ORGANIZERS of Miss World-Philippines are all set to give its first winner the world.Thanks to tycoon Henry Sy’s SM Development Corp. (SMDC), which on Wednesday pledged P1-million cash and a luxurious condominium unit to the pageant winner.
The announcement was made by Cory Quirino, the chairman and CEO of CQ Global Quest, the new organizer of the Miss World-Philippines pageant during its grand launch at the SMDC Grand Showroom in Pasay City (Metro Manila).
“The time is now and the prospect is bright. I strongly believe that it will be our candidate that will win the Miss World crown this year. Let us make it happen,” Quirino said.
This will be the first time that the title will be determined in a separate pageant from the Bb. Pilipinas contest, after Miss World Limited chairman and CEO Julia Morley awarded the exclusive licensee agreement of Miss World-Philippines to CQ Global Quest.
The Philippines has won the Miss Universe and Miss International crowns several times, but has not produce a winner in the Miss World contest.
“For 60 years, the search for the most beautiful woman in the world was motivated by a single inspiration: ‘Beauty with a Purpose,’ and to give the much-anticipated beauty search a meaningful purpose, we have adopted the slogan ‘Beauty in Giving’,” Quirino said.
She added that the ideal Miss World-Philippines should not be just a woman who is beautiful physically but someone who can be the heart and soul of the Philippines.
“It is high time to make a Filipina’s dreams come true, a lady who will embody the true spirit of Filipino womanhood, one who will proudly represent her country while utilizing her beauty to inspire, to help and to heal. Let us give her that opportunity, but first of all, give us a chance to find her,” Quirino said.
According to her, audiences can expect nothing less than a grand spectacle during the grand coronation night on July 30 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Among the partners for Miss World-Philippines are SMDC, SM Supermalls Banco De Oro and Traders Hotel Manila.
Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province will serve as the official tourism destination while GMA-7 will be broadcasting the coronation night.
The Miss World pageant was founded by Eric Morley in 1951 and was welcomed by an audience greater than those at other international events such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games.
At its peak, the show claimed an audience of 27.5 million in Britain alone.
Sixty years onward, the pageant still manages to pull in crowds with the world’s most beautiful women assembled in one place.
Since its beginning, the annual worldwide beauty search has been able to assist in the alleviation of the plight of marginalized women and children with Miss World Limited having raised more than $400 million in support of countless charities.
Quirino’s vast experience in serving underprivileged communities makes her a fitting figure to spearhead the pageant.
“With more than 15 years as an officer serving Rotary International Districts 3810 and 3830, I have found the focus on community development by the organizers of Miss World [to be] supportive of my continuing advocacies,” she said.