganda sa akin parang 'yung family ko may background sa business eh. Sinasabi nila na kung ano 'yung magiging workers mo is a reflection of you as a boss. So para sa akin bilang boss, since mas bata ako, I just want the environment na they can be their own artist also."

Jojo with his mom Elsie.

"'Pag nag-sosolve kami ng problema, lagi kong sinasabi na 'What can we do?, 'I think kailangan natin ma-achieve ang ganito, ano ang pwedeng gawin'. So para sa akin, sama-sama siya. That's why I don't say na success is just mine. I would say that it's all of us because everyone behind my team works hard in order for us to be in this Miss Universe stage," Bragais told the press.

One of Jojo's memorable moments as a shoemaker was the sale from his first customer. He was able to sold a pair of shoes two months after he started his shoe business.

In 2013, he encountered a customer that needed a pair of shoes for her daughter’s debut, but the debutant had a feet deformity. After receiving the pair of shoes, the customer (the mom) hugged Jojo with much gratitude for the pair of shoes that fitted perfectly her daughter’s foot. 

This moment was his inspiration that made him continue and dedicate his life to making shoes for people, especially those who need them with special purpose.

While remembering that moment, the young shoemaker could not kept his emotion during the interview. 

"Sabi sa akin ng nanay niya na 'di pa daw nakapagsuot ang anak niya ng closed shoes. Then I took the project. Sobrang natuwa ang nanay to the point na niyakap niya ako. So that time na-realize ko na 'di pala ako talunan. That I matter, na may silbi ako. So mula n'on, minahal ko na na ang sapatos," the teary-eyed Jojo shared to the press.

The Miss Universe partnership, by far, is his biggest break. The partnership is perceived by Jojo as a sign of success not just for himself but for all the shoe manufacturing businesses in the Philippines.

Catriona Gray wearing Bragais shoes during the Miss Universe 2018 evening gown competition.

"I want this success to be an inspiration para sa lahat ng struggling at starting shoe manufacturing companies na just like me when I just starting, I started from scratch. And if I was able to make it at umabot ako dito, I'm sure they can too."

How does the partnership of Bragais and the Miss Universe Organization started?

Jojo Bragais was in a vacation in Lucban, Quezon when he received a call from Mario Garcia, the  Marketing and Business Development Head of Miss Universe Philippines, asking him if he is interested to have a partnership with Miss Universe. He was hesitant at first and could not believe with the proposal. The next day he received another call but now it was from Shawn C. Mcclain, Miss Universe Organization Vice President for Business Development & Marketing. Mcclain then explain what will happened on the partnership. Then, the rest as this say is history.

Miss Universe Organization announced the official partnership with Jojo Bragais on April 16.

"Nagkaroon ng announcement last April 16, talagang sobrang naiyak ako because 'di ko inakala na ganun ka-warm ang pagtanggap ng sambayanang Pilipino. 'Yun ang sobrang nakakaiyak. Ina-attribute ko to ng parang magkaroon man lang ng Filipino presence in an international arena kasi para sa akin maraming magagaling na artists dito."

"Pakiramdam ko 'pag mayroong representation ng mga Pinoy outside the Philippines, at least malalaman nila na parang there's something about the Philippines more than sa kung ano man ang nababalitaan nila. There's something good about us at 'yun ang nakaka-proud," he added.

The official shoe of 69th Miss Universe

The contestants will receive two pair of shoes from the "Jehza" collection, named after Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar.

The first pair comes in options of three shades: cream, cocoa, and caramel to complement the candidates’ skin tone. The three shades are also custom-made to withstand the color effect of stage lights. The second pair will be in silver. 

Goodluck Jojo. We will be praying for your success.

Miss Universe Thailand 2020 Amanda Obdam prefers a corrupt leader. Here's why

In three days, Miss Universe Thailand 2020 Amanda Obdam will depart to US to compete in 69th Miss Universe competition. In preparation for the pageant, the 27-year old beauty had a last minute Q&A session with Pronality Academy in Bangkok, Thailand.

One of the questions given to her by the panelist is the quality of leader she would want if she is given the opportunity to choose.

The questions was:

"If you have to choose a leader, between a smart person of with a bit of corruption or somebody who is quite incapable but then he is very clean, which kind of leader would you choose?"

