Miss World Philippines 2011 Gwendolyn Ruais hosts thanksgiving party

CEBU, Philippines - Miss World Philippines 2011, Gwendolyn Ruais, hosted a thanksgiving party at the penthouse of Midas Hotel, Manila last Friday (September 30).

A night of cocktails and acoustic music, the event was attended by Filipino and foreign guests close to the heart of the first Miss World Philippines Pageant winner.

Miss World Philippines Director Cory Quirino graced the event and celebrated with Gwen’s family and friends. In her speech, Ms. Quirino shared that her first prayer, when she got the Miss World Philippines license, was to find an “outstanding candidate for the Philippines ”.

“I believe that we have found the right first Miss World Philippines,” said Ms. Quirino as she expressed her approval and pride in her newly-crowned beauty queen.

She also mentioned that, when Gwen “was asked what she would do with her Php 1,000,000 cash prize, one of the things she wanted was a thanksgiving party.”

Wearing a gown by Eric Delos Santos, Gwen proceeded with her thanksgiving speech. She thanked the organizer of the pageant, CQ Global Quest, Inc., as well as GMA Network, the sponsors and the media partners. She also lauded the fashion designers who made her gowns and acknowledged the people who believed in her all throughout the pageant.

Particularly, she thanked Ms. Quirino “for opening a whole new world of possibilities” for her and for treating her and her fellow candidates like they were her “own daughters.”

Towards the end of her speech, Gwen became emotional as she expressed her gratitude toward her parents, Vincent and Malou Ruais, and her siblings, Gwennaelle and Thibaut. She also promised that she will do her best “to make this country proud…and bring back the crown.”

Also in the party were Jonas Gaffud (Gwen’s talent manager) of Mercator Model and Artist Management, former actress and beauty queen Azenith Briones, Midas Hotel General Manager Angel Canapi and Miss World Philippines 2011 Princesses Martha Chloe McCulley (2nd Princess), Ma. Paula Bianca Paz (3rd Princess) and Jaysel Arrozal (4th Princess).

The first Miss World Philippines Pageant was aired on GMA-7 last September 18 while the international pageant takes place in London, England this November.