by mrgary » Thu Aug 08, 2019 2:06 am
I still go for the stage designs and production numbers of past Miss Universe editions because they didn't rely heavily on LED screens, lighting effects, and whatnot. My choices are as follows:
1. 1973 ---- Athens, Greece. One word: CLASSIC. The Herod Atticus below the ruins of Parthenon was always timeless and iconic. To me, this was the biggest milestone for Miss Universe because this was the first time they took the pageant outside the Americas. There was nothing more authentic than holding a pageant at an ancient arena in Old Athens where Aphrodite was born. Thank God, Maria Margarita Moran of the Philippines won the crown. Definitely memorable!
2. 1987 ---- "Surprising Singapore" was the theme of the pageant. I could never forget how Miss Philippines Geraldine Asis held her parasol and came down from a flight of stairs in her pale blue national costume and danced with the rest of the ladies while a huge Merlion statue in the background breathed out smoke! Awesome.
3. 1995 ---- "Exotic Namibia". It was definitely an African treat. The elephant statue, the opening number, the African children, and the smoke depicting the early sunrise of the Okavango delta safari during the swimsuit competition were just some of the memorable moments of this pageant. Desiree Lowry, Chelsi Smith (RIP), Joanne Santos and Manpreet Brar would always come to my mind in this edition.
4. 1992 ---- "Sawasdee, Thailand". The bridge with the silk orchids on the background during swimsuit competition and a garden gazebo during evening gown competition were magnificent treats to the senses.
5. 1974 ---- Manila, Philippines. I was amazed by the water fountain on stage and the presence of PMAers during its opening number. The capiz shells as lattices during the swimsuit competition was so Filipino. This was the best Philippine edition for me thus far.
6. 1986 ---- Panama City, Panama
7. 1980 ---- Seoul, South Korea
8. 1999 ---- Chaguaramas, Trinidad & Tobago
9. 2011 ---- Sao Paulo, Brazil
10. 2013 --- Moscow, Russia