Wanted: Barrio lass as Miss World

By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
January 26, 2011, 6:59pm
Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – For the first time, the Philippines will bid to host the Miss World beauty pageant in 2013, Cory Quirino, president of the Miss Philippines World franchise, said Wednesday.

Quirino also said that the Miss World Limited (MWL), headed by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Julia Morley has vowed to help the Philippines through fund-raising events as she instructed her “to find a poor, barrio lass” who has the chance to become the next Miss World.

Asked about expectations under the “Cory administration,” “I will find her,” said Quirino, a tri-media personality and wellness expert. “I will also be hands-on in choosing our representative for the next Miss World contest later this year.”

Quirino issued the statement after Morley awarded her the exclusive licensee agreement of Miss World Philippines at a ceremony in Makati City last Tuesday.

Miss World is believed to be the longest-running international beauty pageant. But for 60 years, the country has not won the title. The highest rank the country has achieved was first runner-up won by Evangeline Pascual in 1973.

“I want to tell them that being poor is not a hindrance to success. That’s why we will encourage the poorest of the poor to join our pageant,” Quirino added.

Quirino also said that Morley and her party and Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim have discussed plans for the possible holding of the beauty pageant in Manila. Morley was also accompanied by Miss World Ltd. Events Director Stephen Douglas and Consultant to Miss World-Asia Paul Lee.

“It will be a big responsibility and we will need the help of the government and the private sector if plans will push through. Pero, ang balik naman nito sa atin ay malaki, lalo na para sa turismo ng ating bansa (But our goal is to boost tourism to the Philippines),” she said.

Morley, accompanied by 2010 Miss World Alexandria Mills of the USA and first runner-up Emma Wareus of Botswana, left the country Wednesday morning. But Quirino said that last Tuesday night, Morley promised to return to the country to help raise bigger funds for charity.

“Julia Morley will be back in August. She loves the Philippines, and she wants to help our country,” said Quirino, also chair of World-for-All Foundation.

Tuesday night, Quirino accompanied Morley and her party made special trips to the Ospital ng Makati in Makati City, Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Taft Ave., Malate, Manila, and Tuloy Street Children’s Foundation in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

“Julia and her party cried at the Tuloy Street Children’s Foundation. Even Miss World cried. They were touched by the reception of the children,” Quirino said. She added that the MWL has “adopted” two heart patients at the Ospital ng Makati.

The organization is celebrating its 60th year of “Beauty with a Purpose” and has raised more than $400 million in support of children’s charities across the globe since its inception.

At the luncheon ceremony, Mrs. Morley recalled the pageant’s history. Founded by her husband Eric Morley in 1951, the first Miss World pageant was welcomed by an audience greater than those in other international events such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games. At its peak, the show claimed an audience of 27.5 million in Britain alone.