The Philippines has just won two world titles within a week, both in Thailand, Kevin Balot as 2012 Miss International Queen International (a contest among transgenders now on its eight edition) and June Macasaet as 2012 Manhunt International, both a “first” for the country.
On Dec. 19, Janine Tugunon will compete in the (long-delayed) Miss Universe Pageant in Las Vegas.
But before that, there are a few more beauty contests: The 2012 Miss Casino Filipino set for Friday, Nov. 16, at the PAGCOR Theater in Paranaque City (with delayed telecast on NBN Channel 4); the 2012 Miss Intercontinental in Aachen, Germany, on Nov. 24; and the 2012 Miss Tourism Queen of the Year in Nanjing, China.
According to Funfare “beauty experts” Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping, Francis Calubaquib and Felix Manuel, early favorites among the 25 Miss Casino Filipino bets are pageant veterans Lorraine de Guzman, Mutya Johanna Datul of Isabela and half-Filipina/half-Japanese classical ballet instructor Reynalyn Yamanouchi who were recently chosen as representative of Hyatt, Heritage Hotel and Manila Pavillion Branch of PAGCOR respectively, during the month-long preliminary competitions held nationwide.
All three are alumnae of Mutya ng Pilipinas Pageant – Lorraine in 2009 (she also participated in Bb. Pilipinas in 2009, Miss Philippines Earth last 2010 and Miss World Philippines 2012) while Mutya and Reynalyn were both finalists in 2012 Mutya ng Pilipinas search last August.
Mutya Datul’s primary purpose in joining Miss Casino Filipino 2012 search is to help her family in their financial needs especially her ailing mother and at the same time, be of service to less fortunate children who are afflicted with cancer and serious illness.
Reynalyn, on the other hand, wants to focus her advocacy on youth development and education. She believes that the Miss Casino Filipino contest is “A Pageant with a Heart.” If she wins, she promised to help young kids finish their education and will find time to share her talent and expertise in classical ballet. She speaks fluent Japanese and Filipino and plans to continue her B.S. Tourism studies and be a flight stewardess.
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2012 Mutya Ng Pilipinas Tourism Camille Guevarra left last Friday, Nov. 9, for Germany where she will compete with 60 other beauties from around the globe in the 2012 Miss Intercontinental contest. This 20-year-old 5’8” Kapampangan is taking up Business Tourism in Clark, Pampanga. Determined to be the first Filipina to bag the elusive Miss Intercontinental crown, Camille underwent rigorous training in pasarela and personal development. The farthest reached by a Filipina was in 1996 when Sovietskaya Bacud finished first runner up.
Representing the Filipino community of Toronto, Canada, in the Mutya tilt, Bea Rose, 21, will leave on Nov. 15 for China to compete with 80 other beauties in the 2012 Miss Tourism Queen of the Year. The 5’9” stunner studies at the York University in Toronto and has been living in the Philippines for one year.
— Both reports are from Funfare ‘beauty experts’ FELIX MANUEL, JOEY CEZEARE, GERY YUMPING and FRANCIS CALUBAQUIB