MANILA, Philippines — Arnold Vegafria, the man behind ALV Pageant Circle and ALV Talent Circuit, is also a tourism advocate, as he said in a recent interview with this paper.
“I believe in our tourism industry. I believe in our natural resources,” shared he. “That’s why I use that as my platform to promote our country regarding the tourism industry.”
Also known as ALV to friends and colleagues, he was referring to holding a pageant, and his ALV Pageant Circle handles the official local franchises of international pageants. It mounts a local search that names the country’s representatives to pageants such as Miss World, Reina Hispanoamericana, Miss Global, Miss Asia Pacific International, Universal Woman and Miss Tourism International.
A pageant — whether held locally and internationally — is a way to promote domestic destinations, encompassing establishments that offer culinary, wellness, eco-tourism, culture-heritage and accommodation experiences, among Filipinos and foreigners.
He cited countries, which host and hold global pageants, that are successful in this field.
“Vietnam is very successful. Thailand is very successful. They use that platform to promote their countries with regard to tourism. I’ve seen it and experienced it because I go to that (and this) country to join (as we send the country’s delegate as part of the competition). They really focus on pageantry,” said he.
“For example, they want to promote this tourist destination, this island, this town or this city. They have to put a lot of activities there. Then, ang dami na po-promote. For me, that’s the cheapest platform,” added Arnold.
Hosting an international competition also means the event is being broadcast or streamed to different countries, and the latter’s people will get to know more about the host country through sponsored activities and competition segments contestants participate.
This year, the Philippines is hosting for the first time the Miss Tourism International, in which ALV Pageant Circle has the franchise. It was acquired last year.
Michelle Arceo will be the country’s delegate to it.
According to Arnold, the chance to hold the pageant was offered to him several times. As an advocate of tourism, he is looking at it as a platform to promote the Philippines to the world.
Miss Tourism International will take place on Dec. 15 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
Prior to this, Arnold and his pageant team mounted Mister World in 2019.
Embarking on such an endeavor also needs the help and support from private companies, brands and the government.
“I’m trying to seek the help of the government,” said he, who can also work with local government units.
Asked about the possibility of holding Miss World in the country, he shared, “The Philippines is always in the lineup of those big pageant organizations. It’s just really a matter of (time).”
The country was represented by Asia Rose Simpson in the recent Miss World in Vietnam. She gave an impressive performance as Asia won the Head-to-Head challenge and reached the competition’s Top 12 and the Asia and Oceania continental division’s Top 2.
Before he entered the world of pageantry as president of ALV Pageant Circle, Arnold was and is still into talent management through ALV Talent Circuit.
He said that sometimes when the pageant queens finish their reign, the titleholders may consider trying their hand at showbiz. A pageant also serves as a platform to tap new talents who might have a promising career in hosting, modeling, acting and singing.
He will carry on to mount a local pageant and choose the country’s representatives to global competitions with the purpose of giving young girls opportunities to fulfill their dreams of becoming beauty queens and the country’s ambassadors of goodwill.
“And, of course, as I said, I believe that it (a pageant) helps a lot to boost our tourism industry,” shared he. “And I will continue, and I put up a new pageant, which is the Island Philippines, which consists of 10 crowns (and titles).”
As for the beauty queens who have signed up with ALV Talent Circuit, he said that “marami na yung (there are many) ongoing projects. Marami na naka-sign up sa (many of them have signed up with) Viva. We have a partnership with Viva for television, movies and series. But some of them are still busy.”
The queenmaker also added that his team works with TV5, GMA, ABS-CBN and Net 25.
“If ever there’s no project, I’ll create a film. I produce films and programs for them,” said he, who started as a producer in the entertainment industry and has an advertising agency.
(For details on Miss Tourism International, please visit ALV Pageant Circle.)