Miss World PH tilt attracts aspirants with show biz lineage

The lure of the crown attracted even show biz denizens with at least three entertainment scions throwing their hats into the pageant ring this year.

Among this year’s Miss World Philippines pageant aspirants are Teresita Ssen Winwyn Marquez, daughter of actors Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno; Zara Carbonell, daughter of actor Cris Villanueva; and Sheila Marie Reyes, sister of former actress and beauty queen Daisy Reyes.

All three are not new to the pageant scene. Marquez cracked the semifinals and received special citations in the 2015 Binibining Pilipinas pageant; Carbonell participated in the 2012 Miss Philippines-Earth contest; while Reyes finished fourth in the 2015 Miss Republic of the Philippines tilt.

But these three face tough competition for the crown, as outgoing queen Catrion Gray predicted a “good fight” for her title.

“The ladies are well-rounded, and they have prepared for this,” Gray, who finished fourth in the global Miss World pageant in Washington DC last year, told the Inquirer at the candidates’ press presentation at New World Makati Hotel recently.

She had a personal encounter with the 35 official delegates, where she shared her experiences in the national and international pageant stages, as well as her insights on being a beauty queen.

This year’s contestants also include other familiar faces who have already seen action in rival national beauty pageants.

Former Binibining Pilipinas first runner-up Laura Lehman, a multiple degree holder and host for ABS-CBN Sports and Action channel and the Lifestyle Network, is joining the fray, along with fellow Binibini alumna, semifinalist Gabriella Ortega.

Also trying their luck are 2015 Mutya ng Pilipinas Janela Joy Cuaton who placed second in the Miss Metropolitan International pageant in Cambodia, 2015 Miss Philippines-Ecotourism Jona Sweett, Miss Model of the Philippines Ethel Abellanosa, and Reyna ng Aliwan Cynthia Thomalla.

This year’s national competition, now under the auspices of talent manager Arnold Vegafria, will also award additional titles, aside from the main Miss World Philippines crown.

The tilt will also select the country’s representatives to the 27th Reina Hisapnoamericana pageant in Bolivia, and the second Miss Multinational competition in India, both later this year; as well as the fourth Miss Eco International contest in Egypt next year.

The 2017 Miss World Philippines coronation ceremonies will be staged at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City tomorrow, with a delayed telecast on GMA 7 on the same evening.