Second batch of Miss RWM finalists prove Filipina versatility
It's almost 12 noon. The sun is on its hottest but the girls beside the Maxims Pool are still on top of their game. One smile after the other, sit, arms stretch, one picture shot and then continue seamlessly with another pose. "Face the camera... one more...", Mark Ang, the photographer, instructed.
As actresses, television personalities, and former beauty queens compose the first batch of Miss Resorts World Manila 2011 finalists, the second batch added some more diversity to the already interesting mix of finalists when it comes to experiences and areas of expertise. Proving that a Filipina is indeed versatile, here is a writer, a tourism advocate, a blogger, a basketball player, and a golfer adding to our list of aspirants. In this batch also looms another set of models and beauty queens.
Here is the second batch of Miss Resorts World Manila 2011 finalists. 
Candidates 11 & 12. Kaara Tan & Monica Limlengco
No.11. Esther Kaara Tan, 20, won a national competition for writing both while she was in elementary and high school. It came not a surprise when she told her parents she wants to take up Mass Communication in college. When asked about some personalities she wants to interview when given the chance, Kaara enumerated US President Barrack Obama and the newly crowned Duchess of Cambridge and wife of Prince William, Kate Middleton. "President Obama is a smart man while Kate is the modern day Cinderella", Kaara said.
No.12. Monica Rae Limlengco, 18, is a tourism student at the Philippine Women's University. "I just fell inlove with the (tourism) industry. I visualize that tourism can uplift the country", Monica said on her decision to pursue tourism studies. Winning Binibining Pagsanjan 2009, this young beauty queen also won Fourth Runner-up for Miss STEP (Student Technologists & Entrepreneurs of the Philippines) 2008, a pageant entered by students from different schools across the country. Also true to her oath to promote Philippine tourism, Monica is an outstanding folk dancer, trained by no less than the renowned Bayanihan dancers. 
Candidate 13. Love Bernasor
No.13. Christine Paula Love Bernasor, 24, smiled and shared that her name is perfectly assigned to her. "I love deeply", she said and added that she puts her heart into anything that catches her attention. An outspoken individual, Love researches any topic that catches her attention in the internet, most of them political. She remembered writing a blog on Kamote or Sweet Potato as alternative for rice, her answer to debates on the rice shortage in the Philippines.
No.14. Honeylyn Maninang, 21, is proud to be a Bicolana. More importantly now that Venus Raj, another Bicolana made a mark on the international pageant scene for landing Fourth Runner-up in last year's Miss Universe pageant. Honey maintains her beauty queen figure by being active on several sports like Volleyball, and even masculine sports Sepak Takraw and Basketball. In between games, Honey is a freelance model. 
Candidates 14 & 15. Honey Maninang & Reina Maerina
No.15. Reina Mae Maerina, 25, has already climbed the podium by making it to the finals of Binibining Pilipinas 2010. Active on the beauty pageant arena and capitalizing on her statuesque height of 5'10', Reina also joined Miss Lipa Tourism and Miss Philippines Earth 2009. When asked how different is Miss Resorts World Manila from other pageants; "...you will be representating a name, a brand, and it's a joy as it is a requirement to meet a lot of people", Reina prompted.
No.16. Aina Tachiyama, 19, as her name suggests, is half Japanese and half Filipina. More than representing herself to this beauty pageant, Aina wants to represent her hometown Sta.Cruz, Laguna. A self-confessed romantic, Aina admitted that when she falls in love she gives her all. "Iba ako magmahal. Lahat ng boyfriend ko serious", Aina shared. 
Candidates 16 & 17. Aina Tachiyama & Chet Abella
No.17. Princess Angela Abella, 20, is born in Brunei Darussalam but was raised in Cebu City. Chet is so excited about her inclusion as one of the finalists of Miss Resorts World Manila since she considers this as her first serious pageant. "Infact, I am researching a lot. I was about to be an employee here but when I learned I can't join the pageant once I'm an employee, I rescheduled my walkthrough. I have to be a contestant first", she shared with a laugh. After Miss Resorts World Manila, Chet plans to join Binibining Pilipinas.
No.18. Pauleen Conde, 20, studied High School in Florida state in the US, has Spanish blood and her mom is based in New York. Making the idea of being everywhere as an inspiration, Pauleen joined Miss Resorts World Manila with the hopes of meeting people from all walks of life. Believing that the Philippines has still so much to offer, Pauleen came home to work. Her best attributes? "Confidence", she promptly replied. 
Candidates 18 & 19. Pauleen Conde & AJ Abuallata
No.19. Angela Luz Abuallata, 19, is a half Palestinian stunner who is active in Tourism groups in her school. Infact, she is currently the President of an HRM organization. Given the challenge to promote Resorts World Manila; "Resorts World Manila is renowned entertainment hub. It's a must to come to this place", AJ said. And her edge? "I won Miss Island 2008 and joined Miss Makati in 2009. I learned how to have that "X" factor in joining pageants", she revealed.
No.20. Mary Jane Co, (picture to be available soon) 22, is a nursing student at the Manila Doctors College. She also studied Commerce and majored in Tourism at the Far Eastern University. MJ is a huge sport fan. Her favorite sport is volleyball and her favorite athletes are basketball stalwarts Dwayne Wade, Chris Tiu and Michael Jordan. Her favorite book is the Bible and she also reads poetry. As a preparation to joining Miss Resorts World Manila, she joined Rachelle Allen Image Model earlier this year.
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 1 to 10 and numbers 21 to 30.
