Get to know Asia Pacific’s queens

The long wait is over because after almost a decade, new queens have been hailed for Miss Asia Pacific International. The newly crowned queens were tasked with the goal of promoting the beauty and diversity of each of their countries. As the first leg of its journey, the beautiful winners graced the Queen City of the South with their presence to learn about its culture, people and appreciate its cuisine.

The competition having been founded in the year 1968 is the first and oldest beauty pageant in Asia. But in 2006, the competition came to a halt. Having just recently been rejuvenated, the competition is now seeing a stronger future after having chosen the beautiful mix of faces to represent it and forward its advocacy for the year 2017.

The grand relaunch was held last Nov. 23. During the event, Miss Netherlands Tessa Helena Le Conge was crowned as Miss Asia Pacific International 2016 and also bagged the award for Miss Friendship. Miss Thailand Chawanya Thanomwong won first runner-up and was hailed Best in Swimsuit. Miss Philippines Ganiel Akrisha Krishnan won second runner-up, while Miss Cook Islands Felicia George was hailed as third runner-up and bagged the awards for Miss Photogenic and Best in Talent. Miss Korea Soyeon Kim came in fourth and was also chosen as Miss Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa. Only four of the winners were able to visit Cebu as Krishnan had to attend her thesis defense.

Miss Peru Ana Lucia Leiva won the People’s Choice Award.

The coronation was held at the Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The candidates stayed for some time in the world-famous town. During the press conference held at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug, Cebu City, the winners admitted that Palawan felt like paradise.

“I was already looking forward to going to Palawan because I already Googled it and I was like ‘oh that’s really paradise.’ When we went there, we had a very warm welcome from the people. They were so kind to us and they were receiving us at their best. We didn’t have much time to enjoy the beach but the environment was so amazing. It was truly like paradise very different from Manila, of course, and I will be sure to go back there again,” said Le Conge.

As their first stop, the ladies toured around Cebu and visited some tourist spots like the Lapu-Lapu Shrine and tasted the Cebuano cuisine.

“I’m enjoying it so much. I’m so spoiled here. It’s very different from the food from the Cook Islands. We have very different cuisine so I will be enjoying it as much as I can before I go back to the Cook Islands and before I go back on my diet and training routine,” said George.

During the press conference, George admitted that she was so excited to know that she was going to visit the Philippines because her brother is a missionary in Manila.

“When I was first told that I was coming to the Philippines, I was very excited because my brother actually lives here. He’s a year younger than me but he was posted here by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and he’s on a mission here to spread the gospel to the people in the Philippines. I was very excited to see the places where my brother has been. I could just imagine him walking along the streets and talking to people,” said George.

“He’s already learned the language because he has to speak Tagalog to all the people and it’s lovely to see the people he is helping. He was in Manila in Quezon City, but when we got here for our pageant, a day later he was transferred to one of the islands in Mindoro. I think they knew I was coming so to keep him busy with loads of work, they posted him to Mindoro to be more productive.”

At the end of the press conference, in line with furthering their advocacy of promoting beauty and diversity, the queens also made sure to promote their own countries.

“For most of the people, when they think of the Netherlands, they think of the tulips, the windmills and cheese but I think what is most precious about the Netherlands is it’s very multi-cultural and it’s one of the things I really love about it. Because when you are driving through the Netherlands, you will see variety: different language, different people and different landscapes. At one point, you’ll have a sea view and then you’ll be in the woods so that’s one of the things I’m really excited about to promote to you. So you should really come over once and I will be your tour guide,” said George.

“Thailand is the Land of Smiles. We have lots of culture and I will teach you my language. You will see my national costume. We have Phuket, South of Thailand. It’s like Palawan. We have a lot of food and I think you know that Thai food is a little bit spicy,” Thanomwong said on how she will accommodate visiting Cebuanos in Thailand.

“The Cook Islands is like the Philippines climatewise. It’s very hot. Cook islands is a group of 15 islands spread across a big ocean but the thing you’ll enjoy is that there’s not much people. Our population altogether is probably less than 10,000 people, so if you like the idea of deserted island and sun tanning... For the main islands, it would take maybe an hour to drive all the way around the island,” George also said.

“We’ve got blue lagoons, white sand beaches and we have our Cook Island cuisine, mostly consisting of pork, chicken and a little bit of fish. Lots of dancing and singing. I did some Cook Island dancing for my talent category and I’ve got a lot of people asking me to teach them. It’s only 17 hours flight, no worries. So come to the Cook Islands. I’ve been to the Philippines. Now it’s your turn,” George added.