May 27th Tonight's Presentation Show begins at 8:00 local time at the Cemexpo Center out of Quito. This is the first time the final set will be shown. Local personality Juan Fernando Velasco will be on hand with the reigning Miss Universe, Amelia Vega, to host the event tonight in both English and Spanish. Cemexpo does not have a proper parking lot, nor is it located conveniently for visitors. Only the first 1,000 vehicles will be able to park on the field outside of the Cemexpo, and after that, the parking lots of two nearby schools will be opened, and a bus service will be offered to the center. The Ecuadorian President made a brief visit to the Cemexpo today, to make sure everything looks good for the world to see. He has asked Ecuadorians to keep peace in the country while the event is being held. He answered no questions to the press. Security will be tight. Metallic objects, cell phones, video cameras, large purses, food and weaponry or any sort are not advisable, and may be confiscated upon check-in. The nine judges for tonight's competition are: Thom Allcock (Rolling Stones, U.S. Weekly, Men's Journal editor), Art Arellanes (Hispanic entertainment executive), Duane Gazi (Trump Model Management talent manager), Mpule Kwelagobe (Miss Universe 1999), Kate Roberts (AIDS Activist), Kristen Ingersoll (Editor of Hearst Group Magazines), Marc Malkin (Journalist), Rona Menashe (Public Relations executive) and Beth Sobol (Modelling executive). As has been done before, the judges will see the delegates up-close and personal Thursday during the day to take notes. The personal interviews are scheduled for this weekend. Who are your picks? Pre-Presentation Show, my best bets would be on: Aruba, Australia, Barbados, Canada, Cayman Islands, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Greece, India, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Norway, Paraguay, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, USA and Vietnam. Of course, there are other possibilities that should not be overlooked, such as Peru and the Philippines. One thing is for sure...the private and onstage judging will be a hit-or-miss for many of the delegates above. This is the only time when it really counts, as 65 of the 80 women will not get to compete further. El Comercio criticized comments made during an interview by Miss Bolivia, Gabriela Oviedo. She mentioned that she was ashamed that people believe Bolivia has many 'Indians, poor and low-class people' and that people should rather look at her, who is non-Indian and from the upper class. Perhaps Miss Bolivia should watch what she says for her own good. Ecuador and Bolivia both have heavy Native American populations and the majority of the people in both countries live under the U.N. Poverty Line.

Jamaica's Christine Straw on her way to the Cemexpo Center

Singapore's Sandy Chua takes her equipment for tonight's show

Paraguay's Yanina Gonzales shows excitement over the big judgement

Panama has won the national costume round

May 24th Late-breaking news: Miss Panama, Jessica Rodriguez has won the 2004 Miss Universe National Costume Competition on May 25th, 2004. Her costume, Costume of Gold, contains gold-plated pieces and feathers to represent indigenous peoples. The First Runner-Up was Miss Mexico, Rosalva Luna, in a cosutme which represents corn production, and the Second Runner-Up was Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Danielle Jones, in a costume which represents the colorful birds of her country. (Confirmed) The remaining 7 semi-finalists who were announced onstage: Ecuador, Egypt, India, Puerto Rico, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela. The winner takes home a trophy and cash prize. It is yet to be announced if national costumes will be shown during the telecast. They will not be used in the opening. After catching the show via satellite, it was quite well-done. The stage was minimalist, the music was decent and overall, the production was professional and 'tight', something that I did not expect from a preliminary event. The national costume show was entirely organized and produced by a local team. The judging panel included: Cayetano Uribe (interior designer), Andrea Jácome (Miss Ecuador Universe 2003), Soraya Hogonaga (Miss Ecuador Universe 1998), Raúl Pérez Torres (President of the Ecuadorian Culture House), Raúl Izurieta (Lawyer of the Miss Universe Ecuador 2004 Committee), Milú Espinoza (fashion designer), Mónica Moreno (jewellery designer), Alicia Yánez (writer), Jaime Araque (actor), Oswaldo Viteri (painter) as well as two foreign judges, Lebanese journalist Viviana Redde and Miss Universe 2003, Justine Pasek El Universo asked their readers who their top pick was. Curiously enough, Ecuador's own was beaten by Miss Canada, Venessa Fisher. Like last year's delegate, Venessa has gone under the radar, but in last night's costume show, showed the sexy prowess and film-star quality that won her a national title in the first place. There are only about 120 publications covering the event, of which 25 are Colombian! There are intense rehearsals today, aside from another benefit dinner for charity, as well as a special event at Cemexpo, where local artesanial products will be offered. This is only for invited delegations, and not open to the public.

May 25th Tonight's National Costume Show begins at 7:00 at the Teatro Nacional. 10 judges have been chosen from local personalities, but they are unknown as of yet. Singers Juan Fernando Velasco and Daniela Guzmán and the musical group Voz Veis will be brought in to add some spice to the event. The three winners will be announced at the end of the event, but it will be televised delayed. The minister for foreign trade, Ivonne Baki, announced that American actor Kevin Costner called the office and will come as a guest of the pageant. Whether this is or true or not has to be seen. Is it fair? The 10th judge for the 2004 Miss Universe Pageant will be chosen through a special contest. This is nothing new to the pageant world, but is it fair that the applicants can only come from the mainland United States?

