Miss International tilt today in China

BB. Pilipinas-International Diane Necio. PHOTO BY ALANAH TORRALBA

In just two years, Binibining Pilipinas-International Diane Necio has attended five send-off parties for Philippine bets to different international competitions. But the last one was special—it was her own going-away bash as the country’s representative to the Miss International pageant in China.

“I’ve always felt how much support our candidates receive,” Necio told media representatives at a gathering the Gateway Suites in Cubao, Quezon City, last month. “I hope you will continue to give me that support.”

Inspired

Since the 19-year-old Bicolana was named first runner-up in last year’s Binibining Pilipinas, she has joined the despedida gatherings thrown for some of the country’s international pageant representatives, including Miss Universe runners-up Venus Raj and Shamcey Supsup.

But the pageant veteran said she is more inspired than pressured by the accomplishments of her colleagues. Aside from Raj and Supsup, Miss International representatives for the last three years have also advanced to the semifinals.

Good wishes

Miss International 2008 semifinalist Patricia Fernandez expressed optimism that Diane would break the “semifinal streak” she started in 2008 and win the title.

Raj, Necio’s fellow Bicolana, also has high hopes for the dusky beauty. “You have been doing pageants in Bicol since you were 15. Now that you’re 19, you have already achieved a lot. I’m proud of you,” she said.

Supsup noted Necio’s improvement from the time they started training together for their respective pageants.

Precious Lara Quigaman was the last Filipino delegate to bag the Miss International crown in 2005. Like Quigaman, Necio also lost her father months before her international competition. Both ladies also joined the Binibining Pilipinas pageant twice.

Will Necio become the country’s fifth Miss International titleholder? She faces 66 other hopefuls in the contest’s 51st edition in Chengdu, China, today.