MANILA : Thrilla in Manila

In the second staging of the pageant in the Philippines, 77 contestants will compete Saturday for the title of Miss Universe at Manila’s Philippine International Convention Center. The internationally televised pageant was first held in the Philippine capital in 1974 under the patronage of then-First Lady Imelda Marcos, herself a former beauty queen.

In 1993, Dayanara Torres of Puerto Rico won the title. The Philippines has produced two winners. This year’s Filipina candidate is Charlene Gonzales.