National director and ward both cop international crowns in Australia tilt

Elite Mrs. Universe (Official) Ellen Poyaoan-Santos (right) and Ms. Universe (Official) Global Christine Escalante. Image: Armin P. Adina / Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The duo of a national pageant director and her entrant reaped honors at the Mrs. Universe (Official) pageant held in Australia earlier this month. Ellen Poyaoan-Santos was crowned Elite Mrs. Universe (Official) while the person who sent her to the competition, Christine Escalante, was proclaimed as Ms. Universe (Official) Global.

The two newly crowned beauty queens addressed a select group of media scribes for their respective victory press conferences held at the City State Tower Hotel in Manila on Dec. 23, to share their experience at the Mrs. Universe (Official) pageant held at the Grand Pavilion of Rosehill Gardens in Australia, on Dec. 4.

This pageant should not be confused with the Bulgaria-based Mrs. Universe pageant established in 2007. The Australia-based Mrs. Universe (Official) pageant is mounted by Sydney-based Filipino Maryrose Salubre.

Escalante was crowned Mrs. Universe (Official) Australasia in December last year, paving the way for her participation in the global pageant. But as the months passed, she found herself heavily involved in politics, and opted out of the international competition.

However, as the official licensee of Mrs. Universe (Official) in the Philippines, Escalante still had the responsibility of choosing the country’s delegates. In September, she appointed Santos as Mrs. Universe (Official) Philippines, and Ann Marie Morales as Mrs. Universe (Official) Asia Pacific.

But two months later, Escalante was seen scrambling for her pageant wardrobe as she packed her bags not just as a national director but also as a participant, joining the global tilt alongside her appointees.

The competition had a total of 21 participants from different countries. And after the dust settled, Santos topped the “elite” category to capture the Elite Mrs. Universe (Official) crown, while Escalante was among the top winners in the “Ms.” category and received the Ms. Universe (Official) Global title. Another Filipino entrant, Monique Rivera, was proclaimed as Mrs. Universe (Official) Global.

Santos also received the Best in Advocacy, Best in Talent, and Best in National Costume awards, while Escalante was proclaimed Ms. Universe Public Choice and Pageantry Most Popular Mom. Rivera got the Best in Tourism Video award.

Another Filipino entrant, Mutya Kinter from the Filipino community in the United States, was crowned Elite Mrs. Universe (Official) Diamond, and also received the Mrs. Universe Social Media Influencer and Best in Catwalk awards.

Escalante and Santos will both be involved in choosing the country’s next representative to the Mrs. Universe (Official) pageant, which will be held at the Newport World Resorts in Pasay City, in the Philippines, on Oct. 13. The two teamed up with Ovette Recalde of Megastar Productions to mount the first Mrs. Philippines pageant next year.

The national competition will be held on Mother’s Day (May 14) and will crown six winners—Mrs. Philippines Universe (Official), Mrs. Philippines Tourism, Mrs. Philippines Asia International, Mrs. Philippines Tourism Queen International, Mrs. Philippines Grand Universe and Mrs. Philippines Noble Queen Universe.

No registration fee will be collected from the applicants, Ricalde stressed.  /ra

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