Miss Venezuela is Miss Earth 2013

PH bet finishes in Top 8

MANILA -- Venezuela's candidate to the 2013 Miss Earth pageant, Alyz Henrich, was crowned the title winner on Saturday during the finals night held at Versailles Alabang in Las Piñas.

Austria's Katia Wagner was named Miss Air, Thailand's Punika Kulsoontornrut took home the Miss Water title, while Korea's Catharina Choi placed as Miss Fire.

The Philippines' candidate to the international pageant, Angelee Delos Reyes, finished in the top 8, along with the delegates of Austria, Mexico, Korea, Thailand, Venezuela, Serbia and Poland.

Completing the top 16 were the candidates of Turkey, Chile, France, China, Mauritius, Spain, USA, and South Africa.

Special awards such as the Best in Swimwear and Best in Evening Gown, which Jenrich and Ukraine's Anastasia Sukh won, respecitvely, were handed out days before the coronation night.

Kazakhstan's Kumis Bazarbayeva got the Best in Talent award, Kulsoontornrut won Best in Resorts Wear, while India's Sobhita Dhulipala took home the Miss Photogenic trophy. She also won the Miss Earth Eco-Beauty competition, where each candidate showcases her environmental advoacy through a video.

Awarded Miss Friendship were Indonesia's Nita Sofiani, Lebanon's Rita Houkayem, and Gabon's Filiane Mayombo Koundi.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Megan hopes Miss World win will inspire Pinoys

MANILA – Actress and television host Megan Young still cannot believe that she is the first Filipina to be given the elusive Miss World title.

In a post on the Miss World Philippines Facebook page, Young thanked all those who have been part of her journey to the international pageant, which culminated in Bali, Indonesia on Saturday night.

The “early favorite” at the pageant bested 126 candidates to get the Miss World crown.

“Seems like only yesterday that I was flying out to Bali, Indonesia to represent the Philippines and show the world what I had. And now, at the foot of my bed, I see the Miss World sash. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine to be in this position. Never did I think of myself to be worthy of such an honor. But the paths I’ve chosen have proven me wrong,” Young wrote.

“This year will be an amazing one. I can already feel the good vibes and positive energy and I can’t wait to start planning for things so that you can witness my journey as well,” she added.

Young went on to recognize not only her supporters, but also her critics, saying that all of them helped her get to where she is now.

“Thank you for the happiness, thank you for the tears, thank you for the heart to heart talks, thank you for the heartbreak, thank you for the hugs, thank you for being mean to me, thank you for understanding, thank you for misunderstanding, thank you for caring, thank you for not giving a damn, thank you for the love and affection. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she wrote.

The newly crowned Miss World also hopes that her win in the international pageant will serve as an inspiration to her fellow Filipinos.

“Maraming salamat sa mga Pilipino na sumuporta. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Sana maging inspirasyon ako sa inyo. Samahan niyo ako sa aking lakbay bilang Miss World 2013,” she said. “This isn’t the end of the journey. It is only the beginning.”

Young is currently in London to attend a charity gala event as part of her duties as Miss World. She is set to return to the Philippines in eight days.

Malacañang and several celebrity friends have joined thousands of Filipino Internet users across the globe in congratulating Young for her victory in the Miss World pageant.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com