Miss World Philippines finals this Sunday night

BIANCA Paz, Nicole Marable and Megan Young. Photos by Kimberly De La Cruz

With just over a month before the 2013 Miss World pageant, the search for the country’s representative is about to end.

Cory Quirino, Miss World Philippines franchise holder, recently presented 26 aspirants at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City where, tonight, the coronation will also take place. The winner will receive P1 million and will compete in the Miss World pageant in Indonesia on September 28.

The two earlier editions of the local tilt were likewise staged just a few weeks before the international contest. But cramming never seemed to affect the country’s performance. The first Miss World Philippines’ titleholder, Gwendoline Ruais, bested 111 international contenders and placed second to Venezuela’s Ivian Sarcos. Her successor, Queneerich Rehman, cracked the Top 15 and ranked highly in several preliminary competitions.

One of this year’s notable contestants is actress Megan Lynne Young, 23, who joined the GMA 7 talent search “Startsruck” and later moved to ABS-CBN. “I’m not getting any younger, and I really made time for this,” the Olongapo bet told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Reigning Miss Bikini Philippines Janicel Lubina from Palawan, a dusky 18-year-old, is equally driven. Set to represent the Philippines in the Miss Bikini International competition in China next month, Lubina was reportedly invited by Quirino to participate in Miss World.

Another familiar face is Bianca Paz, fourth placer in Miss World Philippines’ maiden edition. She was also a contender in the 2009 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, but was disqualified in its 2011 edition because of sexy photographs she did for a calendar.

“I’m more mature, more responsible,” said the 24-year-old from Nueva Ecija. “I really know what I want now.”

Nicole Marable, 19, is another crossover beauty who joined the 2012 Bb. Pilipinas pageant. She is also the reigning Miss Makati.

Other pageant veterans are Bb. Pilipinas alumnae Ria Rabajante, Patricia Ejercitado, Mercegrace Raquel and Henna Cajandig.

Mutya ng Pilipinas semifinalist and Best in Swimsuit Vina Openiano is also in the tilt, with fellow Mutya semifinalist and Miss Photogenic Zandra Flores—another former Bb. Pilipinas and Miss Philippines-Earth contestant.

This Sunday night’s coronation will be telecast live on GMA 7.