After a 10-year hiatus, the most popular beauty pageant in Southeast Asia – Miss Asia Pacific International – is making a grand comeback.
“It will be back and it will be participated in by stunning delegates from around the world,” said Jacqueline Tan, President of the Mutya ng Pilipinas Organization, during its launch in Pasig City recently.
Started in 1968 as a non-stock, non-profit organization corporation with the aim of promoting tourism for the Philippines overseas. Its original name was Miss Asia Quest Inc. and it was the beginning of 48 years of beauty pageantry in the Philippines.
Tan said that delegates from around the world are expected to arrive in November. They will be presented to the press on Nov. 17. The grand coronation night will be held at the Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Nov. 23.
Among the countries expected to take part in the rebirth of the contest include Australia, Bangladesh, China, Cook Island, India, Korea, Iraq, Jamaica, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Singapore, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine.
“We’re expecting more delegates. We will announce the official line-up soon,” said Tan.
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Ganiel Akrisha Krishan, 21, court-side reporter for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, will represent the Philippines in the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant.
Asked to promote the country, Krishan said that one of the best things about being in the Philippines these days is the people.
“Definitely I will not tell them about the traffic. But what I can tell them is about our people who are very responsible for their actions and they are hospitable,” she said.
The student from Far Eastern University said that she is also excited to bring her co-candidates to the Underground River in Palawan.
“Since the pageant will be held in Palawan, I want to take them to the Underground River which is one of the seven wonders of the world. I want them to tell their friends about this popular attraction,” said Krishan, a Filipino-Indian beauty queen.
Despite getting offers from radio and television as a reporter, the beauty queen said that she is bent on finishing her studies in FEU where she is currently on 3rd year taking up mass communications.
“Right now I’m still studying and I really want to be a sports reporter. One more year to go and I’ll be finished with school,” Krishan said.
She said that she has no time for a boyfriend these days.
“I’m not in a relationship now and I’m not planning to meet anyone right now during the pageant. Probably after the contest. Let’s see what will happen,” Krishan said.
Asked about the qualities of her dream guy, she said: “Since I am surrounded by athletes, I want someone who is Filipino and tall. Someone who is six-footer.”
Before she joined Mutya ng Pilipinas, Krishnan competed at the 2016 Miss Manila beauty pageant where she won second runner-up. She is also a fashion model and a singer.