Turks/Caicos poses for photographers during Tuesday morning's interview session

Uruguay poses for photographers during Tuesday morning's interview session

Costa Rica poses for photographers during Tuesday morning's interview session

Turkey poses during rehearsals

Italy on her way to a shoot

Brazil practices dancing during rehearsals

May 24th Norman Bock, President of the Quito Hoteliers Association, is severely disappointed in the turnout of tourists to Ecuador during the pageant. Only the three host hotels, the Swissôtel, Marriott and Sheraton, have been fully booked during the pageant's final week. The other hotels in the area reported very little increase in occupancy. Apparently, the tourism administration did not look into past frustrations by other local organizers in other years. Today, there is not much on the agenda of the delegates, aside from a special event in which they will donate gifts as part of a fight against Cancer. The stage construction is still not finished, even as the Presentation Show is 3 days away. The design by Shaffner/Stewart required a lot of work, because of its numerous levels and stairs, and approximately 7,528 seats are going to be available. Tickets for the final night are between 70 and 250 dollars. Rehearsals will take up the bulk of this week. Tommorrow morning, the delegates will have their second round of interviews with the press. They will then continue to rehearse for the final and the national costume event, which will begin at 7:00 local time. On Wednesday, there will be a benefit dinner for children.

May 23rd This morning's parade in Quito's historic district will begin at 11:00 A.M., and yet again, the delegates will be taken on floats. It is only expected to last for a little bit over an hour. After the parade, the delegates have been invited for a special lunch. Many exotic delicacies will be served to them, such as caramellized duck, salmon roses and mandarin sorbet with ginger and mint. Be careful girls, the presentation show is only a few days away!

Greece was heavily applauded on the catwalk

Paraguay is being seen as a strong contender by some fans

Nigeria during a swimsuit shoot at the Marriott today

Guatemala during the swimsuit shoot

Angola poses for press at the Marriott

May 22nd It was a hot day in Guayaquil as the delegates began parading this afternoon, mostly dressed in casual tops and jeans. Thousands of people lined up to watch the parade. Amelia Vega was one of the most watched, as she danced upon her float and carried the city's flag. Spectators blew her kisses and threw her flowers. Among the most applauded and noticed were the beauties from Canada, Panama, Ecuador and Spain, mostly for their excitement and dancing on the floats. Immediately after the morning parade, the delegates were taken to the venue for the evening's fashion show, which was also televised live locally. The set for the show features a gigantic crown and numerous tropical plants all over. The delegates paraded in swimsuits and eveningwear created by local fashion designers, with local music talent in-between. This has been a staple of Miss Universe in the past few years. The delegates proceeded to a private dinner after the fashion show and by the end of Saturday, they yet again proceeded back to Quito. After a lot of travelling back and forth, they will finally stay in one place and continue rehearsing and go in for the final events of the pageant. During tommorrow morning's visit to a historic center, the delegates will parade once again. Another one down! Miss Egypt is another delegates that succumbed to the extreme climate changes and had a fainting episode.

May 21st They came and went: The delegates who went to yesterday's event in Guayaquil were greeted by several hundred onlookers at the airport. Thankfully, the weather was not a problem this time in getting the best photo opportunities and posing all over the city. Miss Bulgaria only stays clamped to Miss Russia and Miss Ukraine. This is because she does not speak English, Spanish or French, so she has a lot of trouble communicating with others. El Universo had the chance to sit in on a rehearsal. The reporters mentioned the excited delegates, waiting their turn to take the ramp in mock-style. The opening number (which will be live for the Presentation Show and only the end will be live in the telecast) consists of Latin movements, with a lot of local rhythm and turning. The stage is incredibly packed with stairs and the delegates are constantly taken up and down in the right path, to ensure they understand the direction. Scott Grossman, choreographer for Miss Universe, mentioned that the best dancers go in the front. This year, they include Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Canada and the USA. He also mentioned that those who do not dance well are stuck in the very last row. El Universo observed that this consisted of a group of Asian and European delegates. The groups even have names! The best dancers are grouped into 'Islas Galápagos', and the ones who are average go into the 'Tortugas de Mar' group, and finally, the rest are bunched into 'Pétalos de Rosa'. The evening gown competition rehearsals are more intense, because they require mastery of all of the stairs, but the swimsuit semi-final will be more relaxed and less reliant on the steps. Miss Vietnam, Haong Ngoc, requested that a Vietnamese person be found for her to be able to communicate with the other delegates. Not surprisingly, it took almost a full day for the volunteer staff to find one for her. The Misses from Turkey, Hungary and Spain are said to be receiving the maximum amount of packages, mostly in the form of new clothes and shoes. With the National Costume Show only a few days away, the Fundacion Ecuador announced that they are still finalizing the judges who will participate in the show!

