On Miss Universe 2007: The Filipinos in this event

Vanessa Minnillo moved around all over the world while she was growing up, from the Philippines and the U.S. to Germany and Turkey. Her family finally settled down in South Carolina, where, only a few years later, she won the Miss Teen South Carolina pageant. Vanessa then went on to be crowned Miss Teen USA in 1998. Along with Mario Lopez, Vanessa will be hosting this year's Miss Universe, which will be held on 28 May 2007 in Mexico City, Mexico.

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Miss Germany (Angelina Glass) and Miss Norway (Kirby Ann Basken)

I like to enjoy the world, to feel the wind, to listen to the birds. I love to travel, get new experiences. I think you grow up the most when you see and understand the world, not only your own country in which you were born. You have to be aware of your surroundings and what's going on and not have a narrow focus in life. – Miss Germany

I was raised in a bilingual and bicultural family in Oslo, Norway. I'm half Norwegian and half Filipino. My mom is Filipino (with Chinese blood as well) and my dad is Norwegian. Growing up with two cultures has helped to shape my identity and made me the woman I am now, secure and confident with the thought that I'm able to relate to both races as well as their cultures. My parents got divorced when I was 3. They have both remarried. I grew up with my mother and my stepfather, but I have a very close relationship with my father as well. I have a younger brother (10) whom I adore so much, a stepbrother (19) who looks up to me and a stepsister (29) whom I look up to. – Miss Norway

Miss Philippines (Anna Theresa Licaros)

I was raised in a small town east of Manila called Cainta. It is located in the province of Rizal and is very near the city where I went to school. Cainta is what you would call a suburban area, and I enjoyed my childhood there because of the peaceful and calm environment and its proximity to the hustle and bustle of the city. My childhood memories include lazy afternoons relaxing and playing in our backyard, playing house and barbecue picnics with my family.

SOURCE: Miss Universe