Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14) — A Filipino American physician is among the members of the selection committee of the upcoming 72nd Miss Universe in El Salvador on Nov. 19 (Philippine Time).
Dr. Connie Mariano was appointed as physician to the US president in 1992, serving former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
She was promoted to Rear Admiral in 2000, making her the first Filipino American to reach the rank in the Navy. Her Filipino father also served in the US Navy for almost 30 years.
Mariano will be working with nine other judges in the beauty pageant: fashion model Halima Aden, celebrity-designer Carson Kressley, mixed martial arts fighter Mario Bautista, streaming platform Roku marketing vice president Sweta Pate, Miss Universe 1977 Janelle “Penny” Comissiong, Puerto Rican actress Giselle Blonde, entrepreneur Denise White, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, and social media personality Avani Greg.
Miss Universe earlier announced that Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray will return as the pageant’s backstage correspondent.
She will join the all-female team hosts along with Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culp, American TV host Jeannie Mai-Jenkins, and TV host and award-winning journalist Maria Menounos.
READ: Catriona Gray returns as backstage host for Miss Universe 2023
