Spunk, positive attitude fuel Ariella’s bid for Miss Universe crown

ARIDA, third from left, was the only Asian in this Mercedes Benz shoot. COURTESY OF MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION

Before 2013 Miss Universe Philippines Ariella Arida left for Moscow on her quest for the coveted Miss Universe crown, her “sisters” at Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) cited her positivity and calm spirit.

During a sendoff party at the Gloria Maris banquet hall in Gateway Mall, Quezon City, winners of Binibining Pilipinas Gold pageant revealed that Arida was the go-to girl for anyone who needed a boost of positive vibe. They were certain this quality would make the country’s bet stand out from among 85 other aspirants.

Pia Wurtzbach, 2013 Bb. Pilipinas first runner up, said: “There was not one day that she doubted herself. She is always  calm, even under this huge pressure of her fellow titlists’ victories, like Mutya (Datul, Miss Supranational) and Megan (Young, Miss World). She uses these as motivation. I’m congratulating her now.”

Fearless

For 2013 Miss Tourism Queen International semifinalist Joanna Cindy Miranda, Arida’s positive outlook is admirable. “She believes that she will win. I know God will give her that crown.”

SWIMSUIT competition, also on Tuesday. Photo provided by the Miss Universe Organization/AFP

Datul, who scored beauty batch 2013’s first victory by clinching the first Asian win in the five-year-old Miss Supranational pageant in Belarus, expressed high hopes for Arida.

“She’s fearless and very determined. She always says everything she does, she does for the Philippines. She has everything she needs to become the next Miss Universe,” Datul said.

But if there’s anyone who really saw, up close, how cool and confident Ariella was, up till the homestretch of her preparations, it is 2013 Bb. Pilipinas-International Bea Rose Santiago.

Arida and Santiago spent several weeks in BPCI chair Stella Marquez-Araneta’s Quezon City home for further training prior to the former’s departure for Moscow.

BACKSTAGE before another shoot for a yet undisclosed pageant sponsor. COURTESY OF MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION

Miss Universe 2013 will be crowned at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on Nov. 9 (Nov. 10 in Manila). Santiago is competing in the Miss International pageant in Japan next month.

“We had many sleepless nights,” Santiago recounted.  “I was often exhausted, but not Ariella. She’s always very relaxed, very calm. Her parents should be proud for bringing up the next Miss Universe from the Philippines.”

Among favorites

Arida told Inquirer in a previous interview that she always had a positive outlook since childhood. “I was raised believing in myself, and knowing that I would create my own destiny. Why should I harbor negative thoughts? During the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, I kept that in mind, and it worked! I should have the same frame of mind during the Miss Universe pageant.”

WOWING ’em in a gown by Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza

The 24-year-old Chemistry graduate from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños said that, compared to the woman she was upon winning Binibining Pilipinas-Universe, she was now “200 percent more determined. I have also learned to embrace my weaknesses and use them to my advantage.”

For Filipinos closely following the developments in the Moscow proceedings, it appears that there really is enough reason for Arida to be confident. She has appeared in the biggest number of special activities, along with just a few select candidates.

She participated in the Moscow Fashion Week with 24 other aspirants, and in Russian musical artist Emin’s video, with eight delegates and 2012 Miss Universe Olivia Culpo.

Arida was the lone Asian delegate among six candidates picked to shoot a TV commercial for Mercedes Benz. She also took part in a special photo shoot for the German automobile brand.

She joined 11 candidates for the Nobu Kitchen demo and was among those who visited a children’s hospital in the Russian capital.

Most recently, the statuesque Filipino woman was pulled out of a media event, to take part in a special photo shoot for one of the pageant’s biggest sponsors.

Fans and Filipinos around the world can help boost Arida’s bid by casting votes online, via www.missuniverse.com. The winner of the online poll will automatically advance to the semifinals.

The Philippines won the Miss Universe title twice in the past—with Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973.

Filipino bets have cracked the Top 5 in the pageant’s last three editions—Venus Raj in 2010, 4th runnerup; Shamcey Supsup, 2011, 3rd runnerup; and Janine Tugonon, 2012, 1st runnerup.

A live telecast will be seen on Star World and the Velvet channel at 2 a.m. on Sunday. ABS-CBN’s delayed telecast is set at 9 a.m.