REIGNING Miss Cosmoworld 2023 Meiji Cruz launched the inaugural Miss CosmoWorld Philippines Pageant in style at Kao Manila in Newport Resorts World in Pasay last Wednesday.

The search will select a winner who will embody the world-class Filipina who is financially independent, ready to face the world, and succeed her as Philippines representative to the Miss Cosmoworld International pageant later this year.

Cruz, also announced that the winner will receive P1 million in cold cash and a brand new bejeweled crown by renowned crown maker Manny Halasan, plus the chance for a back to back victory in the 30th edition of the international tilt in Malaysia later this year.

Cruz won the 30th Miss Cosmoworld Pageant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November last year, winning USD100,000 in cash on top of other prizes worth RM1 million or a total of over P19 million in cash and prizes.

As chairperson of Cosmic Beauty Inc. who will stage the inaugural Miss Cosmoworld Philippines pageant, Meiji is joined by renowned personalities including beauty queen maker and Kagandahang Flores Camp founder Rodin Gilbert B.flores as national director, newscaster Joee Guilas as communications head, Atty. Adel Reyes for legal counsel and Laurens Jan Domingo, her fiance and business adviser.

Meiji calls her initial foray in organizing a big pageant as a “passion” project. “I am confident that we will succeed in this search for the next world-class Filipina because I have a team who are experts in their respective fields and most importantly, they have the heart in beauty pageants like me,” said Meiji.

“Today, women empowerment is not only limited to promoting a woman’s sense of self-worth, their ability to make their own choices, but also raising the status of women through education, awareness and equality; by achieving financial independence through financial literacy. This is our driving force,” Meiji added. “The lucky winner must be equipped with the financial knowhow and entrepreneurial spirit that would eventually allow her to attain financial independence.

The search for Miss Cosmoworld Philippines 2023 will commence in July or August and is tentatively scheduled to crown its first winner on September 28, 2023.

MUTYA ng Pilipinas, one of the longest-running beauty pageant organizations in the Philippines, enters its 53rd year through an expansion of its search, forging strategic alliances with relevant and timely advocacies, namely, Miss Environment International and Miss Chinese World.

The new developments were bared during a media conference held at CWC Interiors BGC, Taguig last Wednesday.

Miss Environment International, launched in 2019, is run by an India-based company spearheaded by Rushikesh Mirajkar and Christoph Cautaerts. Its maiden pageant pushed through last year after being stalled by the pandemic and has made its presence felt in the industry through its sustainability and environment-friendly platforms. The pageant advocacy is to protect and nurture the social elements of our planet to balance the ecosystem.

In this connection, Mutya ng Pilipinas Luzon 2022 Shannon Mababangloob Robinson was chosen to be the country’s official delegate to the Miss Environment International in Mumbai, India from May 31 to June 11.

Miradjkar and Cedric Valdejueza, the tilt’s international director for franchises, were also present to welcome Robinson.

Miss Chinese World, founded by Malaysian impresario Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi, is organized with the aim of gathering young Chinese beauties from around the globe in the celebration and remembrance of Chinese culture, values and traditions. It is also a platform to promote goodwill and friendship among the participants.

Ooi is a long-time partner of Mutya ng Pilipinas, which also holds the franchise of his Miss Tourism International pageant of which the Philippines has won five times.

Miss Chinese World, which requires a bigger representation, allows a maximum of five delegates representing different cities from a participating country. Mutya ng Pilipinas will send two representatives, namely, Anie Uson Chen and Berjayneth Chee.

Anie, who will represent Metro Manila, was a top 12 finalist at the 50th edition of Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2018. Meanwhile, Berjayneth  (Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental) is the reigning Miss Chinatown Philippines.

The coronation night of Miss Chinese World will be held in Malaysia on May 20, 2023.

To complete its roster of queens, Mutya ng Pilipinas proudly announces: Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022 Intercontinental, Iona Gibbs; Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022 World Top Model, Arianna Kyla Padrid; Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022 Miss Tourism International, Jeanette Reyes; Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022 Miss Environment International, Shannon Robinson; Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022 Miss Chinese World representatives, Anie Uson and Berjayneth Chee; Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022 Overseas Communities, Jesi Mae Cruz; Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022 Visayas, Megans Campbell; Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022 Mindanao, Marcelyn Bautista.

Mutya ng Pilipinas chairman Fred Yuson and president Cory Quirino have also announced that plans for Mutya ng Pilipinas 2023 are underway and the grand coronation night will be staged in the last quarter of the year. More information will be revealed at the soonest possible time.

Meanwhile, the Mutya ng Pilipinas website and social media pages are open to inquiries on sponsorships, franchise tie-ups and application of prospective candidates.

