The 69th Miss Universe fever is still on as popular Filipino shoemaker Jojo Bragais revealed his personal choices for candidates with the "best walk" during the prestigious pageant.
And Jojo's choices for best walk: Bolivia and Peru.
"There's a lot of them. But I love Bolivia because she's not just walking for herself. She's walking with a great cause. For me, that's a winning walk. Being able to understand why she needs to be there. So each step got a deeper impact. I love those kinds of women.
"Second, I love Peru. She talked about something related to mental health awareness. Both of them are close to my heart. I was depressed and had some mental health issues in the past and I do farming as well which is one of the things I really love," said Bragais during a chat on May 20.
Asked if he would still be official footwear in the next edition of Miss Universe, Jojo said: For now i just want to enjoy because it's been a stressful month preparing and rushing the shoes. So for now its vacation time."
But Jojo said that he immensely enjoyed as the official footwear for the 69th Miss Universe Competition.
"In the US, I always say I'm a Filipino and that the shoes are proudly-Philippine made. Most of them are surprised.
So to be able to speak about our country and the other products we can offer is such an amazing feeling. It's not just bout myself but it's about the Philippines. Now I have a deeper sense of pride everytime I will say that I'm a Filipino," the Bicolano heels designer said.
“I am grateful for the Miss Universe organization for the trust they have given Bragais. They made my dream possible by becoming the first Pinoy footwear partner for the pageant," Bragais added.
Bragais said that it's a dream come true that he would be part of the winning walk of Miss Universe.
"I want to be part of that winning walk of a Miss Universe contestant. Since my shoes will be carrying that pressure and that dream, it's such an amazing feeling to be part of that dream, and making that dream a reality," the 28-year-old designer said.
Miss Bolivia Lenka Nemer is an activist for human rights, social justice and gender equity. As an international affairs graduate, her biggest dream is to be able to advocate against hunger and violence around the world.
After struggling with food security as a child, she created "Huertos Urbanos Bolivia," an initiative that provides education about urban cultivation and ways to eradicate hunger.
Lenka also advocates for education in equity with a gender perspective.
Thanks to various universities and local institutions, such as Teach for Bolivia, Lenka was able to generate a series of workshops and talks to identify violence and educate about gender equity from an ontological, epistemological and legal perspective. She hopes to use her voice to reach all areas of her country to eradicate gender violence.
Miss Peru Janick Maceta is 26-years-old and works as an audio engineer in one of New York’s iconic studios, The Manhattan Center. For the past three years, Janick has contributed to many music, film and television productions including: the New York Philharmonic for Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, Tony Bennet and Lady Gaga’s Duet Album, and recorded with Akon, Jennifer Lopez and The Temptations.
As a young entrepreneur, she co-founded a movement called Top of New York Music (T.O.N.Y) and is registered as a record label that aims to promote young musicians by producing their music.
In New York, she is certified to work with kids at the Head Start Association and New York Foundling that helps people with disabilities.
Janick is also an advocate for sexually abused children and returned to Peru to set up an organization called Little Heroes that provides legal and psychological help to children and families who are victims of sexual violence.