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.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

'Hips don't lie': Megan Young sizzles in revealing bikini

Megan Young sure knows how to send her fans' hearts racing.

The Miss World 2013 winner posted an Instagram photo on Tuesday showing off her pert butt as she struck a pose in front a mirror.

The body-confident beauty queen, who looked stunning in her maroon bikini, captioned her post: "Balakang babes represent. #hipsdontlie"


"Balakang babes" appears to be a nickname she gave herself and her sister, Lauren.

Prior to her cheeky snap, Megan also shared earlier this week a photo of her and Lauren enjoying a late night pool dip. "Balakang babes night swimming," she wrote.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Meet PH bet to Miss World pageant

NEW YORK – Catriona Elisa Gray is the Philippines’ bet for the Miss World Beauty pageant in Washington DC on December 18.

Gray wrote the script for her own contestant introduction video to Miss World 2016, now seen by more than half a million viewers worldwide.

“Syempre, I’m introducing myself, so who better to write the script than me. I wanted not only to show the beautiful sights of our country but also who I am as a person,” she said.

Gray said her unique name is a combination of her two grandmothers’ names.

“My grandmother on my dad’s side, she is of Scottish heritage and she used to speak Gaelic, which is the Celtic Scottish language. She used to paint these beautiful oil canvass paintings and she would sign her name at the bottom. In Gaelic, Catherine is Catriona. My middle name Elisa is actually taken from my lola on my mom's side 'coz her name was Elsa,” she explained.

Gray grew up in Australia, but as an adult, she chose to live and work in the Philippines as a fashion model.

She may have lived the glitzy and glamorous life of a model, but her real passion, she said, is helping the poor kids in the Philippines, especially in Tondo, Manila.

“I was shocked that families were living with such little resources, that they were getting by on so little. I think if you give a child education, they can really make something of themselves, they can help their families in the long run,” she said.

Being a creative person, Gray said art and music are part of her life.

With less than three weeks before the Miss World pageant, Gray believes she is ready to take on the international stage and hopefully bring home another crown and scepter for the Philippines.

Read more on Balitang America.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Megan on Metro cover marks 'return of the queen'

MANILA - Megan Young appears on the cover of the latest issue of Metro magazine, which marks her "return" after a year-long reign as Miss World that had her globe-trotting to as a "beauty with a purpose."


Dubbed a "Holiday Fantasy" issue, Metro's December offering looks back at Young's journey before clinching the Miss World crown -- a first for the Philippines -- in September 2013 and what she has done in the months that followed as the title winner.

Young, referred to as "our queen" in the issue, also talks about career opportunities after her reign, such as a possible stint in Hollywood or Bollywood.

The ABS-CBN actress will confer the Miss World crown on her successor at the pageant's culminating event in London on December 14.

The Philippines' representative to this year's competition is TV host and model Valerie Weigmann, who, like Young, was a former "Pinoy Big Brother" housemate.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miss Honduras shot dead 'after fleeing sister's boyfriend'

Miss Honduras was fatally shot as she tried to escape her sister's jealous boyfriend, police and reports said Wednesday, hours after the siblings were found dead beside a river.

Maria Jose Alvarado, 19, who had been due to fly to London to compete in the Miss World beauty pageant, disappeared with her sister Sofia Trinidad six days ago after a party, sparking an exhaustive search.

La Prensa newspaper reported that police were investigating whether Trinidad's boyfriend, Plutarco Ruiz, shot Trinidad in the head after he became jealous when he saw her dancing with another man. He then reportedly shot Alvarado twice in the back as she tried to flee.

Chief detective Leandro Osorio said the bodies of the beauty queen and her 23-year-old sister had been found buried along the banks of the Aguagual River in the town of Arada, in violence-plagued Honduras's northwest.


"We are 100 percent sure that it's them," Osorio said.

Police arrested Ruiz and his alleged accomplice on Tuesday, seizing a Colt-45 pistol and two vehicles.

Security Minister Arturo Corrales said there was "no doubt" that Ruiz was behind the crime and that he had been helped by another man, Aris Maldonado Mejia.

"We think that Plutarco led the crime, materially and intellectually," Corrales said.

Police are investigating additional suspects who they believe tried to help cover up the shooting, including by cleaning and repainting a pick-up used in the crime.

Organizers of the Miss World pageant, which begins Saturday, sent their condolences and announced a tribute this weekend in honor of the slain sisters.

"We are devastated by this terrible loss of two young women, who were so full of life," Julia Morley, the pageant's chairwoman, said in a statement.

"We will be holding a special service with all of the Miss World contestants on Sunday, where we will be honoring the lives of Maria Jose Alvarado and Sofia Trinidad, and say prayers for them and their family."

Miss World organizers said they also planned to donate money to a children's home in Honduras in the two women's memory.

