MANILA, Philippines — Hillarie Parungao of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya is currently in China for the Miss 2015 pageant, to be held at the Crown of Beauty Theater in Sanya, China on December 19.
The 24-year-old beauty queen hopes to become the country's second Miss World titleholder after actress Megan Young won the crown in 2013.
She flew to China on November 21 to participate in the Miss World's pre-pageant activities after winning the Miss World Philippines 2015 crown in October.
IN PHOTOS: Miss World Philippines 2015 coronation night
Hillarie Parungao during one of the pre-pageant events of the 2015 Miss World in Sanya, China. Miss World/Released
Hillarie Parungao (rightmost) during one of the pre-pageant events of the 2015 Miss World in Sanya, China. Miss World/Released
"I will say that I’m 100-percent ready since the time that I won the competition because this is really something that I want to do for the Philippines, for myself and my family so I’m really putting a lot of effort, dedication and my whole heart into it," she said in a interview with the press before leaving for the competition.
Hillarie is competing with 113 other candidates to succeed currently titleholder, Rolene Strauss of South Africa.
Hillarie Parungao during one of the pre-pageant events of the 2015 Miss World in Sanya, China. Miss World/Released
Hillarie Parungao during one of the pre-pageant events of the 2015 Miss World in Sanya, China. Miss World/Released
Aside from the actual pageant, Miss World also requires its contestants to join preliminary events that can determine their standing in the actual competition. So far, Hillarie has competed in the Sports and Fitness challenge (Steffi Van Wyk of Nambia was the winner), a talent show (won by Lisa Punch of Guyana), the Top Model challenge (Philippine bet Hillarie is part of the Top 30), and a multimedia challenge.
Unlike the past two bets of the Philippines, actress Megan Young and former "Eat Bulaga" host Valerie Weigmann, Hillarie does not have a showbiz background.
Hillarie Parungao during one of the pre-pageant events of the 2015 Miss World in Sanya, China. Photo from the Miss World official website
Miss World Philippine 2015 is also her first national beauty pageant.
“A perfect Christmas gift would be the crown of course! What else would I want for myself and the Philippines? I really want to win the crown,” she said in an interview.
The pressure is on to for Hillarie to do well in the competition; Miss World Philippines bet Valerie Weigmann only made it until the top 25 of the competition last year.