JawaPos.com - Besok (17/12) pergelaran Miss Universe 2018 mencapai puncaknya. Final show akan berlangsung di IMPACT Arena, Bangkok. Setelah 13 tahun, ibu kota Thailand itu kembali terpilih sebagai host city.
Kemarin (15/12) berlangsung rehearsal Miss Universe 2018. Sebenarnya, yang boleh masuk ke lokasi geladi bersih adalah national director dan keluarga kontestan. Beruntung, Jawa Pos berhasil masuk ke venue acara bersama tim dari Indonesia.
Tampak depan Gudung IMPACT Arena yang akan digunakan untuk final Miss Universe 2018, Bangkok, Thailand, Sabtu (15/12). (SALMAN TOYIBI / JAWA POS)
Untuk geladi bersih, kontestan harus sudah menuju venue sekitar pukul 09.00. Sesampai di sana, mereka harus siap naik turun panggung atau bolak-balik agar blocking dan pergerakan mereka tidak salah saat final show. Termasuk, ketika mereka diumumkan masuk ke tahap selanjutnya hingga akhir.
Meski terlihat lelah karena berdiri lama, para kontestan tetap menikmati. Ada yang terus menebar senyum, menyapa pendukung yang melihat rehearsal , hingga bercanda dengan sesama kontestan. Juga, menyempatkan diri bertemu keluarga.
Keluarga Miss Universe 2018 perwakilan Amerika Serikat usai menyaksikan geladi bersih final Miss Universe 2018 di IMPACT Arena, Bangkok, Thailand, Sabtu (15/12). (SALMAN TOYIBI / JAWA POS)
Beberapa anggota keluarga kontestan ikut menyaksikan rehearsal. Mereka sempat bertemu sebentar untuk berpelukan atau memberikan support. Demikian pula Puteri Indonesia Sonia Fergina Citra.
Dia jadi lebih semangat karena dikunjungi keluarganya yang tiba di Bangkok Jumat petang (14/12). Mereka adalah sang ibu Sisca Burtner, kakak Feni Olivia Citra, dan bibi Regina Burtner. "Harus datang nih, karena untuk membela bangsa, negara, dan anak saya," ujar Sisca. Dia bangga karena Sonia menerima banyak respons positif berkat penampilannya sejauh ini.
Sejumlah pendukung membawa atribut saat antribut Miss Universe 2018 saat antre untuk membeli tiket final rehearsal di IMPACT Arena, Bangkok, Thailand, minggu (16/12). (SALMAN TOYIBI / JAWA POS)
Tak hanya dari Asia, keluarga kontestan dari negara jauh pun datang ke Bangkok. Misalnya, Viviana Delgado, 40, dan Violeta Delgado, 10. Mereka adalah ibu dan adik Valeria Morales Delgado, Miss Kolombia. Mereka ditemani Fabio Aries, 36, dan Maye, 20, sahabat Valeria.
"Kami menempuh perjalanan selama 26 jam demi bisa mendukung Valeria," ungkap Fabio. Viviana menilai sang putri sudah membanggakannya. Meski Valeria sempat dikritik karena sempat menertawakan kontestan Kamboja Nat Rern, Viviana tegas membantah. "Saya percaya dia tidak ada maksud jahat atau ingin menyerang," kata Viviana.
Ibunda kontetan Miss Universe 2018 perwakian Indonesia, Fransisca Eveline Burtner (empat kanan) bersama keluarga dan kerabat usia menyaksikan geladi bersih final Miss Universe 2018 di IMPACT Arena, Bangkok, Thailand, Sabtu (15/12). (SALMAN TOYIBI / JAWA POS)
Selain keluarga, pageant lover berdatangan ke Bangkok. Beberapa di antara mereka sempat ikut melihat rehearsal. "Mumpung deket dan nggak pakai visa, ayo aja deh ke sini," ujar Marcello, 30, pageant lover asal Jakarta yang kali pertama datang ke penyelenggaraan Miss Universe. Agar lebih heboh, Marcello dan beberapa temannya membawa tiruan mahkota Mikimoto, mahkota yang dikenakan pemenang Miss Universe.
