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Update: The Miss Universe 2007 pageant has ended. Scroll down to see our blog account of the telecast. (Keep refreshing this page to get the latest updates as we blog the Miss Universe 2007 pageant. The ABS-CBN live telecast of the Miss Universe 2007 pageant is scheduled to begin today, May 29, at 9: 30 a.m., Manila Time.) THE 77 beauties vying to be crowned Miss Universe 2007 are already backstage, preparing for the opening number, Dyan Castillejo, reporting live from Mexico City, said in ABS-CBN's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas program. Magandang Umaga Pilipinas showed video clips of some of the contestants backstage and the preparations for the show. This year's pageant will be hosted by Vanessa Minnillo and Mario Lopez. One of the celebrity judges is Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres, whom many Filipinos better know as a former TV show host in the Philippines and the former girlfriend of popular Philippine actor Aga Muhlach. Aga incidentally ended up marrying another beauty queen and now talk show host and commercial model Charlene Gonzales, who represented our country in Miss Universe 1994, which was held here in Manila. Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico is on hand to crown her successor. The Philippine bet this year is Anna Theresa Licaros. * * * The Miss Universe 2007 live telecast begins. The 77 candidates come out in their national costumes and introduce themselves. Miss Philippines Anna Theresa Licaros, 22, dressed in a terno, introduces herself. Hosts Vanessa Minnillo (who incidentally is half-Filipina), a former Miss Teen USA and one of the stars in the upcoming movie "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer," and Mario Lopez, are introduced. *** Commercial break. *** Mario Lopez says an estimated one billion viewers are watching the Miss Universe 2007 in over 170 countries around the world. "So it's safe to say that these women right now are literally uniting the world,” Vanessa Minnillo quips. Mario also brings up the fact that he was the host when Vanessa was competing in Miss Teen USA. Vannessa quips that she wasn't going to mention it but now that Mario has, she reminds him that he said the wrong state when he announced Vanessa. He says that he made the mistake because of her beauty. Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera is introduced with video clips and then makes her appearance on stage. *** Mario and Vanessa announce the names of the candidates who have made it to the Top 15. They are, in random order, the representatives from Venezuela, Thailand, Denmark, Nicaragua, Angola, Slovenia, USA, Brazil, India, Mexico, Japan, Ukraine, Tanzania, Korea, and Czech Republic. *** Commercial break. *** Video footage of the fashion shoots of the Top 15 candidates is shown. Vanessa and Mario introduce the panel of judges. Fans of the NBC sci-fi series "Heroes" will get a kick out of the fact that James Kyson Lee, who plays Ando, the loyal friend of Hiro Nakamura, is one of the judges. As mentioned earlier, Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres, the former girlfriend of Filipino actor Aga Muhlach, is one of the judges. The other judges include "Deal or No Deal" briefcase model Lindsay Clubine; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo; rocker Dave Navarro of the Red Hot Chili Peppers; World and Olympic figure skating champion Michelle Kwan; celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves; fashion designer Marc Bouwer; and "Project Runway" judge and Elle magazine fashion director Nina Garcia. Video of the breathtaking Mexican destinations is shown. The swimsuit competition is up next. *** Commercial break. *** The crowd cheers as hosts Vanessa and Mario announce the start of the swimsuit competition. Mario explains that the judges will judging the contestants based on poise, confidence and fitness. International singing sensation RBD, who hail from Mexico, add to the excitement of the crowd as they perform live during the swimsuit competition. *** Commercial break. *** The hosts announce the names of the candidates who have advanced to the Top 10. They are, in random order, the representatives of Brazil (Natalia Guimaraes), India (Puja Gupta), Japan (Riyo Mori), Angola (Micaela Reis), Venezuela (Ly Jonaitis), USA (Rachel Smith), Korea (Honey Lee), Tanzania (Flaviana Matata), Nicaragua (Xiomara Blandino) and Mexico (Rosa Maria Ojeda Cuen). Vanessa and Mario say it is now time to get to know the 10 finalists better as they show video interviews of the 10 candidates. The evening gown competition is up next. *** Commercial break. *** ABS-CBN shows the evening gown competition. The music is audible but not the commentary from the hosts. An advisory flashes on the screen asking viewers to please bear with them as they are experiencing audio signal difficulties due to the live feed. *** Commercial break. *** And we're back. Vanessa says that for the past three weeks, Mexico City has been the playground of the Miss Universe candidates. Mario adds that the candidates quickly fell in love with Mexico City. Video recounts the history of Mexico City. Miss Philippines Anna Theresa Licaros is named Miss Photogenic. Vanessa and Mario explain that viewers from all over the world have logged on to NBC.com to vote online. Meanwhile, the candidates voted Miss China, Ningning Zhang, as Miss Congeniality. *** Commercial break. *** Making it to the Top 5 are Venezuela, Korea, Brazil, USA and Japan. *** It's time for the Final Question. First up is Miss Venezuela, who picks the name of Dave Navarro. “Wold you rather have a relationship with a man who’s spontaneous and wild, or one who plays it safe?" Dave asks. Miss Korea picks James Kyson Lee, who asks which superpower she would choose if she could have one. Miss Brazil picks the name of Michelle Kwan, who asks, "Is it better to live following your heart or following your mind?" Miss Brazil answers that you have to strike the right balance and chooses both. The crowd loudly boos as Miss USA is introduced. Miss USA picks the name of Tony Romo. The crowd boos Miss USA as she gives her answer. Finally, Miss Japan picks the name of Nina Garcia. *** Commercial break. *** And we're back. The prizes that Miss Universe 2007 will win are announced, as Mario quips "There's a reason why we say winner takes all." The five finalists make their way on stage. The hosts say that the whole world is now waiting for the announcement of the winner as they go to a commercial break. *** We're back. Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico takes her final walk. The fourth runner-up is Miss USA Rachel Smith. The third runner-up is Miss Korea Honey Lee. The second runner-up is Miss Venezuela Ly Jonaitis. Now it's down to Brazil and Japan. The first runner-up is Miss Brazil Natalia Guimaraes. Miss Japan Riyo Mori is Miss Universe 2007!

WE have high hopes for Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Anna Theresa Licaros, and we'll be rooting for her all the way as she aims to make the country proud in the Miss Universe 2007 competition in Mexico City on May 28 (May 29, Manila Time). Don't you just love her? :) You hear it all the time, but in her case she really is beauty and brains. Check out her Miss Universe vlog (video blog). Here's a copy of her interview on the Miss Universe site:

What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most? Reading, collecting fairy tales, case digest making, writing, and playing Scrabble, Backgammon and Mahjong. I also enjoy taking public transportation. I actually feel sexiest and most attractive after riding the metro rail transit or taking the Jeep, which is a form of public transportation in the Philippines. I also attribute a sense of empowerment in moving around by myself and a feeling of independence when I commute. What is your career ambition? I would like to become a successful lawyer someday, engaged in a trailblazing practice focused on children's rights cases. Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like. I was raised in a small town east of Manila called Cainta. It is located in the province of Rizal and is very near the city where I went to school. Cainta is what you would call a suburban area, and I enjoyed my childhood there because of the peaceful and calm environment and its proximity to the hustle and bustle of the city. My childhood memories include lazy afternoons relaxing and playing in our backyard, playing house and barbecue picnics with my family. What do you want the judges to know about you? I am a very dynamic person. When I decide to do something I commit myself to it and I really follow through.

Here are some of her photos courtesy of Agence France-Presse. And here are group pics with the other beauties vying for the Miss Universe crown. ABS-CBN will be airing the pageant live on May 29 at 9: 30 a.m. You could also check out the NBC Miss Universe 2007 site. Go, Miss Philippines!