Pageant News Bureau - Miss Universe 2001, Page 6

All photos courtesy of Miss Universe Organization

In 1493, Christopher Columbus became the first European to see Puerto Rico. The great Italian explorer was sailing to advance the wealth and power of Spain. But the first thing he noted about Puerto Rico was not its natural riches or strategic location. He was struck first by its beauty.

Today, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, and its strategic location and wealth are at issue. Many Puerto Ricans are protesting the heavy U.S. military presence on their territory, especially the use of the isle of Vieques as a testing ground for bombs. And with Spanish-speaking voters, now a powerful bloc in the United States, the matter is politically very delicate.

What will become of Puerto Rico? Will its bond with the USA endure? Will it someday seek independence, or will it opt for statehood and become a star on the superpower flag?

We don't know. Like Columbus, we're interested in the beauty.

Miss Puerto Rico, Denise M. Quinones, welcomes her beautiful rivals at a colorful beach party.

At the 2001 Miss Universe Pageant, women from around the world have come to compete. There's a competitor from Puerto Rico, and one from the USA. (They are two different nations in the pageant world.) There's a queen from Spain, far lovelier than the one who hired Columbus, and an Italian who could make even the great admiral homesick. There's a girl from India, the land that Columbus tried in vain to find.

Miss Spain, Eva Siso Casals

Miss Italy, Stefania Maria

Miss India, Celina Jaitly

There's much to explore on this lovely island, and you don't even have to get your feet wet wading ashore. There's plenty of room in the PNB crow's nest.

Sadly, there is one pesky gnat on the spyglass lens. It's the "gender controversy," the strange allegation that one of these women is a man. It's a tale that will be heard as long as this pageant is remembered, and a few people will never stop believing it. But if you're a smart sailor, you'll ignore the scuttlebutt. Just believe your eyes.

Miss Korea, Sa-Lang Kim, won the costume contest (at left) in a traditional hanbok dress and elaborate hairdo. At right, she dons a costume much more often seen in the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico, May 11, 2001