Super surprise! Manny Pacquiao—boxer, congressman, basketball point guard and coach, manager, commercial endorser—will sit in the panel of judges that will select this year’s Miss Universe winner on Jan. 25.
Word spread on social media late last year; and the Miss Universe Organization confirmed it. With that kind of task, Manny probably faces his toughest challenge yet.
Since 1974, when Manila first hosted the Miss Universe pageant, Filipinos have graced the prestigious judges’ panel.
Here’s a rundown of past Pinoy judges, the year and venue of the pageant, how Miss Philippines fared and who won the title:
1974
Judge: Carlos P. Romulo
Venue: Manila, Philippines
How Miss Philippines fared: Guada Sanchez made it to the Top 12
Winner: Miss Spain Amparo Muñoz
1989
Judge: Josie Cruz Natori
Venue: Cancun, Mexico
How Miss Philippines fared: Sarah Jane Paez did not make it to the semifinals
Winner: Miss Netherlands Angela Visser
1991
Judge: Kuh Ledesma
Venue: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
How Miss Philippines fared: Maria Lourdes Gonzales did not make it to the semifinals
Winner: Miss Mexico Lupita Jones
1994
Judge: Don Emilio T. Yap
Venue: Manila, Philippines
How Miss Philippines fared: Charlene Gonzales made it to Top 6
Winner: Miss India Sushmita Sen
2011
Judge: Lea Salonga
Venue: São Paulo, Brazil
How Miss Philippines fared: Shamcey Supsup was third runner-up
Winner: Miss Angola Leila Lopes
