Arida hopes top 5 finish in Miss Universe soothes storm-battered Filipinos

In a photo provided by the Miss Universe Organization, Ariella Arida, Miss Philippines 2013, poses at the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre, on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, in Moscow. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Placing fourth in the 2013 Miss Universe pageant on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) is a huge source of joy for Philippine bet Ariella Arida, and she said she hoped her accomplishment has somehow brought a glimmer of happiness in a nation reeling from the devastation of “supertyphoon Yolanda” (international name Haiyan).

“What happened in the country is very disheartening. But I hope I made them happy. I did my best. As I have been saying, everything I’m doing is for the Philippines. I hope they appreciate it,” the 24-year-old beauty queen told members of media through a phone conversation from Moscow, Russia, where the competition took place.

Arida, a Chemistry graduate from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, said she regularly monitored the situation in the country even when she was deep in the competition.

“As soon as I woke up (Saturday) morning, I checked the situation in Tacloban. It gave more sense to my fight here,” she shared.

“I was very calm, because I know they greatly support me. So I pray that even if I did not get the main prize, I was still able to give them hope. Because it’s all for them, it’s for the Philippines,” added the Laguna-born Arida.

The Filipino beauty landed in the Top 16 by garnering the highest score in the online poll conducted among visitors of the pageant’s website www.missunivers.com. But she earned the judges’ nod to advance to the Top 10, and eventually crack the Top 5.

Venezuelan beauty Maria Gabriella Isler received the Diamond Nexus crown from last year’s winner, Olivia Culpo from the United States.

Isler is her country’s seventh Miss Universe winner, which now puts Venezuela hot on the trail of the US as the country with the most number of wins at eight.

Spain’s Patricia Yurena Rodriguez, a semifinalist in the 2008 Miss World pageant, placed second, followed by Ecuador’s Constanza Baez. Brazil’s Jackelyne Oliveira completed the Top 5.

The Philippines has two Miss Universe winners—Gloria Diaz (1969) and Margie Moran (1973).

Arida’s fourth place finish also sustained the Philippines’ presence in the Miss Universe pageant’s Top 5 for the fourth straight year. Venus Raj was fifth in 2010, Shamcey Supsup placed fourth in 2011 and Janin Tugonon finished second in 2012.

“I’m very thankful. I feel that my answer may have fallen short, but I’m nonetheless happy with my answer. I’m so happy. At least I was able to sustain our country’s winning streak in the Top 5,” Arida shared.

Her accomplishment also followed the Philippines’ twin victories this year with Mutya Datul’s win in Miss Supranational and Megan Young’s triumph in Miss World.

And to her fans and supporters who still could not accept the judges’ decision not to hand her the title, Arida had this to say: “When Olivia gave me a buss after the contest, she told me ‘I was rooting for you.’ That was enough to make me happy. After I gave my answer, I said ‘it’s up to you, Lord.’ This is what God gave me, so I’m happy for it. I’m glad to have maintained our status in the contest.”

But as early as now, Arida has expressed excitement for next year’s representative. “Maybe next year we will finally get that crown,” she declared.

One probable successor to Arida’s crown is her runner up and close buddy Pia Wurtzbach, who watched the coronation night on live TV together with some members of media.

The German-Filipino Wurtzbach, who is rumored to once again join the Binibining Pilipinas pageant next year, expressed disappointment at the judges’ decision.

“I’m so shocked. It really hurts, doesn’t it? She was really great. She showed the side of her self that I never saw. I’m so proud of her,” said the 23-year-old actress.

She added: “In my eyes she’s the winner. And I’m sure in everybody’s eyes she was. I want her to win. We all want her to win. She’s incredible. I’ve been with her since day one, and she never procrastinated. I wish I had her calmness and her strength.”

Wurtzbach confessed that she had her own prediction on who will advance to the Top 5. “Most of the girls I wanted besides Ariella weren’t there. So it messed up everything. I guess I have to watch again, and review, and put my self in the shoes of the judges, why they made that decision. But as far as I’m concerned right now, she didn’t lack in anything, she was really good,” she said.

She said she should take her cue from Arida in trying to accept the pageant’s results even if she found it unfavorable.

“What I admire in Ariella is her calmness. She accepts and adjusts easily. She doesn’t get too devastated by things. That’s what I have observed,” Wurtzbach explained.

And as to pursuing what Arida sought out to accomplish, Wurtzbach said: “Watching Ara is so inspiring. With me, I can join again and I want to join again, and I will join again. Hopefully I get to experience what she has experienced.”

But she was quick to bring the attention back to the woman of the hour. “Right now I’m so proud of her, this is her moment. We’re gonna welcome her a winner,” Wurtzbach declared.

Arida is expected to arrive on Tuesday afternoon via a connecting flight from Hong Kong. A motorcade is being prepared within the week.

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