Miss World Philippines queens ‘seek strong, independent’ ladies who ‘break the mold’

Miss World Philippines queens ‘seek strong, independent’ ladies who ‘break the mold’ | Miss World Philippines 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez (left) and reigning Universal Woman Maria Gigante/ARMIN P. ADINA

By: Armin P. Adina

INQUIRER.net 

The Miss World Philippines Organization (MWPH) has made a call for applicants earlier this year, signifying the national pageant’s return after a year-long hiatus. Two of the queens the search has produced have shared what they seek in the aspirants.

Tracy Maureen Perez, who bagged the main title in 2021, and Maria Gigante, who joined the national search a year after, spoke with INQUIRER.net at the post-coronation dinner of the 2024 Limgas na Pangasinan pageant at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen early morning on April 27.

Both queens were part of the selection committee of the provincial pageant that was held at the Pangasinan Provincial Capitol Building in Lingayen on April 26.

“I’m looking for the next Tracy Maureen Perez, and she has to be strong, independent and knows what she wants in life and goes after it relentlessly,” said Perez, who finished in the Top 13 of the 2021 Miss World pageant held in Puerto Rico.

Gigante, recently-crowned Universal Woman, said, “I’m looking for a Miss World and a Universal Woman [who] breaks the mold. Both are going to be effective communicators, but somebody who offers something we’ve never seen before. Also someone who is independent and who is unique and who knows what she believes in, but also knows how to allow others to stand in their power.”

She said she joined the Miss World Philippines pageant because she wanted to post back-to-back wins for Cebu and succeed Perez for the national title. “Although it didn’t happen, but we did make history as the first country to have sent a delegate for the first time, and to clinch the crown, for the second edition of Universal Woman, in the new era of beauty,” Gigante said.

Perez commended her, and said, “I’m so happy for my friend. We’ve known each other for the longest time, and I’m so, so, so proud of her and all of her achievements.” Gigante finished in the semifinals of the 2022 Miss World Philippines pageant, but was appointed by MWPH to represent the country at the second Universal Woman contest in Cambodia.

The two also shared how MWPH impacted their lives. “It really did change my life for the better, for the best even. It was a dream come true. I’ve always really wanted to represent the Philippines, and it was actually my third try before I finally got to say ‘Philippines’ in the world stage,” said Perez, who first joined in 2019, then tried out for the 2020 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, then returned to Miss World Philippines in 2021.

“When I came back, so many opportunities just opened for me. And I really never thought that I will be able to do all these things before, so I’m really grateful to my Miss World Philippines family for opening so many doors for me,” she continued.

Gigante also shared her aspirations for the national pageant. “I hope that we can continue that legacy, with more Cebuanas, more Filipinas, and celebrate more diversity, more inclusivity, and more open mindedness when it comes to what it means to work collectively as a community,” she said.

The last time MWPH held a national contest was in 2022, with Gwendolyne Fourniol taking the top title. But because the Miss World pageant was postponed that year, the organization put off its search until the reigning titleholder got to compete in her global tilt.

Fourniol’s Miss World contest finally pushed through in February, and MWPH opened applications for the 2024 national pageant in March. No further details about the final screening and date of competition have been released as of this writing.