The stage is set. In less than three weeks the Miss Universe 2013 will unfold right before our eyes. This year's competition will feature 87 candidates from different parts of the world, all vying for the much coveted crown since time immemorial. The Miss Universe 2013 finals night will be held at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia this November 9. As early as now, several candidates stood out and continue to outshine the rest as crowd-favorites. And for the Filipinos, it's their Miss Universe 2013 candidate Ariella Arida, who will be challenged to make a mark in the history of Miss Universe.

The following are the three things we saw and believe to be the early signs of Miss Philippines Ariella Arida's victory. And all of them are roughly based on the "it comes in threes" maxim.

Miss Philippines Winning Miss Universe 2013 Sign No. 1: The Third Titlist for The Philippines

In the history of Miss Universe, only two filipinas managed to snag the crown. First was Gloria Diaz, who won Miss Universe 1969, with Runners-up Finland, Australia, Israel, and Japan. Second was Margarita Moran, who bagged the crown during Miss Universe 1973, with her Runners-Up: USA, Norway, Spain, and Israel. Forty years later, the Pearl of the Orient Seas is still waiting for its third titlist. Could Ariella Arida be this year's Miss Universe 2013? Well, this sign is backed by the second one so keep on reading.

Miss Philippines Winning Miss Universe 2013 Sign No. 2: The Third Winner This Year

Yes! The Philippines is to hit grand-slam if Ariella Arida wins the crown. After snatching two crowns last month: Mutya Datul for Miss Supranational 2013 and Megan Young for Miss World 2013, the Filipina beauty is taking the helm in international beauty competitions. So by succession, we can already presume that the next time the Philippines joins another world-wide beauty pageant, it will most likely win the crown following the "it comes in threes" maxim. And, fortunately, the third international pageant for this year is Miss Universe 2013. Does this mean Ariella Arida will emerge victorious? This second claim is also backed by the next sign so read on.

Miss Philippines Winning Miss Universe 2013 Sign No. 3: The Third Aces & Queens Product In Three Years

Excluding Venus, who also trained for Aces & Queen, and Megan who vied and won for a different competition, Shamcey, who came third in Miss Universe 2011, and Janine, who landed 1st in last year's competition, are the first two out of the "three succession" rule to emerge triumphant after training under Aces & Queens. Ariella Arida is the third representative for Miss Universe in three years to train under the organization. Whether it's plain coincidence or not, it is undeniable that everyone's already expecting that Ariella is to either end up at par or even surpass the achievements of the former Miss Universe representatives.

However, for the record, the Philippines' Miss Universe 2013 candidate doesn't see all these signs as stifling pressure, but as something to motivate her to bring out and eventually do her best in the pageant night. "It's a good sign that Mutya and Megan won because they serve as a motivation for me to work harder," Ariella was quoted saying during her despedida presscon, Oct. 17.

Additionally, Ariella Arida doesn't believe in signs or even on the maxim presented above. She simply believes God's plans for her and in the love and support she gets from everyone who supported her since she won Binibining Pilipinas 2013. Her preparations for the competition even show her determination to make it big. With her trainer John Cauy, Miss Universe Philippines 2013 worked out day and night, performing fitness routines to tone her figure. "We have worked to enhance her curves from the right places, generally tone her musculature still emphasizing on a feminine physique". Cauy revealed to Philstar.com. As for contest proper preparations, Ricky Lo reported in a Philstar article that Venus Raj, fourth runner-up Miss Universe 2010, and Supsup have been training her on speech and language for the @&A, hair and make-up, social graces, pasarela and poise.

With all the intense training and preparations, Miss Universe 2013 candidate Ariella Arida might actually have a big chance to be crowned. "By simply believing that I could do it, that would mean a lot already. Just believe, believe, believe that I can do it," she told Rappler.