No Miss World from a Miss Universe Host Country Policy

Some of the hard-core pageant fanatics claimed that the reason why Catriona Gray was not favored to win the Miss World 2016 crown was because of the two national directors from Puerto Rico Wilnelia Merced - Forsyth and Liliana Tanoesoedibjo from Indonesia. Others claimed that it was because of the Philippines's refusal of Miss World Organization's proposal through Megan young to host the Miss World 2014 pageant but embraced Miss Universe Organization's offer to hold the pageant in Manila for the third time. As a long time pageant analyst, it seems there's a semblance of truth in the second allegation. Not just a little, but a big semblance of truth.

Miss World is based in United Kingdom. It's platform is seen to be more for the causes of humanity. Most of the time, the winner comes from Africa, Asia and the Carribean, if not from a third-world country. Miss Universe on the other hand is a picture of glamour and sophistication. Whilst there are certain causes that Miss Universe also uphold, the reign of a Miss Universe is still perceived to be a stepping-stone to entertainment stardom.

With that said, a lot of pageant aficionado believes that Miss World holds a no Miss World winner from a country hosting a Miss Universe policy. For sure this is the first time you've heard about this. This is particularly true with the Philippines. Not just once, not twice, but three times.

Miss World 1973 Marjorie Wallace of USA with First Runner Up Evangeline Pascual of the Philippines

Margarita Moran was crowned Miss Universe 1973 on July 21, 1973. In the next four months, Philippines would have achieved it's first Miss Universe-Miss World back-to-back win. However, a few weeks prior to the Miss World Finals in London, Miss Universe released a statement it would hold next year's pageant edition in the Philippines, Moran's home country.. Despite Pascual's strong showmanship and her witty final interview answer in Miss World 1973, Miss World favored USA's Marjorie Wallace to win.

By the time Wallace was fired for not fulfilling her duties, Miss World Organization held a no title conferment decision to Evangeline Pascual. She was offered just the duties and responsibilities without the title. Why? Well, no Miss World title from a Miss Universe hosting country policy. Miss Universe would benefit more than Miss World if  a reigning Miss World winner is from a country which is hosting the Miss Universe during her reign.

With Pascual's refusal of the offer, it was expected of Miss World to take it against the Philippines and declare a no-semi-final placement in the next eight (8) years. Philippines decided to abstain sending representative to the pageant in 1976 and 1977.

First Princess Palesa Mofokeng of South Africa with

Miss World 1993 Lisa Hanna of Jamaica and Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez of the Philippines

When Ruffa Gutierrez failed to grab the Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1993 title from Dindi Gallardo, a lot of pageant fans thought about a a would-be neck-to-neck battle between her, Milka Chulina of Venezuela and of course the eventual Miss Universe 1993 winner Dayanara Torres from Puerto Rico. But Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. insider spilled that Ruffa's Bb. Pilipinas World placement was intentional. Ruffa has been eyed to be the first Filipina Miss World.

Ruffa had the most anticipated welcome in Miss World 1993. Upon landing in the airport in Sun City, South Africa, media feasted on her spontaneity and being game in answering questions; be it pageant related or personal. Ruffa was involved in the Bruneiyuki Scandal which got sensationalized a month before her official Miss World send-off.

However, during the coronation night, pageant fans worldwide was left disappointed when Ruffa was called as the Second Princess, with Lisa Hanna from Jamaica eventually crowned Miss World 1993.

Now going back on October 1993, Miss World Incorporated made a press release announcing the Philippines as the host country of Miss Universe 1994. What was thought of as a tourism-industry milestone for the Philippines was a sad thing to note for Ruffa. Well, nobody thought about it. Not until it happened again to Catriona Gray in Miss World 2016.

Miss Worlds; Philippines' Catriona Gray, Puerto Rico's  Stephanie del Valle and Kenya's Evelyn Thungu

Perhaps it's now easy for you to connect the dots. Perhaps it's not really about the two national directors who sat as judges. Perhaps it's not really about Megan Young overshadowing the Miss World Philippines candidates. Perhaps it's all about the "No Miss World from a Miss Universe Host Country Policy" that left Catriona with no crown. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.