Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela is reportedly to be stripped of the Miss Universe crown after a photo of her with just jewelry as a top surfaced. The Dayana Mendoza scandalous photo was from her modeling stint in an Italian jewelry company. Dayana Mendoza t0p less photo was taken when she was just 15, and it only surfaced after she won Miss Universe last month. In Dayana Mendoza ’s defense however is the reasoning that such an ad is common in Europe and an example is an Eva Mendes ad for a perfume that was common in Europe but was banned in the US. But the ad photo was taken when Dayana Mendoza was only 15.

Miss Philippines Jennifer Barrientos is confident she will go home to the Philippines crowned as the 57th Miss Universe. Jennifer Barrientos is a 22-year-old Tourism graduate of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), she hails from San Mateo, Rizal. She stands at 5′ 8″ and had previously worked as a Welcome Ambassador for the Star World Hotel in Macau after earning her BS Tourism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.

But the bookmakers has the odds in favor of Miss Venezuela to win the Miss Universe crown. Rounding out the Top 20 predicted odds to win Miss Universe are Miss Mexico, Miss India, Miss Panama, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss United States, Miss Czech Republic, Miss Colombia, Miss South Africa, Miss Vietnam, Miss Belgium, Miss China, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Korea, Miss Kosovo, Miss Greece, Miss Albania, Miss Ireland, Miss Brazil, and Miss Croatia. The Philippines as you can see is nowhere near the odds. Note that other Asian beauties figured prominently in the online bet. Anyhow, i hope Jennifer go up against the odds and really win the title.

Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2008 Jennifer Barrientos will be vying for the Miss Universe crown, along with 79 other women from different countries, in the 57th Miss Universe Beauty Pageant to be held at the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 14, 2008. It will be shown in the Philippines live on ABS-CBNat 8 AM, it will also be shown live on The Hallmark Channel also at the same time.

In the send-off party held in her honor at the Mandarin Oriental Suites in Gateway Mall, Araneta, Quezon City, on June 12, Jennifer expressed her confidence that she’ll bring home the crown and make the Philippines proud.

“I don’t have doubts in myself and, of course I have great people who helped me and I believe in them. I know deep in my heart, really, mananalo ako this year,” she said in a TV interview.

Jennifer Barrientos said she is driven by the desire to achieve her goals. She attributes her confidence in her being an active youth leader in their church ministry and from the lessons in faith from her experience as a beauty queen.

“Joining Binibining Pilipinas taught me lessons in faith as well—faith in myself, in the things I can do for others, how I can make a difference,” she enthuses with a charming smile.

Jennifer also claims that she values her Binibining Pilipinas experience as it teaches her different values by the day, as she goes about performing her various duties as a reigning queen.

“Most importantly, I have learned a great deal about being independent, how to effectively do things on my own,” she adds.

The eldest child of Nestor and Elena Barrientos, Jennifer is always eager to meet new people and hone her talents. She unwinds by engaging in water sports and playing volleyball.

“I intend to pursue the ongoing campaign for awareness on HIV and AIDS,” Jennifer answers when asked about her plans for advocacy.

She also adds that she intends to focus on the rights of women and children as well as the development of the arts, particularly music.

“I would want to pursue advocacies close to my heart as I believe I will be more productive promoting these causes,” Jennifer said in her quest to become the most beautiful woman in the world.