A rare gathering of Miss World Philippines titleholders the last six years was seen at the official media launch of Miss World Philippines 2017 at New World Hotel. They all won under Cory Quirino’s CQ Global Quest Inc., before the TV host and beauty wellness columnist gave up the Miss World Philippines franchise.
Minus 2014’s Valerie Weigmann, Miss World Philippines from 2011 to 2016 Gwendoline Ruais, Queneerich Rehman, Megan Young, Hillarie Danielle Parungao and Catriona Gray, whose painful loss at last year’s Miss World pageant triggered Quirino’s resignation, were a sight to behold at the event which is introducing three new titles this year beside the Miss World Philippines crown giving the winners a chance to represent the country at the Miss Eco International, Reina Hispano Americana and Miss Multinational international pageants.
Miss World 2017 will be held in China on Nov. 18, Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 is scheduled in Santa Cruz, Bolivia in November, while Miss Multinational 2017 in set in New Delhi, India in December. Miss Eco International will be held in Alexandria, Egypt in April 2018.
Thirty candidates are competing in this year’s search, which is now under a new Miss World Philippines franchise holder, Arnold Vegafria as national director and Bessie Besana as general manager. They will compete in several preliminary fast track events, patterned after the Miss World competitions, which include the Beach Beauty Challenge, Sports Challenge, Top Model Challenge at Fashion Show, Talent Competition during the Charity Gala Night. Winning candidates of these fast track events will automatically earn a semifinal spot at the finals of Miss World Philippines 2017 at Mall of Asia Arena on Sept. 3 to be telecast live on GMA-7.
While the Philippine General Hospital was the chosen beneficiary during Quirino’s time, the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center will now be the new charity beneficiary in line with pageant’s campaign advocacy under its traditional ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ program. With photos by Eton B. Concepcion