Mutya's new thrust: 'Beauty Tourism Adventure'

Like the other beauty contests, the Mutya ng Pilipinas is a rich source of showbiz materyales Fuertes. Some of Mutya title-holders who have crossed over to showbiz: the late Rio Diaz, Emma Yuhico, Rosemarie de Vera, Michelle Aldana, Marilou Bendigo, Malou Sadiua, and Alice Crisostomo and her daughter Mutya Crisostomo.

And also like other beauty contests, the Mutya search has its share of controversies (winners resigning or being dethroned, etc.) and pursues its own advocacy along the “beauty with a purpose” line.

This year’s Mutya ng Pilipinas search (the 34th edition since its inception), led by Jacqueline Tan (the search’s first lady president), will kick off in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the venue of the pre-pageant reality adventures. According to Roberto “Tito” de Venecia, chairman of the Mutya executive committee (he’s the only remaining original member of the board of directors which is now composed of new ones, the other original members having retired), the pageant will use its 34th anniversary as a platform to support the Underground River/Subterranean National Park, which is considered as a National World Heritage site.

Barbara Salvador, Mutya-Tourism International 2010

“It is popularly known as the longest navigable underground river and the most beautiful subterranean river in the world,” said Tito. “No wonder it was nominated for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Other remarkable locations in the area will also be featured to further exhibit its beauty and the whole country as well.”

The pageant’s new thrust, “Beauty Tourism Adventure,” will also highlight the equally attractive features of the “city in a forest” including the Jungle Trail, mangrove and tropical forest, wildlife sanctuary and other fascinating nature spots including the pristine white sand beaches Puerto Princesa City is known for.

“Puerto Princesa City, led by Mayor Edward Hagedorn, is expected to be the principal host,” added Tito.

The brand-new Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa, the official resort home of the Mutya ng Pilipinas, will be the co-host. It will serve as the beauties’ home away from home throughout their week-long pre-pageant activities. The breathtaking resort is located in the west coast, 80 kilometers away from Puerto Princesa City.

Barbara Salvador, Mutya-Tourism International 2010

The national pageant will be co-produced by TV5 which has aired the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageants for at least four years. The special TV edition will be given dynamic reality twists and fresh conceptual innovations while promoting tourism for the Philippines and the appreciation of the natural wonders of the area. 

“The adventure campaign of Puerto Princesa this year will be made possible through the generosity and support of its City Mayor Ed Hagedorn, a staunch supporter of Mutya ng Pilipinas,” said Tito. “He always inspires the candidates to seriously take the pageant’s advocacy of promoting tourism in the country, as well as to help boost the eco-tourism legacy of Mutya. It is a partnership dedicated to promoting the country’s natural legacies, gearing towards a greater appreciation of the Philippines by its citizens and foreigners alike.”    

At stake in this year’s competition are three titles: Mutya ng Pilipinas-International, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism, and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Overseas Communities. 

“In addition to these coveted crowns is the prestige to represent the beauty of the Filipina overseas,” said Tito, “exactly what two of last year’s winners successfully accomplished. Mutya-Intercontinental Christi Lynn McGarry was a semi-finalist in the Miss Intercontinental Pageant 2010 held in Dominican Republic and Mutya-Tourism International Barbara Salvador was third runner-up in the Miss Tourism-International competition held in Malaysia. It is proof that Filipinas are indeed recognized not only for their exquisite elegance, but also as worthy contenders in the international scene. Mutya-Intercontinental Carla Lizardo was not able to participate in the international competition as she gave priority to her classes, being a graduating student from Ateneo and the Badminton Varsity’s team captain.”

This year’s winners will represent the Philippines in the Miss Asia Pacific, Miss Intercontinental and Miss Tourism International contests. The pageant also selects the country’s delegates to the Queen of the Year and Top Model of the World.

Added Tito, “Filipinas all over the world are also encouraged to participate because of the yearly tradition of having delegates coming from the Filipino Overseas Communities. This year, we have Mutya-Zurich, Mutya-Arizona, Mutya-East Coast USA, Mutya-Norway, Mutya-Germany and other countries sending their own candidates for an equal opportunity to win the crown and celebrate femininity all over the globe.”

The search is open to single, beautiful, intelligent, talented and articulate Filipino women. An applicant must be a high school graduate, at least 18 but not more than 24 years of age, with a minimum height of 5’5.” Be the pride of our country. Celebrate beauty.

Screenings will be held in Metro Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao and Pangasinan starting first week of October. The pageant starts in November, with the grand finals to be held in December. (For more details, log on to its official website www.mutyangpilipinas.com or call 975-3370…738-2833…or 0917-5260777.)

What’s up?

• Fr. Joey Faller will officiate at his regular last-Friday-of-the-month healing Mass at the Metropolitan Hospital (on Masangkay St., Sta. Cruz, Manila), tonight at 7 o’clock. The venue is at the 8th floor of the hospital. Everybody is welcome.

• Reader Rog Diala reminded Funfare that Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit stars Maricel Soriano and not Charo Santos-Concio as wrongly mentioned in last Tuesday’s article about the 20th anniversary specials of Charo’s ABS-CBN drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK). Charo’s starrer is actually titled Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan.

• The launching of the UE Go Global (UE Alumni’s Global Homecoming 2012) will be held tomorrow, Oct. 1, 5 p.m. at the UE Dalupan Lobby and Quadrangle. For inquiries, call Jo Malanum at 735-5471 local 310, Dean Bing Rayupa at 0920-9082418, Juan Martin Guasch at 0917-5692033 or Grace Mauricio at 0921-4009185. Also, the month-long celebration of UE’s 65th foundation anniversary is going on. Theme is Jose Rizal: Nasa Puso Ng UE. For details, log on to the UE website www.ue.edu.ph.

• Must-reads in the October issue of workingmom magazine (with Maricel Laxa and her new baby on the cover): New twists on the traditional party menus, options to delivering a baby, ways to get a marriage on the right track and a new perspective on the workplace.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit http://www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on http://www.twitter/therealrickylo.)