Miss Universe 2008 (part 1)

It has started! Well the much anticipated Miss Universe Pageant 2008 has kicked-off in Vietnam. And they say this year has the strongest group of contestants so far (well tiap-tiap tahun pun diorang akan cakap macam tu)... So after the preliminary competitions last night... these are my prediction on who's gonna do well this year...

Miss Universe 2008

Panama - Carolina Dementiev Justavino

Wow!! Wow!! Hebat gok Miss Panama...!!! I have a strong feeling that dia akan menang tahun nie... hopefully dia excel dalam interview session... This girl has a lovely figure, a perfect gown, a radiant smile and a great personality... and what a beautiful name... and she somewhat reminds me of Alice Panikian, Miss Canada Universe 2006... this girl will surely do well in this year's pageant... will she become the 2nd Panamanian to win the title? we shall see..

1st runner-up Venezuela - Dayana Mendoza

Venezuela is always a strong powerhouse in Miss Universe Pageant... Just look what Ly Jonaitis brought us into last year... Dayana has a beautiful gown... And yellow is the new black this year... She is a huge favourite among the locals... and dia pun dah menang satu side event... Best in Ao Dai... so good luck to Dayana!

2nd runner-up Belgium - Alizee Poulicek

Much is being said about this girl and she has the supermodel look (something that Donald Trump really likes)... Teringin sangat nak tengok a blonde girl from Europe menang Miss Universe... last time was Angela Visser (Miss Holland 1989)... who knows Alizee might be the 1st Belgian to take the crown.

3rd runner-up USA - Crystle Stewart

Crystle remains a strong contender through the competition. But I don't think she has what it takes to take home the crown this year. Beautiful gown though!

4th runner-up India - Simran Kaur Mundi

She was named finalist in several side competitions and she might come out strong during the final night... she has a beautiful face and a great figure but this gown doesn't do her any justice... the best gown by Miss India is the black gown worn by Neha Dhupia in 2002... much inspired by Halle Berry's Oscar gown.

TOP 10

Mexico - Elisa Najera

Elisa has won the earlier held best in swimsuit competition... she is a sure semifinalist... so let's see if she can pull it out during the night... lovely yellow dress... reminds me of Michelle William's Yellow Oscar gown...

South Africa - Tansey Coetzee

She has a great exotic face and a beautiful gown... I think they should give a spot to South Africa this time... after they snubbed Megan Coleman in Mexico City last year... dunia ini terlalu kejam!

Puerto Rico - Ingrid Marie Rivera Santos

Well... the 2nd runner-up at Miss World 2005 has come to Miss Universe ... will she be able to become the 6th woman from Puerto Rico to win the Miss Universe title? well not quite... the gown is beautiful but her make-up and hairdo make her look a bit uncanny...

Australia - Laura Dundovic

I love Laura from the beginning... Cantik gaun Miss Australia nie... and body pun nice... walaupun a bit kurus... maybe dia leh repeat Jennifer Hawkins' feat masa tahun 2004 dulu di Quito, Ecuador.

Switzerland - Amanda Amman

Well this is a surprise pick... Muka Miss Switzerland nie sweet... and gown dia pun cantik... sama colour macam gown Lauriane Gillieron, Miss Switzerland yang dapat nombor 3 masa Miss Universe buat kat Los Angeles tahun 2006. Kalo dia menang, dia akan jadi the first Swiss girl to win in a major international beauty contest... how nice is that!

TOP 15

Korea - Sun Lee

Despite a love-it or hate-it gown... which i hate... Miss Korea has a beautiful face and figure... and I think diorang akan bagi dia spot tahun nie untuk menebus kekecewaan Korea tahun lepas yang mana Honey Lee cuma dapat nombor 4... which I describe as one of the most unjust results and the biggest crime in

Miss Universe history...

Colombia - Taliana Vargas

Banyak yang diperkatakan tentang Miss Colombia tahun nie... tapi bagi hem dia biasa saja... and gown dia pun x meyakinkan... so boleh la kot dapat top 15

Vietnam - Nguyen Thuy Lam

Sebagai tuan rumah x semestinya dapat masuk Top 15... Miss Thailand, Chananporn Rosjan was not shortlisted pun masa Thailand jadi host tahun 2005 dulu... tapi Miss Vietnam nie memang cantik and ada aura tersendiri... besides her gown is among the prettiest...

Poland - Barbara Tartara

I love Miss Poland's gown... and this is a surprise pick too... so pasrah jer la... maybe dia layak... sebab memang cantik and classy...

Norway - Mariann Birkedal

Now this is something that I would describe as "Good (-looking) Girl Gone Bad (gown)"... hahaha... tengok pada gown memang azab... macam kelambu saja... tapi she's got among the best facial features....

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Canada - Samantha Tajik

Canada memang among the best in evening gown department... so hopefully this gown would pull some points for her...

Japan - Hiroko Mima

Japan selalunya datang ke Miss Universe sebagai trendsetter with unique and bold fashion... beginning with Miyako Miyazaki in 2003... followed by Kurara Chibana in 2006 (which I think should have won the pageant)... and last year's winner Riyo Mori... let's see if this year's judges are not bored with J-pop fashion...

Ireland - Lynn Kelly

What else can I say... nice face, nice gown...

Israel - Shunit Faragi

Cantik skall gown Miss Israel nie... Israel selalu hantar peserta yang cantik2 but often got snubbed... don't know why...

Croatia - Snjezana Loncarevic

Another surprise pick... but this girl is really beautiful... and the gown that she chose made her looks foxy!! hehehe