3 compete in Miss Universe Guam 2017 pageant

Linda Salas and Joanna Marie A. Ulatan, life@guampdn.com Published 6:56 p.m. ChT Oct. 30, 2017 | Updated 7:03 p.m. ChT Oct. 30, 2017

Glitz, glam and confidently beautiful women could be found in the Guam Museum on Sunday night — to an extent.

The Miss Universe Guam 2017 pageant was held over the weekend, though to a decreased capacity than what residents are used to. For the pageant's 52nd year, only three contestants participated.

The participants competed in three categories: swimwear, evening wear and, the question-and-answer portion. There was no category for native costume. The three contestants were judged by a panel of three: Mrs. Shelly Vargas Calvo, Mr. Baltazar Aguon and Ms. Shayna Jo Afaisen.

This year's pageant structure could be attributed to the escalating threats from North Korea, according to the Guam Beauty Organization. Threats from the controversial country started heating up in August of this year. The Guam Beauty Organization handles presenting and hosting the Miss Universe Guam pageant.

While the timing of the threats threw the timing of the pageant for a loop, the organization persevered. The organization wanted to send a message that the people of Guam are people of faith, strength and hope.

Myana Welch shines in her evening gown before being crowned Miss Universe Guam 2017. (Photo: Linda Salas/For PDN)

Miss Universe Guam 2017

On Oct. 29, 2017 at the Guam Museum in Hagåtña, Myana Welch was crowned Miss Universe Guam 2017.

Miss Universe Guam 2016 Muneka Joy Taisipic offered parting advice.

"For my successor, be prepared for anything in the pageant world and know how to work with it. Things change at the last minute and you need to adjust."

For Welch's part, she is advocating healthy beauty and helping minorities. The new Miss Universe Guam owns a business called Color Me Pure, which promotes all natural cosmetics. It is her goal to show that people do not need to compromise their beauty routines for healthy products.

The prizes for Miss Universe Guam is an all expenses paid round-trip ticket to the pageant, hotel accommodations, native costume, evening wear and wardrobe for the international competition.

Other winners include Diliana Tuncap as Miss International Guam 2017 and Maricia Mariano as first runner up.

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