Queen of the Philippines, Inc. has named former Miss Zamboanga Nancy Lee Leonard as the Philippines’ representative to the Miss Tourism Queen International 2016 pageant in When Zhou, China.
A batchmate of Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach at the Bb. Pilipinas 2015 tilt, Leonard reigned as Miss Zamboanga 2011 and won the Miss Philippines Earth-Water 2013 title. The 25-year-old, 5-foot-7, psychology major at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, will compete against more than 80 contestants. One of the ‘grand slam’ pageants in terms of the large number of participating countries, the pageant has been won by Filipina Justine Gabionza in 2006.
“I am thankful to the Queen of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. for giving me this chance to fulfill my most cherished dream to compete and represent the country abroad. I will do my best to bring home the crown,” said the Zamboangueña who once revealed she got her scars as a tough girl in school.
Miss Tourism Queen International was founded by Charlie See. The first pageant was held in 1993 in Sri Lanka, then in the USA, Russia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Singapore and in China from 2004 to 2009. The pageant aims to promote tourism development, foster friendship and cultural exchange among the countries participating.
The Miss China Tourism Queen, which chooses the winner to represent China in MTQI, is an annual celebration and recognized as the best among beauty pageants in China with 15 provincial contests of which the top 3 winners from each province participating in China’s National Final. This event attracts full support from different circles in the Chinese society and enjoys wide press and TV media coverage and broadcasting.
Miss Netherlands Nathalie Mogbelzada is the reigning Miss Tourism Queen International and not to be confused with Miss Philippines Leren Mae Bautista who won Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015. Plans are afoot for the Queen of the Philippines, Foundation Inc. and La Unica Events Management & Productions, Inc. to organize in 2017 a national search for the next Philippine bet.