THE Philippines’ Erik Lennart Visser, a 24-year-old licensed pilot from Cebu, was crowned as Mr. Universe Tourism 2023 at the 4th edition of the Philippine-based pageant that was held last Sunday at Bali Nusa Dua Theater in Bali, Indonesia.

Visser, a 6-foot-3 heartthrob who is based in Cebu, was crowned by Mr. Universe Tourism 2019 Surasak Muangkeaw from Thailand. Visser also won Best in Formal Wear for his suit with Filipiniana touches created by Cary Santiago.

Named as first runner-up was Vietnam’s Huỳnh Víµ Hoí ng SÆ¡n while Spain’s Francisco Jose Merida Moyano came in third.

Born in the Netherlands to Leendert Visser and Gina Alonde Visser,  the 6-foot-3 hunk was raised in Dumaguete City where he graduated with a degree in Psychology at Silliman University.

Representing Cebu, Erik won as Ginoong Pilipinas in 2019 that earned him a ticket to vie for Mr. Universe Tourism in 2020. His pageant campaign, however, was stalled by the pandemic and finally resumed after three years in Bali.

Erik is also a licensed pilot who hopes to fly commercial planes in the future. He is also into table tennis and swimming.

During the Q&A segment, Visser was asked what he can do to improve tourism in the Philippines.

He replied: “While staying here in Bali, I learned so many things. After being home for so long in my beautiful country, the Philippines, I learned that there are ways to promote tourism more than what we have to offer. For example in Bali, it is hosting Mr. Universe Tourism 2023 together with the tourism officials of Indonesia. That’s something that we can bring to the Philippines.

“We have to understand that the help of foreigners, tourists, can help promote the Philippines in so many ways. It can help the economy, it can help the people, and it can help the country as a whole. One thing that I would help [for] the tourism in my country is to follow the footsteps of successful tourist destinations such as the beautiful island of the gods, the island of a thousand temples — Bali.”

Erik was wildly cheered by the audience, including his mom and brother Alex, a semi-professional basketball player in Cebu.

Also in attendance were Indonesian personalities, including Senator Arya Wedakarna and Mr Universe Tourism 2018 Brata Kartasasmita.

Hosted by former Miss Philippines Youth and Miss Universe Philippines Marinduque Simone Nadine Bornilla, the coronation show was produced by Borgen Entertainment Ventures spearheaded by partners Jumel Bornilla and Manix Genabe.

LAST Monday, Malaysian beauty queen turned Hollywood actress Michelle Yeoh won the Oscar trophy for Best Actress for the movie “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” becoming the first Asian woman to win in the category.

The 60-year-old Yeoh scored a 3-peat as Best Actress for the said movie that also won the Oscar Best Picture, following wins in the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards.

Michelle received her Oscar trophy from Halle Berry who was also a former beauty queen and Oscar Best Actress for “Monster’s Ball” in 2001, the first black woman to achieve the feat.

Traditionally, the Oscar for Best Actress trophy is presented by the previous year’s Best Actor but Halle presented the award to Yeoh in lieu of last year’s winner Will Smith, who was banned from the Oscars and all Academy Awards-related events after slapping host Chris Rock at last year’s live show.

Halle was visibly filled with emotion as she handed the trophy to Michelle, only the second woman of color to win the Oscar Best Actress plum.

Aside from the Oscar milestones, Michelle and Halle have two more things in common: They both competed for Miss World in the 1980s and became Bond girls.

Michelle was a 21-year-old, 5’5″ charmer from Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia when she competed and won the Miss Malaysia World pageant in 1983. She competed for the 33rd Miss World in London but did not make it to the first cut of 15 semifinalists; she was ranked 18th overall.

The following year, Michelle won as Miss Moomba International 1984 in Melbourne, Australia. The pageant was originally named as Queen of the Pacific of which two Pinays have won: Ma. Rita “Baby” Santiago in 1968 and Nelia Sancho in 1971.

Halle was a 20-year-old, 5’7” native of Cleveland, Ohio when she won as Miss Ohio USA in 1986 and placed first runner-up to Christy Fichtner in Miss USA 1986.

She went on to represent the USA at the 36th Miss World in London and finished sixth out of 7 finalists, including winner Giselle La Ronde from Trinidad and Tobago.

Michelle and Halle became leading ladies to Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond – Michelle as Wai Lin, a skilled agent of the Chinese Ministry of State Security, Bond’s ally in “Tomorrow Never Dies” in 1997; and Halle as Jinx Johnson, an NSA agent in “Die Another Day” in 2002.

