Although four Latin Americans made it to the top 10 at this year’s Miss Universe beauty pageant (Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Mexico), the crown finally went to Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, a 20-year-old dancer.

Fortunately for them (not for this blogger) they all did relatively well during the feared question session. There were, however, a few embarrassing moments, and some quotable quotes at last night’s live show from Mexico City:

–Miss USA Rachel Smith slipped and fell to the floor during the evening gown competition. More embarrassing though was the Elvis Presley-like white suit she wore a week before showing her country’s love for rock & roll…

–Telemundo presenter Alfonso “Poncho” de Anda at some point introduced viewers to the representative of “the United States of North America” (los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica) –no need to comment further here…

–And last, but not least, during a special show on Telemundo broadcast prior to the actual event, Miss Venezuela was quoted saying: “Many governments should learn something from all of us […] we were able to spend an entire month together without shooting a single bullet.”