Mutya will spend cash prize for sick mom

Did you know that the headdress that Mutya Johanna Datul wore in the National Costume portion of the 2013 Miss Supranational was the same one worn by 1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran in a pictorial a few years ago?

“’Yung suwerte ni Margie rubbed off on Mutya,” noted Felix Manuel, the New York-based member of Funfare’s “beauty experts” (with Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Caluquib who also belongs to the group, with Caloy Valera, that discovers and grooms future beauty queens, the same group that discovered Mutya). “When Mutya departed for Belarus where the grand finals was held Friday night (in Sports Palace in Minsk), I had the gut feeling that she would win,” adding, “I have a strong feeling that our next big winner is Megan Young (featured in this section).”

Mutya, 21, is the first Filipina (and first Asian) to bring home the Miss Supranational crown in the five-year-old pageant that started in 2009. She succeeded Ekaterina Buraya who is from Belarus. Last year, the Philippine bet Elaine Kay Moll finished third runner-up.

According to Celso de Guzman Caparas, Funfare’s “other beauty expert,” Mutya bested 83 other contestants, ahead of Miss Mexico Jacqueline Morales (first runner-up), Miss Turkey Leyla Kose (second), Miss Indonesia Cok Istri Krisnanda (third) and Miss Virgin Islands Esonica Viera (fourth).

“Earlier in the contest,” reminded Celso, “Mutya was named Miss Personality. She was also among the Top 10 in the Miss Talent competition and the Top 8 in the pre-pageant Miss Internet selection.”

Part of Mutya’s prize is $25,000 cash which, she told the Belarus press, she will spend for the medicine and treatment of her sick mother.

“My mother needs the money badly,” said Mutya.

Mutya added that she will continue her charity work.

“Belarus will always be in my heart,” Mutya assured the media guys. “I will always cherish the memory of the places that I visited with the other contestants, like the Bialowieza Forest and our meeting with Santa Claus.”

Like the other girls, all that Mutya wanted is “to eat and to sleep” after the hectic pre-finals schedule.

“But I don’t think she can have time to rest as soon as she comes home,” said Celso.

Mutya will arrive tomorrow afternoon. From the airport, she will go straight to the gateway Mall for a welcome reception and press conference.

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