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Miss Universe trailer stirs Pinoy pride

This screengrab from Miss Universe 2014 trailers shows Filipina beauties MJ Lastimosa and Janine Tugonon.

There’s something utterly familiar with Miss Universe pageant trailers that came out recently. And the Philippines would surely be delighted to see why.

Asia’s beauty powerhouse has been featured prominently in the teaser plugs ahead of the coronation next week, indicating the Philippines is one of the 63-year-old pageant’s important markets.

Viral video

Among the familiar faces in the trailer is Janine Tugonon, who almost took home the Miss Universe crown in 2012 when she placed 1st Runner-up. Miss America Olivia Culpo won that year.

Rabid Pinoy fans also took center stage. Filipino fans started getting the world’s attention when a video of a group of friends going crazy after Venus Raj made it to Miss Universe semi-finals surfaced in 2010. The video immediately went viral and has since viewed over 3 million times.

A footage of reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler visiting a Philippine community ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan was also on spotlight in the 2-minute video.

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Making her own mark

Ariella Arida, Miss Universe 2013 3rd runner-up, was also featured in the trailer. Ariella, who’s hosting the Miss Universe 2014 sidelines, was widely tipped to win the pageant in November 2013 at the time when the country was reeling from the aftermath of Yolanda, the strongest storm on record to hit land.

Meanwhile, Philippines' representative MJ Lastimosa is making a mark on her own as competition heats up in Doral, Miami in Florida.

The 27-year-old North Cotabato native was seen sporting a two-piece swimsuit in the second trailer of the pageant.

LIST: 10 things you don't know about Miss Universe-Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa

The highly-anticipated coronation happens on Monday, January 26, 9 a.m. Manila time.

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