MANILA, Philippines - Aside from reigning Miss Supranational Mutya Johanna Datul and Philippine Yvethe Marie Avisado Santiago (second from left), three other beauties of Filipino descent are now in Poland competing in the pageant (from left): Miss Wales Harriet Cole, Miss Australia Yvonne Amores and Miss England Zandra Flores. Grand finals are set for Friday, Dec. 5, at the Hall of Sports Krynica-Zdroj.
Born in San Fabian, Pangasinan, Zandra completed her high school in Featherstone, UK, and graduated at the University of Bradford in Manchester with a Biomedical Sciences degree. In 2010, she was crowned Miss Philippines-UK and won 2010 Queen of the Friends of the Commonwealth. The next year, she came home to underwent pageant training then joined other pageants. She won Best in Cultural Costume in 2012 Miss Philippines Earth, competed in 2013 Bb. Pilipinas pageant finishing among the Top 10 finalists, awarded Mutya Photogenic and Mutya Press Favorite in 2013 Mutya ng Pilipinas contest, and a Top 10 finalist in 2013 Miss World-Philippines pageant. Last June, she competed in the 2014 Miss Universe Great Britain.
A mix of Austrian-Filipino-Spanish descent, Yvonne was born in Vienna, Austria, and moved to different countries while growing up. Based in Kellyville, New South Wales, she’s currently studying Graphic Design and Marketing at the University of Technology Sydney. A model, graphic designer and TV presenter, she speaks fluent German and French. Yvonne was Miss Photogenic in the 2013 Miss Philippines-Australia contest and landed among the Top 10 in 2013 Miss World-Australia contest.
Half-Pinay/half-Welsh Harriet grew up in Portsmouth, south coast of England. An artistic gymnast, she won several gold medals in national competitions and was ranked seventh in UK in 2004. Harriet was a finalist in 2010 Miss Universe Great Britain. She was Charity Queen-Beauty With A Purpose, Miss Talent and one of the Top 15 in the 2011 Miss England pageant. Also a fashion designer, her creation for Miss Nepal was nominated in 2012 Miss World pageant. Her mother at age 20 joined in a Miss Philippines contest. - Celso de Guzman Caparas