42 international delegates vie at 2017 Miss Asia Pacific Int’l pageant in Manila

The candidates of 2017 Miss Asia Pacific International (MAPI), one of the oldest pageants in the world and re-launched only last year in Puerto Princesa, Palawan after a decade of hiatus, were presented recently to the media at the Edsa Shangri-la in Mandaluyong City. Miss Sri Lanka’s Hasini Samuel was voted “Darling of the Press” while Miss Mauritius Aylasha Ramrachia and Miss Vietnam Vuong Thanh Tuyen placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Philippine bet Ilene Astrid De Vera, a 21-year-old, real estate marketing executive, is among the heavy favorites for the crown currently held by Netherlands’ Tessa Helena Le Conge.  The Cebuana model and Mass Communication graduate from the University of the Philippines-Cebu hopes to win the crown last won by Michelle Aldana in 1993.

Giving De Vera a run for her money are Miss India Sonika Roy, a 23-year-old, Bollywood actress, dancer and model; Miss Colombia Yhully Bell Gomez, a 23-year-old, lawyer and model; Miss Brazil Francielly Ouriques, a 25-year-old, Human Resources Management graduate; Miss Mauritius Aylasha Ramrachia, a 22-year-old. Charity worker and student in Tourism Management; Miss Bangladesh Marjana Chowdhury, 23-year-old, member of a Columbia University team helping empower young prisoners at Rikers Island Correctional Facility in the USA; and Miss Myanmar Htwe Ei Kyaw, a 20-year-old, English student at University of Dagon.

Other hot contenders are Miss Russia Chanelle Soncini, Miss Costa Rica Kimberly Porras Boza, Miss Suriname Francisca Wong Loi Sing, Miss France Laura Deflandre, Miss China Wen Dou, Miss Vietnam Vuong Thanh Tuyen, Miss Nicaragua Katering Medina and Miss Indonesia Rita Nurmaliza. The Grand Coronation of Miss Asia Pacific International 2017 will be held at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila on November 29, 2017 telecast over FoxLife (formerly StarWorld).

The Miss Asia Pacific International candidates visited the Filipino soldiers who fought in Marawi to listen to their stories of sacrifice and courage with the objective to initiate an immersive experience to educate and create awareness for an issue that stems from lack of openness and understanding of opposing views and opinions – an issue that affects not only the Philippines but around the world.

“In a world where the term “differences” is thought of as something negative, it is our dream to foster a community that focuses on the beauty in all things different,” MAPI general manager Essa Santos said in a message.

With the pageant’s big comeback this year, the community as well as the candidates, can expect more initiatives that will reinforce the organization’s goal to bring mutual respect, acceptance, and celebration of diversity in every facet. Words by Eton Concepcion / Photos by Edmund Chua

 

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