Quick Facts
Biography
Ariella "Ara" Hernandez Arida (born November 20, 1988), is a Filipino fashion model and television personality best known for winning Miss Universe Philippines 2013 and representing the Philippines at Miss Universe 2013 and eventually placed as Third Runner-up.
Biography
Ara Arida was born in Alaminos, Laguna, Philippines to public school teachers, Estella (née Hernandez), of San Pablo, and Arlesito Arida, of Alaminos. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Los Baños with a degree in chemistry. Prior to winning the title, Ara competed at Miss Philippines Earth 2012 and was a former Binibining Laguna contestant.
Pageants
Along with her modelling stints, Arida participated in the 2012 edition of Miss Philippines Earth, but was unplaced.
Binibining Pilipinas 2013
Arida was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2013 by Miss Universe Philippines 2012 and Miss Universe 2012 First Runner-up, Janine Tugonon and garnered the award for Best in Swimsuit at the Binibining Pilipinas 2013 pageant held in the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 14, 2013. She was crowned along with Binibining Pilipinas International 2013 and Miss International 2013, Bea Rose Santiago; Binibining Pilipinas Tourism 2013, Joanna Cindy Miranda; Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2013, Mutya Johanna Datul and 1st Runner-up, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. Judge, Philippine National Police chief, Director General Alan Purisima was the one who asked her final question. Her response was:
One lesson in life that we, women, can teach men is being sensitive. Because we all know that men are more logical when it comes to decision. They usually are more rational, straight forward. Unlike we, women, we use our heart and we tend to get emotional in some of our decisions. For me, sensitivity is something that we can teach men.
Miss Universe 2013
She represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2013 pageant at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia on November 9, 2013
where she won the 16th spot in the semifinals via the online vote and eventually finished as 3rd Runner-Up to Gabriela Isler of Venezuela. Philippines placed in the Top 5 for the 4th consecutive year. Arida was also the only delegate representing an Asian country to place in the Top 5.