Miss Universe telecast on ABS-CBN

CEBU, Philippines - After 40 years, will Ariella Arida finally be the third Filipina to take home the Miss Universe crown?

Stay tuned for the answer today and watch history unfold as the highly anticipated Miss Universe 2013 airs live on Velvet Channel (SkyCable Channel 53) at 2 a.m., with a special telecast following on ABS-CBN at 9:00 a.m.

Many are eager to bear witness as fate unfolds for the 24-year-old from Laguna as she competes this year, especially with the close call that took place last year for Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up Janine Tugonon.

Ariella has often been deemed a crowd favorite due to her popularity in pageant websites, where she has placed in online top 10 lists time and time again.

Looking back at the competition’s progress over the years, the Philippines was last able to take home the Miss Universe title in the year 1973, with Margarita Moran earning the crown. Miriam Quiambao almost made it in 1999, when she placed first runner-up.

The 2013 panel of judges is composed of Aerosmith lead vocalist Steven Tyler, famous chef Chef Nobu, gold medal figure skater Tara Lipinski, model-actress Carol Alt, supermodel Anne V, Farouk Systems founder Farouk Shami, U-BOAT watches pioneering designer Italo Fontana, and Russian popstar Philip Kirkorov.

The Miss Universe 2013 coronation night will be held at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia, and will be hosted by Thomas Roberts of “MSNBC Live” and Mel B of “America's Got Talent.”

Catch Miss Universe 2013’s special telecast on ABS-CBN at 9:00 a.m. today. Footage of the coronation night will also have a primetime replay on the same day, airing at 7 p.m. on Velvet Channel and 10:45 p.m. on ABS-CBN. (PR) (FREEMAN)