30 Miss Earth candidates set to visit Urdaneta

THIRTY of the more than 80 Miss Earth candidates will be in Urdaneta City on October 28, 2007 for the swimsuit competition.

Venue of the swimsuit competition is the Lisland Rainforest Resort located a few meters away from McArthur Highway in Barangay San Vicente in the city.

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Urdaneta Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said they would welcome the Miss Earth entourage at the boundary of Urdaneta City and Villasis at 9 a.m.

There will be a motorcade around the city proper. The candidates will stop for a while at the New Public Market before they would proceed to the new Urdaneta City Hall in Barangay Anonas for the tree planting.

Perez said only 600 "paying" viewers/audience (fee includes dinner) would be accommodated inside during the swimsuit competition.

The organizers will set up a big screen outside the main resort to give the public a chance to view live the goings on inside the resort.

Security and traffic plan are in place, the mayor said. A good number of policemen, traffic aides and barangay tanods (watchmen) will be detailed along the highway especially at the area fronting the resort to prevent vehicular accidents.

Perez said the visit of the Miss Earth candidates here would be a big promotion not only for Lisland Rainforest Resort but also for the city as a whole. (Visited in the past years by Miss Earth candidates were the cities of Alaminos and Dagupan.)

Meanwhile, representatives of Carousel Productions visited the resort twice and assessed both its facilities and environs before giving allowing it to become one of the venues of the swimsuit competition.

The resort (others say it is a forest in the city) has 785 fully grown trees to date.

The candidates will spend the night here before they proceed to their next activity venue.

According to Perez, five candidates will be chosen here as finalists to the Miss Earth crown.

The Miss Earth 2007 pageant will be held on November 11 at the University of the Philippines Theater. (LCMY/Sunnex)

Source: Sun Star

Miss Earth: “I’ll return to this beautiful country”

VietNamNet Bridge – “I hope next time the Miss Earth pageant contest will be held in HCM City of Vietnam,” said Miss Earth 2006 Hil Hernandez Escobar.

Before coming to Vietnam, what did you imagine about our country?

Miss Earth 2006 Hil Hernandez Escobar: I learnt some knowledge about Asia, typical areas of Asia, including Vietnam while I was at school. My knowledge about Vietnam is not much but before visiting your country, I learnt some information about your country through Miss Water Catherine and on the Internet. I know that Vietnam has many attractive tourist sites. I have had interesting days in HCM City. The friendliness of people here is wonderful.

Before coming here, I heard that a big bridge in your country collapsed, killing and injuring many people. That’s very sad. We have sought more information from our guide and we participated in a fund-raising activity at the tourism exhibition to help the victims.

How is your feeling about HCM City after two days?

Miss Earth-Water 2006 Catherine Untalan: HCM City has so many motorbikes, which surely impacts the environment. But I know that your city has solutions to deal with this current traffic situation, for example building new roads. I think it will contribute to changing your living environment for the better in the future.

Miss Earth Hil Hernandez Escobar: HCM City is a peaceful, safe and friendly city. Today we went shopping. Though it was short it was very interesting. On the way, the thing that surprised me was that your city has so many motorbikes, which is very different from our country, which only has cars.

I also know that your country is campaigning for the selection of Ha Long Bay as a world natural wonder.

Will you vote for our Ha Long Bay? During your trips to other countries will you campaign for the local people to vote for Ha Long Bay?

Miss Earth Hil Hernandez Escobar: Sure (in Vietnamese language), I’ll surely do it.

You said that you will return to Vietnam. When will you return and what will you do to help Vietnam in environmental protection in the role of ambassadors of goodwill for the environment?

Miss Earth Hil Hernandez Escobar: I’ll return to this beautiful country but I’ll come back alone, not with any organiser. I’ve asked myself why I have not done much campaigning about environmental protection. But now I am thinking of the task that I can do immediately: organising operations to advertise tourism of Vietnam and Chile. However, my ability is limited so I need the help of everybody here.

Miss Earth Singapore Nicole Chen: Next time in Vietnam I will launch a movement to protect the health of passers-by. Motorbike drivers in Vietnam need special gauze masks to prevent dust from going into their lungs.

Miss Earth-Water 2006 Catherine Untalan: I think we should diminish the use of plastic-made products because this material is difficult to recycle. For example, if you drink water in bottle like this, we should not use straws. Or when we go shopping, we should not use plastic bags.

What places in Vietnam will you go next time? Will you visit Ha Long Bay?

Miss Earth Hil Hernandez Escobar: Next time if I have more time, I will spend the whole time visiting your country.

Miss Earth Singapore Nicole Chen: It takes just one hour to fly from Singapore to HCM City so if I can, I will come here every month.

A question for Miss Earth Hil Hernandez Escobar. Apart from beauty, what makes you feel self confident and what points of yourself are you not satisfied with?

I’ve gone to many countries and learnt about them but I think I still lack knowledge. Nobody is perfect.

On this occasion, I would like to talk about the Miss Earth pageant contest that I won last year. The last Miss Earth attracted contestants from 90 countries.

I hope next time, Miss Earth will be held in HCM City of Vietnam. That would be a way for us to express our interests in this beautiful country. The workload is huge with contestants coming from dozens of countries and their assistants. But if you try, you can do it.

Source: Vietnam News Bridge

THE REIGNING MISS UNIVERSE ARRIVES IN ST.KITTS

Yes this is correct - St. Kitts!

Miss Universe & the Steel Orchestra. (Photo by Saju N’Galla)

Basseterre, St. Kitts, 5th October, 2007 – St. Kitts continues to welcome the world and the universe to its shores, as the, the reigning Miss Universe Miss Riyo Mori, arrived on the island yesterday.

