I had the opportunity to watch the Miss International pageant held last Wednesday at the Radisson Miyako Hotel in Tokyo, where my home is just an hour away by train.

Now, to start with, the pageant opened with the entry of all candidates in their national costume. The first batch (Argentina to Ethiopia) drew a lot of cheers from the audience. My bet, Miss Argentina sported an unnatural hairstyle that simply devastated me because I was so "in love" with her the first time I saw her. But well, maybe because I just wanted her to win the title so I was overreacting. But after seeing her being over made up, my hope for her vanished away and I became less excited all throughout the pageant. Miss Philippines Jhezarie Javier was my second hope.

The outstanding costumes were that of Brazil, Chile, China, Greece, India, Japan, Korea, Latin Mexico, Philippines, Nigeria, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia and Venezuela. Miss Latin Mexico’s costume gave an "uhhhhhhhhh" from the audience because of her extraordinary costume, ala peacock with ethnic designs all over. I thought she was going to win the national costume award. When Miss Philippines first came out the stage, her gown got caught in the stage, so Misses Russia and Serbia & Montenegro had to help pull out what was being trapped down there. The two kind beauties were so obliging that they were even willing to spoil their planned dramatic entrance just to help Miss Philippines.

When the national costume award was about to be announced, the hearts of the audience was beating for their own bets, however, it was China who pulled away with the award! I had to glance again at her costume, and indeed it was unique but very simple. It’s a Turkish-inspired costume. In West China, there are people who descended from the Turks and although they’re discriminated in China (because they don’t look Oriental), in this pageant they were given due credit because of the costume that the very Oriental-looking Miss China wore. So, I thought, it was a good choice.

SWIMSUIT

All good-looking girls came out by batches, holding a bird’s of paradise leaf covering their faces and carrying it along with them while doing a catwalk. It was used as an ala "Adam and Eve" prop. Miss Bolivia flaunted her very long black hair, so despite the fact that she was overshadowed by Miss Brazil’s towering height, she still stood out! The Japanese woman sitting beside me was impressed with her. China didn’t have a flattering body but she was able to cover her flaws by constantly smiling. "Finland and France" was the pair to beat! One could not discount the other. Both were great, with well-proportioned bodies and heavenly looks! I really did not pay much attention with Greece, but well, India had a very good poise and bearing. I liked her right from the beginning because she was very consistent. There was nothing special with Korea, unlike Japan whose simplicity and well-toned body overshadowed the former. Miss Philippines was wearing an orange one-piece glittery swimsuit. In tune with the music, she walked gracefully and exuded with a lot of spark! Her smile was just captivating. She was paired with pretty and petite Miss Puerto Rico. Russia has very long and slim legs, and she did a great catwalk! Thailand walks with great poise and smiles incessantly! Ukraine was very vibrant, while Venezuela... well, what else can I say? She’s perfect! She definitely knows how to impress the judges and it was obvious right from the very beginning. My favorite for this round was Miss USA because she had big boobs! The same is true with Guatemala and Mexico. What about Miss Slovakia? I must admit that she’s one of the best-looking candidates, and had the most beautiful hair! I was melting just looking at her, but the problem was, she never smiled at all! Worse, she’s frowning all the time. Why? Could it be that her sash was printed Slovak Republic instead of Slovakia? A frowning face is perfect for supermodel of the world, not in Miss International. My other favorite was Miss Vietnam who walked like a tomboy. She’s just enjoying, forever smiling; and I love that in a girl! I know that’s not what people wants to see in a beauty queen, but as a person, I love tomboyish girls with no inhibitions. That’s Miss Vietnam.

Angelic Indian Shonali Nagrani dazzles the audience through her elegance and flair.

EVENING GOWN

Bolivia was wearing a sexy yellow gown. China wore a red gown with a typical Chinese hairdo, like a muffin. Finland wore a black gown with golden designs. I thought she was great! France was wearing a light orange gown and she looked like a princess. Very pretty! Greece was very simple in a yellow-green gown, similar to a wasabi (green thing you put in the sushi). India in her very red Indian-inspired gown (ala Lara Duta), got the most applause from the audience. Japan wore a light violet gown and she was simply beautiful. Her simplicity is very likeable. Korea wore a beige gown. Russia wore a red gown that also made her look like a princess. Thailand, for me, wore the best gown! It was a dark blue gown and she was able to carry it very well. She was very refreshing to look at! Ukraine wore a very sexy light pink/peach gown that exposed her sexy navel. Everybody knew as of the moment how Miss Venezuela’s gown looked like, so let me comment on how she carried it ----- FLAWLESS! She was also fond of moving her head so fast, like a soldier being commanded to "turn right, turn left," and then, her naughty but captivating smile were a reason to simply sizzle the audience. Miss Philippines wore the same gown that her compatriot Carla Balingit wore in Miss Universe 2003, minus the necklace. Jhezarie was so graceful and her smile showed a lot of sincerity and sparkle. She’s one of those who graciously acknowledged the Japanese escort. Her hairdo had a hollow that didn’t look good from afar, but up close, it’s not obvious. But anyway, she carried herself beautifully. The Japanese journalists (who were so picky in their photos) hurriedly took pictures of her. Other outstanding candidates in their evening gown were Brazil, Israel and Slovakia. Slovakia, again, was not smiling but I still liked her right there and then! Miss USA was again flaunting her big boobs! Miss Vietnam, my darling of night, was very simple in her black gown... walking like a tomboy again! She reminded me of Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality.

Miss Japan displays her Miss Friendship Award.