Megan back, thanks supporters

MANILA, Philippines - A throng of fans, airport officials and employees welcomed yesterday Miss World 2013 Megan Young at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on her arrival from London on Carthay Pacific flight 919.

Young thanked her supporters in brief remarks before proceeding to the Solaire Hotel in Parañaque City. She later attended a thanksgiving party and a reunion with Aces and Queens, the team that trained her for the pageant.

Young bested 126 candidates in the 62nd Miss World pageant in Bali, Indonesia on Sept. 28.

Cory Quirino, chief executive officer and chairman of the Miss World Philippines franchise, said Young, as Miss World, would embark on her tour with Miss World chair and CEO Julia Morley, Steve Douglas and Victoria Cameron.

Today, she will have a motorcade in Makati City and a meet-and-greet with her fans.

On Monday, she is expected to pay a courtesy call on President Aquino and visit the Senate of the Philippines to receive honors for her historic victory. She will also visit Olongapo, her hometown.

On Tuesday, Young will spend some time with her family before going back to London the next day to fulfill her duties as the reigning Miss World.

The Philippines joined the Miss World pageant in 1966.

Sen. Francis Escudero cited Young’s accomplishment, saying “it is a great source of pride and inspiration amid the conflicts confronting the nation.”

In Senate Resolution No. 281 he filed to honor and recognize Young, Escudero praised the Olongapo lass not only for making history for the country, but for telling the whole world “her story” on what Filipinos can achieve in the international arena.

The senator said Young exemplified the true beauty and aspiration of every Filipino when she took home the Miss World crown.

“We toast Megan and all our fellow Filipinos who illuminate our pride as a nation and raise our consciousness as a people under one flag,” Escudero said.

“Her accomplishment as a beauty queen brings not only the needed respite from the political and social ills that currently beset the country but hope as well, as we aspire to be a better people struggling to make a difference in life and for the country,” the senator said.

Aside from Escudero, Senators Sonny Angara and Ralph Recto also celebrated Young’s victory, which they said served as a relief from the controversial pork barrel scam. – Christina Mendez, Rudy Santos