Miss Chinese World Annie Uson. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
MANILA, Philippines—Annie Uson scored the country’s first victory in the Miss Chinese World pageant, and she hopes to use her crown to be able to promote Chinese culture and heritage among Filipinos here and abroad.
“I’m looking forward to being more involved in the Filipino-Chinese community, not just in the Philippines, but to everyone around the world,” the new global beauty said at her victory party hosted by the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant at the CWC Interiors’ showroom at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City on May 31.
Uson said she also plans “to promote the Chinese culture more, for people to become more aware of the Chinese culture and heritage.” The Miss Chinese World pageant is an annual competition that gathers women with Chinese ancestry from different countries.
The Mutya ng Pilipinas organization recently acquired the franchise for the global pageant, whose organizer also mounts the Miss Tourism International contest, where the Philippines is the best-performing country with five wins so far.
Mutya ng Pilipinas President Cory Quirino earlier revealed that a country is allowed to send up to five delegates to the Miss Chinese World pageant, where contestants are representing cities, towns or provinces, instead of entire countries. Uson carried the “Manila” sash, while reigning Miss Chinatown Philippines Berjayneth Chee brought her province Misamis Oriental to the international stage.
The new queen said she thought her compatriot was a worthy opponent in the Miss Chinese World arena, and hoped the two of them would be the last two ladies standing in the final competition. “I know she is capable, I’ve known her before. We went there together, and we went on the trips together,” Uson shared.
At the culmination of the international competition, Joan Angelina from Tangerang, Indonesia, was proclaimed first runner-up, while Yoong Jia Yi from Melaka, Malaysia, finished as second runner-up. Chee was proclaimed Miss KEMM Ambassador, while Uson also received the ONE DOC Miss Charm title.
“I feel I’m on cloud nine. On stage, I didn’t feel alone. I know that the whole Philippines was watching live. That gave me the strength and the confidence that I was able to perform onstage, and I’m really grateful for all the support that you guys have given me. And it’s such a wonderful experience for me. And I’m glad to be able to stand on that stage wearing the Philippines sash,” Uson declared.
Next on the Mutya ng Pilipinas arsenal is Shannon Robinson who will represent the Philippines in the second edition of the Miss Environment International pageant in India this month. /ra