L’Oreal to drop words such as ‘whitening’ from skin products

LONDON —L'Oreal, the world's biggest cosmetics company, will remove words referencing "white", "fair" and "light" from its skin-evening products, a spokeswoman said on Friday, a day after Unilever made a similar announcement in the face of growing social media criticism.

Unilever and L'Oreal are two big players in the global market for skin whitening creams used in many Asian, African and Caribbean countries where fair skin is often considered desirable.

Unilever, in particular, came under fire for its "Fair & Lovely" brand at a time of worldwide focus on racial injustice following weeks of protests sparked by the May death of George Floyd, a Black man, in police custody in the United States.

L'Oreal's products include Garnier Skin Naturals White Complete Multi Action Fairness Cream.

"The L'Oreal Group has decided to remove the words white/whitening, fair/fairness, light/lightening from all its skin evening products," the company said in a statement.

L'Oreal's announcement follows Thursday's decision by the Indian and Bangladeshi arms of Unilever to rename their locally marketed "Fair & Lovely" skin-lightening cream for the same reason.

Anglo-Dutch firm Unilever — which reportedly raked in some $500 million in revenue from the product in India last year — said it would stop using the word "Fair" in the name as the brand was "committed to celebrating all skin tones".

Several companies, including L'Oreal, have been criticized recently for skin-lightening products after the global rise of the Black Lives Matter movement following the police killing in the US of African-American George Floyd last month.

Johnson & Johnson said last week it would stop selling some Neutrogena and Clean & Clear products, advertised as dark-spot reducers in Asia and the Middle East.

Several American groups have said they would to change their visual identity, such as Mars, which says it plans to develop its famous Uncle Ben's brand, which uses a caricature of an African American as its logo. 

-reuters— 

With a report from Agence France-Presse

Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa crowned Miss Universe

Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa is crowned Miss Universe by her predecessor, Catriona Gray of the Philippines, at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday evening, US time. Tunzi is the third South African to win the Miss Universe crown following Margaret Gardiner in 1978 and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters in 2017.

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Kylie Jenner sells $600-million stake in cosmetics brand to Coty

NEW YORK -- Beauty products giant Coty announced Monday a deal to take a majority stake in Kylie Jenner's cosmetics and skincare company, marrying Jenner's celebrity prominence with Coty's distribution and commercial prowess.

Under the transaction, Coty, whose brands include Hugo Boss and Burberry fragrances, will pay $600 million for a 51 percent stake in Jenner's company.

Jenner, the youngest daughter of Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, has more than 270 million social media followers and rates as "one of the most influential voices among beauty consumers globally," said a statement from both companies.

She launched the brand in 2015 with "Kylie Lip Kit" and has since added eyeliners, eye shadows, blushes and other items.

"I'm excited to partner with Coty to continue to reach even more fans of Kylie Cosmetics and Kylie Skin around the world," Jenner said. 

"This partnership will allow me and my team to stay focused on the creation and development of each product while building the brand into an international beauty powerhouse."

Coty described the deal as part of its effort to become a "more focused and agile company" adding that its global capacities in research and development, manufacturing and distribution, as well as expertise in cosmetics, would enable Jenner's products to thrive as a "high growth, digitally native beauty brand."

Coty Chief Executive Pierre Laubies said the deal "will leverage our core strengths around fragrances, cosmetics and skincare, allowing Kylie's brands to reach their full potential."

Shares of Coty rose 3.3 percent to $12.31 in early trading.

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Former Miss USA Olivia Jordan ties the knot

MANILA – “We did it!”

Former Miss USA Olivia Jordan made this statement on Instagram after tying the knot with actor Jay Hector in Palm Springs, California.

Among those who congratulated Jordan was Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. 

The two became close after being roommates during Wurtzbach’s Miss Universe reign.

“Congratulations, my love! Stay in love forever,” the Filipina beauty queen told her second runner-up in Miss Universe.

Jordan has gained a fan base in the Philippines for her closeness to Wurtzbach. 

Naturally, many of them asked the American beauty queen why the Miss Universe 2015 titleholder was not at her wedding.

“She was invited but due to the location and timing, it didn’t work,” she explained. “We will always remain friends no matter how far apart or how often we see each other.”

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Procter & Gamble, rivals take refills into beauty aisle

LONDON/CHICAGO—Under pressure to reduce environmental waste from single-use containers, major consumer companies including Procter & Gamble Co, Unilever Plc and The Body Shop are rolling out more products in refillable form.

P&G, with roughly $68 billion in annual revenue, said it had invested millions in creating and testing refills for detergents over the years and is now trying to push into mainstream beauty and body care refills, which are virtually unheard of.

It recently began offering some Olay face cream jars with refill pouches on Olay.com, telling Reuters it has plans to expand the sales of the pouches in Europe early next year. "We're learning on our legs so I don't know that we're in a position to say, 'Hey, here's the magic to selling refills,'" P&G spokesman Damon Jones said.

Beauty products retailer The Body Shop, owned by Brazil's Natura Cosmeticos SA, says it plans to roll out "refill stations" in its stores globally next year, allowing shoppers to buy reusable metal containers to fill with Body Shop shower gels or creams. The company had offered refills at its stores in the early 1990s, but discontinued them in 2003, citing a lack of consumer demand.

Unilever, which has set targets for reducing and recycling plastic by 2025, in October announced the planned launch of "refill sticks" of deodorants under its Dove line of personal care products on Loopstore.com. The website, operated by recycling company TerraCycle, offers consumers the chance to buy some household products in ultra-durable packaging with refills delivered to their doors, milkman-style.

Across the consumer goods industry, results for refillable products have been mixed so far as many shoppers are far too set in their ways to be easily weaned from living in a throwaway culture. While refills are less expensive to purchase—generally priced at 20 percent to 30 percent less per item than the containers they are aimed to replenish, according to Unilever—shoppers have so far, for the most part, failed to snap them up, the companies said.

CONSUMER APATHY VS CONSUMER PRESSURE

SC Johnson & Son Inc, marketer of Windex and Pledge, said refills and concentrates so far have not played well with either Americans or Europeans over the decade they have been offered, with unit sales of such products pretty much flat. It pulled concentrated refills for Shout stain remover off the shelves because they were not selling very well.

In 2010, Unilever put 20-liter tanks to dispense detergents in Walmart Inc's British supermarket chain Asda and provided flexible pouches for customers to refill. But with leaky machines, safety and maintenance problems and the high costs of upkeep, Unilever said the tests fell short of expectations. Asda was also unhappy because the tanks occupied a lot of space.

"None of them sell very well—it is a convenience issue," SC Johnson CEO Fisk Johnson told Reuters. Johnson said some people find it painstaking to wash and refill bottles themselves while others worry that smaller bottles filled with concentrates are less "bang-for-your-buck" than the larger ones they have used for years.

Still, the privately held company said it was expanding its refill offerings this year to address concerns surrounding plastic waste and is also testing refill stations for cleaning products with UK retailer Waitrose, owned by Britain's John Lewis. The Waitrose tests are showing the first signs of progress in refill sales, Johnson said, and the company is now thinking of expanding the project.

Even if consumers are comfortable using refills for some household goods, it is more complicated to sell them for products like Pantene shampoo and Olay creams, P&G spokesman Jones said. For instance, with beauty products, the look and feel of packaging is a big factor in creating and maintaining customer loyalty, while delivering an environmental benefit, he said.

Some shoppers say they want to buy refillable products, but that the offerings are not available at many stores. Earlier this year, dozens of consumers took to social media to urge The Body Shop to bring back its refill counters.

“Refill, refill, refill!" Twitter user @JaiChipperfield said on July 22, joining a thread in which several other shoppers demanded the return of refills. "Seems to me that judging by these comments your customers want to see the return of refills," @JaiChipperfield added. "Me too, it would be brilliant to see that return.”

The Body Shop eventually responded to those pleas.

"Now with the renewed focus on sustainability, we believe it is the right time to return with it," Body Shop spokeswoman Lucy Muircroft told Reuters this week.

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South Korean cosmetics firm boss quits over YouTube praising Japan

SEOUL, South Korea - The head of a major South Korean cosmetics firm resigned Sunday after facing heavy backlash for forcing his staff to watch a YouTube video praising Japan during a raging trade war between the two nations.

The clip, played at a monthly meeting of some 700 employees of Kolmar Korea last week, slams President Moon Jae-in's response to Japan's trade regulations and praises Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for "not punching Moon in the face".

The video also refers to Venezuela's crippling economy, where "women are going into prostitution for mere seven dollars", and adds that South Korea is not far from meeting a similar fate.

The incident triggered massive public fury and mounted calls to boycott the company, which supplies dozens of cosmetics brands worldwide.

Yoon Dong-han, chairman of Kolmar Korea, apologized on Sunday for "stirring up trouble" and said he will step down from his post.

"I apologize to the consumers and the Korean people who trusted and loved our products," he said, adding: "I would particularly like to offer my sincere apologies to women."

Seoul and Tokyo are embroiled in a bitter trade and diplomatic dispute over a series of South Korean court rulings ordering Japanese firms to pay for forced labour during Tokyo's colonisation of the peninsula.

The feud has seen Japan impose new export restrictions crucial to South Korean tech giants in July and led to the two neighbours removing each other from their lists of trusted trade partners earlier this month.

South Koreans have launched a widespread boycott of Japanese goods since July, which saw sales of Japanese cars drop more than 30 percent and forced several airlines to suspend routes to their neighbour because of falling demand.

The company issued a separate apology last week saying only part of the video was shown with the intention to train its staff to "have a correct sense of history rather than reacting emotionally".

sh/ind/fox

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In a first, Miss Venezuela ditches contestants' measurements

For the first time in its history, the Miss Venezuela contest will not publish the 24 contestants' waist, bust and hip measurements, organizers said, as pageants face criticism for their primary focus on physical appearance.

The event, which will take place in Caracas on Thursday, has been running since 1952 and has an enviable record on the international stage, having produced seven Miss Universe winners and six in Miss World.

Traditionally, the contestants' vital statistics have been publicized, with a 90-centimeter bust, 60-cm waist and 90-cm hips long considered the ideal.

This year, contestants will still parade on stage in swimsuits and evening gowns, but organizers say they want to fight stereotypes about what an ideal woman looks like and hence will not reveal their measurements.

"A woman's beauty isn't 90, 60, 90 . . . It is measured by each one's talent," said Gabriela Isler, the pageant's spokeswoman and Venezuela's last Miss Universe winner in 2013.

At past pageants, presenters would tell the audience the exact size of each contestant, many of whom underwent cosmetic surgery and followed strict diets in a bid to achieve the supposedly ideal physique.

Miss Venezuela is normally big business in the crisis-wracked Latin American country, but it is suffering from the same difficulties as the rest of the population.

One of those is frequent blackouts, the latest of which hit the country on July 22.

Isler revealed that the pageant did not have enough money to put in place contingency measures in case of a power outage on Thursday.

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Amazon bets on cosmetics with Lady Gaga beauty line

Pop star Lady Gaga on Tuesday announced a line of beauty products exclusively for sale on Amazon in a boost to the online retailer's cosmetics business.

The brand, Haus Laboratories, will launch in September for shoppers in nearly a dozen countries, including the United States, Germany and Japan, Amazon said.

The move underscores how the world's biggest online retailer is increasing competition with traditional cosmetics sellers like Ulta Beauty and Sephora-parent LVMH, which recently launched a beauty brand by singer Rihanna.

Lady Gaga, who shared an Academy Award this year for the original song "Shallow," said Amazon was the right partner because it embraced her message of self-acceptance.

"There are companies that see me and what I stand for and the way that I view the world, and if it's not perfectly in line with what they do ... they'll be like, 'Can you just change half of the equation?'" the singer told publication The Business of Fashion, which reported the news earlier Tuesday. "The answer is no. No deal."

Amazon's push into cosmetics includes a private label skin care brand called Belei.

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‘Next level fierce’: Tyra Banks wowed by Catriona’s Miss Universe performance

The Philippines’ Catriona Gray, the newly crowned Miss Universe, has earned new fans from around the world after the widely watched telecast of the pageant on Monday. 

Tyra Banks, it appears, is among them.

The American model and TV host took to Twitter in her reaction to Gray’s performance shortly after the Filipina’s crowning moment in Bangkok, Thailand.

Banks quoted an earlier tweet from Gray responding to her. They previously exchanged tweets about Gray’s trending “slow-mo twirl” in the Miss Universe preliminary competition.

“OMG back at you! You did it!” Banks wrote. “And that walk and confidence? I mean… Next level fierce! TyTy approves.”

Banks, perhaps best known for her original televised “Top Model” search that has spawned international versions, is considered an influential force in the fashion world and has mentored many who aspire to be like her.

“Fierce,” in particular, is a term she has used to encourage or motivate modeling neophytes, as seen in her TV shows.

Gray brings to Filipinos an early “Christmas gift,” after having clinched a fourth Miss Universe crown for the country after Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).

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What Miss Universe Catriona Gray said in first IG post since crowning

“I’ll forever be your Miss Philippines,” went the first Instagram post of Catriona Gray since she was crowned Miss Universe 2018 on Monday.

In the post shared to her followers — which notably doubled to two million in 24 hours — the beauty queen recalled that in her childhood, her mother had a prophetic dream of sorts about the crowning moment.

“When I was 13, my mum told me, ‘Honey, I dreamt of you winning Miss Universe in a red dress.’ At that time I thought nothing of it, and today my mother’s dream came true,” she captioned a set of photos showing her winning moment in Bangkok, Thailand.

Gray wore a Mayon Volcano-inspired red gown by Mak Tumang for her final look in the weeks-long competition, which saw her ultimately besting 93 other candidates from around the world.

“Where do I even begin? Lord God, I lift everything up to you — to glorify and honor you,” Gray said.

She went on, addressing her country and countrymen: “Philippines, what an amazing honor it has been to carry your name across my chest and to embody you in all aspects. I may now carry the sash of Miss Universe, but I'll forever be your Miss Philippines.”

Gray concluded her post by thanking each member of the team behind her Miss Universe bid.

Gray, 24, brings to Filipinos an early “Christmas gift,” after having clinched a fourth Miss Universe crown for the country after Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), and Pia Wurtzbach (2015).

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Catriona Gray crowned Miss Universe

BANGKOK -- Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe here Monday, capping a two-year long journey from her heartbreaking loss at Miss World to her rise as visionary beauty queen and social media star.

The 24-year-old Filipino-Australian won the Philippines' fourth Miss Universe crown, pulling all the stops from a giant lantern strapped to her back, a slow-motion twirl in a hot pink bikini, and a long gown in flame hues that symbolized a mythical Filipino bird.

Fans screamed at the IMPACT Arena here as outgoing Miss Universe Demi Leigh Nel Peters from South Africa crowned her successor.

Pia Wurtzbach last won the Miss Universe crown for the Philippines in 2015 and the succeeding edition was hosted in Manila.

Tamaryn Green of South Africa was first runner-up followed by Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutiérrez.

During the final question, Gray was asked "What is the most important lesson you've learned in your life and how would you apply it to your time as Miss Universe?"

She replied: "I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is... it's poor and very sad. And I've always taught myself to look for the beauty of it, to look for beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful. And I would bring this aspect as a Miss Universe, to see situations with a silver lining, and to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. If I could teach also people to be grateful, we could have an amazing world where negativity could not grow and foster, and children would have a smile on their faces. Thank you."

FROM THE WORLD TO THE UNIVERSE

Only 2 years ago, Gray was widely tipped to win the Miss World crown, a campaign that ended in defeat to Puerto Rico's Stephanie del Valle.

A photo of Gray weeping, clutching the Philippine flag close to her chest, made the rounds on social media platforms.

Miss World Philippines head Cory Quirino stepped down after Gray's defeat and the Philippines struggled to make the winner's circle of the London-based pageant since then.

Gray reemerged in January for the Binibining Pilipinas screenings, trading the high bun for long curls and the baby pink dress for a short red dress.

In an Instagram post at that time, Gray said much of her transformation happened away from the public eye.

The self-described "stubborn" and "visionary" beauty enlisted the help of a new team and went outside her old mentors' circle, which was largely behind the Philippines' hot streak at Miss Universe since Venus Raj broke the 10-year semifinals drought and finished in the top 5 in 2010.

The Philippines has made at least Top 10 at Miss Universe since Raj's breakthrough performance in Las Vegas. This year, the country's Miss International bet, Ahtisa Manalo placed first runner while Celeste Cortesi finished top 8 in Miss Earth.

FOR THE PHILIPPINES

Gray has 1 million followers on Instagram and her photo on the Miss Universe Facebook page was liked or loved by over 600,000 users, the most for any candidate.

She made ear cuffs a conversation piece when she wore a gold and diamond "three stars and the sun" on her right ear during her Miss Universe-Philippines crowning.

From there, her every move was rife with nationalist symbolism.

Her national costume, while difficult to walk in, paid homage to the Philippines' 3 main islands. A government body praised Gray for highlighting Filipino civilization before the Spanish occupation with her 'pintados' body suit.

Her fire orange and yellow gown stood out from a sea of sheer and gold tones, symbolizing both the Ibong Adarna, which can cure with song, and the rising phoenix from which the Miss Universe crown by Japanese jeweler Mikimoto was patterned after.

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‘Pinoy power to the max’: Tyra Banks has glowing words for Catriona Gray

She has probably seen it all, having screened countless of aspiring models strut on "America's Next Top Model," a fashion reality series she created and hosts that just wrapped up its 24th season.

So when former supermodel Tyra Banks gushes about a walk, it's perhaps the highest praise a model could receive in the runway world.

This Saturday, Banks' attention was turned towards Catriona Gray's "slow-mo twirl" during the Miss Universe preliminaries.

Her verdict? "I mean . . . Pinoy Power to the Max!!!" she tweeted after watching a recap of Gray's much-talked about performance.

This isn't the first time Banks has praised a Pinay. She is a known fan of young actress Maymay Entrata.

The 2018 Miss Universe is currently being held in Thailand, with the pageant's coronation night scheduled for this Monday.

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Miss Universe Canada 2018 to wear Michael Cinco gown

MANILA – Expect to see a Michael Cinco gown in this year’s Miss Universe pageant.

The Filipino designer has been tapped to create the gown of Miss Universe Canada 2018 Marta Magdalena Stepien.

The Canadian beauty queen visited Cinco’s boutique in Dubai on Monday.

“Couture fitting with the super stunning Miss Canada Universe in Dubai before she flies to Bangkok to compete in Miss Universe 2018… Marta is probably one of the strongest contenders to win the crown this year,” Cinco said in an Instagram post.

Stepien, for her part, said: “It is an absolute pleasure and honor to be in the company of the talented Michael Cinco. Thank you for warmly welcoming me to Dubai. Much love! Salamat po!”

She also shared a photo of her beside the Michael Cinco gown that Pia Wurtzbach wore when she passed on her crown in 2016.

“Who recognizes this iconic gown?” she asked her followers.

The Miss Universe 2018 pageant is set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand on December 17.

The Philippines’ representative, Catriona Gray, is hoping to win the country’s fourth Miss Universe crown after Wurtzbach in 2015.

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Vietnam wins Miss Earth 2018

Miss Earth 2018 Phuong Khanh Nguyen of Vietnam (second right) joins (from left) Miss Earth-Fire Melissa Flores of Mexico, Miss Earth-Water Valeria Ayos of Colombia, and Miss Earth-Air Melanie Mader of Austria during the grand coronation night of the Miss Earth 2018 pageant held at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday. 

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What to expect from Nadine Lustre's makeup line

MANILA – In less than a month, Nadine Lustre will launch her makeup line in collaboration with the Australian brand BYS Cosmetics.

The 12-piece collection is called Lustrous and consists of eyeshadow palettes, bronzers, lip and cheek tints, mascaras, eyebrow pencils, and eyeliners in various shades.

The actress gave a sneak peek of Lustrous via an Instagram Stories post on Tuesday, and has since been re-posted by her fans online.

In an exclusive interview with the local fashion magazine Mega, Lustre described her collection as “makeup for the beach.”

“It’s summer so we wanted a beach-ready makeup collection. Kasi ako, I love going to the beach so I like it when my makeup is waterproof and it doesn’t melt easily, especially with the heat of the sun,” she said. 

“I’m very hands-on with the collection, from the packaging to the colors, the shades of makeup. Talagang it’s all my concept and ideas,” she added.

Lustrous will be available starting April 15.

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Katarina Rodriguez is 1st runner-up in Miss Intercontinental 2017

Katarina Rodriguez was a whisker away from making history on Wednesday (Manila time) as she placed first runner-up in the Miss Intercontinental 2017 pageant.

Rodriguez finished behind Veronica Salas Vallejo of Mexico during the coronation night held at the SUNRISE Garden Beach Resort in Hurghada, Egypt.

Here are the winners:

Miss Intercontinental 2017 - Veronica Salas Vallejo of Mexico

1st runner-up - Katarina Rodriguez of Philippines

2nd runner-up - Cathelijne Heppenhuis of Netherlands

3rd runner-up - Amanda Cardoso of Brazil

4th runner-up - Lizeth Villanueva of Colombia

5th runner-up - Lee Su Jin of Korea


'MERAKI' 

During the question and answer portion, Rodriguez was asked what is the most important thing that she learned in joining Miss Intercontinental.

Her answer was "The most important thing that I have learned in joining Miss Intercontinental is an Arabic word named after one of the Sunrise Resorts and that is Meraki. It means to do all things with passion, soul, and creativity."

"When I heard this word and its definition, it resonated with me 'til now and I think it will for the rest of my life. Therefore, that is the most important thing I learned while participating at Miss Intercontinental."

"That is to do all things with soul, passion, and creativity."

During the pageant's finals night, the 24-year-old Filipina was also declared as Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania. She placed third in the pageant's online voting.

Rodriguez first came to prominence when she joined cycle 2 of Asia's Next Top Model in 2014 and came in second place.

The Philippines, despite its status as a powerhouse in the world of pageantry, has never won the elusive Miss Intercontinental title.

The closest, before Rodriguez, was back in 2015 when Christi Lynn McGarry also finished 1st runner-up.

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Rachel Peters thankful for Miss Universe experience

MANILA – She may not have won the crown, but Rachel Peters is still thankful for the opportunity to represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2017 pageant.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Peters called her Miss Universe stint “my greatest achievement to date.”

She also thanked all the people who have supported her in her journey as a beauty queen.

“I am so lucky to have every single one of you in my life. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would be brave enough to do something like this, but you all are the reason I got to where I am,” she said.

“I’m still overwhelmed by all the love.”

Peters, who finished in the Top 10, assured her fellow Filipinos that she did her best in the pageant.

“I promise I gave my all, but I’ve always been a believer in fate, destiny, and God’s perfect timing, so I’m thankful for the opportunity and the memories,” she said.

“I am so looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me, and to come home to the Philippines,” she continued. “First thing on the agenda – sinigang!”

Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa was crowned Miss Universe 2017 in Las Vegas on Sunday (Monday in Manila).

The Philippines has three Miss Universe titleholders, with Pia Wurtzbach the last to win the crown in 2015.

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Miss India knocks out competition to be crowned Miss World 2017

India's Manushi Chhillar was crowned Miss World on Saturday as the beauty queen beat out the competition to take first prize at the coveted pageant.

Chhillar, 20, was clearly surprised with by her win, as television coverage of the event showed.

The first runner up of the pageant, which was held at Sanya, China, was Andrea Meza, of Mexico. In third place was Stephanie Hill from England.

Contestants from more than 100 countries take part in the Miss World beauty pageant.

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Winwyn Marquez wins Reina Hispanoamericana 2017

MANILA – Winwyn Marquez was crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 on Saturday night in Bolivia (Sunday morning in Manila), making her the very first Filipina to compete and win in the said beauty pageant.

Marquez bested 26 other beauties in the competition, which celebrates the Hispanic heritage and culture. She succeeded Maria Camila Soleibe from Colombia.

During the pageant’s question-and-answer portion, Marquez was asked how she would promote the Hispanic-American culture with the great difficulty or barrier of language.

Marquez answered: “Language can be learned but the will and determination to contribute to the organization cannot. It has to come from the heart. It has to be natural. I believe that kindness is a universal language that if you treat people with tolerance, patience and love, you will understand each other.”

“The Hispanic culture is not about language only. It’s about love for God, love for country, love for history and culture and love for family. As a Filipina with a unique heritage, I have instilled that. I am ready to promote the Hispanic culture not just in Asia but in the whole world. It is time to celebrate the Hispanic culture. It is meant to be celebrated,” she added.

Before she went to Bolivia, Marquez vowed to do her best to make the whole nation proud despite the little time that she had to prepare for the competition.

The Philippines, which was a colony of Spain for over three centuries, is the first Asian country to compete in the pageant.

Prior to the coronation night, Marquez said through an Instagram post that she is “enjoying every minute” of her stay in Bolivia for the beauty competition.

She also thanked her fellow candidates for helping translate the questions – which are primarily in Spanish – during their interviews.

During the pre-pageant activities, Marquez won several special awards.

Marquez is the daughter of screen veterans Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno, and the niece of former Miss International Melanie Marquez.

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Miss Earth 2017: Australian candidate is half-Pinay

MANILA – Miss Australia Nina Robertson revealed during the coronation night of the Miss Earth 2017 pageant on Saturday that she is half-Filipino.

Before giving her answer in the competition’s final Q&A segment, Robertson was asked how she finds the Philippines so far.

To the audience’s surprise, the 20-year-old beauty queen said: “I am actually half Filipino so for me, this is like my second home. It is so lovely to be here but I am very proud to be representing Australia. Whichever country I am representing, I am just happy to be doing what we are doing here--advocating the conservation of the Mother Earth.”

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Robertson shared that her mother hails from Nueva Ecija.

According to her profile on the official Miss Earth website, Robertson is the youngest of three children and is constantly surrounded by her big family especially from her mother’s side.

“Living all in the same area means we all grew up spending lots of time together, celebrating special events with lots of food. Another thing that my family taught me was to appreciate all the opportunities I had growing up in a developed country compared to their upbringings in the Philippines,” her bio said.

Robertson also shared in her profile that she and her family frequently visit the Philippines “and make sure to take part in actions to give back to the unfortunate.”

After the coronation, Robertson won the Miss Earth Air 2017 crown.

“I am so excited for all the activities for the year but even after that, we are still going to continue doing what we are doing here at Miss Earth,” she said.

The Philippines’ Karen Ibasco won the Miss Earth 2017 title.

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