Megan proud to be Phl goodwill ambassador

MANILA, Philippines - Miss World 2013 Megan Young is excited to travel to Kenya to help the Miss World organization in its various projects such as building more clinics for underprivileged families in East Africa.

“It’s a great honor to represent the country itself, fulfilling that dream of being the girl who represents Philippines,” Young said in a press briefing at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City after her arrival from London Thursday night.

“Being Miss World now, having my country behind me, representing my country, it’s a big thing,” she added.

Young admitted that she is still overwhelmed by her newfound fame as an international beauty queen. But she recognizes that the crown comes with a great responsibility of showing compassion for the underprivileged people in various parts of the world.

“It’s a huge responsibility on my shoulders because I represent Filipinos in terms of deeds and conduct in the eyes of these people…And I’m happy, I’m very happy that I got to represent the Philippines,” said Young.

Cory Quirino, the national director and franchise holder of the Miss World Philippines, is proud of Young’s victory.

Quirino said Young “is like a magnet, everyone wants to help her” to win the crown since she became Miss World Philippines.

With the Philippines’ latest victory, Quirino hopes to host the Miss World pageant in Manila. In fact, she said that she is already coordinating with the Department of Tourism to bring Miss World to the Philippines.

For Julia Morley, Miss World chair and chief executive officer, the crown comes with a duty and purpose for the new beauty queen.

“Work for beauty with a purpose, not just flirting around,” Morley said, adding that Young would be going around the world as part of her reign but she would start from home where she would have a charity visit at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Monday.

Morley said PGH needs funding support to be able to procure more medicine and equipment.

Young will also visit the Tulay Foundation of Fr. Rocky Evangelista, who has done great work for street children, and the Senate and the House of Representatives.

After her stay in the country, Young will visit Haiti where the Miss World organization has embarked on a five-year project to help reach far-flung areas in the country which need clinics and access to clean water.

Morley said Young’s crown would be used to raise money for the clinic and to help children get clean drinking water.

The Miss World organization was able to reach 14,000 children last year and hopes to help 50,000 children this year when the Haiti project marks its fifth year.

Young will also go Ghana for charity work and then to New York for fundraising activities.

“She will be working...going to Ghana, Kenya and some parts of America and some 35 countries,” Morley said.

“The crown is purely a symbol for fundraising,” she added.

A Quezon City councilor, meanwhile, filed a resolution to commend and congratulate Young.

District one councilor Lena Marie Juico said it is fitting to recognize Young for her achievement as the first Filipina winner of the Miss World pageant.

“Ms. Megan Lynne Young displayed exceptional grace under pressure in the question and answer portion,” read the proposed resolution. “(She) epitomizes the innate beauty, intelligence, compassion and grace of a Filipina, and she is a worthy model for the youth to emulate.”

Once approved by the city council, a copy of the resolution will be forwarded to Young and Quirino.

Young won the Miss World 2013 pageant held in Bali, Indonesia last Sept. 28, besting 126 other candidates from all over the world.

She took the crown from Miss World 2012 winner Wenxia Yu of China. Miss France Marine Lorphelin and Miss Ghana Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter placed second and third, respectively.

A product of GMA-7’s reality talent show StarStruck, Young is now a talent of Star Magic.

Young has promised “to be the best Miss World ever.” – With Janvic Mateo