Coveted yet so elusive. The Miss Universe crown is hotly contested each year, with more than 80 beautiful ladies from across the world competing for the honor.
The Philippines so far had won the title four times. But there were several moments throughout the pageant's history when we got extremely close to winning the crown. By that, we mean going as far as finishing in the top four runner-up spots.
Check out this gallery to know these beauty queens who could have been the next Miss Universe.
The Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya native made history as the first Filipina finalist in the Miss Universe. She's also best remembered for greeting the audience in Filipino in her speech. Lalaine placed third runner-up in the 1963 Miss Universe held in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. Iêda Maria Brutto Vargas from Brazil won the crown that year.
Maria Rosario Silayan-Bailon aka Chat Silayan was a beauty queen first before venturing into show business. She placed third in the 1980 Miss Universe won by Shawn Weatherly from the USA. She would carry on to have a successful movie and TV career. Some of the movies she did include 'Kailan Tama ang Mali' (1986), 'Ang Supremo' (1988), and 'Dyesebel' (1990). She passed away in 2006 due to colon cancer.
The morena beauty represented the Philippines in the 1984 Miss Universe staged in Miami, USA. Desiree nabbed third runner-up honors behind Carmen Maria Montiel from Venezuela, South Africa's Leticia Snyman, and winner Yvonne Ryding from Sweden.
Miriam was touted as one of the favorites to win the crown in the 1999 Miss Universe. She gained the admiration of the public, even more, when she graciously picked herself up after slipping during the preliminary round of the evening gown competition. Miriam eventually won first runner up, with Mpule Kwelagobe from Botswana taking home the crown.
The Lanao del Norte native captivated the public's fancy with her so-called 'tsunami walk.' Shamcey won third runner-up to eventual 2011 Miss Universe winner Leila Lopes from Angola. The pageant was held in São Paulo, Brazil. Shamcey is currently the national director for the Miss Universe Philippines Organization.
Filipinos were left heartbroken when Janine settled for first runner-up in the 2012 Miss Universe held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Olivia Culpo from the USA snagged the crown. Although she fell short, Janine's impressive showing was taken as a lucky sign for our next Miss Universe bets.
The Alaminos, Laguna native picked up from where Janine left off. Ariella proved to be a strong contender when she entered the 2013 Miss Universe held in Moscow, Russia. Ariella is the only Asian to break the top five, eventually settling for third runner-up to winner Gabriela Isler from Venezuela.
Venus Raj is probably one of the most controversial representatives of the Philippines to the Miss Universe pageant. After being dethroned due to citizenship issues, she was later reinstated as Miss Universe Philippines 2010 as she fought for her crown. Controversies may have come her way, but it didn't bother her to battle it out in the 59th Miss Universe and clinched fourth-runner up.