SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2014 is Gabriela Berríos: Photos, Gowns

 La Mas Bella: Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014 Gabriela Berríos Pagán --Centro de Bellas Artes de Santurce San Juan, Puerto Rico

This past Thursday, a new Puerto Rican beauty queen was crowned: Gabriela Berríos Pagán, who represented Toa Baja won the "Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014" title, beating out 27 other contestants for the ultimate Puerto Rican beauty prize. The pageant was held at the Centro de Bellas Artes de Santurce in San Juan Puerto Rico and televised on the Telemundo Network. 22 year-old Berríos stands 5' 9 1/2" (1.76 m) tall and is is a student of management and event production at Orlando Florida's Kaplan University. She's also a model (of course!).

Model Beauty Queen: Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014, Gabriela Berríos Pagán

Winning Kisses: Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014 Gabriela Berríos Pagán

The new beauty queen was a favorite to win so this wasn't much of a surprise. This is also not her first time at the "Beauty Pageant Rodeo": Gabriela represented Puerto Rico in the Miss Supranational 2012 contest, and also won the titles of Miss Tourism Intercontinental 2010 and Miss Latin International US 2010 and was also the Second Runner-up at Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2012.

Finally I won: Gabriela Berríos gets points for perseverance.

 Top Two: Miss Universe Toa Baja Gabriela Berríos Pagán (left) and Miss Universe Bayamón Aleyda Enid Ortiz (right)--during the announcement of the winner--Centro de Bellas Artes de Santurce San Juan, Puerto Rico

The new "Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014" was crowned by the outgoing "Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2013" Monic Marie Pérez (above in the red gown). Even though Monic just gave up her crown (technically), her job isn't over: she still has to go to Russia to represent Puerto Rico in the Miss Universe 2013 contest, to be held on November 9th.

The Gowns:

The Top Five: The top five finalists gowns were FABULOUS! I have to give the "Miss Universe Puerto Rico" organization and the fashion designers lots of FAB "Nick Couture" points for "bringing it" when it came to the gowns the beautiful ladies wore. At least with these top five, they were all marvelous; not a single tacky-licious "Pageant Betty" store-bought looking dress in sight! The hems skimmed the floor and weren't too short, everything fit perfectly and looked custom and up to par with gowns one would see in Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. In essence: Muy Bien!!!

Let's go through the Top Five Gowns:

Miss Universe Toa Baja: The new Miss Universe Puerto Rico wore a gorgeous strapless baby blue silk netting "mermaid lite"-shaped gown featuring a heavy-to-light OVERSIZED paillette effect. It was finished off with a slim bow waist tie. Beautiful. Very Elie Saab...for Beauty Pageants!

Photo Courtesy of Puerto Rican Universal Beauty

Miss Universe Bayamón Aleyda Enid Ortiz Rodríguez: I thought this was also a gorgeous gown, It was PERFECTION, in terms of fit, style...everything. The strapless gown featured black sequins over a nude base in a "mermaid lite" silhouette. Bravo Bayamón!

 Photo Courtesy of Puerto Rican Universal Beauty

Miss Universe Añasco Stephanie Soto Ríos: This red organza gown was probably one of the most "out there" when it came to design. I still liked it. Trust me, this could have gone "Oh Dear!" but it was not. It looked very well made, fit well and I love the red sequin applique over nude illusion top section. It was Marchesa-meets-Zuhair Murad. And normally, I would have a problem with those big ol' platform pumps, but they worked with this total look.

 Photo Courtesy of Puerto Rican Universal Beauty

Miss Universe Juan Diaz Alexandra Porrata Montalvo: Gorgeous. A lot of beauty queens love going the ivory/white gown route--it makes them look "pure" I guess. I think this example is fabulous. This "mermaid lite" gown (the obvious silhouette trend of the night!), fits perfectly, and the gown itself and all that sequin work--looks expensive. And yes, she chose well with white--especially against her tanned skin color.

Photo Courtesy of Puerto Rican Universal Beauty

Miss Universe Cayey Patricia Quiñones Negrón: Patricia wore a golden fit-to-flare (yes, "mermaid lite") gown featuring silver heavily sequined applique. It was pretty great! Once again, it fit perfectly, was the right length and enough "stage sparkle" to make an impact.

Photo Courtesy of Puerto Rican Universal Beauty

Miss Universe Rio Grande Larissa Santiago Escazo: Larissa wore a light blue flared ball gown in organza, sequins and nude illusion. It was VERY Elie Saab Haute Couture and I loved it.

 Photo Courtesy of Puerto Rican Universal Beauty

But then...Right when the Top Five were making their final descent down the stairs of the stage prior to the crowning, Miss Universe Rio Grande...

Slipped and fell! OUCH! She ended up 5th Runner-up.

Congrats and Felicitaciones to the new Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2014---Good Luck at NEXT YEAR'S Miss Universe 2014 pageant.

Photo Courtesy of Puerto Rican Universal Beauty

Oh, and if you want to see video of Miss Universe Rio Grande Fall...Here it is: