News from and about Ukraine & Ukrainians: Ukrainian Community Press Releases
BRAMA
  UKRAINEWSTAND
Home - NEWS - Weather - Biz - Sports - Press - Calendar - Classifieds

  УКРАІНОВИНИ
Home - НОВИНИ - Погода - Ділове - Спорт - Прес - Календар - Оголошення



getLinks(); ?>


 
Submit press releases here

BRAMA, October 4, 2002, 1:00am ET


Justine Pasek, Miss Panama 2002



Justine Pasek, Miss Panama 2002, and Oxana Fedorova, Miss Russia 2002, pose during the 2002 Miss Universe competition on May 29, 2002 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Pasek, a 22-year-old native of Panama City, Panama, ascended to the title of Miss Universe 2002 in September 2002.

Official announcements by the beauty pageant's press claimed that the unusual move to dethrone Miss Fedorova was due to her inability to meet the conditions of her contract. Rumors circulating in the press suggested that she was asked to resign because she was pregnant or married, allegations that she has vehemently denied. Pageant rules prohibit marriage and children for anyone holding the Miss Universe title. Miss Fyodorova also denies that pageant officials "fired" her, but that she relinquished the title voluntarily in order to return to her studies. In an interview with a Russian publication, Miss Fyodorova also stated that the contract, which she had never actually signed, made demands for appearances that were inappropriate. The paper cited an embarrassing episode on the "infamous" Howard Stern Show as the program in question.

The Trip to Beautiful: Ukraine - Poland - Panama
Presenting Miss Universe 2002 Justine Pasek, a Polish Panamanian born in Ukraine!

by Vasyl Lopukh and Hanya Krill

New York — Reports and rumors about the controversy surrounding the "dethroning" of former Miss Universe 2002 Oksana Fyodorova abounded in the international media last month. It was an unprecedented event in the 52 years of the Pageant's history because a Russian won the contest for the first time, and it was the first time that a Miss Universe was sacked under such awkward circumstances.

Miss Fyodorova returned the crown, which in turn was awarded to Panamanian Justine Pasek. As first runner up in the pageant finals, Miss Pasek never really expected to be crowned Miss Universe 2002. The unexpected event was one to be celebrated by Panamanians. A young woman from a poor Latin-American country selected as the most beautiful one in the world and the only drawback that it is an honor held for only one year.

But there is even more startling news that bypassed the scrutiny of pageant reporters, much of whose attention was concentrated on the departing winner. Only Polish journalist Waldemar Piasecki (Kurier Lubelski) noticed that the surname "Pasek" appeared to have a Slavic root. "Pasek" meaning "belt" in Polish, and is also related to the Ukrainian "pasok". It is thanks to Mr. Piasecki's research that we learned the facts about Justine Pasek's true origins - the surprising news which escaped every else's attention.

Elizabeth Patino, Justine Pasek's mother, was a chemistry student in Kharkiv, Ukraine when she became acquainted with Polish engineering student Stanislaw Pasek. They fell in love, and on August 29, 1979, Patino gave birth to a baby girl - Justine. Elizabeth and Stanislaw also took their marriage vows in Kharkiv.

Justine spent the first year of her life in Kharkiv. The family then moved to Wuzuczynie, Poland, where "Justyna" (Юстина), her Christian name, was baptised. Justyna was raised in Poland until Elizabeth completed her studies in Kharkiv, and finally the family moved to Panama.

Justine Pasek calls herself a "child of the planet" - prophetic in view of her new status as Miss Universe, and symbolic too of her background. Panama takes pride in the success of one of their own, but Ukraine and Poland can share in that pride. Miss Universe 2002 Justine Pasek - born in Ukraine of Polish and Panamanian parentage.



RELATED
 
 ·  Красуня світу - сенсація яку ніхто не запримітив [Ukrainian]
 
 ·  Miss Universe Website
 
 ·  Pasek na Fiodorowa [Kurier Lubelski (Polish)]
 


Press Conference 9/24/02 11am crowning of the New Miss Universe. Donald Trump, co-owner of The Miss Universe Organization, as he crowns Justine Pasek.

Miss Universe 2002 will be working with internationally recognized AIDS/HIV organizations "to generate a better understanding and acceptance of AIDS and HIV and its prevention". Ukraine, which has the highest growth rate of HIV in Europe, may stand to benefit from a little special attention during Miss Pasek's reign.



Justine was born in Ukraine, moved to Poland, and grew up in Panama.

Copyright © 1997-2011 BRAMA, Inc. All rights reserved.
The images and information contained in BRAMA News and BRAMA Press reports may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of BRAMA and/or author/photographer. The views and opinions of authors expressed on Brama.com do not necessarily state or reflect the views of Brama - Gateway Ukraine or its officers, directors or associates.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

More BRAMA Press Releases -- Click Here
Comments and observations about this article and other news
may be posted to the BRAMA News & Politics Comment Board

DISCLAIMER:The contents of press releases on this website represent solely the positions of their respective authors and organizations. BRAMA neither endorses nor disapproves of the views expressed therein. BRAMA retains all final rights as to what may or may not appear on these pages. Anyone wishing to comment on the press releases is welcome to post notices to the News and Politics Comment Board.



** Special: [Ukrainian Holidays and Traditions] [SHOP UKRAINIAN] [POLITICS]

BRAMA Home -- BRAMA in Ukrainian -- Calendar -- UkraiNEWStand -- Community Press -- Search BRAMA -- Arts/Culture -- Business -- CLASSIFIEDS -- Compute/Software -- Social Issues -- Education -- Fun -- Law -- e-LISTS&BB's -- Nova Khvylia (New Wave) -- SPORTS -- Travel -- Ukraine -- Government -- Diaspora Directory -- Suggest a Link -- Report a dead link -- About BRAMA - WebHosting - Domains - Advertising -- What's New? -- GOOGLE-- Yahoo!
Copyright © 1997-2011 BRAMA, Inc.tm, Inc. All Rights Reserved.