On July 31, Solaire Resort and Casino’s Eclipse Bar came alive with the press presentation of the 26 official candidates of Miss World Philippines (Miss World Philippines) 2013.
Miss World Philippines is organized by CQ Global Quest, Inc, helmed by beauty and fitness icon Cory Quirino.
The program opened with a short dance number from the candidates followed by their introduction. Early standouts include actress Megan Young and candidates Mercegrace Raquel, Ria Rabajante, Zandra Flores and Henna Kaizzelle Nicole Cajandig, who also joined this year’s Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
Despite the fact that an actress and pageant veterans are competing, Quirino told Rappler that they are all on equal ground. “No one candidate is above any other. They’re all the same,” she said.
Quirino also acknowledged the fact that the world — on social media — has become more critical of beauty pageants. The question-and-answer portion is now a much-awaited part of any beauty pageant, not just the long gown and swimwear competitions.
She said that the same goes for Miss World. “The minute [the candidates] arrive in the competition, they are whisked into a room before an internal panel of judges and they are grilled almost every day. They are graded every day leading up to the [coronation night].
“We have to send a candidate — a winner — who is smart yet sweet and simple in her ways, because that’s what Miss World is looking for. It has to be someone who speaks from her heart, someone spontaneous and natural.”
- Rappler.com
Roselle Marie Ferrer - 22y.o. (36-26-38) 5’5”
Princesslyn Dignadice - 24y.o. (33-23-34) 5’6”
Khadija Nasser - 24y.o. (34-22-36) 5’6”
Zahra Bianca Saldua - 21y.o. (37-25-36) 5’7”