November 4 ------ Organizers of the 9th Miss Tourism Philippines 2021 beauty pageant defended the face-to-face staging of the national pageant, saying the live set-up would help the girls prepare mentally. “Even in the midst of this pandemic, we should try to do face to face with our candidates because they will be our future ambassadors of Philippine tourism,” said Amelia Sunio-Abarquez, national director of the Miss Tourism Philippines pageant.
Abarquez added: “It is very important to look at the totality of our candidates how they carry themselves, how they behave with other people, how they react to certain stress, their outlook in life and their physical outlook to name a few. Seeing them virtually is different from seeing them personally. It will help them mentally as they socialize with others and will also boost local economies by having this pageant face to face.” She also told the girls to be true to themselves and promote Philippine tourism everywhere.
“I wish you all the luck, ladies!!! Be true to yourselves and the promotion of your tourism advocacies in your town, province, and city you represent. Indeed, it’s been so hard to prepare for those challenges, but you all nailed it bringing you to where you are now wearing those crowns in your heads,” she said. Abarquez also reminded the new batch of queens to stay humble. “Stay humble and your feet on the ground for you carry a hard task ahead of you by bringing your county in the international scene your performance should be at par excellence for you to win the title and make all your kababayans proud,” she said.
Abarquez said: “My reining queens, you are our most precious jewel, and we are the proudest to keep the glory and let the fire burn as we move on to more Miss Tourism Philippines pageants.” The new batch of Miss Tourism Philippines queens was crowned at Tan Ville Garden Resort in Rosario, Batangas City last Oct. 31.
This year’s winners: MTP Miss Tourism of the Globe Blezie Mae Garcia (Ilocos Sur), MTP Miss Tourism World Jem Videl Triviño-Arias (Quezon Province), MTP Miss Tourism Worldwide Lucky Faye Angelie Erese (Quirino), MTP Miss Tourism Universe Abegail Labasan (Maguindanao), 1st runner-up Hannah Rochelle Puno (Lipa City); 2nd runner-up Joann Rawlins (Ilocos Norte); 3rd runner-up Shaira May Soria (La Union); and 4th runner-up Asharey Palompo (Cavite).
Source: mb.com.ph