Few people know that Justine Lissette Pasek Patiño, the first Panamanian to get the Miss Universe crown was born in 1980, in Jarkov, an industrial city in Ukraine.  She came to Panama at the age of one year, where she has lived since then.Justine is the daughter of Stanislav Pasek, a software engineer who works for the Panama Canal Authority and  Elizabeth Patino from Chiriqui (Panama), who was a chemistry student in Kharkiv, Ukraine, when she became acquainted with Polish engineering student Stanislaw Pasek; both studied in Ukraine, when Justine was born, on August 29, 1979.  In 1980, Justine and her mother visited Panama in a very long trip: Poland-Ukraine-Moscow-Canada and Panama to celebrated her first birthday at her maternal grandmother's in Panama Viejo, and later went back to Poland. 

Justine Pasek calls herself a "child of the planet" - prophetic in view of her status as Miss Universe, and symbolic too of her background.  The family then moved to Wuzuczynie, Poland, where "Justyna" Юстина), her Christian name, was baptized.  Justyna was raised in Poland until Elizabeth completed her studies in Kharkiv, and finally the family moved to Panama. In 1982, her parents decided to come back to Panama.  Justine is the big sister to her two brothers who study in New Zealand. Her grandfather was a marine in World War II and a pilot for the Panama Canal Commission.

Before ascending to the crown, Justine modeled, worked in production for television specials, charity events, theater musicals and fashion shows. She has a very close relationship with her parents and has had her family’s support as a competitor in swimming, basketball and volleyball, and has enjoyed drawing, ballet, tap, salsa and gourmet cooking lessons throughout her childhood.  Her pet, Molly, is a little Beagle, balk and white that weights 25 pounds.

A neighbor suggested to Justine that she try out for her first beauty pageant, which she won. In later years, Justine worked in production for television specials, charity events, theater musicals, and fashion shows. She plans to someday complete a degree in Environmental Engineering and then work for the Smithsonian Research Center, educating the public about environmental conservation.

During her reign as Miss Panama, she has worked with Casa Esperanza, which is an organization that helps street kids get off the street and into schools. She has also set up fashion shows for charitable organizations such as the Red Cross, FANLIC (Fundación Amigos de los Niños con Leucemia y Cáncer), Casa Esperanza (organization that helps street kids get off the street and into schools), and Fundacion San Felipe, among others.   As Miss Universe 2002, Justine will travel extensively, working with internationally recognized AIDS/HIV organizations, including the Global Health Council, the Harvard AIDS Institute, AmFAR and the Center for Disease Control’s “Act Now” campaign. As a celebrity spokesperson she was responsible for working with the international media to generate a better understanding and acceptance of AIDS and HIV and its prevention, while helping increase awareness, funding and resources for these key organizations.

Justine was invited to Los Angeles as Grand Marshall of the Central American Independence Day, organized by COFECA - Committee of Central American Festivities.  It was nice because at that time because she thought that only Panama would feel happy that she got so far in the pageant, but the Central American community was as proud as Panamanians, of having the first Central American Miss Universe. She said that it was really, really nice to know that she was backed by the whole Latin community and not just by her country.  Since being crowned in September, I have received so much love from people all over Latin America. I not only represent my home country of Panama, but I have a chance to represent my Hispanic heritage and get the chance to empower my young Latin sisters." - Justine Pasek

On Sept. 23, 2002, the pageant world was set on its ear with the announcement that Justine Pasek was selected as the new Miss Universe 2002, replacing the Russian, Oxana Federova.  This is the first time that in the 52 years of the Miss Universe history, that a queen is disqualified.  Score cards aside, one thing was sure during the 2002 Miss Universe competition, Justine Pasek was the crowd favorite from the beginning—they saw beauty. With a glimpse into Justine’s history of compassionate volunteerism, one may realize that Justine is not only the most beautiful in the eyes of the beholders, but that she truly possesses an inward beauty worthy of the crown. 

About a month before she ascended to the Miss Universe title, she was flown to New York for a photo shoot. They told her that a modeling agency was interested in her and wanted to have pictures. She agreed because it was a free trip to New York! She went to New York and had the photos done; the photos taken were the ones they used on the website and for the press when they crowned her a few weeks later. Then they invited her to Japan and China as first runner-up, and she agreed to go.  When Paula Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, personally showed up at the airport to pick she up, she knew that something was going on.  Justine was not informed of her ascension to the throne until Shugart told her in the limo that was waiting for her at the airport.  She told me straight up what was happening and as soon as I accepted, the photos taken a month earlier appeared on the website. The site describes Pasek as a woman with "supermodel looks and humble personality" who is "indicative of the beauty in the new millennium." In taking on her new responsibilities, the site says Pasek is "ready to work hard as an ambassador for women around the world."

