“I think pageant girls just have a way of faking it until you make it, almost.”
—Hannah Brown
By Alex P. Vidal
WHAT transpired in Florida, USA on May 16 was a “Miss Latinaverse” and not a Miss Universe competition, many people who followed the event have suspected.
We were all taken for a ride?
Even the most beautiful and most intelligent woman in the world who’s not a Latina would probably have no chance in that fateful night at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for Hollywood, Florida.
From the panel of judges to the hosts Olivia Culpo and Mario Lopez and the three lady side hosts to the intermission numbers, it was all a Latina or Latino show.
Latina Lives Matter?
To add insult, Florida, the state with 5,809,000 Hispanic and Latino population and is known to be a largely Latino territory in America, had been chosen to be the host.
Thus it probably explained why pre-pageant favorites like Miss South Africa, Miss USA, Miss Canada, Miss Great Britain, Miss Philippines, Miss Croatia, Miss Thailand, Miss Netherlands, Miss Denmark, among other none Hispanic candidates didn’t land in the top five.
Except for Miss India as a “consolation” (to camouflage the sham?) the Hispanics probably made sure the “Miss Latinaverse” crown wouldn’t be snatched away by a none Latina candidate this time ostensibly by sending all four: Miss Mexico, Miss Peru, Miss Brazil, Miss Dominican Republic to the last five finals.
-o0o-
Of course, this is just a suspicion and theory of many people who were not happy with the Q and A portion, which had heavily helped determine the winners.
The questions weren’t Miss Universe quality, to say the least.
They were predictable, answerable in basic and simple sentences with no need for jargon, and easy to decipher.
The topics thrown at the candidates about Covid-19 and the power of women in society could be easily answered in straight King’s English by candidates vying for a Miss Barangay contest in Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Leyte, Pampanga, Aklan, and Cotabato who are arguably much better in terms of diction and pronunciation.
The top five finishers could hardly express themselves intelligently and confidently and weren’t impressive with their answers despite the assistance of interpreters.
Imagine if they allowed Miss USA, Miss Great Britain, Miss South Africa, and Miss Philippines to slug it out in the final five with the same questions and pressure.
It could have been possible if they were in the ideal and vintage Miss Universe competition.
We’re sure our Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo would’ve given them real nightmare in the Q and A if she wasn’t toppled in the final 10.
But everything is now water under the bridge.
Let’s move on and learn from the “Miss Latinaverse” telenovela.
-o0o-
AN email from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo dated May 17, 2021 which he also shared to other New Yorkers:
Dear Alex, Last week, the CDC announced new guidance on mask use and social distancing for fully vaccinated individuals, and beginning Wednesday, May 19, New York State will adopt the new guidance. Until more New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, pre-K to 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and health care settings will continue to follow State's existing COVID-19 health guidelines. New Yorkers have worked hard over the past year to keep others safe and that has paid off and we are ecstatic to take this next step in the reopening of our beautiful state. The people of New York and visitors alike should take solace in the lifting of mask requirements, but be respectful of those who may still feel safest wearing their mask in public. Business owners can establish policy within the broad framework as they see best. It's a great milestone and yet another incentive to get vaccinated if you haven't already.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 1,581, the lowest since November 9. Of the 101,173 tests reported yesterday, 1,278, or 1.26 percent, were positive. The 7-day average percent positivity was 1.11 percent. There were 387 patients in ICU yesterday, down five from the previous day. Of them, 228 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 11 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 11am this morning, 61.8 percent of adult New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 70,722 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 17,626,145 total doses with 52.2 percent of adult New Yorkers completing their vaccine series.
3. Three new pop-up vaccination sites will open in collaboration with the MTA. Following a successful pilot, the new pop-up sites will be located at the following stations: 125th Street in Manhattan, Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport in Queens, and the LIRR's Hicksville train station. (See hours here.) If you get vaccinated at one of these stations, you will get a free 7-day MetroCard or commuter rail tickets. Four other pop-up sites (including Grand Central and Penn Station) will continue to operate.
4. Starting May 22, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets will have fully vaccinated fan sections. This will increase capacity at their 2021 NBA home playoff games at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center. Individuals seated in the vaccinated sections will have to show proof of full COVID-19 immunization status, which can be provided through paper form (CDC card), digital application or the State's Excelsior Pass.
5. The New York City Marathon will return for its 50th running this year on November 7. The NYC Marathon—the world's biggest—will return with 33,000 runners permitted. Registration for the marathon opens June 8.
6. Radio City Music Hall will open its doors for the first time in over a year to host the Tribeca Festival's Closing Night film on Saturday, June 19. For this event, Radio City Music Hall will operate at 100 percent capacity with a fully vaccinated audience. The Tribeca Film Festival will be the first in-person film festival to take place in North America since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Additional details about the landmark event and screening for closing night will be announced soon.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A community came together amid beautiful weather to spend the weekend beautifying their city. Over 200 volunteers in Buffalo gathered in the University District to participate in a spring cleanup event. The volunteers from all over the city spent the sunny Saturday weeding, planting flowers, picking up trash and other cleanup-related tasks. Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)
This is the worst Miss universe ever happened. Not convincing.
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