Mafae happy with Top 5 finish at Miss World

The 2003 Miss World contest covered "live" by Star World (Channel 25 on SkyCable) but not by a local station was one of the most organized and well-presented pageants. Besides the 109 gorgeous girls competing for the title, other attractions of the two-hour show were the production numbers that included Chinese acrobats in breathtaking choreography, showing the discipline of Chinese artists.

The number of contestants was winnowed down to 20 and then to the Top 5 (Misses Ireland, Philippines, India, China and Canada) from which only the second runner-up (China), the first runner-up (Canada) and the winner (Ireland) were picked, leaving two (India and the Philippines). It was not known who was third runner-up and who was fourth runner-up.

But for our bet, Maria Rafaela "Mafae" Yunon, finishing among the Top 5 was good enough. As she told Funfare’s "other beauty expert" Gerry Diaz (chief correspondent of Mabuhay Beauties Message Board, at www.voy.com/61623/ <http://www.voy.com/61623/>), "My main goal is winning the crown. It’s the reason why I’m going there (to China where the contest was held and where it will be held again next year). Of course, a slot in the Top 10 is good and in the Top 5 better. But I want to bring home the title."

Almost, but not quite.

A Tourism and Hospitality Management graduate from the University of New South Wales where she grew up, Mafae represented the country very well. For a while, during the crucial moments when the winner and the runners-up were about to be announced, I thought Mafae would be "it." Even when she failed to bag the title, Mafae showed her being a good sport by smiling even wider onstage, not a bit losing her poise and grace. And for that, I consider Mafae a winner.

Ireland’s Rosanna Davison, daughter of singer Chris de Burgh (of Lady of Red Fame), according to another "beauty expert," Celso Caparas, was a pre-contest favorite especially after she won one of the five preliminary events, the Miss World Beach Beauty contest.

"When I saw the pictures of Mafae in swimsuit," said Gerry Diaz, "I was convinced that she would make it to the finals. With her selection as one of the 10 Beach Beauty finalists, Mafae improved her chances of making it to the Magic Circle."

During the Q&A for the Top 5 finalists, Mafae showed her quick wit and unshakeable poise by answering with a sweet smile this question: What values do you have that you hope the judges will recognize? "The qualities that I have... I look at life positively. My motto in life is ‘Time plus productivity equals success.’ I hope they will see that in me through my relationship with the candidates and the people I met here in Sanya."

Mafae came back last Sunday night, Dec. 7. The other day, Madame Stella Marquez Araneta hosted a bienvenida for Mafae. Among the other beauties present were 2003 Queen of Tourism International Noela Mae Evangelista, 2003 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Carla Gay Balingit, 2003 Bb. Pilipinas-International Jhezarie Javier, 2002 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Karen Loren Agustin and 2002 Bb. Pilipinas-World Kate Manalo who was among the Top 10 in last year’s Miss World contest.

Here are excerpts of Gerry Diaz’s interview with Mafae last Monday night, Dec. 8:

Who were with you in China?

"My parents. They arrived on Dec. 5. They’re still there." (Mafae’s parents came home on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Mafae’s mom is the sister of Desiree Verdadero who, as Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, finished fourth runner-up in the 1983 Miss Universe Pageant.)

Was Madame Stella also there?

"Unfortunately, she couldn’t join me in Sanya. But she was in touch with me all the time."

At what point did you feel that you had a fighting chance for the finals?

"Oh, I didn’t have time to think about that. I just carried on with confidence and just thought about being successful. And I think that made an impact. They also liked my personality."

Were no indications/signs from the media and the people around you that?

"I was quite popular with the Chinese, maybe because I was able to converse with them in Mandarin. They felt happy and proud when a foreigner took an effort to learn their language."

Are you happy with the result? What place did you think you deserved?

"I was very happy being among the Top 5, considering that there were originally 109 candidates. It was a blessing. When I saw the girls smiling after my name was called as one of the five finalists, I got the feeling that they agreed with the judges’ decision."

Aside from yourself and Miss Ireland, who was your choice for the title?

"Miss Ireland deserved it. She seemed to have the commitment to discharge the work that the Miss World organizers had cut out for her. My personal choice for Miss World? Let me think. Okay, Miss Canada (Nazanin Afshin-Jam), who finished first runner-up, would have also made a good Miss World. I read her bio and what she has done in her life. It’s impressive! She is a beautiful person inside and out. She’s not a fake. I became close friends with Miss Canada who is half-Iranian. Maybe because she had a Filipino boyfriend facilitated our bonding."

How would you sum up your Miss World experience?

"It was full of happiness, enjoyment and challenges."

Any message for your fans and supporters?

"I wanna thank everyone for the outpouring of support and prayers. Your various expressions of support made me satrong during my one-month stay in Sanya, China. I just can’t express my gratitude enough. I just wanna extend to all of you my sincerest ‘Thank you!’"

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