After correction of mix-up, Pinay to represent Canada in Miss Universe 2013

At first she "lost," and then she won. A day after it was found that there was a mix-up in the results of the Miss Universe Canada 2013 contest, a Filipina will be representing Canada in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant.

 

Riza Santos of Calgary, Alberta, was declared the winner of Miss Universe Canada 2013 after a correction issued by pageant organizer Beauties of Canada (BoC).

 

"The 2013 Miss Universe Canada pageant took place on Saturday, May 25 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto.  During the validation of the computerized scoring results (which occurs the following day), a typo was discovered in the top 5 entries, which significantly impacted the final results of the competition," the BoC said.

 

BoC addressed the incident as "an unfortunate circumstance where a human error was made," but said that "it is only right to correct the error."

 

It apologized to Denise Garrido of Bradford, Ontario, who was initially declared the winner of the pageant.

 

The official results of Miss Universe Canada 2013 following the correction are as follows:

 

Miss Universe Canada 2013 ­ Riza Santos (Calgary, AB)

 

1st runner-up ­ Siera Bearchell (Moose Jaw, SK)

 

2nd runner-up ­ Diana Martin (Mississauga, ON)

 

3rd runner-up ­ Denise Garrido (Bradford, ON)

 

4th runner-up ­ Michelle McKay (Sarnia, ON)

 

Santos said she is excited about the upcoming Miss Universe pageant and asked for continued support.

 

"I would like to say thank you to God, my family, friends, and all of my supporters during this humbling yet rewarding journey to become Miss Universe Canada," Santos said in a post on her Facebook page.

 

"I can't begin to express my gratitude and excitement to represent Canada on the international stage. It's an honour to represent our country and I ask you for your continued support and prayers," she continued.

 

Santos was also a contestant in the Filipino version of reality show "Big Brother," and also acted in some Philippine television shows and movies.

 

In her profile on the BoC site, she is described as having a mission " to inspire and empower women to achieve their dreams."

 

"She strives to serve as an example for women to be influencers and leaders in all career fields while exemplifying compassion and servitude," the profile also said. - Gian C. Geronimo, VVP, GMA News