It’s rare to see a Miss World winner walk a narrow street in the slum of Tondo, Manila. Stunning blue-eyed, blonde Karolina Bielawski, the second Polish woman to win Miss World in 2022, took Manila by storm during her recent four-day visit to the country, in connection with the Miss World Organization’s “Beauty with a Purpose” charity program.
Bielawski was greeted with cheers and smiles from the local residents as she arrived at the Baseco Compound, in Tondo, Manila to grace the ribbon-cutting and turn-over ceremonies of the ERDA (Educational Research and Development Assistance) Foundation Learning Hub, held on Saturday. Bielawska was joined by Miss World Organization CEO/chairman Julia Morley and Miss World Philippines national director Arnold Vegafria.
The ERDA Foundation research hub is a pet project of Miss World Philippines 2022 Gwendolyne Fourniol. Morley personally handed to the Miss World Philippines Organization a donation $20,000 as support assistance to Fourniol’s ERDA project, which aims to ensure some 500 children will be benefited with free education and the opportunity to see a bright future. Fourniol intends to represent her pet project in the “Beauty with a Purpose” competition of Miss World 2023, to be held in New Delhi, India on December 16.
“This moment marked the beginning of a new chapter for the ERDA Foundation BASECO Learning Hub, a place where dreams will be nurtured and futures will be shaped. We are beyond grateful for the support and dedication of these remarkable individuals who are using their platform to make a positive impact in our community. Let’s celebrate this incredible milestone and the power of education to transform lives,” the Miss World Philippines organization said in a statement.
* * *
Beauty Queen triathlete completes run in Sydney Marathon
For Alexandra Faith Garcia, running is a journey of self-discovery, growth, and accomplishment, pushing oneself to the limit.
Garcia, the winner of Miss Aura International in 2021, is a sports enthusiast who participates in triathlon competitions both locally and internationally. The 30-year-old from Olongapo City recently completed the Sydney Marathon, her second international marathon, which took place on September 17.
“I’m thrilled to be back in the marathon scene. This marks my second marathon, and it’s incredible to see how far I’ve come. Conquering the Sydney Marathon was no walk in the park. The rolling hills and Pinas-level heat made every step a challenge. But that’s what makes the journey worth it,” Garcia said.
The Sydney Marathon, the biggest marathon in Australia and a candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), was participated by more than 40,000 runners, a record turnout. The race started at Milsons Point at 7:00 a.m. with temperatures reaching 30 degrees during the main 42-kilometer event.
“In 2017 Macau Marathon, my finish time was 4 hours and 54 minutes. Today, I’m happy that I got my PR (personal record), crossing the finish line at 4 hours and 35 minutes. My expected finish time was around 4-5 hours since this was just my second marathon. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but one year of hard work, dedication, and sheer determination have paid off. The thrill of pushing my limits and achieving this milestone is indescribable. I’m looking forward to joining again next year since it will be bringing in the Abbott Wanda Age Group World Championships,” Garcia enthused.
Garcia was part of the DTE Endurance influencers and were seeded at the start of the marathon together with the elite runners. She was happy to get to meet a lot of new friends in the running community and other influencers from across the region, amazed with their dedication and commitment to the sport.
Garcia is promoting the coming Bintan Triathlon, with Enduro or Olympic Distance Race, set on October 21 to 22.