Mathew Sygal So of Marikina Vies for Mister International PH 2023

Having a quiet life must be something that people would wish for, and I wouldn't blame them because it's an easy route. A few days ago, we met with Marikina City's representative for the Mister International 2023 pageant Mathew Sygal So. He's a Management Engineering student from the Ateneo de Manila University (a very tough course!), and he had a reason why he joined. I didn't have to think about it because at the venue, there were several PWD's clad in their country uniforms. They were athletes who won several bronze, silver and gold medals from the recent ASEAN Para Games 2023. They have represented the country well. It was so awesome to see them all cheering him on.

They were from the National Council on Disability Affairs which he's been actively involved in these past few years. Prior to him joining the pageant, he was hailed as their ambassador. Which is why one of the reasons he wanted to join Mister International Philippines 2023 was to further their cause. Here's part of the interview we did with Mathew:

 

It's so nice that he was game to also answer questions about joining showbiz and perhaps politics later on. But for now, he's glad that he was able to tell a story about his passion on giving PWD's a voice, to hopefully have awareness so everyone would practice equality, because he believes that if they were given the same opportunities, the too can do it.

I hope this has given you more insight about their plight, Mathew Sygal So is going to do his best to further make this cause heard in the international scene to hopefully have more people hear about their plight and see why he deserves a title in Mister International 2023. 

Here's wishing you would win Mathew! Cheers!

Meet Miss World Philippines Candidate Gwendolyn Fourniol

Negros Occidental is my province and I'm so glad they're being represented well in the Miss World Philippines pageant as Filipino-French lass Gwendolyn Fourniol vies for the title this 2022.

Gwen is pushing for the education platform to promote ERDA Foundation (Edicational Research and Development Assistance) which is a non-stock, non-profit organization aimed to help underprivileged kids to have education and change their lives. This cause is something that hits home for her because her Mom Sim Bolivar (albeit poor) was saved by the organization, got her to finish an AB Psychology degree at Philippine Womens University. This has given her Mom an opportunity to work abroad where she also met Gwen's Father. It's one of the reasons why she's very involved in ERDA's projects, as it has also been her advocacy to help kids, to hopefully have the same chance in life.

For her, Miss World Philippines does beauty with a purpose. She also plans to put up a French language school in the future to hone Filipinos to speak English, Tagalog and French which she also knows. Gwen is curently pursuing an Economics degree in Oxford Brooks based in London, UK and plans to also get internship from multinational corp JP Morgan.

This officially her second shot at the Miss World Philippines title. She's done a remarkable job last time as she was able to get into the top 15 semi finalists. I'm glad to see her becoming a heavy favorite with netizens and pageant enthusiasts but I must say, I'm not surprised. She's got the looks, but best of all, she's got the heart to become a worthy title holder.

Gwen also has a team behind her led by ProMedia's Paul Izon Reyes, Jam Aquino of Belle Salon. They are pioneers of beauty pageants and body building competitions and they trained her differently. She's got the looks, inner strength, very smart and confident. They also believe in her cause and know it puts her ahead of the pack. Hopefully, she'll do good in the Miss World Philippines 2022 pageant, and represent the country in an even larger platform such as Miss World. If Gwen can help thousands get education in the Philippines, if that happens in a world stage, it could make an even bigger impact. Here's to Candidate number 25, wishing you get that title for Negros Occidental, the Philippines and the world!

"Exceptionally Empowered Filipina" PH Bets Vie for 3 Crowns

It feels so surreal that our queens from Miss World Philippines are on their way to the respective countries of competition as they vie for different titles this 2022. Kathleen Paton Miss ECO Philippines 2021, Tracy Maureen Perez Miss World Philippines 2021, Michelle Arceo Miss Environment Philippines 2021 graced the send off ceremonies at B Hotel in Quezon City. The Miss World Philippines National Director and President of ALV Group of Companies Arnold Vegafria was there to wish the ladies well as they head on their way to Egypt, Puerto Rico and India this month.

Here's our video coverage of it this afternoon

 

First up is Kathleen Paton who is on her way to Cairo, Egypt as of this writing to compete at the 7th Miss Econ International pageant which will be held there from March 6-18. On the other hand, the coronation night for Miss World will be done on March 16 (around 12:30am on the 17th Manila time). The Miss World Organization has previously postponed the coronation night on the date itself because of heightened COVID-19 cases in Puerto Rico, but Tracy is raring to go because she's done really remarkable and won the Head to head and Beauty with a Purpose Challenge for the Miss World competition. Albeit a little frustrating that festivities had to be stopped like that, she's keen on winning the crown... using the time off to prepare even more before the actual crowning happens this year. Meanwhile, Michelle Arceo who's going to Mumbai, India from March 21 to April 2 (Crowning on April 2) just impressed us all with her looks and capacity to answer quite eloquently during the Question and Answer part of the presscon this afternoon. She's quite prepared, a little nervous, but confident that she's also getting that crown. It will be shown on April 2, 7:30PM Manila time. Make sure you're following the Miss World Philippines Facebook page for updates on their appearances and schedule.

Miss World Philippines also has changed their mantra starting this month, with the words "Exceptionally Empowered Filipina", a fitting tribute to the powerful and influential women who have gotten crowns from the pageant. This coincides with International Women's Month which is celebrated this March. The three peat is definitely within reach, go support them on their social media channels and help them get there!