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My Miss Universe 1999 Prediction for the Semi-Finalists Group was (in alphabetical order):

Brazil
Colombia
Dominican Republic
India
Mexico
Philippines
Puerto Rico
South Africa
Trinidad & Tobago
USA
Venezuela

Definitively, is very exciting that a country sends to a pageant a delegate for the first time and she brings home the crown. I'm talking about Botswana, and its delegate, Mpule Kwelagobe...

Miss Universe 1999

and the last winner in the 1900's.

48 ladies have had the opportunity to be seen in the world as Miss Universes until now, and even if Miss Universe 2000 is beginning to be prepared, let's talk about this one that was celebrated live from Trinidad and Tobago, last May 26, 1999.

Host: Jack Wagner

Co-Hosts: Julie Moran and Ali Landry

Judges:

Kylie Bax

Stephanie Seymour

Patrick Demarchelier

Melania Knauss

Evander Holyfield

Charles Gargano

Sirio Maccioni

Marcus Schenkenberg

Bruce Smith

Diane Smith

As a comment from judges, next and from then, the judges need to be related with pageants, please!

First, was a surprise to see many people preferred contestants out of the semi-finals, just like:

Aruba

Bahamas

Bolivia

Brazil

Canada

Colombia

Czech Republic

Dominican Republic

France

Israel

Lebanon

Panama

Slovak Republic

Sweden

Trinidad and Tobago

Uruguay

But the most incredible happened and a precedent was stated when an common name ever heard were not called:

Miss USA.

From now on, Miss USA will have to be less sure that she will be called and give the 100% as every other contestant.

The semi-finals were composed by:

40 % from America

30 % from Africa

20% from Asia

10 % from Europe

The 10 semi-finalists were, in the order called in the pageant:

Spain, Diana Nogueira

Mexico, Silvia Salgado

Jamaica, Nichole Haughton

Puerto Rico, Brenda Liz López

Philippines, Miriam Quiambao

Ghana, Akuba Cudjoe

Botswana, Mpule Kwelagobe

South Africa, Sonia Raciti

India, Gul Panag

Venezuela, Carolina Indriago

It's clearly understood from that selection that the place of the pageant has to be with the final decision. I mean that, even if Jamaica and Ghana were good contestants, there were a lot of ones that could deserve to be in the semi-finals.

The points were given as follows:

Spain

Interview: 8.90

Swimsuit: 9.33

Evening Gown:9.45

Mexico

Interview: 8.61

Swimsuit: 9.14

Evening Gown: 9.23

Jamaica

Interview: 9.00

Swimsuit: 8.87

Evening Gown: 8.75

Puerto Rico

Interview: 9.08

Swimsuit: 8.80

Evening Gown: 9.08

Philippines

Interview: 8.78

Swimsuit: 9.32

Evening Gown: 9.42

Ghana

Interview: 8.85

Swimsuit: 8.78

Evening Gown: 8.68

Botswana

Interview: 9.05

Swimsuit: 9.18

Evening Gown: 9.36

South Africa

Interview: 9.24

Swimsuit: 9.32

Evening Gown: 9.13

India

Interview: 9.27

Swimsuit: 8.77

Evening Gown: 9.16

Venezuela

Interview: 9.23

Swimsuit:9.08

Evening Gown: 9.28

The semi-final order stayed as:

South Africa 9.23

Venezuela 9.23

Spain 9.226

Botswana 9.196

Philippines 9.173

India 9.066

Mexico 8.993

Puerto Rico 8.986

Jamaica 8.873

Ghana 8.77

Some comments:

South Africa deserved that first place in the semi-finals because she was great there.

Botswana began to show her attitude and involved judges to believe in her as a possible winner.

Definitively, India looked somewhat fatty.

Miss Mexico was great in the interview, until the judge advised her to go for getting the points and she said to wait and get talked in another language. That maybe turned the average all the way down. I think that made of her to not enter the finals.

I can't understand why Miss Puerto Rico was given those low points, she deserved some better points that could lead her to go for the finals.

Jamaica seemed so sure of herself, but judges seem didn't care.

Ghana, no comments. I think there were many others that would make it that great if they could be in the semi-finals.

The final 5 were composed by:

40% from Africa

20% from America

20% from Europe

20 from Asia

It means (in the order called in the pageant):

South Africa

Venezuela

Botswana

Spain

Philippines

From those, my preferred answer (and it seems the public also) was the one by Miss Philippines.

She was asked by Jack Wagner:

"One of your proudest achievements was standing up to one of your professors back in college. Now, what have you stood up for recently?"

She answered...

"When I fell down the stage last Friday (May 21), I believed I had to stood up for the rest of the women that had fallen whether on or out stage. I believe that stood (to stand) is (an) example of mine. I have shown courage and strength for being a woman, of being who I am, and I hope to be a good example to the rest of the women in the world. Thank you!"

And all the audience acclaimed her!

Another great answer was given by Miss Spain when Jack asked her what is the best part of a dress (something this way) whether the front or the back, and she said, the front, because you always has to face someone in front and not from behind.

The 5 finalists stayed as:

Botswana 9.48

Spain 9.48

Philippines 9.33

Venezuela 9.33

South Africa 9.19

So, the 3 finalists were composed by:

33% from Africa

33% from Europe

33% from Asia

Contrasting that no contestant from America made that final 3.

So, they were:

Spain

Philippines

Botswana

One of them had the chance to become Miss Universe, and I know anyone of these would reign beautifully. The problem was the last question, a very hard to develop question that it seems the one that could take it along better was Botswana, the winner.

The last question was: "If Miss Universe would become pregnant during her reign, should she be allowed to continue as Miss Universe?"

I think that question was made because Miss Guam had to sent back home because of her state of pregnancy. Anyway, I think Trump wanted to hear something about that the lady had to analyze herself and she had to decide by herself if she is a good example for today's children and have the responsibility, if she decides to remain on the title, to tell children why to wait and the reasons she got (even if everyone knows) to get that state. I think that part of Miss Botswana that the state of pregnancy is a celebration of the essence of a woman was great, though.

Miss Spain gave a soft answer, it seemed she got very impressed with that question, and who not?

Miss Philippines was so nervous when answering that question, and she tried to develop as well as possible an explanation to fulfill judges' expectations.

Botswana was in a calm behavior so she just heard the question, thought of an answer and told it.

Then, last positions...

The Second Runner-Up: Miss Spain

Other winners were:

Miss Photogenic: Miss Puerto Rico

Miss Clairol Herbal Essences: Miss Philippines

Miss Congeniality: Miss Portugal

National Costume: Miss Trinidad and Tobago

Get here some photos of the final moments in the pageant: