Mary Jane “MJ” Lastimosa, the Philippine representative to this year’s Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Florida, has been getting a lot of positive feedbacks online from fans and pageant experts.
For a start, MJ has already received the most number of likes on Facebook and page views on her official Miss Universe interview on YouTube. Of course, thanks to the millions of Filipinos all over the world, MJ’s popularity in social media has risen.
The 5-foot-7 lass from Tulunan, North Cotabato has what it takes to possibly bring home the crown. Aside from her stunningly fit body and winning smile, MJ is already a “veteran” in the local beauty pageant scene. As early as 2003, she was winning local titles such as Mutya ng Tulunan (2003), Lakambini ng University of Mindanao (2004), Mutya ng North Cotabato – 1st runner up (2004), Davao’s Loveliest – 1st runner up (2005), Mutya ng University of Mindanao (2006), Miss Regional PRISAA (2007), Miss National PRISAA – 2nd runner up (2007), Mutya ng Davao (2008) and Reyna ng Aliwan (2008).
MJ also joined the Binibining Pilipinas pageant three times, and finally won the title Miss Philippines Universe title last year.
In an interview with The Philippine Star last year, MJ shared that she had second thoughts about joining the Bb. Pilipinas for the third time.
“It was a last-minute decision,” she said. “I prayed about it in late December (2013) at Shamcey (Supsup’s) wedding. While I was in the US, a lot of friends were telling me they adjusted the age limit (from 25 to 26).”
Although now 27, MJ is determined more than ever to pursue her dream, one that Filipinos share with her: to bring home the Miss Universe crown after a record 41-year drought.
The last Filipina to win the Miss Universe title is Margie Moran-Floriendo, way back in 1973.
The Miss Universe 2014 Pageant Night will be held at the Florida International University (FIU) Arena, Doral, Miami, Florida on Sunday, January 25.
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After reconciling with beauty guru Dr. Vicki Belo last December 30, sexy actress Katrina Halili also shared that she was open to talking to Hayden Kho and possibly set all differences aside.
In an interview with PEP.ph before the end of 2014, Katrina admitted that she has accepted the fact that Hayden’s medical license was reinstated. For her, being able to be at peace with what has happened is also a sign that she is able to forgive him.
Hayden tried to reach out to Katrina sometime in November of last year, but was told that the actress was not ready to talk to him. At the moment he is praying hard that the right time would come.
“…Baka ngayon ready na siya,” he said in an interview with PEP.ph and added, “Ang prayers natin, e, sana magkaroon ng tsansang magkausap na kami, hindi ko lang alam kung kailan.”
He also explained that if ever that time comes, he would choose to have another person with them. “Siguro mas maganda kung may kasamang iba. Kasi ayokong naiiwang na kasama ng…I made a rule na hindi ako maiisolate na kasama ng ibang babae.”
Here’s hoping that both Katrina and Hayden will find a way to make peace with each other.
