HOST DELEGATE – Highspeed’s beauty expert Jay P. Delgado sends this report:
REIGNING Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International Ganiel Akrisha Atun Krishnan will be the host delegate in the re-launch of the oldest international beauty pageant in Asia – the Miss Asia Pacific International Pageant that will be held on Nov. 23 at Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Ganiel, 22, was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia-Pacific International at the 48th coronation night held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City last July 30, 2016.
Aside from the top crown, she also bagged eight other awards, namely: Darling of the Press, Best in Talent, Mutya ng Sheridan Beach Resort, Mutya ng Rain or Shine, Hannah’s Best in Swimsuit, Mutya ng Hotel 101, Mutya ng Camera Club of the Philippines, and Mutya ng Inglot.
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HIATUS – Miss Asia Pacific International is being re-launched after hiatus of more than a decade. It begun as the Miss Asia Quest in 1968, the pioneer in international pageantry in Asia, and later re-named Miss Asia Pacific in 1984 to accommodate Pacific-rim countries in the Americas as well. In 2004, it turned global by accepting participants from Europe, Africa, and other countries outside the pageant’s boundaries and called Miss Asia Pacific International.
Fifty delegates worldwide will vie for the title won by four Filipinas: Carines Zaragoza in 1982, Gloria “Bong” Dimayacyac in 1983, Lorna Legaspi in 1989 and Michelle Aldana in 1993.
To date, the Philippines has won the most crowns. With three winners each are India (1970, 1972, and 2000), Australia (1972, 1974, and 1980), South Korea (1969, 1995, and 2002) and Thailand (1978, 1988, and 1997).
Ganiel aims for the fifth crown for the country.
With two winners each are: Turkey (1979 and 1984), Israel (1985 and 1992), Costa Rica (1996 and 1998), Peru (1994 and 2001) and Russia (2003 and 2004). Other countries which have won the crown once are: Taiwan (1968), Guam (1971), Papua New Guinea (1975), Singapore (1976), Indonesia (1977), Sri Lanka (1981), New Zealand (1986), Panama (1987) and Colombia (1999).
The press presentation and national costume competition will be held at the Manila Pavilion Hotel on Nov. 17, the talent competition at Villamor Golf Club on Nov. 18, and the grand coronation night at Sheridan Resort in Puerto City, Palawan on Nov. 23 to be aired on GMA 7 and Star World.
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REPORTER – Before her Mutya ng Pilipinas victory, Ganiel was also 2nd runner-up at the 2016 Miss Manila Pageant held last June 24. She is also a courtside reporter for the UAAP’s broadcast coverage of ABS-CBN Sports+Action for the FEU Tamaraws varsity teams.
Born in 1994 to an Indian-Singaporean father and a Filipino mother, Ganiel began her entertainment career as finalist of the “My Girl” segment of the now-defunct noontime show “Happy Yipee Yehey!” before being discovered by Johnny Manahan, and later signed for Star Magic. She has also appeared in “Maalalaala Mo Kaya?” and “Oh My G!” in supporting roles, and was finalist of the Bright Young Manila of “Chalk” magazine in 2015. Ganiel was a track and field athlete in her high school days at Paco Catholic School.
“I think what I will enjoy most during the week-long pageant is getting to know the ladies and their cultures. This pageant is not only about having a beautiful face and body but an amazing heart and graceful mind,” said the FEU communications student who wants to be a successful news reporter in the future.