After a five-year hiatus, the Miss Asia Pacific International (MAPI) pageant comes back where it originated, in Manila, as host. The short, one-week-edition, concludes in a grand coronation on Monday, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay.
The MAPI organization, now headed by Atty. Eva Patalinjug-Lim, former Mutya ng Pilipinas – Asia Pacific International 2014, said that this year’s edition aims to showcase the pageant’s advocacy – ‘Beauty in Diversity,’ under the theme #CelebrateEveryHue (celebrating the beauty in every story, every background, and every hue), as a powerful reminder to embrace all forms of beauty.
The 33 candidates from around the world competed in the preliminary event for the national costume, swimsuit and evening gown competition, held at Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Pasay. Who will win the title last won in 2019 by Chaiyenne Huisman of Spain? The Standard has named the following as strong contenders for the crown:
1. Miss Philippines Blessa Ericha Figueroa, 22, model, singer/songwriter from Northern California, student in Business Administration, articulate, amazing catwalk, advocates for welfare of solo parents, 3rd runner up in The Miss Philippines 2023. She’s very pretty with engaging personality. Philippines is the total package of MAPI 2024!
2. Miss New Zealand Katharina Weischede, 18, Kiwi-Filipina, pursuing a Bachelor of Law degree, founder of Slime Princess Ltd., does charity work with the SCOT Foundation, Voted Darling of the Press and multiple awards during the preliminaries. She’s Standard’s Top 2, the closest to Miss Philippines in getting the crown.
4. Miss Thailand Kanyaphatsaphon Rungrueang, 27, graduate in bachelor’s degree in management science, first runner up Miss Grand Thailand 2024. Pretty, elegant and competitive. She loves overcoming her fears. Won Best in Long Gown during the preliminaries.
3. Miss India Sophiya Singh, model, actress and entrepreneur from New Delhi, graduate of Business Economics. She’s calm and confident. Her favorite Indian beauty queen is Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen.
5. Miss USA Janelis Leyba, 20, aspiring model and student in Business Administration from Bronx, New York, Miss Supranational USA 2024 Top 5. Classic beauty with amazing body! Vavavoom! She loves travelling around the Europe with friends.
6. Miss Mexico Karen Sofia Nunez, 24, advocates women empowerment and protection. Very striking when on stage on stage because of her long legs and confident walk. Fluent, ready and very personable.
7. Miss Peru Maria Fernanda Medina, another classic beauty and has great stage presence. Tall and very competitive also. She has the courage stand up and the tenacity to persevere.
8. Miss Vanezuela Maria Sanchez Paez, lawyer by profession. Vibrant personality on or off stage. Venezuela wishes to turn back the time and she will use it heal the differences among humans. She likes eating Peach-mango pies at Jollibee.
Bubbling up are Misses Germany Jennifer Prokop, Nigeria Chizuruoke Sufficient Arua, Bolivia Gabriela De Paiva Padilla, Russia Valeria Volkova,and Sweden Wanja Jennifer Grace Olsson.
