Fresh from her strong second place finish at the 2019 Miss Eco International pageant in Cairo, Egypt, Fil-French model Maureen Montagne has decided to join local showbiz and will be introduced in her first Filipino movie to start shooting this month.
The 24-year-old winner of Miss Century Tuna Superbods 2018, said that she felt like a winner getting the warm accolades and support from pageant fans and netizens when she returned to the country.
“It was my first international pageant and I had so much fun being myself and teaching everyone about my culture. Filipinos are the best fans in the world and I feel so blessed to have worn the Philippines across my heart for the world to see,” said Maureen during her homecoming press conference given by the Miss World Philippines organization.
“I felt like wearing the Philippine sash made the people analyze you more but I was more proud to wear it and showed them why Filipinas are such strong contenders globally. I was confident about my coronations night performance because I was prepared. I have competed in the Philippines as well as the US several times and I left everything out on the stage. As I have gotten older, I have realized that what is yours will always find its way to you and what doesn’t was never yours. I’ve never needed a crown to make me feel like a winner. I’m happy to have placed so high after the Philippines won last year,” added Maureen.
Maureen also said that she was proud to land in the Top 10 of the national costume competition, her favorite event of the pageant, where she wore a Muslim Maranao-inspired golden dress designed by well-known designer Edwin Uy.
Miss World Philippines national director Arnold Vegafria, who expressed belief that Maureen should have won a back-to-back, also announced the appointment of Arnold Mercado as the new general manager of Miss World Philippines. Mercado, or Mama Ru as he is fondly called, is the Operations Manager of Empire Studios and is one of the personality development trainers of ACES and Queens, who produced the likes of international winners Pia Wutztbach, Megan Young, and Kylie Verzosa.
“It’s an honor and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be chosen as the new General Manager of Miss World Philippines. This is my passion and I will give my utmost dedication to this job. You should expect a new branding for Miss World Philippines, one that is more competitive, prestigious and relevant,” Mercado said in accepting the position.