Beauty has no regrets

BAYAMON-- Miss Puerto Rico won the 50th Miss Universe pageant at the weekend, telling judges on this Caribbean island that she wouldn't change a thing about her life.

Wearing translucent platform heels and a white evening gown with a plunging neckline, 20-year-old Denise Quinones August was asked in the final round of the competition what, if anything, she would change in her life.

"I have no regrets," she said, smiling as the crowd, many of whom were waving Puerto Rican flags, went wild.

Miss Greece, 22-year-old Evelina Papantoniou took second place, and Miss USA, 24-year-old Kandace Krueger, came in third. Both women echoed Quinones' sentiments on the final question.

Miss Venezuela, 18-year-old Eva Ekvall, who also said she wouldn't change anything in her life, was fourth and Miss India, 22-year-old Celina Jaitley, who said she wished a childhood illness hadn't stolen years from her life, came in fifth.

Quinones succeeds Lara Dutter of India who won last year's competition on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

In her profile, Quinones said she wanted to go into the entertainment business and may start her own television programme.

The 50th Miss Universe pageant was broadcast in 130 countries and territories around the world.-- Sapa-AP