GMA Network, chosen to be media partner of Miss World Philippines 2014

By MARY LOUISE LIGUNAS

 

To officialize GMA Network as the media partner of Miss World Philippines 2014, National Director Cory Quirino signed a contract with network executives today, July 4 at the GMA Network Center.

 

Present at the event were Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon and Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Lilybeth G. Rasonable.

 

“The partnership is getting stronger and longer and we are very glad that we are chosen again to be the partner… We will try our best. We are the carrying station. That’s why we were entrusted by Cory. I’m sure she appreciated what we have done in the past,” Mr. Gozon said.

 

Miss World’s home

 

Quirino expressed excitement over the partnership and noted how the Network was the brand’s first partner when it was founded in 2011. “In 2011, we successfully launched the brand Miss World Philippines. We’ve been partners with GMA since [then], and we feel that there’s no other home for us. [There is] no better or stronger home for us than GMA,” she said.

 

This year’s coronation night is historic because it will be graced by the presence of Megan Young, the first Filipino Miss World. “[She] comes home to crown our queen and this would be the first time she will walk the Philippine stage as Miss World, our very first. It’d be very historic for us and we’d like to share that history-making moment with GMA,” she added.

 

Celebrating the first

 

The author, radio and TV host wants to accommodate a lot of people in the coronation night to also give Young a hero’s welcome. “We’d like to have a very big venue for [her]… We’d like to have more of her fans to share in that moment with us,” Quirino disclosed.

 

This year’s winner will also be privileged to be crowned by the reigning titleholder. "Napakasuwerte ang magiging Miss World Philippines 2014 dahil ang magkokorona sa kanya ay si Miss World mismo so I hope that the suwerte of Miss World will go to our new national winner,” she said.

 

Internationally, Megan made the country proud while locally, she inspired many Filipina dreams. “Very inspired ang mga candidates ngayon because of Megan Young’s victory. She has made the impossible possible,” she exclaimed.

 

The search is on

 

Thirty Filipina beauties will get to vie for this year’s crown. “We’re thinking of getting 30 candidates from the original 25… The search has begun. Puwede na mag-apply online ang mga interesado maging Miss World Philippines [by logging on to] www.missworldphilippines.com,” she announced.

 

Additionally, the organization is also spearheading a pageant for Filipinas in the United States next week. “Magkakaroon na po tayo ng Miss Philippines Quest. ‘Yan ang aming arm ng search for Miss World Philippines abroad. We’re going to have it in New York on July 12. If you’re a Filipina, as long as one parent is Filipino, then you are qualified to join. There’s no requirement for residency,” she explained.

 

More crowns for the Philippines

 

Quirino, who is the exclusive licensee of the pageant, hopes for more Filipinas to become a Miss World titleholder. “[The international pageant] is on December 14 in London, England. May panahon tayo sa training ngayon so we have two months to prepare our candidate,” she shared.

 

She also hopes to match or top Venezuela’s record of having the most pageant winners. “Ang pangarap natin ay manalo ulit ang Pilipinas. Sana we can give Venezuela a run for their money ‘cause they’ve won six times. ‘Yan ang pangarap ko sana, to challenge the Miss Venezuela victory streak,” she revealed.

 

Since Young bagged the crown last year, Quirino looks forward to more victories. “Ang sabi nila, hindi kami mananalo ng Miss World Crown. For 63 years, we waited and now that she has broken the jinx, tapos na ang drought. Mag-uulan ng korona ng Miss World dito sa Pilipinas,” she claimed.