Actresses, TV personalities, beauty queens complete first batch of Miss RWM finalists
It's a very beautiful morning with the sun's rays kissing the waters at the elegant Maxims Pool. We just came from the dressing rooms at Maxims Tower and in there are some pretty girls in front of huge mirrors. Scattered everywhere in a room smelling hair products are brushes of all sizes, cosmetic products of all shapes, colors, and forms.
In a small kiosk beside the infinity pool are four huge cameras. Men are fixing the wires and two more gentlemen attached a blue covering at the back of the kiosk. In an elevated platform on the other side of the pool are two more cameras.
A group of four pretty girls later came out of the sliding glass door at Maxims Terrace. “Oh my, it’s hot”, one lady in light make-up said. “Good morning”, another girl said to the men fixing the cameras. Then one lady approached us, not in makeup this time, and said, “The girls are ready to be interviewed”.
When we thought of creating a sort of “Get to Know Your Top 30” website entry for Miss Resorts World Manila 2011, we immediately fixed our schedules for an interview with the girls. There has to be something interesting about these girls more than beauty and body. Three or four questions would suffice we thought, but the girls on high spirits and so eager to answer our questions made us ask some more.
From a girl who danced our very own “Tinikling” for the Queen of the British monarchy, to an ex-Pinoy Big Brother housemate, a realty saleswoman, a former Executive Officer at the Office of the President of the Philippines, a freelance model, an ex-performer from TV shows Wowowee and WillTime Bigtime, a surfer, a registered nurse, an HRM student, and Mutya ng Pilipinas 2006 Third Runner-up, here is an interesting mix of women excelling on different fields comprising Miss Resorts World Manila 2011’s first batch of finalists.
Candidates 1 & 2: Margo Midwinter & Princess Manzon
No.1. Margo Katherine Midwinter, 20, is a half British beauty who once danced Tinikling for the Queen. She decided to move to Manila to know more about her Filipino heritage and follow her modelling dream. Margo joined Miss Wales and Miss Philippines-Earth previously and shared that being a beauty queen takes a lot of dedication. “Almost every day we wake up at 6 AM and finish all our activities by 12 midnight”, she said. Some tidbits about herself; “I am a very hardworking person. I have a background of different cultures but I still have Filipino values”.
No. 2. Princess Lieza Manzon, 24, is so proud to carry a level 2 proficiency in speaking Nihongo, the Japanese language. Princess got this expertise after staying in Fukuoka, Japan. One experience that highlighted her personality is joining Pinoy Big Brother Season 3 which later on paved way to landing television roles for drama series including “Magkaribal” and “Imortal” and in the movie “Catch Me I’m Inlove”. Joining the pageant, Princess said she wants to de-associate her showbiz experiences from Miss Resorts World Manila. “I want to show people a different side of me”, she said.
Candidates 3 & 4: Kerrah Rodriguez & Pamela Nieva
No.3. Cara Massiel Marie Rodriguez, 19, is a sophomore Marketing student at the University of Makati. She joined a realty company for 3 months as a Lifestyle Property Specialist and is so proud with the fact that she sold one condo unit on her first month. When asked to describe Resorts World Manila, Cara said: “Everytime I go here I feel like I am in a new world… in a palace. It makes me feel like a princess.”
No.4. Pamela Sue Nieva, 27, is a former Presidential Staff Officer of the Office of the President of the Philippines. When asked about her reactions in working for the country’s most powerful man, “one, huge, learning experience”, Pam said. She left the job to pursue her passion for acting. She landed roles in Metro Manila Film Festival entries “Matakot Ka Sa Karma” and “Kutob”. What she’s doing to prepare herself for Miss Resorts World Manila? “I am researching a lot”, she answered with a smile.
Candidates 5 & 6: Goldie Laconsay & Sami Buquing
No.5. Ann Goldie Laconsay, 20, has joined several beauty pageants prior to being listed as one of the 30 finalists for Miss Resorts World Manila 2011. Naming some, she joined Turismo Pilipino 2008, Miss Mandaluyong 2009, Miss Makati 2010 and Miss Daet Cam Norte early this year. Aside from beauty fairs, she is working as a freelance model. Goldie also wants to sing professionally. Asked to describe herself in the fewest words possible, “conservative and classy”, she quipped.
No.6. Joanna Sami Buquing, 22, has graced the noontime and primetime television already. Being a dancer at now defunct “Wowowee” and “WillTime BigTime” for 15 months, Sami has considered the stage her home. Of half-African descent but raised in Ilocos Sur, she shared her passion for caring for other people. Thus, studying Nursing at Philippine Women’s University. On other plans after Miss Resorts World Manila, Sami wants to join her mom and pursue modelling in Venice, Italy.
Candidates 7 & 8: Cha Argana & Ladylyn Riva
No.7. Kriza Charisse Argana, 20, believes that she has a well-rounded personality and thinks it’s all what it takes to be Miss Resorts World Manila 2011. A writer and a sports enthusiasts, Cha enjoys playing volleyball and even loves a man’s sport- surfing. Expressing her ardent love for country, Cha believed that as long as we remain dynamic, Filipinos don’t need to travel abroad to find career fulfillment.
No.8 Ladylyn Riva, 23, made it to the finals of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas. Half-Filipino and half-Italian, Ladylyn is already a registered cardio pulmonary nurse. Also joggling as a freelance model, she said that a woman’s greatest weapons in joining beauty pageants are confidence and commitment. Should she win Miss Resorts World Manila, Ladylyn said she will focus on promoting the company’s Community Social Responsibility advocacies.
Candidates 9 & 10: Hea Andrin & Raine Erum
No.9 Lordalyn Andrin, 18, or Hea as friends fondly call her is a Hotel and Restaurant Management student majoring in Cruiseline. Originally from Lanao del Norte, Hea already represented the Philippines in an international beauty pageant even when she was still 16 years old. Her experience during the Miss Young International 2008 pageant is a proof that she is ready to take on the role of Miss Resorts World Manila.
No.10. Lorraine Erum, 24, was adjudged Third Runner-Up in Mutya ng Pilipinas 2006. This time, Raine wants no less than the crown. “I want to win. I want the crown”, Lorraine declared. She highlights that her genuine friendliness makes her deserving to win the Miss Resorts World Manila title. A veteran on the beauty pageant arena, Raine said that the greatest thing about joining pageants is a chance for you to enjoy yourself and bond with your family.
Vote for your favorite to be the Miss Resorts World Manila 2011 People's Choice. To vote, click here.
Read the profiles of the rest of the finalists of Miss Resorts World Manila 2011. Here are some interesting facts about candidate numbers 11 to 20 and numbers 21 to 30.