Mr. Eversley Liburd, CEO of the 2nd Annual St. Kitts Fashion Weekend, extended an invitation to the recently crowned Miss Universe® to be a special guest of honour at the event, which takes place from October 5-7, 2007.

Miss Universe warmly accepted and plans were put in place by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority for her journey to the island and her experience there. She was greeted and welcomed by Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Hon. Richard Skerritt who introduced her to Calypso Rose, who arrived on island simultaneously. Calypso Rose is due to perform at the launch of National Carnival(Saturday 6th October). Both Miss Universe and Calypso Rose were presented with extravagant bouquets by Minister Skerritt.

Within hours of her arrival Miss Universe, attended a Welcome Reception in her honour sponsored by Marshalls Restaurant, Beaumont Park and Driftwood. In attendance were local dignitaries, designers, models and the management team of the 2nd annual St. Kitts Fashion Weekend. Miss Universe was all smiles as she mingled with her fellow guests and gladly took pictures with those who asked. She made time to take a memorable photo with a young group who provided wonderful music on their steel pans during the night.

Hon. Prime Minister Denzil Douglas & Miss Universe, Riyo Mori at a Welcome Reception held at Marhsalls, Frigate Bay.(Photo by Saju N’Galla)

Minister R. Skerritt & Miss Universe, Riyo Mori in the VIP Lounge at the R.L.B Airport (Photo by Garth Archibald)
Today Miss Universe will receive a full tour of the island and gain first-hand knowledge of St. Kitts’ scenic natural beauty, rich history and genuinely friendly people. This afternoon, she will speak to approximately 200 teenagers about her causes, which include raising HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women’s health and reproductive issues.

“We’re pleased to welcome the reigning Miss Universe to St. Kitts,” commented Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports & Culture for St. Kitts & Nevis. “As a symbol of success and strength for women across the world, she is certain to inspire and educate our youth. We hope that she will come to love our island during her stay with us and want to come back again.”

Riyo Mori expressed how happy she was to be on St. Kitts and in the Caribbean and was overwhelmed by the hospitality she received on her arrival and throughout. She finds the island breathtaking and has fallen in love with the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

Arrival of Miss Universe

Miss Universe, Riyo Mori & Mr. Eversley Liburd, CEO of the 2nd Annual St. Kitts Fashion Weekend(Photo by Garth Archibald)

Riyo Mori was crowned Miss Universe on May 28, 2007 at the age of 20. Hailing from Shizuoka, Japan, she left home at the age of 16 to study abroad in Canada and reached New York at 19 years old. Through her travels and studies, Riyo has been able to master adapting to different environments, the importance of learning foreign languages and the need for intercultural understanding. She aspires to use her reign as Miss Universe to spread a message of empowerment and independence to women all across the globe.

The 2nd Annual St. Kitts Fashion Weekend is part of the island’s Tourism Awareness Month of activities. St. Kitts Fashion Weekend will include a concert, food fair, wine tasting, beach event, farewell reception and the star-studded runway fashion show at the St. Kitts Marriott Event Center featuring fine clothing by designers from St. Kitts, the Caribbean and the world. Additional details for the 2nd Annual St. Kitts Fashion Weekend will be confirmed in the coming months. Visit www.stkittsfashionweekend.com for the most current information.

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as water sports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at St. Kitts’ exclusive casino or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Guests can select from accommodations ranging from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts.

Source: SKN Vibes

Hawkins thrills Coast fans

Jennifer Hawkins signed autographs for plenty of excited young fans at Pacific Fair at Myer yesterday.

ABOUT 400 screaming fans took time out from their jobs yesterday to see the beautiful former Miss Universe, Jennifer Hawkins (pictured).

Hawkins signed autographs for plenty of excited young girls at Pacific Fair on a tour for Myer.

Hawkins said it was great to be a role model for young girls, but when speaking about 12-year-old Face of Gold Coast Fashion Week Maddison Gabriel, she didn't think at that age they should be doing what she is just yet.

"I'm not fully for it," she said.

"I don't think at 12 ... I was like playing cricket in the backyard.

"I just don't understand.

"I know the industry a little bit now and I don't think it's right for a 12-year-old, but it's for the parents (to decide)."

Besides the Myer tour, Hawkins also is taking time to broaden her skills and try her hand at acting.

"I have been doing some acting courses and I do enjoy it, but it's not a thing I'm striving for," she said. "I want to be prepared if anything pops up."

She was offered a role in the movie The Pink Panther, which was snapped up by superstar Beyonce because Hawkins couldn't fit it in with her other commitments.

For now, she's just happy to relax this weekend between her Myer tour and filming for The Great Outdoors.

"I'm going to go out to dinner on Saturday night with a group of people and (boyfriend) Jake as well and a few 'drinkie poos' definitely and a dance. I love to have a dance at a club, it's just a release for me," she said.

Source: Gold Coast

Miss Earth 2006 to hit Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Miss Earth 2006 Hil Yesenia from Chile is scheduled to visit HCM City to attend the International Travel Expo HCM City 2007 from October 5-7.

Miss Yesenia will spend around 5 days in the city and take part in community events as well as exchanges with audiences. Three other beauty queens from Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam are also scheduled to participate in the fair.

The beauties’ detailed schedule is yet to be announced.

Miss Earth is one of the most prestigious beauty titles in the world. In 2006, Hil Yesenia became the first Chilean to be crowed Miss Earth. With the height of 1.8 m, she has taken part in other international beauty pageants including Miss World 2003 and 2004 as well as Miss Earth 2004.

Source: Vietnam Net Bridge and Lao Dong