Jimena Navarrete, 22, of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe during the Miss Universe 2010 held earlier today, August 24 (Philippine time), at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
First runner-up was Yendi Phillipps, 24, of Jamaica; second runner-up was Jesinta Campbell, 19, of Australia; and third runner-up was Anna Poslavska, 23, of Ukraine.
The Philippine bet Maria Venus Raj was named 4th runner-up.
Raj ranked fifth overall in the Long Gown competition with an average score of 8.714 while in the Swimsuit Competition, she ranked third with an average score of 8.957.
Prior to the pageant, the dusky Bicolana was dethroned by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) because of inconsistencies in her birth records. The decision however was reversed and she was reinstated as the country’s representative to the Miss Universe. Only recently she lost a very good friend, Bb. Pilipinas-International 2009 Melody Gersbach who was killed in a vehicular accident in Camarines Sur.
The first Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown was Gloria Diaz in 1969. The Philippines last won the Miss Universe title way back in 1973 by Margie Moran.
The last time the Philippines placed in the Miss Universe was in 1999 when Miriam Quiambao won first runner-up.
