Versión en español

Where is Miss Universe 2002 Justine Pasek’s true origin from?

September 24, 2002, the pageantry world woke up with breathtaking news, the current Miss Universe had been fired. Russia’s Oxana Fedorova won the Miss Universe 2002 pageant in Puerto Rico and months after the title was taken from her and granted to first runner up, Panama’s Justine Pasek, becoming the first Miss Universe of that Central America country.

But, Justine Pasek is really from Panama?, that question was made by himself the Polish journalist Waldemar Piasecki, due the surname “Pasek” appeared to have a Slavic root.

 According artukraine.com, Justine Pasek born in Ukraine, moved to Poland and lived in Panama, thanks to Waldemar Piasecki’s research; that we learned the facts about Justine Pasek's true origins.

Elizabeth Patino, Justine Pasek's mother, was a chemistry student in Kharkiv, Ukraine when she became acquainted with Polish engineering student Stanislaw Pasek. They fell in love, and on August 29, 1979, Patino gave birth to a baby girl - Justine. Elizabeth and Stanislaw also took their marriage vows in Kharkiv.

Justine spent the first year of her life in Kharkiv. The family then moved to Wuzuczynie, Poland, where "Justyna" (Юстина), her Christian name, was baptised. Justyna was raised in Poland until Elizabeth completed her studies in Kharkiv, and finally the family moved to Panama.

Justine Pasek calls herself a "Citizen of the world" - prophetic in view of her new status as Miss Universe, and symbolic too of her background. Panama takes pride in the success of one of their own, but Ukraine and Poland can share in that pride. Miss Universe 2002 Justine Pasek - born in Ukraine of Polish and Panamanian parentage.

Versión en español

This anecdote is from the month:
	MARCH 2008