PNoy wishes PHL Ms. International bet ‘good luck’

President Benigno Aquino III personally wished Bb. Pilipinas International Bea Rose Santiago good luck for her participation in the Miss International beauty pageant to be held in Japan next week.

 

Aquino bid the 22-year-old Santiago good luck during his Thursday meeting with the Filipino community in Tokyo, where she was also a special guest. This was the President's first activity in Japan, where he will attend the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit.

 

“Iyong atin pong contestant sa Miss International, we really wish you good luck and hopefully I will have the same experience that I had in Bali, Indonesia – dahil marami ho doon nagsasabi ‘Oh! Philippines! Miss World!’,” said Aquino, referring to Megan Young's victory as the first Filipina crowned as Miss World.

 

A statement from the Palace on Friday said the President was "optimistic" that Santiago, reportedly one of the early favorites in the pre-pageant activities, will bring home the country's fifth Miss International title.

 

It said the last time the Philippines won the Miss International crown was in 2005 when the country was represented by Precious Lara Quigaman. 

 

The 2013 Miss International Pageant will be held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Japan on December 17. The reigning Miss International is Japan's Ikumi Yoshimatsu. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News