Miss Universe 2002, Justine Pasek, was the first to wear this exquisite crown.  The crown is valued at approximately $200,000 and will have 500 diamonds totaling nearly 30 carats. 120 pearls, both white South Sea and Akoya pearls, ranging in size from 3.0 -18 mm will adorn the new crown.  In addition to the official Mikimoto crown, which will be kept by the Miss Universe Organization for the annual crowing of the new Miss Universe, each newly crowned Miss Universe will be awarded a pearl and diamond tiara valued at $20,000. This tiara will be part of the overall prize package awarded at the conclusion of the Miss Universe 2002.

Many businesses want her representation in commercials.  Her beauty and talent made possible for her to travel extensively through America, Europe and Asia as model for famous photographers in the world.   The Miss Universe website describes her as “savvy, goal-oriented and aware,” and Justine Pasek, the former Miss Panama and Miss Universe 2002, unabashedly personifies these traits.  Justine Pasek was appointed Ambassador for the promotion of culture and tourism by the Government of Panamá and sponsor of the Osteoporosis and Metabolic Diseases Foundation of her country, a role she has used to promote the health benefits of proper nutrition.

President Mireya Moscoso congratulated Pasek, and she said: "If Panama was better known before for its canal, it will now be known for its beautiful women".

Justine Pasek, Miss Universe 2002 from Panama, has signed an exclusive contract with Warning Models Management, and will be marketed to clients such as Victoria's Secret, Christian Dior, Estee Lauder, Revlon, Channel, Neiman Marcus and Valentino. Justine has worked as a professional model since 1996, in both the editorial and runway aspects. This is another victory for this amazing Panamanian.

Panama marked its 100th birthday later in 2003. It is the first nation ever to celebrate its centennial year by playing host to the Miss Universe Pageant.  Panama declared its independence from Colombia in 1903 to support the United States' plan to operate a canal across the Isthmus of Panama. The canal, one of the great engineering marvels of the 20th century, was run by the United States as virtually its own territory until the end of 1999, when it formally returned to Panamanian control.

Justine didn't wear the Mikimoto crown due to the fact that she would no have enough time to do her farewell speech, take off the crown and crown the new Miss Universe, Amelia Vega, since  the crown requires the use of special pins to secure it.  It would've been nice if they could've had a replica of the crown for that special occasion, and in this way the two crowns could be on stage at the same time (The tiara was to be worn in small events).

Justine Pasek obtained the majority of the votes and won the Gold Medal, meanwhile Hilda Flores from Puerto Rico got the Silver Medal.   A total of 200 beauties were registered to participate in the Olympic Beauties 2004, later were divided in 64 groups of three o four candidates.  Olympic Beauties 2004 (Olimpiadas de la Belleza) is one of the most important beauty contests through the internet, where people from all over the world select their favorite, and Justine was the winner again.

Thanks to the following sources of information: La Critica de Panama (Pablo J. Guerra), Ability  Magazine (Chet Cooper), Soy Unica, Voy.

June 23, 2004 - 11:02
She was the ambassador for Christian Dior´s Latin American Beauty in 2004 and has hosted specials for E! Entertainment Television Latin America and Fashion TV.  
Whether it is its sumptuous Belgian-French cuisine, the attractive waiters or the lovely restaurant itself she loves so much, we don’t know, but Justine Pasek of Panama, Miss Universe 2002, was spotted at Le Dôme Restaurant twice recently! Her hard-to-miss supermodel looks have caused Justine to be chosen as ambassador for the Dior line for Latin America. Just having come back from Ecuador, where she attended the Miss Universe 2004 pageant, she met the international crew of Christian Dior’s as well as with Aruba Trading Co. representatives Elias Wilson, Anna Arends, Franklin de Cort and Emile de Cuba Sr. for a celebratory dinner. And what a dinner it was.... she came back the next day for lunch!

During her reign as Miss Panama, this young beauty has worked with an organization called Casa Esperanza, which helps street kids get off the streets and into schools. Casa Esperanza is just one of many charitable organizations which she wished to help. In her role as a celebrity she tried to get better understanding and acceptance of AIDS/HIV besides promoting prevention of the disease. She did this not only in her home country, but wherever she traveled to.  

Justine Pasek, Miss Universe 2002, signed a contract with Warning Model Management, Inc. of Beverly Hills, California.  The prestigious agency made their own comments on their exciting 'acquisition': We have huge interest and impatient clients awaiting her arrival and availability since being crowned Miss Universe," says Omar (Special Projects Director). "Yostin has worked over the past year with some of the biggest companies in the world in a charity capacity, but now we will be marketing her to clients such as Victoria's Secret, Christian Dior, Estee Lauder, Revlon, Chanel, Neiman Marcus and Valentino."