Alvarado, who turned heads with her gleaming smile and wavy chestnut hair, was in her last year of university at the Northern Polytechnic Institute, where she studied computer science.

She had participated in beauty contests since she was a young girl. She was also known in Honduras for her work as a model on popular TV game show "X-0."

She and Trinidad disappeared outside the northwestern city of Santa Barbara after attending a birthday party for the accused Ruiz at a local resort.

The riverbank where their bodies were discovered was located about 20 kilometers away.

World homicide crown

The sisters were last seen leaving the party in a champagne-colored car.

Their mother, Teresa Munoz, says the same vehicle was at her home earlier that day to pick up Alvarado, who had just arrived from the capital Tegucigalpa, about 200 kilometers away.

Munoz had made a tearful plea for the safe return of her daughters after their disappearance.

Residents of Santa Barbara held a demonstration demanding their release Tuesday, when hope still lingered that they were alive. Wearing white T-shirts with the girls' pictures on them, they marched with a banner reading "May God protect them."

Honduras, a poor Central American country of eight million people, has the world's highest homicide rate, at 90.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2012.

The United Nations' special rapporteur on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo, warned in July that violence against women was on the rise in Honduras, with a 263.4-percent increase in the number of females killed violently between 2005 and 2013.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Valerie Weigmann shares 'lucky charm' for Miss World

Miss World Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigmann asked for prayers and support from her fellow Filipinos as she competes in London in this year's Miss World pageant.

"Right now, I'm just happy and excited," said Weigmann, who is hoping for a back-to-back victory after Megan Young won the Miss World title in 2013. "That's really what I'm feeling right now because it's my first time to join a pageant. I'm thrilled to see London as well since it's my first time there in the UK."

Weigmann went on to share that she will be bringing her "lucky charm" to London for the pageant.

"May rosary ako galing sa mommy ko. I always bring it with me. 'Yun siguro ang lucky charm ko and, of course, my supporters,"

Weigmann will leave the country on November 20 to prepare for the Miss World coronation night, which will be held on December 14.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Megan Young in accident in Haiti

MANILA – 2013 Miss World Megan Young figured in an accident while visiting an orphanage in Port Au Prince Haiti last Thursday.

According to an article published on the official site of Miss World, Young went to the orphanage along with Miss World chairman Julia Morley to visit 78 children who were having their class on the second floor of a building.

The children reportedly ran towards Young when they saw the beauty queen, just in time when the floor collapsed.

Morley was seriously injured as well as another student, while Young suffered minor bruises.

The article said Morley and Young fell through the floor which was eight to 10 feet high.

Morley and the student had to be taken to a hospital so they could be given immediate medical attention.

The Miss World article said Morley suffered a significant fracture high in her hip area and was immediately brought to Miami for a surgery.

Young is now back in the United States with her family, saying she is still shocked at what happened.

Speaking to the staff of Miss World, Young said she heard a loud crack prior to the floor collapse.

"Nothing like that has really happened to me before. It was such a shock. I felt like a deer in the headlights. I didn't really know what had happened or what to do. We had all fallen down, but I was still on my feet. I had the crown in one hand and the other hand instinctively holding up one of the decks in place with two people. There were lots of kids under the decks still and we just instinctively held on,” she said.

Young said she is hoping for the quick recovery of Morley and the student.

"My thoughts are with them at this time. It was a real eye opener and just shows how much work needs to be done in Haiti. I want to go back and continue with the work that we have started, and make sure nothing like this can happen again," she said.

Meanwhile, Miss World Philippines director Cory Quirino told ABS-CBN News on Tuesday that she is now in touch with the Filipina beauty after the accident.

She said Young felt overwhelmed when some of the children even ran towards her to protect her when the floor was already sliding.

Calling it the “Megan Magic,” Quirino said this just goes to show how the children in Haiti appreciate Young.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Miss World Megan Young graces 2 mag covers

MANILA – Shortly after her win in this year’s Miss World pageant, Megan Young has been chosen to appear in not one, but two magazine covers this month.

Young graces the cover of the November 2013 issue of the women’s lifestyle magazine Cosmopolitan, wearing a gold glitter dress.

According to a post on the magazine’s website, Cosmo.ph, Young had less than five hours of sleep during the shoot “but she never complained and instead kept the mood upbeat with her sunny smile and fun-loving personality.”


Meanwhile, Hola! Philippines also featured Young on the cover of its November 2013 issue. The celebrity lifestyle magazine printed a photo of Young when she was crowned Miss World last September.

Young is set to visit more than 30 countries this year to fulfill her duties as the reigning Miss World.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Before Miss World, Megan never won anything

MANILA – Megan Young didn’t know how she exactly felt when she was named the winner at the 2013 Miss World pageant recently held in Bali, Indonesia.

Having never won a single award in her entire life, Young said getting the title of Miss World felt surreal.

“Gusto ko na lang maiyak [nung natawag ako] because I’ve never won anything in my life. Kahit nga sa raffle, hindi ako nananalo. Tapos nanalo ako bigla ng Miss World,” she said in an interview on "The Buzz" on Sunday.

Young said the only thing she had in mind during the pageant was to do her best because she is carrying the flag of the Philippines.

“My mindset that night is that when I step on the stage, I’m going to think like a winner. You have that positive outlook. It comes from the people around me, my barkada, my family, my relatives. These are the people that keep the Megan inside here today,” she told fellow beauty queen Charlene Gonzales on "The Buzz."

Meanwhile, the Kapamilya star said she was overwhelmed when thousands of Filipinos braved the rains just to see her during her motorcade in Makati City last Friday.

“I wanted to celebrate with everyone. I wanted everyone to be with me. I was kind of scared because it was raining and people wouldn’t go out, baka matakot sila or mabasa. But while we were there in the rain, people were running out of their office, throwing confetti from their offices. It was such a fun and nakakaiyak na experience para sa akin,” she said.

Young will stay for a few more days in the Philippines before she flies back to London, where she will live for a year.

The beauty queen said she is already excited to begin her charity activities which are part of her duties as Miss World.

“We have so many projects that we are going to do this year. We are going to start everything here in the Philippines. We are going to PGH tomorrow. They have children there and these children, nahihirapan na sila kasi walang kagamitan, pera para makabili ng gamot. Ito yung gusto naming i-raise sa mga tao, maging aware sila sa kung ano ang nangyayari,” she said.

Young also mentioned that she will be going to New York soon.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Welcome home, Megan Young

MANILA -- Miss World 2013 Megan Young has arrived home.

The 23-year-old actress returned to the Philippines on Thursday afternoon via Cathay Pacific flight CX 919, weeks after she was crowned the first-ever Filipino winner of Miss World in Bali, Indonesia.



Young, who will be based in London for the duration of her one-year reign, went straight to her homecoming press conference at Solaire Resort & Casino in Paranaque City.

She will also take part in the NBA Global Games at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Thursday night. Young will do the ceremonial toss in the NBA pre-season game between the Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets.

On Friday, Young's historic Miss World win will be celebrated with a motorcade that will pass through parts of Makati City, culminating with a program at the SM Mall of Asia.

Young is also set to visit Malacanang, the Senate, Congress and her hometown in Olongapo in the coming days. The beauty queen will also make several guest appearances on TV programs starting Saturday.

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

Megan Young is Miss World 2013

MANILA -- Megan Young was crowned Miss World 2013 on Saturday night in Bali, Indonesia, making history as the first-ever Filipino winner of the title since the Philippines' debut in the pageant in 1966.

The 23-year-old actress bested 126 other international candidates to become the successor of China's Wenxia Yu, who conferred the crown on Young at the pageant's culminating event held at Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center.

France's Marine Lorphelin finished second, while Ghana's Carranzar Shooter placed third. Completing the Top 6 were Spain's Elena Ibarbia, Brazil's Sancler Frantz, and Gibraltar's Jessica Baldachino (People's Choice).

Hosted by Miss Scotland 2012 Jennifer Reoch and Mister World 2010 Kamal Ibrahim, the coronation night featured cultural numbers, as well as performances from British boyband Blue.

Young's win was bolstered by her strong showing in various pre-pageant challenges, including the Top Model competition, which she won; the Beach Fashion tilt, where she ranked fifth; and the Multimedia Contest, where she placed fourth.

Other preliminary competition winners recognized on Saturday were Netherlands' Jacqueline Steenbeek, for the Sports Challenge; Brazil's Frantz, Beach Fashion; India's Navneet Dhillon, Multimedia; and Nepal's Ishani Shrestha, Beauty with a Purpose.

Pinoys in Bali

Young also zoomed up in rankings after her performance in the Question & Answer portion, where all top six candidates were asked, "Why should you become Miss World?"

Thanking the Indonesian audience in their native language, Young, who wore a pink Francis Libiran gown, brought up the "core values" of Miss World and how she hopes to embody these "to help society."

Before giving her answer, Young also got to talk with Reoch about the strong cheer for her from the audience. They were waiting for her profile reel to be set up -- it initially showed a different candidate -- when Young quipped, "I actually brought half of the Philippines here!"

The ABS-CBN actress' win in Miss World is preceded by similarly strong performances from Filipinas in the pageant. Gwendoline Ruais finished 1st runner-up, while Queneerich Rehman placed in the Top 15 in the 2011 and 2012 editions of the competition, respectively.

Receiving her crown on Saturday, a tearful Young thanked her countrymen, exclaiming to the audience, "Salamat sa mga kababayan ko. Mahal na mahal ko kayo."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com