Czech Republic admires Galapagos wildlife

Colombia enjoys the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands

Turkey poses during rehearsals

Italy on her way to a shoot

Brazil practices dancing during rehearsals

May 20th The delegates were onto their next stop in Ecuador today: Guayaquil. In the late afternoon, they will arrive at the airport and be met by the mayor, Jaime Nebot Saadi, where they will pose for photos in a couple of key city landmarks. In the evening, a private dinner is planned at the Club La Unión. Only organizers of the Miss Universe Pageant and local committee have been invited, as well as some other involved locals. There will be an introduction of the delegates at the event. The pageant has caused inconvenience to many. In Quito, protests were raised over the closing of important traffic ways for shootings, sometimes 7-8 hours at a time. Due to intense rain and low temperatures, the delegates have spent most of their time indoors. Yesterday, they were rehearsing for the pageant at the Marriott. Miss Ghana, Menaye Donkor, twisted her ankle during rehearsals and sat aside. Cemexpo, the official venue for the pageant, is still not ready Amelia Vega, Miss Universe 2003, accompanied Colombia, Aruba, Angola and Czech Republic to the Galapagos Islands, where they will be shooting a special tourism spot for the telecast. The food being cooked at the hotel is carefully being examined for safety reasons. Organizers mentioned that around 5 delegates have been suffering from stomach problems around this time. The delegates' stay in Guayaquil today is limited. They will be back on a plane tonight after the dinner to Quito. Tommorrow, in Plaza San Francisco, a small festival is being thrown in their honor. Then, they will return to Guayaquil for Saturday's parade and a national fashion show in the evening. Once they are done with that, they will head back to Quito for a press luncheon on Sunday and to prepare for Monday's National Costume Show. From then on, they are in Quito to rehearse, attend a few more events, and get ready for the preliminary judging and final show. All information here compiled from Ecuadorian newspapers.

Australia in Cuenca

Philippines arrives at the end

Ghana shooting for the opening

May 19th In Sickness and in health: The change in climinate and current weather in Quito has not been easy on the delegates. Only 67/80 of the delegates were able to go to yesterday's visit to 'Mitad Del Mundo'. A report says one delegate had suffered from malnourishment and a 911 team had to arrive at the Marriott to tend to her. The celebration at 'Mitad Del Mundo' (literally the 'Center of the World') began at noon with cultural presentations such as traditional dance. Unfortunately, excessive rain washed out a group photo in front of the monument and the museum visit. Miss Guatemala complained of a twisted ankle on Monday, during the shootings for the opening number, which will be done all across Ecuador. For example, a group of 9 delegates is getting ready to tape in the Galapagos Islands. In the opening, the delegates are wearing reddish cocktail dresses and introducing themselves in the same style as last year. Miss Holland, who fainted at the Presidential reception last week, still mentions feeling tired because of the altitude and commitments of the delegates. Miss Malaysia is also another delegate who constantly feels unable to keep up with the events. Miss Egypt does not know how to speak English, which is probably why she never leaves Miss Lebanon's side All information here compiled from Ecuadorian newspapers.

Gallery of Arrivals for May 14th, 2004: Photos by the Hindustan Times

Nicaragua	USA	Antigua and Barbuda	Russia
Norway	Brazil	Paraguay	Guyana

Greece	Slovak Republic	Puerto Rico	Peru
Dominican Republic	Ecuador	Australia	Switzerland

Bolivia	Philippines	Colombia	France
Slovenia	Belgium	Ukraine	Mexico

May 12th Little more news is available, as delegates continue streaming in but the press has little or no access to them until they appear at the welcome dinner on Friday night. For now, the press center has opened for use and Miss Japan, Eri Machimoto joined Miss Canada in taking part in a couple of charitable activities in the locale. The school-children were excited to meet the beauty queens. For Wednesdeay, some big-wig contestants will be arriving They include Misses Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, USA and Puerto Rico! A total of 32 contestants in all are expected today, with 20 more on Thursday, including Miss Ecuador and Miss India. On Friday, the last delegate scheduled to arrive is Miss Vietnam, Hoang Ngoc. The circumstances surrounding her selection for the pageant in place of the original winner are mysterious. Miss Chile, Gabriella Barros, is expected late as well as Miss Curacao, Angeline Da Silva.

Japan attends a social function

Panama was the third to arrive

South Africa arrives

Panama arrives

Ecuador

May 11th Representatives of the pageant have confirmed the following arrivals as of Tuesday: Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, South Africa, Panama, Bolivia, Austria, Trinidad and Tobago, México, El Salvador, Belgium, Germany, France, Uruguay, Czech Republic and Aruba. (In addition to Japan and Canada) The press and photographers have been complaining that due to the strict security under which the delegates were whisked off to their hotels, they haven't really had a chance to see or talk with the girls. The delegates began arriving on May 9th with the arrival of Miss Canada, Venessa Fisher and Miss Japan, Eri Machimato . Delegates will continue streaming into Ecuador on the 11th, 12th and 13th.

Schedule of Activities