We've heard it before about fans arguing whether a tall height is a prerequisite in winning the crown or even just entering the Miss Universe semis. There are height requirements at the various national levels of the competition although Miss Universe Organization does not specify any. There is a widespread perception that height is an advantage at international pageants. Surely, it would be awkward to stand quite small in a sea of a much taller delegates. However, it must be noted that the shortest Miss Universe ever is Miss Thailand Apasra Hongsakula who at 5'4" managed to clinch the crown defeating her much taller opponents. We've seen how shorter delegates breeze pass through taller delegates. In 1993, Namrata Shirodkar of India looked way short when she was called in the Top Ten next to the towering Pavlina Barbukova. But it was a case of Davids defeating Goliaths. Namrata made it to the Top 5 while Pavlina was out. Incidentally, Dayanara Torres of Puerto Rico, the winner of the pageant was just an inch higher than Namrata defeating much taller 1st runner-up Colombia and 2nd runner-up Venezuela.

However, things have changed. For example, the tallest delegate ever to win the crown at Miss Universe was crowned this century. At 6'1", Amelia Vega used her height advantage to win the first ever crown for Dominican Republic. Since then, no one won the crown shorter than 5'8". So what would be the chances of the likes of Miss Honduras Jennifer Andrade who stands at 5'2"? The same can be asked about Olivia Culpo who only stands 5'5.5" and who represents a beauty superpower? Well, its difficult to say how it will affect their chances because there are so many aspects of the competition that governs the outcome of the pageant. Olivia is known as a bubbly and charismatic beauty queen who can really stand out onstage. But that was true in her Miss USA days. At Miss Universe, unless the dynamics and trends have changed, the current opinion among missosologists is that height is not merely an advantage but a power. 

Do you agree with this observation? Share what you think.

On the red corner is the Philippines and on the blue corner is Mexico! Miss Universe Philippines 2012, Janine Tugonon and Miss Universe Mexico 2012, Karina Gonzalez, pose with fighters Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez at the fighters final Press Conference, in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday, December 5, 2012.

The Pacquiao-Marquez fight will be on Saturday, November 7 in Las Vegas. Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs) has won two of the three meetings. Marquez is hoping the outcome will be different this time. The first fight, in 2004, ended in a draw after Marquez fought back from three first-round knockdowns. Is somehow the rivalry of the two reflects the reality at Miss Universe? Both Mexico and the Philippines have two Miss Universe crowns. Both countries have struggled in the early 2000s and are now experiencing a comeback.

Mexico and the Philippines can also claim that beauty pageants and boxing are part of the national culture with significant number of fans for both. Will the outcome of the Pacquiao-Marquez fight influence the way the judges look at Janine and Karina? Will it be some sort of preview? What would say if these two ladies are the last two standing? And more importantly, who do you think will win? Pacquiao or Marquez? Janine or Karina?

From painted bodies and faces in 2010, to sample poses in 2011, the Miss Universe 2012 photoshoot by legendary photographer Fadil Berisha is the always the one to watch. This year it will be sexy and all of us will drool as we will see the lingerie photoshoot of the Miss Universe 2012 candidates. Yes, the lingerie photos that was also done at Miss USA pageant a few years back that raised some controversies caused by upset conservatives. Will the photoshoot at Miss Universe generate the same uproar? We will find out when the whole set comes out. For the moment feast your eyes on Miss Lithuania Greta Mikalauskyte.