Final show akan dimulai pukul 07.00 waktu setempat. Tiket pun sudah bisa dibeli secara online. IMPACT Arena siap menampung sekitar 3.000 penonton Miss Universe 2018. Sebagai pembuka, akan ada permainan alat musik tabuh khas Thailand. Juga, tarian tradisional Thailand. Selain itu, penyanyi asal AS Ne-Yo siap menghibur.
TRIBUNNEWS.COM - Teka-teki gaun apa yang akan dipakai Sonia Fergina Citra pada Final Miss Universe 2018, terjawab sudah.
Sang desainer, Anaz Khairunnas akhirnya membocorkan gaun cantik nan mewah yang akan dikenakan Puteri Indonesia 2018 itu.
Lewat akun Instagram pribadinya, @anazofficial, lelaki kelahiran Sumenep , Madura mengunggah sederet foto dan video gaun ituaun yang diberi nama Heaven’s tears berwarna putih dan bernuansa keperakan.
Dua 'elemen' penting ini terinspirasi dari suasana hutan tropis Indonesia kala pagi hari.
"Warna putih menggambarkan kabut pagi yang menyelimuti hutan tropis katulistiwa."
"Warna perak menggambarkan tetesan embun pagi yang berkilau diterpa sinar matahari pagi," tulis @anazofficial.
Sama seperti gaun hasil karya Anaz lainnya, gaun penuh manik-manik ini memiliki filosofi tersendiri.
Menurut Anaz, gaun ini merupakan perlambang kesucian alam Indonesia yang menjadi paru-paru dunia sekaligus memberikan nuansa kesegaran bagi pemakaiannya.
Tak salah bila ia berharap, Heaven’s tears akan membawa pemakainya, yaitu Sonia Fergina Citra membawa sejarah baru bagi Indonesia di ajang Miss Universe 2018.
Berikut detail gaun Heaven’s tears yang akan dikenakan Sonia Fergina Citra pada final Miss Universe 2018:
Gaun yang akan dipakai Sonia Fergina di final Miss Universe 2018 (INSTAGRAM/@anazofficial)
Gaun yang akan dipakai Sonia Fergina di final Miss Universe 2018 (INSTAGRAM/@anazofficial)
Gaun yang akan dipakai Sonia Fergina di final Miss Universe 2018 (INSTAGRAM/@anazofficial)
Gaun yang akan dipakai Sonia Fergina di final Miss Universe 2018 (INSTAGRAM/@anazofficial)
Gaun yang akan dipakai Sonia Fergina di final Miss Universe 2018 (INSTAGRAM/@anazofficial)
Gaun yang akan dipakai Sonia Fergina di final Miss Universe 2018 (INSTAGRAM/@anazofficial)
Gaun yang akan dipakai Sonia Fergina di final Miss Universe 2018 (INSTAGRAM/@anazofficial)
The spotlight is on Catriona Gray – and she sure is making the most of it
Published 7:00 PM, December 16, 2018
MANILA, Philippines – On Monday, December 17 (Manila time), viewers from around the world will watch as a new Miss Universe titleholder is crowned in Bangkok, Thailand. Filipinos – both hardcore and casual fans alive – will definitely tune in to watch.
The Philippines is hoping to grab its 4th crown courtesy of Filipino-Australian Catriona Gray. Online betting sites, pageant observers, and even former beauty queens think she has what it takes to win and be this year's Miss Universe.
Representing the Philippines
From the moment she went on stage during the Binibining Pilipinas coronation night in March, it was clear that Catriona wasn't just out to get the Miss Universe Philippines crown – she wanted to represent the Philippines in a very real way through her outfits. (READ: From Miss World Philippines 2016 to Miss Universe Philippines 2018: The journey of Catriona Gray)
Her ear cuff by Tessera jewelry and gown by Mak Tumang caught everyone's attention. The ear cuff, now known as "3 Stars and a Sun," was so popular that it was copied by fans and some international candidates.
In her interview on the Bottomline before she left for Bangkok, Catriona talked about her love for Filipino textiles – and she made sure these would be incorporated in her outfits for Miss Universe. (IN PHOTOS: PH culture, textiles takes spotlight in Catriona Gray's Miss Universe outfits)
Her national costume did just that and more – it had elements from the islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The design was a collaboration of Catriona with Jearson Demavivas, Jojo Bragais, and Eric Quiwa.
