Gazini Ganados

Hailing from Talisay, Cebu, Philippines, Gazini Ganados, 23, failed to win the Miss Universe 2019 crown. However, she won the Best in National Costume award.

On December 6, 2019, the 90 Miss Universe candidates showcased their respective national costumes in the preliminary competition at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Ganados wore a silver costume designed by Cary Santiago, who hails from Cebu.

Included in the costume is a headpiece inspired by the Philippine eagle. It also has two birds in the sleeves.

Hosted by Steve Harvey with Olivia Culpo and Vanessa Lachey as the backstage presenters, the Miss Universe 2019 coronation night took place at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta on December 8, 2019. Ganados finished in the Top 20.

During the coronation night, Shweta Sekhon, 22, of Malaysia was presented by Harvey as the Best in National Costume winner. However, it was later clarified by the Miss Universe Organization that it was Ganados who won the award via online voting.

Including Ganados, 90 candidates competed for the crown. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray of the Philippines crowned her successor, who wore a new crowned made by luxury jeweler Mouawad.

Four out of the seven members of the all-female jury are from the United States. They were William Morris Endeavor chief marketing officer Bozoma Saint John, 42, Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart, 38, blogger Sazan Hendrix, 30, and Miss America 2018 Cara Mund, 26.

Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori, 32, of Japan was the only Asian member of the jury. Actress Gaby Espino, 43, of Venezuela and Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega, 26, of Colombia also served as judges.

Ally Brooke, 26, performed during the ceremony. It was broadcast on Fox and Telemundo.

Ganados was born in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines on December 26, 1995 to a Palestinian father and a Filipino mother. Here is a clip featuring the Cebuana beauty: