By JAY PATAO
Photos by Joselito Caleon
MISS Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina admitted she is excited to play the role of host-delegate at the 65th Miss Universe Pageant which will be held in Manila on January 30, 2017.
Maxine and the rest of her co-Bb. Pilipinas titlists met members of media during a press conference at Gateway Art Gallery at Gateway Tower in Quezon City recently.
While there is (double) pressure for her to duplicate Pia Wurtzbach’s feat last year and compete on home soil at that, Maxine admits that she is getting busier on her preparations for the pageant, brushing up on every news and topic concerning the Philippines and overseas, hoping to eventually turn the pressure into excitement.
As the third Pinay to play the role of host-delegate in Miss Universe (after top 12 semi-finalist Guadalupe Sanchez in 1974 and top 6 finalist Charlene Gonzales in 1994), Maxine is raring to show her fellow contestants the beauty of the Philippines, hoping to make them experience and enjoy the scenic spots in the country including Cebu, Davao and other places.
“Bb. Pilipinas was my very first pageant and this journey to Miss Universe is new to me as well, but I plan to enjoy it. I’m working hard to be 101 percent prepared for the pageant. Slowly but surely, I promise to surprise everyone!” said the 5’9” model-interior designer who hopes to become the fourth Filipina Miss Universe, after Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in 1973 and Wurtzbach.
Wurtzbach will crown her successor on January 30, 2017 (most likely at MOA Arena) who will still be officially known as Miss Universe 2016.
Meanwhile, the other Bb. Pilipinas queens are just as excited for their respective pageants.
Jennifer Hammond will be the first to compete; she will vie for the 45th Miss Intercontinental Pageant to be held at Stein Studios in Colombo, Sri Lanka on October 15, hoping to continue the top 3 streak of 2014 2nd runner-up Kris Janson and 2015 1st runner-up Christi McGarry. The reigning Miss Intercontinental is Russia’s Valentina Rasulova.
Nicole Cordoves will vie for the 4th Miss Grand International Pageant to be held at Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 25, hoping to improve on Parul Shah’s 3rd runner-up finish last year.
Kylie Verzosa will vie for the Philippines’ sixth Miss International crown at the 56th pageant to be held in Tokyo, Japan on October 27. The reigning Miss International is Venezuela’s Edymar Martinez.
Joanna Eden will compete for the 7th Miss Supranational Pageant to be held in Krynica-Zdroj, Poland on December 4, hoping to become the second Filipina winner in the tilt after Mutya Datul in 2013. The reigning queen is India’s Asha Bhat.
Nichole Manalo will vie for the 43rd Miss Globe Pageant, the date and venue of which is still to be announced. Nichole hopes to succeed reigning Miss Globe Ann Lorraine Colis and keep the title for the Philippines.
Fabmanilaph wishes all Bb. Pilipinas queens all the best in their respective pageants…may they make 2016 another banner year for world-class Pinay beauties!
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