Filipino publicist and publisher Josh Yugen has scored another Miss Universe franchise, and has brought in four international delegates to Manila for training.
At a gathering with journalists and content creators at the headquarters of his House of Yugen in Taguig City on Oct. 17, he presented the delegates from Egypt, Pakistan, Denmark and Sweden.
In the two previous pageant editions, Yugen fielded three delegates in both years, the representatives from Bahrain, Egypt and Pakistan. He Initially held the franchise for the Arab nation, then added the north African country to his list, followed by the South Asian nation.
Appearing before the assembly were Miss Universe Egypt Sabrina Maged, Miss Universe Pakistan Roma Riaz, Miss Universe Denmark Moni Sonne and Miss Universe Sweden Daniella Lundqvist.
Maged and Riaz are aiming to post the first win for their respective countries, while Sonne hopes to record a second consecutive victory for hers. Lundqvist wants to reclaim her nation’s lost Miss Universe glory and be the fourth Swedish queen.
Yugen earlier reported that he had secured the franchise for Denmark, home country of reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig, after mounting events in the Scandinavian nation.
The Swedish franchise was the biggest surprise to many, another franchise for a Scandinavian country. Yugen is bringing Sweden back to the international pageant after a three-year hiatus, similar to what he did with Egypt which also had a break in the competition.
The four ladies will have a smile makeover with Filipino dentist Jonas Apostol, and will undergo ‘pasarela’ (pageant walk) sessions with international Filipino mentor Ian Mendajar. Yugen said his four Miss Universe entries will also have a Filipino mentor for the interview round, and will be under the guidance of a glam team composed of Filipino stylists.
Filipino fashion designers are also expected to lend their talents to help assemble the respective wardrobes of the delegates from Egypt, Pakistan, Denmark and Sweden.
The ladies expressed their confidence getting under Filipino mentors for the competition, recognizing the Philippines as an international pageant powerhouse.
The 74th Miss Universe pageant will be held in Thailand next month, with the coronation show set at the IMPACT Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi, northwest of Bangkok, on Nov. 21. /ra