Filipina wins Miss Tourism Int’l in Malaysia
The Philippines continued its winning streak in beauty pageants abroad this year when a Filipina was crowned Miss Tourism International 2017 during a pageant held in Malaysia last Wednesday night.
Jannie Alipo-on, of Navotas City, became the fourth Filipina to
win in the 23-year-old beauty pageant. The 25-year-old model is a business management graduate of the De La Salle-College of St.Benilde in Malate, Manila.
Previous Filipino winners in the same contest were Maria Esperanza Manzano (2000), the late Rizzini Alexis Gomez (2012) and AngeliDione Gomez (2013).
The Miss Tourism International pageant is usually held on New Year's Eve. This year, the organizers changed its format and decided to stage it before Christmas.
Alipo-on won a scholarship worth RM60,000 (about 1746,400) from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology; RM10,000 (about 1124,400) cash, trophy and other prizes from this year's pageant sponsors.
Miss Poland Maja Aleksandra was named Miss Tourism Metropolitan International; Miss Indonesia Lois Merry Tengel, Miss Tourism Cosmopolitan; Miss Australia Diana Miss Tourism Global; Miss Brazil Julia Do Vale Horta, Dreamgirl of the Year; and Miss Thailand KamolrutTanon, Miss South East Asia.
Miss Malaysia Melissa Ng Sook-Khuan won the Miss Glowing Glojas special award.
With the theme "Promoting Tourism, Culture and Friendship," the beauty pageant is an international talent search platform aimed at promoting Visit Malaysia Year 2020.
Before Alipo-on competed abroad, she said that she is very thrilled to represent the Philippines in the Miss Tourism International pageant.
"I still can't believe this is really .... really happening… This is another awesome chapter of my life and I will be forever grateful, especially to those people who believed in me. Wohoo!" said Alipo-on.
Aside from Alipo-on, other Filipino beauty queens who won international titles this year were Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco and Reina Hispano-americana Teresita Marquez. Mutya ng Pilipinas Ilene Astrid de Vera won 4th runner-up in the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant held in Manila recently.
It wasn't an easy road for Alipo-on in beauty pageants. She never stopped dreaming and joined Mutyang Pilipinas three times. She also competed in major pageants such as Miss Philippines Earth and Miss World Philippines.
Miss U beauties tour PH
Meanwhile, the most beautiful women in the universe are all excited to see the beauty of Batanes today, Dec. 8.
Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters shared how ready she is to see one of the Philippines' most beautiful tourist attractions.The South African beauty said she already prepared her flat shoes so she can relish the island experience to the fullest.
Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo said the people in the provinces are very excited as well that they will be given the chance to see the candidates.
The Miss Universe 2017 candidates, together with Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, will visit Batanes, Bohol, and Camiguin.
‘Bring home a friend’ project
In earlier interviews, Teo said the visit to the Philippines is part of the Bring Home a Friend (BHAF) project of the tourism agency.
“It will definitely promote the country considering that the ladies have a huge social media following,” said Teo.
The BHAF is a referral incentive program wherein Filipinos or Philippine expats who invite foreigners to visit the country will have a chance to win a prize. Three sponsors and invitees will be selected on the grand draw.
Prizes
A condominium unit from Megaworld Corporation will be the first prize in the Sponsors Category; a Toyota Vios for the second prize; and 1200, 000 gift certificate from Duty Free Philippines as the third prize.
The BHAF is open to the public until April 15, 2018.(With a report from Charina Clarisse L. Echaluce)