Former Filipina reporter is Mrs. Universe 2009 2nd runner-up

A former Filipina television reporter was crowned 2nd runner-up in the Mrs. Universe 2009 pageant held last Sunday in Riga, Latvia. Camilla Kim Galvez, a former ABS-CBN reporter, also won two other awards, Best in Long Gown and Darling of the Press. Before Galvez went to Latvia, she told GMA News in an interview that she dieted and practiced a lot for the pageant. The beauty queen said it was the support of her husband Raul that kept her going. “He's my number one fan, he's the one reminding me, oh, you're not practicing or you better work out, my number one critic, exactly," said Galvez. But she said was not only focused on winning, but also on promoting the Philippines as well. “Nagdala ako ng mga video (I brought some video) from the Department of Tourism to show them how beautiful our beaches are. We have very rich natural resources, we have a rich culture, we have wonderful products in the Philippines, I hope I can communicate that to all of the delegates," she said in the interview. As required in the pageant, Galvez also presented gifts from the Philippines to local government officials in Latvia. She gave them handmade Philippine crafts like dolls, wooden back scratches, bamboo flutes, small bamboo bird whistlers, native table runners, napkin holders with shells, and pearl accessories. She also showcased the Filipino singing talent when she sang “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas" and the Latvian song “Put Vejini" in the Riga International Music Festival. Vaida Ragenaite of Lithuania was crowned winner of Mrs. Universe 2009 while Krista Hoeijmans of Belgium, Jennifer Cirone of the USA, and Heidi Polkki of Finland finished 1st runner-up, 3rd runner-up, and 4th runner-up, respectively. The other winners were Ivanova of Bulgaria, Mrs. European Union; Jayne Taylor of England, Mrs. Mother of the Universe; Evija Indriksone-Nikonorova, Mrs. Photogenic; Evija Indriksone-Nikonorova, Mrs. Famous; and Elena Sandeva of Macedonia, Mrs. Elegance. A total of 17 contestants from different countries participated in the pageant. The candidates were judged starting from August 2 to August 8 of their official Mrs. Universe activities without the candidates knowing about it. They were judged based on their beauty, intelligence, talent, and rapport with other people. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV