After a 15-year hiatus, Malta is represented again in the Miss Universe beauty pageant with Martha Fenech, 26, as the representative. This is not the first international beauty pageant of the Maltese model, who also works as a brand PR representative for a global cosmetics company.
In 2008, Fenech was crowned Miss World Malta. She competed at Miss World 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa, but did not place.
After more than eight years, Fenech is back and is competing against 85 other candidates at Miss Universe 2016. If crowned as Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach's successor, she will become the first Miss Malta to win Miss Universe.
Fenech arrived in the Philippines on Jan. 12, Northbound Philippines News reported. She was at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with Miss Peru Valeria Piazza, Miss Belize Rebecca Rath, Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun and Miss Turkey Sila Cakir on that day greeting their Filipino fans.
On Jan. 30, Monday, Wurtzbach will crown her successor at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. The judging panel during the coronation night includes Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres from Puerto Rico, Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen from India and Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes from Angola. Joining them are theatrical, TV and film producer Francine LeFrak, Paper Magazine editorial director Mickey Boardman and "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Cynthia Bailey.
Steve Harvey is returning as the host of the coronation night with "America's Next Top Model" judge Ashley Graham as the backstage host and Flo Rida and Boys II Men as the musical performers. Harvey arrived in Manila on Jan. 28, Saturday, ABS-CBN News reported.
On Jan. 18, Wurtzbach participated in a dinner program in Baguio City, Philippines, which was hosted by Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup. Distinguished people of the city welcomed them along with Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart, Filipino tycoon Chavit Singson, a major sponsor, and some Miss Universe 2016 candidates including Piazza and Fenech.
Have a glimpse of the Miss Universe 2016 event in Baguio here: