Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen has said that she would never forget that day when Miss Philippines Charlene Gonzales gave her earrings during the finals of the prestigious beauty pageant held then at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
“I started crying because my luggage has gotten lost and my earrings have gotten lost and I was like ‘I’m gonna wear this gown with no earrings. I would look awful,” Sen said during an interview on “24 Oras” news program on GMA 7.
The Indian beauty queen is in town to judge the 65th Miss Universe beauty contest at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Monday, January 30, starting at 8 a.m.
Sen continued: “She and I were not the very best of friends. We knew each other but were not the best of friends.”
“And she walks up and says ‘excuse me, I am Miss Philippines and you are in my country. What do you need?”
“I will never forget that. And she gave me her earrings and those earrings were the ones I won in,” she said.
Sen, 41, ended up winning the title while Gonzales finished in the Top 6. Gonzales is now married to actor Aga Muhlach.
The first Miss Universe from India said that she will never forget the warmth and love of the Filipinos.
“I don’t recognize anything. It’s been ages. But the one thing that has not changed – people. From the moment I landed,” she said.
“Thank you for loving me so much. Mahal kita!” she told her Filipino fans.
Sen also said that the new Miss Universe is so lucky because she will be crowned in Manila.
“The best thing about the girl winning this year, of course she will win Miss Universe, but she will win it in Manila, Philippines. Which means for the next 20 years, she will be loved immensely. I’m a proof of that,” she said.
Sen also said that she is excited to meet reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
“I don’t know but I feel I have a connect with her. She’s the simple, my kinda girl who just smiles and honest and speaks beautifully about her country,” she said.
Asked what she’s looking for in the next Miss Universe, Sen said: “She has to have beauty that is not just purely physical To me this is important as a judge. I think it’s something that has the potential to grow in time.”
Reporters asked the beauty queen the question “what is the essence of being a woman?” in which she was asked during the Q&A portion of the beauty contest 23 years ago.
“The origin of as child is a mother and a woman’s heart. I have given birth twice from there so I have lived that aspect beautifully. She shows a man how to love, care and share. That is a life-long commitment and I’m still working on it. That’s the essence of being a woman,” Sen added.