*Umpisa pa lang, pansin ko the focus wasn't on Cat. Unlike Pia noon madalas mahagip ng cam, at mabanggit ng hosts. The host's were total deadma except for Ashley. Pero keri lang, di naman sila judge hehe.
* Biglang ariba na mga na mga kalaban, naglabasan na ang mga strong contenders at crowd favorites. Medyo kinabahan na ko. Nainis din sa tig-lima allotment at pinagsama Asia and Africa - e doon madaming strong contenders. Definitely more than five. Sayang ang allotment sa Europe. Puro sila waley. Kahit isa walang pumasok sa Top 10.
*Swimsuit round - as always, winner ang catwalk. Medyo off lang sa kin yung pa-pakpak sa shoulders pero di naman na desisyon ng candidates. I liked that she slowed down sa pagpasok nya sa ramp, para nga naman she can get everyone's attention, and also allow herself that 'time to shine'. Yung iba kasi bibilis lumakad.
*LOVE din how she answered the very first question Steve asked her when she was picked for Top 20. Galing how she worded it.
*Evening Gown - My goodness that gown was LOVE! Grabe how it fits her, how it looks like moving lava on stage talaga. AMAZING! Good job Mak Tumang! Great color - made her stand out. Bakit ba kasi itong iba stick to the formulaic silver/bronze/gold - ganda ganda ng colored gowns eh. Pero okay na kung ayaw nila, tayo na lang. Hehe.
*Final 5 question - I like how she answered it. Matter-of-fact, and very realistic. Succinct too. Very very good.
*Super proud of her win because South Africa was definitely a strong contender. As in from start to finish - it was like everyone wanted her to win. And then BAM! Sorrryyyy, mas magaling sumagot sa tanong si Cat. Hehe. Hindi kasi nila nasagot ng buo yung final question, Cat was able to. I find it refreshing that she sounded so nervous - ibig sabihin alam niyang magaling mga kalaban nya at may talo siya, unlike Venezuela who always looked like 'I got this in the bag'.
Well lagi naman ganoon ang Venezuelans dahil lagi nga naman silang malaki ang chance. So imagine my happiness nung natawag na 2nd runner-up si Venezuela.
Kinabahan ako kay Canada and Great Britain ha! Mahuhusay din! Nataon lang na may mas mahuhusay sa kanila.

Vietnam blazed through the competition, so kudos to her din.
Overall I LOVE Catriona's win because I love a queen who has a plan. I love a queen who's hungry for a win, I love a queen who goes out there with a strategy to make things happen. Sabi nya nga, she worked hard to exceed expectations, to give more than what was expected - and that always pays off.
Good job to her team too! From what I understand, she went there as an in 'independent' - not under Aces or KF parang ganun. She just pulled help from her friends, and put everything together.
I love how Miss U is more than just about the face now. Dati kasi pag maganda, feeling mo yun na yung panalo. Hindi na uubra talaga ang ganda lang, when you're with dozens of other girls who are just as 'maganda'. You really have to have something else. I mean look at Pia or Catriona. Or even Venus Raj and Janine Tugonon. Nakakatuwa lang na mas importante na ang substance vs beauty sa pageants.