Carolina Dementiev Justavino is Panama's bet to Miss Universe 2008

Standing at 1.73m tall, a professional model, swimmer, TV host and law student Carolina Dementiev Justavino (in photo) won the reality tv show 'Realmente Bella 2008' that lasted 8 weeks which 10 women competed for the title that gives the winner to travel and compete representing Panama for the Miss Universe 2008 Beauty Pageant to be held Nha Trang, Vietnam, July 13th.

A former a former Elite Model titleholder, Karina Pinilla, 19 years-old was the contest's 1st runner-up. While the 24 years-old Ginelle Saldaña Gonzalez who stands 1.77m tall is the 2nd runner-up and will compete in the Miss Earth 2008 Beauty Contest later this year to be held in the Philippines. And the 3rd-runner and Panama's representative to Miss Tourism Queen International 2009 Beauty Pageant is the 20 years-old Estefania Varela.

'Realmente Bella' was a new name given by the producers of Senorita Panama Beauty Contest to market the pageant in a new direction, after it had been cancelled in 2005 due to low ratings.

The crowning was held behind closed doors with no audience. Only the judges and the production team was allowed inside the studio. A press conference will be held after the show to announce the winner to the media.

Watch the contestants of Realmente Bella 2008 modelling swimwear by Victoria Ruiz: