PROFILES OF THE CONTESTANTS #7

MISS NORTHERN MARIANAS - Miss Sorene A. Maratita

Name: Sorene A. Maratita
Age: 18
Height(cm): 168
Height(ft): 5'6"

A fresh graduate of Saipan Southern High School reaped most of the special awards on her way to winning the crown in the 2008 Miss Marianas Universe pageant, besting four other contestants during coronation night on Saturday at Palms Resort Saipan.

Sorene A. Maratita brought home fabulous prizes including $1,000 cash and $1,000 scholarship from the organizing Stellar Marianas, one year use of a brand new car from Triple J Motors, a cell phone from PTI, gift certificates and one-year supplies of other products.

More importantly, this 18-year-old fan of supermodel Tyra Banks gave herself a once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent the CNMI both in the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant and Miss International Pageant-all-expense paid courtesy of Northwest Airlines.

Maratita won three of the six special awards-Miss Photogenic, Stellar Award and Best in National Costume.

MISS NORWAY UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Eli Landa

Name: Eli Landa
Age: 25
Height(cm): 176
Height(ft): 5'9"


Eli, who stands 1.76 m tall, will compete at the 2009 Miss Universe Beauty Contest next August at the Atlantis Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas.

MISS PANAMA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Diana Patricia Broce

Name: Diana Patricia Broce
Age: 22
Height(cm): 170
Height(ft): 5'7"

Crowned as the Miss Universe representative was 22-year old Diana Patricia Broce , from Los Santos. The 1.70 m former carnival queen holds a degree in finances and will compete at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas, next August.

Miss Perú Universo 2009 - Karen Schwarz Espinoza

Name: Karen Schwarz Espinoza
Age: 24
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5'10"

Karen Schwarz Espinoza is Beauty Queen Miss Perú Universo 2009. She will complete at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant on August 23, 2009 in Atlantis Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas.

MISS PHILIPPINES UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Pamela Bianca MANALO

Name: Pamela Bianca MANALO
Age: 22
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5'10"

Manalo won several other awards – the Best in Swimsuit award, after which she also got a sponsor's honor, the Manila Bulletin Readers' Choice Award.

Manalo, a 22-year-old native of Manila, is an Advertising graduate of the Assumption College who now works as a flight attendant. She will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas.

MISS POLAND UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Angelika Jakubowska

Name: Angelika Jakubowska
Age: 19
Height(cm): 176
Height(ft): 5'9"

Angelika Jakubowska (19, 1.76 m.) from Lubania, was crowned Miss Polonia 2008. The beauty Angelika will represent Poland at the Miss Universe 2009 Contest.

MISS PUERTO RICO UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Mayra Matos

Name: Mayra Matos
Age: 20
Height(cm): 180
Height(ft): 5'10"

During a live televised ceremony, SAN JUAN, held October 22nd, 2008. Mayra Matos, a 20-year old student of Literature representing Cabo Rojo, was crowned Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2009.

Matos, who is also a professional model, stands 1.80 m tall and will represent Puerto Rico at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant next summer.

MISS ROMANIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Elena Bianca Constantin

Name: Elena Bianca Contantin

Age: 20

Height(cm): 174

Height(ft): 5'8"

Elena Bianca Constantin (L) is crowned Miss Universe Romania by Dayana Mendoza from Venezuela (R) in Bucharest June 27, 2009. Constantin, 20, will represent Romania at the Miss Universe beauty pageant due to be held in Paradise Island, Bahamas, on August 23, 2009. REUTERS / Radu Sigheti

MISS RUSSIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Sofia Rudyeva

Name: Sofia Rudyeva
Age: 18
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 6' 0"

Sofia Rudyeva is expected to represent Russia at the Miss Universe 2009 contest in The Bahamas.

MISS SERBIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Dragana Atlija

Name: Dragana Atlija
Age: 21
Height(cm): 180
Height(ft): 5' 9"