Talk of ‘world peace’ helps Cebuana, Kalinga beauties win Mutya tilt

Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 winners. ARMIN ADINA

MANILA, Philippines—It sounded like a scene from the movie “Miss Congeniality”.

Two pageant contenders’ responses about “world peace” helped them win the top prizes at the 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas finals held at the grand ballroom of the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City on Friday night.

Eva Psychee Patalinjug of Cebu received the Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International title while Glennifer Perido of the Cordilleras took the Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism International crown.

During the final round of questions, the Top 10 delegates answered questions posed by social media users.

When asked how she would educate young people about gender equality, Patalinjug said: “In a new era today we have our own opinions, and that must be respected. Gender equality must be respected, as well as those people that need to be educated.”

“We must be upholding and respecting each other. We have different kinds of principles and values in life. We are unique and beautiful in our own way. That’s why I’m urging every one of you to respect each other. Let love and respect reign in our hearts, so that world peace will be upon us,” Patalinjug added.

Her answer prompted pageant host Christian Bautista to say, “This is the first time in a pageant that I hosted where I actually heard world peace.”

His co-host Bela Padilla exclaimed: “I know. I only see it in movies!”

But it did not stop there.

When Perido was asked what question she would pose to God if given the chance to see him, the Tabuk City native said: “I will ask Him the thing that I can do for the Philippines, to help especially when it comes to world peace.  It is through peace and unity that we can be as one, peace and unity will give us a better life.”

Patalinjug’s victory further established the Queen City of the South as a bastion of beauty.

Cebuana beauties before her had taken major Mutya titles two years in a row. Rizzini Alexis Gomez and Angeli Dione Gomez (not related) won the Mutya-Tourism International title in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

The two Gomezes also scored back-to-back victories in the Miss Tourism International pageant in Malaysia.

Also this year, another Cebuana Kris Tiffany Janson won the first-ever Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental title while Jamie Herrell took the Miss Philippines-Earth crown.

Patalinjug, 20, shared her thoughts about Cebu’s recent emergence in the pageant circuit.

“We are confident and we work hard in everything that we do,” she told the Inquirer after her coronation.

The Cebuana beauty queen also got a string of special awards. She earlier received the Best in Swimsuit award at the Sheridan Resort in Puerto Princesa City, which fast-tracked her to the pageant’s Top 10. She was also proclaimed Mutya ng Solaire, Mutya Viva Discovery and Mutya ng Sheridan.

Aside from the newly designed crown, Patalinjug also took home a P150,000 cash prize, P100,000 worth of cosmetic services at the Zen Institute, a shopping spree at Fisher Mall, a scholarship grant from the University of Perpetual Help System, and several flights via Sky Jet Airlines for one year.

The pageant’s organizers did not disclose which international competition Patalinjug will be competing in. She inherited her title from 2013 Miss Intercontinental third runner-up Koreen Medina, who was also proclaimed Queen of Asia and Oceania. But rival pageant Binibining Pilipinas now has the right to send the Philippine representative to the Germany-based global tilt.

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Perido is bound for Malaysia to attempt a three-year streak for the Philippines in the Miss Tourism International contest in December.

Perido’s crown also came with a P120,000 cash prize, P100,000 worth of cosmetic services at the Zen Institute, and several flights via Sky Jet Airlines for one year.

She was earlier proclaimed Best in Long Gown in Nueva Ecija, which fast-tracked her to the pageant’s Top 10. She was also proclaimed Mutya ng Zen Institute, Mutya ng Colour Collection, Mutya ng Ivana Fragrances, and Mutya ng Tupperware Brands Philippines.

The special title “Mutya ng Pilipinas-Overseas Communities” was awarded to Patrizia Bosco from the Filipino community of Milan, Italy.

During the final round, an interpreter struggled to translate the question into Italian. Bosco chose to answer with her limited English.

When asked if she is in favor of removing age restrictions for job applicants to address the unemployment rate, Bosco said: “I do not want that someone at any age will work. Because I think that a person, to have better future, must have preparation at school, must study.”

Spectators rewarded her with loud cheers.

Bosco was earlier voted by media men as “Darling of the Press.” She was also hailed Mutya ng Lee Cooper Jeans and Mutya ng Sheridan, and received the “I Am Confidence” award from Tupperware Brands Philippines.

Mutya ng Pilipinas actively engages the overseas Filipino communities by accepting their representatives to the pageant every year. But no overseas-based delegate has won a major title after Ashley McGarry’s proclamation as Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International in 2010.

Mutya ng Pilipinas President Jacqueline Tan said the pageant espouses “beauty tourism,” so the winners are expected to promote Philippine destinations to local and international tourists.

The pageant also promotes Philippine fashion by showcasing the designs of local couturiers in the national costume competition. Designer Renee Salud made the swimsuits and evening gowns of the 30 delegates, as well as the ternos of the Top 10 candidates.

GMA7 will air the 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas coronation ceremonies at noon Monday.

 Originally posted: August 9, 2014 | 10:25 pm

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