Bigger and better pageant with a purpose

Written by Tribune Wires Sunday, 27 August 2017 00:00 

By Pauline Songco, Staff Writer / Photos courtesy of Jan Arlo Almorfe

Confident, principled and outspoken — that is how Miss World Philippines national director Arnold Vegafria describes the 35 official candidates of this year’s competition.
“But, more importantly, they are driven by a bigger, noble purpose,” he declares.
The ladies revealed their statuesque figures as they paraded in their swimsuits sponsored by Bench Body during the media presentation last August 7 at the New World Makati Hotel. Among others, the roster of aspirants includes a sportscaster, a forensic practitioner from the United States, a professional singer and a commercial model.
“During the past weeks, the candidates had been busy with training and seminars to help them project a better version of themselves to the world. Former Miss World queens have also pitched in mentoring our candidates in many aspects of their development,” Vegafria shares.
Based on the number of aspirants alone, the management has never seen this kind of enthusiasm and interest from the applicants for the past years. With these ladies, they are confident that the country can keep the winning streak in the global pageant arena.
“I’m just so happy that all the girls are really confident and a lot of them are qualified to be Miss World Philippines. I’m also looking forward to find someone who can be the next Megan Young,” he expresses. “Now that we’ve leveled with a big field, we can only wish not only their quest for the title, but to make pageant history once more.”
Vegafria also emphasizes the continuous commitment of Miss World Philippines to its charity component, giving justification to the organization’s slogan “beauty with a purpose.”
“I wanted a bigger and better show. I want it to be not just a pageant, but ‘beauty with a purpose,’” he wishes. “The charity, after winning, we will be able to help a lot of them and, for me, that’s the beauty of it, that’s the most important.”
Aside from the Miss World Philippines title, three other crowns — Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2017, Miss Multinational 2017 and Miss Eco Philippines 2017 are also at stake.
“I added three more titles to attract more contestants and to give way also to other aspirants. I want the runner-up to represent our country to international pageants, to open doors, to give them opportunities,” Vegafria adds. “I’m trying to get more titles, as long as they are from qualified, legitimate pageant organizations.”
One of the early pageant favorites is actress Teresita “Winwyn” Marquez, who’s trying out her luck again after finishing in the Top 15 at the Binibining Pilipinas pageant 2015. “Miss World Philippines is a great platform for me to voice out my advocacy. Mapapakita ko yung gusto kong rumampa, gusto ko mag-perform. At the same time, I can speak out what I want,” Winwyn said in an interview.
Her advocacy, Save a PoUCh was inspired by her alma mater Southville International School and Colleges. “They adopt different schools so they can help yung mga child na hindi talaga kaya mag-aral. They support them and sometimes I volunteer to teach. Basically it’s about having good education and a chance to have the right education.”
The young actress believes that she is more prepared and positive that she’ll win the crown. “You never give up for your dream, you try and give your best 100 percent and you’ll have no regrets.”
The Miss World 2017 pageant will be held on September 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena. It is co-presented by Procter & Gamble Philippines, New World Hotel, BYS Cosmetics, GMA-7, Bench, Bench Body, ATC Healthcare, Phoenix Petroleum, Zalora, Ipanema Flipflops, SM Accessories, The Parisian shoes, Victoria Sports, Jing Monis Salon and the Philippine Airlines.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/life-style/bigger-and-better-pageant-with-a-purpose