SINABI ni Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen na hindi niya makakalimutan ang araw na na binigyan siya ni Miss PhilippinesCharlene Gonzales ng hikaw sa finals nang huling ganapin ang prestigious beauty pageant sa Philippine International Convention Center noong 1994.
“I started crying because my luggage has gotten lost and my earrings have gotten lost and I was like ‘I’m gonna wear this gown with no earrings. I would look awful,” ani Sen sa panayam ng 24 Oras ng GMA-7.
Dumating sa Pilipinas ang Indian beauty para maging judge sa 65th Miss Universe beauty contest sa SM Mall of Asia Arena sa Lunes.
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Patuloy ni Sushmita: “She and I were not the very best of friends. We knew each other but were not the best of friends.”
“And she walks up and says ‘excuse me, I am Miss Philippines and you are in my country. What do you need?”
“I will never forget that. And she gave me her earrings and those earrings were the ones I won in,” aniya.
Napanalunan ni Sushmita, 41, ang titulo at si Charlene naman ay umabot sa Top 6. Kasal na ngayon si Charlene sa aktor na si Aga Muhlach.
Ayon sa unang Miss Universe ng India, hindi niya makakalimutan ang mainit na pagtanggap at pagmamahal sa kanya ng mga Pilipino.
“I don’t recognize anything. It’s been ages. But the one thing that has not changed -- people. From the moment I landed,” aniya.
“Thank you for loving me so much. Mahal kita!” mensahe niya sa kanyang Filipino fans.
Sinabi rin ni Sushmita na mapalad ang bagong Miss Universe dahil sa Manila siya kokoronahan.
“The best thing about the girl winning this year, of course she will win Miss Universe, but she will win it in Manila, Philippines. Which means for the next 20 years, she will be loved immensely. I’m a proof of that,” aniya.
Excited na rin si Sushmita na makita nang personal ang reigning Miss Universe na si Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
“I don’t know but I feel I have a connect with her. She’s the simple, my kinda girl who just smiles and honest and speaks beautifully about her country,” aniya.
Nang tanungin kung ano ang katangiang hinahanap niya sa susunod na Miss Universe, sinabi ni Sushmita na: “She has to have beauty that is not just purely physical. To me this is important as a judge. I think it’s something that has the potential to grow in time.” (Robert Requintina)
