Did you know- Six out of the twelve semi-finalists at the event were from Latin America -Trinidad & Tobago (Janelle Commissiong), Colombia (Aura Maria Mojica), Argentina (Maritza Jurado), Nicaragua (Beatriz Lacayo Obregon), Venezuela (Cristal Montañez) and the Dominican Republic (Blanca Aurora Sardiñas ) — the other six came from Europe (Austria, Germany, Holland, Scotland, Spain) and North America (USA). Curiously Peru’s representative Isabel Frías Zavala had won the title of Miss Beaches of Latin America in Arica (Chile) in the mid-1970s. But despite all of this, Miss Peru Universe 1977 did not even make the semi-finals in Santo Domingo. Subsequently, in the course of the year, she competed at the 1977 Miss World, where was one of the 15 semi-finalists.
Headquarters
Did you know- During the 1977 Miss Universe, the Hotel Loew’s Dominicana served as the headquarters and command center of the Miss Universe Organization.
Joaquín Balaguer
Did you know- The nation’s President Joaquín Balaguer was a key figure behind the Dominican Republic’s bid to host the 1977 Miss Universe.
Special Awards
Did you know- Miss South Korea surprised experts with a special award: The Best National Costume. Uruguay’s Adriana Maria Umpierre placed second in the Best National Costume. Throughout 1977 Miss Uruguay also participated in Miss World in Britain.
Miss Universe 1977
Did you know- Trinidad Tobago’s Janelle Penny Commissiong won the global title, ahead of Austria’s Eva Maria Duringer, Farrah Fawcett’s look-alike, and Scotland’s Sandra Bell. Trinidad & Tobago had never been to the finals. Judges and other special guests were quick with their congratulations for the new MU, including Joaquín Balaguer, the Dominican Republic’s Head of State. This victory gave the Caribbean its first Miss Universe. But it was a double celebration for TT: Miss Commissiong also won the Miss Photogenic title. Her colleagues found her to be cooperative and friendly. She has become an icon for the country. Miss Austria, Eva Maria Duringer had been considered one of the three possible successors to Rina Messinger, MU 1976.
Did you know- Due to his contacts with the Miss Universe Organization and many delegates, Pedro Morales Troncoso, Minister of Tourism, was the “most envy man in the Dominican Republic” in 1977. During the event, Mr Morales Troncoso gave the welcome to all the delegates.
Host Country
Did you know- English is the official language of Miss Universe. There are some interesting stories about it. Inspired by the host delegate Carmen Elena Figueroa, a bilingual speaker, at the 23rd MU in El Salvador in the mid-1970s, the Island crowned to an English teacher as Miss Dominican Republic. As a result, Miss Dominican Republic, Blanca Aurora Sardiñas, did not need a translator for their interviews with the international judges, and made history when became the first Dominican to be named semi-finalist in Miss Universe. She was the only Latin semi-finalist that was a fluent speaker in English. During the event, seven judges did not speak Spanish.
National Theatre
Did you know- The Teatro Nacional (National Theatre), was the site of 26th Miss Universe. Contestants from 80 nations and dependencies attended the event. For the final, many people bought tickets by $100. During the event, there were a handful of special guests: Carlos R. Goico Morales, Vicepresident of the Dominican Republic; Alejandro Orfila, Secretary of the Organization of American States (OAS); Mario Moreno “Cantinflas”, performer; and Guillermo Rosell, Minister of Tourism of Mexico.
South Africa
Did you know- South Africa -considered an outlaw state by the UN from 1960 to 1991-sent a representative to Santo Domingo.
