Puerto Rican Is Miss Universe

An 18-year-old Puerto Rican was crowned Miss Universe on Sunday night at the Shrine Auditorium before a crowd of thousands, including a few hundred partisans of her country, screaming and waving Puerto Rican flags.

Through an interpreter, Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, a 5-foot, 9-inch dark-haired aspiring actress, spoke during the onstage interview session about how overcoming obstacles makes one stronger.

Mendoza, in a sleek, sparkly gown, burst into tears as the $250,000 Mikimoto-designed pearl and diamond crown was placed on her head.

Soon after, during a post-pageant news conference, Mendoza collapsed and was rushed off stage.

Pageant officials said shortly afterward that she had passed out.

"She's OK. She's fine," said pageant representative Lark-Marie Anton. "She got dizzy. It's very hot up here. Her dress is tight. As you could see, it was beaded and heavy…. She passed out."

By 9:50, she had walked into the coronation ball, makeup perfect, crown in place, to be greeted by Donald Trump and escorted through the ball, all smiles.

Mendoza will fly to New York and be installed in a Trump Place apartment in New York — where her roommate will be Miss USA — and begin touring the world. The outgoing Miss Universe, Natalie Glebova of Canada, will live in Thailand, continuing work on behalf of social issues and also working as a spokeswoman for a Thai beer company.

NBC and Trump co-own the Miss Universe organization, which puts on the Miss Universe pageant, as well as Miss USA pageant and Miss Teen USA.

The first runner-up, Miss Japan, was also winner of the best costume award. Kurara Chibana of Japan was the show-stopper last Tuesday night at a preliminary judging show when during the costume portion, she bounded onstage in a sexy samurai costume and drew a sword from her belt.

On Sunday night, in perhaps the only poignant moment during a slick and sleek show, during the interview portion, when Miss Japan's question was being translated into Japanese for her to answer, she suddenly grabbed the microphone and said in tentative but enthusiastic English: "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm on the stage. I can feel you full of energy. I'm so happy."

The show played onstage like a glitzy music video, full of sparkly gowns and thumping dance music. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa attended and was seated next to Trump.

But the audience — also glammed up in slinky halter dresses and suits — treated the pageant like a World Cup final, cheering and waving national flags.

They had to be admonished at the beginning of the evening to not blow their air horns.

"I've been a pageant fan since 1993 when Dayanara Torres won," said Carlos Velez, 38, an accountant from Miami who gathered together a group of 25 and flew to Los Angeles for the pageant. Like other Puerto Rican fans, he can recite statistics. "This is our fifth crown. This is like football for Brazil or Argentina. We have beautiful girls, and we're proud of them."

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Okay, again, mixed reactions about this year's pageant.

First of all the obvious one. You very well know that I despise having a winner from a pageant patty nation, ahem, like Puerto Rico. I think Zuleyka is pretty in her own right but I never really liked her. Well I guess that I began to dislike her when she won the right to represent PR in Miss Universe instead of eventual 1st RU Miss Yauco Lorenia Delgado, a dead-ringer for Penelope Cruz.

Even though there were 20 semifinalists in this year's pageant, I cannot believe neither of the 2 Venezuelan delegates entered the semis. I'm talking of course about Miss Venezuela, Jictzad Viña and Miss Poland, Francys Sudnicka. Osmel Sousa had 2 chances to win the Miss Universe crown this year and yet failed miserably in both of them. I don't really care that Venezuela didn't make it but I honestly cannot figure out why Poland didn't make it. I had thought this will be the year Poland will make it back in the semis after so many years. I don't know Francys was left out and the likes of Denmark, Ethiopia, Russia, India, Argentina, Sweden and Thailand made the cut.

A very interesting good point about the semis though is Miss Hungary Adrienn Bende. Yipee! I loved her when she won the right to represent her country and I had really hoped she will make it in Miss Universe. And she did, and boy was she shocked!

I had really hoped that Miss Colombia, Valerie Dominguez would go as far as the top 5. she had a beautiful presentation in both the Swimsuit and the Evening Gown competition and I'm just left wondering why she was not in the Final 5.

Switzerland's Lauriane Gilliéron on the other hand became my favourite to win the crown when Colombia was auf'd. She was already in my hot list even before the pageant started. It would have been very nice to see Switzerland win a Miss Universe pageant. Their first, if ever.

ENGLAND 0-0 a.e.t 1-3 PSO PORTUGAL

Portugal march on to a semi-final date with either Brazil or France after defeating England 3-1 on penalties following a last eight clash that ended goalless in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday, 1 July. Neither of these sides could find a way through during 120 minutes of entertaining and closely-contested action, with Portugal unable to translate into goals a numerical advantage they had held for almost an hour thanks to Wayne Rooney’s 62nd-minute dismissal.
The match therefore became the second 2006 FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final to be settled on penalty kicks and, just as Jens Lehmann was Germany’s hero yesterday, so Ricardo was Portugal’s today, saving from Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to leave Cristiano Ronaldo to stroke home the decisive kick.
The match:2': A slip by Ricardo Carvalho gave Rooney had an early sight of goal but his shot was charged down.
7': Portugal failed to clear fully a David Beckham free-kick and Steven Gerrard worked his way into a crossing position on the right side of the Portugal box but overhit his far-post delivery.
9': A bright start revived echoes of these rivals' exciting UEFA EURO 2004 quarter-final. There were chances at both ends as Rooney fired a half-volley at Ricardo from 20 metres and Cristiano Ronaldo latched onto a poor John Terry pass and tested Paul Robinson with a low drive from a similar range.
13': From a Luis Figo free-kick into the box, England were left looking vulnerable as the ball ricocheted off a couple of white shirts but Tiago was unable to react quickly enough. Moments later Maniche let fly but his shot was blocked by a defender. 17': With England enjoying a spell of pressure, Rooney played in Gerrard inside the penalty area but his ball across the six-yard box was met by Miguel's boot.
19': The action switched to the other end where Ronaldo ran at Manchester United team-mate Gary Neville, jinking this way and that before firing a shot high over the bar.
39': Attacking down the inside-left channel, Figo stepped inside Frank Lampard and curled the ball just past the far post.
44': Petit conceded a free-kick in David Beckham territory – earning a booking for his lunge at Joe Cole that means he will miss the semi-final – but the England captain failed to clear the wall. Lampard then drove a fierce shot at Ricardo as half-time approached.
Beckham limps off, Rooney sent off:52':Beckham struck the ball at Nuno Valente's hand inside the Portugal box but referee Horacio Elizondo waved play on. It was the injured Beckham's last contribution before making way for Aaron Lennon.
53': The first opportunity of the second period fell Lampard’s way but with a clear shooting opportunity from Gerrard’s corner, the Chelsea midfielder shot into the ground and over.
59': England substitute Lennon burst past Nuno Valente and Carvalho, pushing the ball onto Rooney. He kicked thin air and Joe Cole fired the loose ball over the bar.
62': As at EURO 2004, Rooney's quarter-final ended early. Then it was injury, this time a red card for catching Ricardo Carvalho with a careless boot and shoving Cristiano Ronaldo in front of the referee. 68': Portugal finally put England’s goal under some pressure as Maniche’s strike was charged down and Figo blazed the rebound over from a tight angle.
78': After a patient build-up around the England penalty box, Miguel teed up Figo for a strike and the Portugal captain drew a diving save from Robinson. 82': Both goalkeepers were now being tested. Substitute Hugo Viana shot low at Robinson, then Ricardo parried a Lampard free-kick but Lennon's follow-up lacked the pace to trouble him.
90': England's ten men had Portugal's defence creaking and Terry shot just over.
Extra time:
99': England threatened as Gerrard drove into the area and crossed towards substitute Peter Crouch but Miguel got there just in front of the striker to head clear. At the other end Simao drew a fingertip save from Robinson.
107': Lennon skipped into the penalty area and went down under Valente’s challenge but Elizondo waved play on. Postiga had the ball in the net moments later but his header was ruled out for offside.
120': With Portugal pushing for a late winner, Miguel pulled the ball back to Maniche but he shot high over the top.

Penalties: Ricardo was the hero for Portugal with saves from Lampard, Gerrard and Carragher before Ronaldo tucked away the winning spot-kick.

In conclusion: A familiar tale for England, who once again exit a major tournament on penalties following a brave display. Portugal lacked the incisiveness to profit from their numerical advantage following Rooney’s red card but, as at EURO 2004, were more clinical in the shoot-out.

Album Pick: Let Love In (The Goo Goo Dolls)

Original Release Date: April 25, 2006
Label: Warner Bros / Wea

1. Stay With You
2. Let Love In
3. Feel The Silence
4. Better Days
5. Without You Here
6. Listen
7. Give A Little Bit
8. Can't Let It Go
9. We'll Be Here (When You're Gone)
10. Strange Love
11. Become

The moment this album was available in iTunes, I bought track #'s 1 and 2 immediately based on the terrific reviews these songs have been getting. And all I can say is that it was worth the $1.98 I spent on the songs. They are now both on the top 25 Most Played songs on my iPod U2.

Today I finally went to Virgin Megastore in Times Square and bought a copy of the album. Wow! this album is definitely one of the best albums I've heard in my life! Of course I still am not satisfied enough whenever Robby sings but well --- it's okay. I am now a big fan of The Goo Goo Dolls and I am absolutely impressed with the superior vocals of John Rzeznik. Incidentally I also have John's track on the Treasure Planet soundtrack. Superb!

My favourite tracks on this album would be "Stay With You", "Let Love In" and "Can't Let It Go". Of course I am a fan of th eprevioussly released tracks "Better Days" and "Give A Little Bit". But this doesn't mean that I don't like the other tracks on the album! This is a great album people! You always listen to this from the beginning through the end! Absoulutely delightful to listen to!