Mutya ng Pilipinas 2009 boosts beauty tourism

MANILA, Philippines - Will this year’s representative bring home the fifth Miss Asia Pacific International crown just like Carines Zaragosa (1982), Bong Dimayacyac (1983), Lorna Legaspi (1989), and Michelle Aldana (1993) did during their time? Filipinas can ignite that spell once again and set their sights on the crown.

Aspiring delegates from all over the Philippines, including those from the Overseas Filipino Communities in Northern and Southern California, East Coast and Mid-Western USA, Australia, Hawaii, Singapore, Canada, Germany, the UK, Austria, Italy, and Scandinavia, will compete in the 2009 Mutya ng Pilipinas to be held in Aurora Province.

The organizers of Mutya are excited to be given the chance to make a contribution to further boost tourism, integrate the new economic zone and progress made under the watch of the Angaras by staging a spectacular event amid picturesque waterfalls, lush greenery on mountainsides and panoramic beaches.  

Aurora Province boasts water, sea and mountain adventures within the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges and by the Pacific Ocean. Surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, mountain climbing and trekking are just some of the memorable activities a tourist can enjoy.

The annual pageant has evolved into innovative beauty search that combine tourism, social responsibility, fashion, and beauty.    The Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant intends to showcase the Philippines’ image overseas as the “Beauty Center of Asia.”

 Mutya ng Pilipinas 2009 is now open to “all single Filipinas, aged 18 to 25, not less than 5’5” tall (or 165 centimeters), with beauty of face and figure, has the attitude, outstanding personality and confidence to be crowned as the next Mutya ng Pilipinas.”  

The Epitome of Beauty Tourism

The first ever international beauty pageant in the Philippines took place in 1968. A group of professionals and civic-minded businessmen organized a non-stock, non-profit corporation with the intention of promoting beauty tourism to the world. The original registered name was “Miss Asia Quest Inc.” 

Through the years, the organization served as benefactor of civic and charitable institutions. Geared towards promoting goodwill, trade and tourism, the objectives were fulfilled through staging annual national and international beauty pageants. In 1981 and 1982, the international pageant was held entirely in Malaysia. 

By the year 1984, the organizers invited countries and territories within the Pacific. Thus, the new pageant title became “Miss Asia Pacific Quest” (MAPQI). The regional pageant covered the areas within the Asia Pacific area. National organizers were invited from the countries across the Pacific Ocean, which included Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada and North America. The coverage was so large and overwhelming that it was launched as a spectacular international pageant, which was televised in New Zealand.

The 18th year successfully reached another milestone. By 1985, it had registered up to 40 countries/territories affiliated with the organization. In that same year, up to 1989, the international pageant was even shown in Hong Kong in partnership with a leading television network.

In the years 1977 to 1991, MAPQI was the franchise holder for the “Miss World Beauty Pageant” sending candidates to the international pageant in London.

By the start of the new millennium, Roberto De Venecia, current president of Mutya ng Pilipinas Inc., made some initiatives. Mutya became an independent national pageant event with its own corporate name — now known as “Mutya ng Pilipinas Inc.” 

He also created a truly new international pageant event marking an international brand now known as “Miss Asia Pacific International” (MAPI). 

Thus, all countries in Asia, the Pacific, and North America, Central America, Caribbean, South America, Scandinavia, East Europe, West Europe, Mediterranean, and Africa were invited to vie for one of the most coveted beauty titles in the world today.

The titles for the National Pageant Event are: Mutya ng Pilipinas – Asia Pacific International, Mutya ng Pilipinas – Tourism International, and Mutya ng Pilipinas – Overseas Communities.

Major titlists are sent as Philippines’ representative to international beauty pageant events, namely: Miss Asia Pacific International, Miss Tourism International, Miss Tourism Queen of the Year, and Miss Intercontinental.

The beauty queens who are sent as representatives to the international competition are tasked to exude the real essence of beauty worldwide, to go beyond mere captivating looks, delving deeper into the epitome of beauty.

For information, call 924-5051 to 71, fax 920-7439, e-mail mutyaphilippines@gmail.com, mutyapilipinas@yahoo.com, info@mutyapilipinas.com, or visit http://www.mutyapilipinas.com.