Miss Philippines Tourism Herlene Budol. ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines—When comedienne Herlene Budol received the Miss Philippines Tourism crown at the recently concluded Miss Grand Philippines pageant, many people assumed she will be the country’s representative to the 2023 Miss Tourism World pageant. But it appears that is not the case.
After the winners of the Miss Grand Philippines pageant have been crowned at the culmination of the competition held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on July 13, the Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant posted on its official Facebook page their franchise certificates including the one for the London-based Miss Tourism World pageant where the “Magandang Dilag” star was said to be joining.
Miss Philippines Tourism Herlene Budol. ARMIN P. ADINA
Hiyas ng Pilipinas Chairman Mike Sordilla had already mentioned in an earlier press conference that his newly acquired national pageant has retained its franchise agreement with John Singh for the Miss Tourism World pageant. Two more international partners have been added, the Miss Omninational and Miss Summit International competitions.
“I’m not really sure about the plans of the other parties, but as far as legalities are concerned, we hold the franchise for the Miss Tourism World. The owner, [Singh], he’s based in the [United Kingdom], he’s coming here for our coronation on Nov. 11,” Sordilla told Inquirer.net at the sidelines of the Luzon screening for his Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City on July 16.
Many have assumed that Budol will be the Philippines’ representative to the 2023 Miss Tourism World pageant because she received her title from 2022 Miss World Philippines-Tourism Justine Felizarta, who incidentally was the first runner-up in the recent edition of Singh’s Miss Tourism World pageant.
Hiyas ng Pilipinas Chairman Mike Sordilla shows the Miss Tourism World insignia along with his national pageant’s logo. ARMIN P. ADINA
“But Miss Grand [Philippines] didn’t mention that it’s Miss Tourism World [where Budol will compete], people are just the ones mentioning it. I’m not really sure where the confusion is. Insofar as the legalities are concerned, at Hiyas ng Pilipinas we have the grants, and we have the franchise licenses,” Sordilla insisted.
Budol’s Miss Philippines Tourism title is similar to the one bestowed on Glyssa Perez and Trisha Martinez in their respective Miss World Philippines stints. Both former queens did not compete in any international contest.
Before Sordilla acquired the Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant earlier this year, the national organization already held the license for the Miss Tourism World contest, and had crowned a representative in its inaugural staging last year. But the erstwhile winner, Dean Dianne Balogal, left for Australia to pursue her studies. It opened the door for another organization to send a delegate, and the Miss World Philippines organization grabbed it and appointed their runner-up, Felizarta.
“We are the legitimate [franchise] holder. The international [pageant] will hopefully be in November. [Singh] said the venue is to be announced. Our winner for this year will definitely represent the Philippines in Miss Tourism World this year,” Sordilla declared.
Balogal’s fellow 2022 Hiyas ng Pilipinas queen will see action on the international stage, though. Hiyas ng Pilipinas Elite and GMA Sparkle artist AZ Martinez has been designated as the country’s representative in the 2023 Miss Summit International pageant in the United States. The global tilt will be held in September, two months ahead of the scheduled national competition, so the organizers opted to appoint a delegate from the previous roster of winners.
Hiyas ng Pilipinas National Director Eva Patalinjug (in front) presents the applicants who screened in Luzon. ARMIN P. ADINA
After the Luzon screening, the Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant will next take in applicants from the Visayas in another round of auditions in Cebu on July 23. The last leg will be conducted in General Santos City on July 30. The successful applicants will be announced in the first week of August.
The 2023 Hiyas ng Pilipinas coronation night will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on Nov. 11. Former Binibining Pilipinas and Mutya ng Pilipinas titleholder Eva Patalinjug is the pageant’s national director. /ra