SIXTEEN of the 18 contestants for Mrs.  Face of Tourism Philippines 2023 were presented to members of media at Winford Hotel and Casino in Sta. Cruz, Manila last Saturday.

The roster of candidates included popular showbiz and pageant personalities Marie Karen Palasigue a.k.a. Sabrina M. who was the Miss Photogenic winner in Mutya ng Pilipinas 1993 (won by Michelle Aldana) before venturing into the movies; Rowena Almocera a.k.a. Alma Soriano l, also of films; and former Binibining Pilipinas World Janina San Miguel Sahota whose amusing answer at the 2008 Binibining Pilipinas finals q & a went viral.

“Mrs. Face of Tourism Philippines will serve as an advocate … in significantly promoting culture and tourism towards the development of the community …,” said Annie S. Refrea, owner of Mrs. Face of Tourism Philippines Organization at the press con.

“Mrs. Face of Tourism Philippines will use her voice to amplify her advocacies and help in building the nation by helping uplift the tourism of our country that is teeming with opportunities for livelihood for our countrymen,” she added.

The sashing ceremonies were presided by Refrea and Florence Rivera, secretary general of National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS), the pageant’s partner.

Baguio City’s Susan Villanueva was voted as Darling of the Press during the event, in addition to winning several sponsor citations. Janina San Miguel from Quezon City placed second while Karen Palasigue from San Mateo, Rizal was third.

Last Tuesday, the pageant issued an official statement through its Facebook page announcing the withdrawal of San Miguel from the pageant. According to Refrea, San Miguel had a verbal altercation with the pageant’s director, Marky Delos Santos, that prompted the former beauty queen to leave their group chat.

The official roster of candidates now includes: Jean Dacuba Babon, Talisay Cebu; Pamela Mariano Forte, Parañaque City; Ghette Legg, Pampanga; Marie Karen Palasigue, San Mateo, Rizal; Jennifer Lansang Bastarriche, Marikina City; Nean Baguioro, Pasay City; Susan Villanueva, Baguio City; Michelle Toledo, Tanza, Cavite; Jeanny Lanurias Canales, Medellin, Cebu; Mira Madrigal, Sta.Rosa, Laguna; Lorna Bausas Teaño, Tagaytay City; Marimel May Ferrer-Ocaña, Tanauan, Leyte; Jenny Gaviola, Pasig City; Jannith Lauce Romantico, Quezon Province; Venus Almari, Biñan City; Jesa Mae Baroy, Taguig City; Rowena C. Almocera, Malolos, Bulacan.

In addition to Mrs. Face of Tourism Philippines, four other titles are at stake, namely, Mrs. Face of NAITAS, Mrs. Face of Heritage and Culture, Mrs. Face of Eco Tourism and Mrs. Face of Health and Wellness. There will also be two subsidiary titles: Mrs. Face of Elegance and Mrs. Face of Charity.

The candidates will undergo a series of workshops and tours related to pageant skills and tourism leading to the grand finale on May 30.

Congratulations to entrepreneur turned beauty queen Michelle Vitug Encarnacion for winning the coveted Elite Mrs. International 2023 title at the TKS Mrs. International  2023 held last Sunday at the Orchid Ballroom of Thistle Hotel, Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

The Singapore-based international pageant for married women was stalled for two years by the pandemic and finally pushed through last month in Malaysia.

Aside from the title, Michelle won Best in Interview, Best International Costume (for her forest foliage inspired ensemble by Axel Que) and the Social Media Award.

The other winners included Mrs. Mexico, Mrs. International 2023; Mrs. Singapore, Mrs. Asia Pacific 2023; Mrs. Thailand, International ASEAN 2023; and Mrs. Malaysia, Mrs. South East Asia 2023.

In a post after the pageant, Michelle thanked everyone who was part of her pageant journey: her family and friends; Team Elite and Mrs. Philippines International family especially Maan C. Aris, Aries Concepcion and Francis de Guzman; Onesimo Foundation; her manager Alex Moico, fitness coach Chris Martin Bond, pageant trainers Rodgil Flores and Enan Bernaldez Cruz of Kagandahang Flores; Jovita C. Laureola, Pauline Abigael Ebora, Patrizia Garcia, Kristine Joy Ocampo Cruz and all the beautiful ladies and handsome gentlemen of Belmere as well as her media friends.

Meanwhile, Maan Cueto Aris, the national director of MRS Philippines International, announced through a post on their social media accounts that MRS Philippines International 2023 and DREAM LAB will be having a Charity Tour to benefit God’s Angel Little Miracle Warriors on April 3, 2023.

The grand finale of Mrs. Philippines International 2023, to select the country’s next international pageant campaigners, will be held at Okada Manila on April 4, 2023.