Her respond was:

"Corruption is never right and should not be in any country. However, I would have to choose a leader who is capable of leading the country even though that would cause corruption. Because I'm firmly believe that a country can flourish in a forward direction if there is a leader who is there to back the economy, to make the country a better place for everyone and so that the citizens can have all their trust..."

Her answer was in English but she continued it in Thai. Due to time limit, she was not able to finish her answer. 

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The Q&A session was broadcast live through the Facebook page of Pronality Academy by ครูน้ำฝน ภักดี (@pronalitybykrufon) last April 23. However, the video has been deleted but some netizens were able to screen record it.

Amanda aims to bring home the third Miss Universe crown for the Land of Smiles. Thailand's last Miss Universe winner was Porntip Nakhirunkanok in 1988. Their first Miss Universe winner was won by Apasra Hongsakula in 1965. 

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You can still watch her Miss Universe up close video here:

Amanda Obdam reveals why she chose to represent Thailand over Canada in Miss Universe

Amanda Obdam and O Skin Med Spa owner, Olivia Quido-Co

Miss Universe Thailand 2020 Amanda Obdam is half Thai and half Canadian. So why did she choose to compete in Miss Universe Thailand over Miss Universe Canada? 

"I was born and raised here in Thailand so I'm very close with my Thai family and also the Thai culture. To me I didn't think about joining the Dutch or the Canadian pageant but it was all Thai pageant because of the backbone, the team behind me," Amanda said to Olivia Quido-Co aka Ms. O over live Instagram session on Thursday, April 22.

 

"And also with the fans here in Thailand was so passionate about pageantry specially Miss Universe. So I mean it was just Thailand all the way, yeah, it was a hundred percent towards Thailand and it was never has been anything else," she added. 

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Ms. O and O Skin Med Spa is the official skincare sponsor of 69th Miss Universe competition. 

The 27-year old beauty is a graduate, with honors, of Business Administration and Economics at the University of Toronto in Canada. Her father is Dutch-Canadian. Her grandparents are from Holland but they migrated to Canada towards the end of World War II. Meanwhile, her mother is Chinese-Thai and grew up in Suphan Buri, located in the central region of Thailand. 

Proud parents of Amanda Obdam right after the Miss Universe Thailand 2020 coronation night.

Amanda also shared about how Thai fans are passionate about pageantry. 

"When you think of a pageant here in Thailand and when you watch it, the woman that are competing, they're so passionate on what they're doing. They're so driven and their goal is set. You can see and they're so inspiring," she said to Ms. O.

"I think that the (Thai) fans when they watch pageantry, they feel inspired. It's almost like the Olympics here. It's like a sport Olympics. Everyone is waiting to watch," she added. 

Amanda was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2020 on October 10th. In her interview with Ms. O, she shared that she did not expect to win.

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She recalled waking up at 5:00am of December 8th just to watch the live telecast of Miss Universe 2019.

"Not at all. To be honest, not at all. Even the other day, I was just speaking with my dad and I was like 'Dad who would have thought?' I feel grateful and so fortunate to have this opportunity and to be where I am today." 

Amanda wanted to change the perception of beauty in her country. 

"When you're in Thailand, the definition of beauty is always light skin, long hair. You know you have to be very skinny. I think that just me winning, I don't have light skin color. My skin color is quite tan. I just think that we all need to explore the different kinds of beauty because beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. However we need to learn to appreciate every beauty because every single person that was born into this world, we all have beauty. Not only just the exterior but also interior. So we need to really get to know one another and explore what they can offer and all the beauty that's inside," she said to Ms. O. 

She also said in the interview that she is not just a pretty face. There is so much more from her. 

"I'm passionate about advocating from mental health that's why I came up with 'Have you Listened' campaign," she said.

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"Believe it or not I actually suffered with an eating disorder back when I was in the university. So I overcame the hardest time of my life. Not loving myself. I had almost no self confident. I did not love myself at all. That's why I let myself got into that place - mentally and physically. I just want to let anyone know that we can overcome anything in life and to explore all the different parts of yourself. Love yourself. Self confidence is very important," Amanda said. 

She is scheduled to depart to the US on April 27. 

Amanda aims to bring home the third Miss Universe crown for the Land of Smiles. Thailand's last Miss Universe winner was Porntip Nakhirunkanok in 1988. Their first Miss Universe winner was won by Apasra Hongsakula in 1965. 

Meanwhile, you can watch Amanda's Miss Universe up close video here: