2012 Miss Universe Olivia Culpo: ‘Filipinos are the greatest fans’

MANILA, Philippines – Select candidates of the 2013 Miss Universe pageant met the press on November 4, at 4 pm (9 pm, Philippine time) at the Crowne Plaza World Trade in Moscow, Russia.

According to Rappler contributor Jory Rivera of OPMB, members of the press were asked to give the names of the candidates they wanted to interview. Only those whose names were given were included.

Miss Philippines Ariella Arida was unable to join the interviews because she became part of a last-minute shoot for a music video of Russian pop superstar Emin. The star had also recorded a music video starring reigning Miss Universe Olivia Culpo. 

Watch it here:

Culpo also joined the press interviews.

Here are Rappler’s exclusive photos:

Miss Canada Riza Santos, also a Filipina, is set to wear a Francis Libiran creation in the evening gown competition. Like Arida, Santos is thankful for the overwhelming support from the Filipino community in Moscow and around the world.

“Filipinos are the greatest fans,” said 2012 Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, who also felt the Filipino energy when she co-hosted the national costume competition last November 3.

Arida will be donning an evening gown created by Alfredo Barazza, the same Colombian designer who designed her national costume.

The 2013 Miss Universe Preliminary Competition will take place on November 5, at 8 pm, Moscow time (November 6, 2 am, Philippine time). It will stream live over www.missuniverse.com. 

The coronation night will be on November 9, at 8 pm, Moscow time (November 10, 2 am, Philippine time). Watch out for the Rappler live blog. – Rappler.com

The 2013 Miss Universe Official Fan Vote is ongoing until November 8. The winner will automatically be included in the semi-finals. (To vote for Ariella Arida, click here.) Voters are required to have a valid email address, and can vote up to 100 times a day. To vote, go to http://www.missuniverse.com or http://www.telemundo.com.

You can also read:

• Ariella Arida: Tough contender in 2013 Miss Universe
• IN PHOTOS: 2013 Miss Universe National Costume competition
• Ariella Arida competes in National Costume at Miss Universe 2013
• Watch! Miss Universe-Philippines Ariella Arida plays ‘Truth and Dare’
• Ariella Arida’s official Miss Universe photos released
• Watch! Miss Universe-PH Ariella Arida: ‘Whatever happens is God’s will for me’
• Miss Universe-PH Ariella Arida leaves for Moscow
• 10 things you don’t know about Miss Universe-PH Ariella Arida
• Miss Universe Philippines 2013: ‘I’m prepared’
• Bb 41: Ariella Arida, 24, Laguna