To explain the story behind it, a series of videos created by Catriona's team was posted on her YouTube account. For the videos, Catriona traveled to Pampanga, Rizal, Manila, Leyte, and South Cotabato to show the country's rich culture and heritage. (WATCH: Catriona Gray showcases PH's rich heritage in new video)
But she did not stop there – she shot a video in Gigantes Island, where she emerged like a water nymph from the sea.
For the preliminary competition last December 13, everyone looked forward to the gown she'd wear. While designer Mak Tumang released 4 out of 7 possible gown sketches, Catriona surprised everyone by wearing the now-famous Ibong Adarna-inspired gown. Tessera also created another show stopping accesory – earrings called the "Pearl of the Orient."
It's these elements in her outfits – both big and small – that prove how serious she is in representing the Philippines. And while Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and queens before her also championed Filipino designers, Catriona took things one notch higher.
From torchbearer to on fire
When she competed in Miss World in 2016, she spoke about being a torchbearer. Two years later, she isn't just the torcherbearer – she's the fire. (WATCH: Catriona Gray inspires in 'We're In This Together' music video)
Filipinos are clearly behind her. Artwork of her have been flooding social media since she won Miss Universe Philippines and her national costume has also inspired more artists to shared their sketches and portraits. (READ: Meet the man behind this string art portrait of Catriona Gray)
Clearly, this girl is well loved not only in the Philippines but all over the world. Fans in Latin America and even Asian countries have expressed the admiration and support for her in the competition.
Former Miss Universe Canada Siera Bearchell has raved about her on her YouTube videos and supermodel Tyra Banks even commented on her now-famous "lava walk."
I mean...Pinoy Power to the Max!!! https://t.co/ar22wLvw2k — Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) December 15, 2018
As she prepares for the finale on Monday, December 17, Catriona knows she's coming in with the weight of an expectant, hopeful, and pageant-crazy nation on her shoulders. But as early as now, she's managed to unite Filipinos and will always be their queen – crown or no crown.
Carrying a bold message of inclusion, transgender rights and a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump, Miss Spain's Angela Ponce is blazing a trail as the first transgender contestant in Miss Universe's 66-year history.The willowy beauty is making history since the pageant reversed a longstanding policy in 2012 that participants must be "naturally born" women.Explaining her broad appeal the plain-speaking 27-year-old says "who hasn't suffered from prejudice? Who hasn't had to deal with bullying?"Outside the walls of Miss Universe the transgender community continues to be marginalised and misunderstood, with high rates of suicide.A leaked White House report said President Trump's administration is considering pushing changes to the law to define gender by biological traits at birth, while trying to block transgender people from military service.Ponce is defiant about how to respond to Trump, a former owner of Miss Universe, and others who would try to box her in by physical traits."I always say: having a vagina didn't transform me into a woman. I am a woman, already before birth, because my identity is here," she told AFP, gesturing to her head.She also took issue with the classification of trans people by large sections of society based on prejudice and narrow assessments of gender."Outsiders say what I can and cannot do, what I am and what I am not,'" Ponce said, noting, "No, I'm sorry. To be a woman is your identity. It doesn't matter if you are white, black, if you have a vagina... if you have a penis."Ponce, who works with a foundation in Spain helping children struggling with stigma linked to being trans, is aware of the visibility she brings to the Miss Universe platform.Her performance has drawn praise, from her portrayal of a flamenco dancer during the national costume portion of the competition to her strut down the runway in a shimmery mermaid-like gown in the evening dress category."You can empower yourself like I have and turn something negative into your biggest strength," she said, adding, "Children are born without prejudices and I think that if we talk to them about diversity from a young age... we can create a new generation of human beings who are raised a lot better, more tolerant and respectful."This year's event, which critics say was a throwback to stereotypes of the the pre #MeToo era, largely preached a message of inclusivity. It boasted an all-women panel of judges made up of business leaders and former Miss Universe titleholders.But gaffes still abounded -- Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers got in hot water for appearing to mock the contestants from Vietnam and Cambodia on social media for not being able to speak English. She has since posted an apology on instagram, saying she did not "intend to hurt" her fellow competitors.Monday's event saw last year's winner Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa crown her successor, Ms Philippines, among 94 countries in a live televised event hosted by American comic turned TV host Steve Harvey and supermodel Ashley Graham.(With AFP Relaxnews inputs)
