Courtesy of: The Morning News
By: Rosalie Klein
The island of Aruba is proud to be the host of this year’s Mrs. Universe event, being conducted at the Westin Aruba Resort in Palm Beach this coming Sunday, August 11. Thirty of the thirty-two candidates have arrived from all corners of the globe, including Mrs. India, Mrs. Bangladesh and Mrs. Pakistan, to name just a few of the distant entries.
On Sunday, the current Mrs. Universe, Aruba’s Ysaura Wong, will turn over her crown to the woman who has demonstrated not only the poise, beauty and maturity that is criteria for being Mrs. Universe, but the community spirit and development of character that are key points in the judges’ final decision.
Organizers of the event, Megi Savova, Sava Tzekov, Marianna Marinova and Ioan Karamfilov were welcomed at Garage Centraal, agents for Hyundai, a principal sponsor of the event, for a meet and greet yesterday morning.
They expressed their enormous satisfaction with reigning Mrs. Universe Ysaura Wong, for her exceptional efforts in enabling this year’s event to take place on Aruba. Mr. Karamfilov expressed, on behalf of all the organizers, who are from Bulgaria, their delight in Aruba and all the services its offers, as a host venue for the pageant.
An important point for the organizers is that the Mrs. Universe event is not thought of as a pageant, but more of a forum for women from around the world to exchange ideas and cultural information. Since its inception, Mrs. Universe has stood for the appreciation and proper treatment of women of all ages, and has made the battle of violence, particularly against women, their motto and purpose. This year’s theme is “Stop Domestic Violence,” last year it was “Say No to Violence.”
Among the various awards of recognition distributed by the judges is “Mother of the Universe.” Aruba is honored to welcome the 2012 winner, Fior Santiago of the Dominican Republic, as part of the delegation participating in this year’s event.
The organizers explained she was selected not only for the fact that she is an exceptional mother to seven children, but her high degree of community activity, even personally financing food kitchens for the hungry and homeless.
The intriguing group of accomplished women, all married, while often juggling demanding careers, motherhood, and community service, are most definitely not the typical “Barbie Doll” image of the average beauty pageant, which is the principal philosophy of the event.
This year, Noscara online magazine of Aruba is playing an important roll in the organization and promotion of the event. Individual profiles are on their website: http://www.noscara.com/mrsuniverse/ . They are also hosting the voting for the People’s Choice winner.
Tickets for Sunday evening are available at Blossom’s Restaurant the Westin Resort, JH Yee’s Asian Bistro in South Beach Center in Palm Beach and at Garage Centraal.
