Miss World Philippines 2024 pageant shortlists 10 ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ projects

The 10 finalists in the “Beauty with a Purpose” fast-track event/MISS WORLD PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PHOTO

The hallmark of the Miss World pageant is its “Beauty with a Purpose” program, which utilizes the competition platform to raise awareness on different social issues, raises funds for charitable and development projects, and inspires people to take action. The Philippine search is adopting this initiative as well.

For the Miss World Philippines 2024 pageant, 10 “Beauty with a Purpose” projects have been shortlisted, and one of them will be chosen as winner, whose proponent will earn a guaranteed slot in the next round of competition.

All 35 delegates in this year’s competition presented their respective projects before a panel of judges at the Sequoia Hotel Manila Bay at the Aseana City in Parañaque City on Monday, July 1. The event is one of the “fast-track” activities of the national pageant, where the winners automatically advance to the semifinals.

Here are the 10 ladies whose projects stood out, and are a step closer to earning a fast-track semifinal slot:

• Bianca Tapia from Batangas, who was diagnosed with hearing impairment as a child, spearheaded Tanaueños USA’s charity project with the Malvar Assisted Facility and Therapy Center in Tanauan, to lay down an inclusive five-year education plan to help students with disabilities.

• Isabelle Bilasano from Bicol Region is the sole registered speech language pathologist in Albay, and goes to different houses in the province three days a week to provide therapy to children and adults. She pushes for more accessible healthcare and rehabilitation for Filipinos.

• Dia Maté from Cavite has been volunteering at the CRIBS Foundation since she was a little girl. She teaches music to help heal abandoned children and sexually abused girls under the institution’s care.

• Rhiana Pangindian from Kapitolyo, Pasig City, launched the #NotAlone project, whose mission is to shape lives, empower students, equip teachers and reach families “to see millions of students live a life full of meaning and purpose.”

• Lawyer Dolly Cruz from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, presented “ROAR,” which stands for Road of Accessible Rights project, a mobile legal clinic for the marginalized.

• Nikki Buenafe from Pangasinan started “Danum, Pundasyon na Bilay” (Water, Foundation of Life) which provided clean, potable water to communities and which she said is an investment for education and social progress.

• Christine Chagas from Quezon City was inspired by her personal bout with hyperthyroidism to partner with the local government in pushing for thyroid disease screening and awareness in communities.

•  Courtside reporter Andrea Endicio from Quezon Province shared the vicious online attacks she received, that led her to seek the assistance of the Philippine National Police’s cybercrime unit to raise awareness on cyber attacks and prevent all forms of cybercrimes.

• Jasmine Omay from the province of Tarlac launched her “Bahay na Papel” project to teach reading and writing to Aeta children in Sitio Bulacan in the town of Capas, which she hopes will encourage them “to discover the life within, and beyond their community.”

• Krishia Mendoza from Zamboanga del Sur is hoping to uplift the indigenous Subanen tribe in her community “in order for them to have better opportunities in preserving their culture.”

The winning “Beauty with a Purpose” project as well as the winners of the other fast-track events will be announced at the 2024 Miss World Philippines coronation night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on July 19.

Three titles are at stake—Miss World Philippines, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas and Miss Philippines Tourism.