Miss USA to Miss USA and Miss Universe beginning with Miss Universe 2015. The modern pageant consists of a preliminary competition held a week before the pageant when all contestants are judged in swimsuit, gown, and interview competitions. Every year, each state holds a preliminary competition to choose their delegate for the Miss USA pageant. In some states (such as Texas and Florida), local pageants are also held to determine delegates for the state competition. The state winners hold the title "Miss State USA" for the year of their reign. The most successful state is Texas, which has had the most semi-finalists
Leo Lastimosa libel case against Lastimosa. The suit stemmed from his column entitled "Doling Kawatan" (Doling the Thief) that was published on The Freeman last June 29, 2007. On August 27, 2010, Regional Trial Court Branch 14 Judge Raphael Yrastorza signed a warrant of arrest against Lastimosa, who then posted bail. On August 30, 2013, the court found Lastimosa guilty, and fined him Php 6,000 and an additional Php 2 million for moral damages. He lost his appeal as the Court of Appeals upheld the lower court’s decision. Attorney Celso Espinosa, his counsel, filed a motion for reconsideration to reverse the ruling