Indonesia scored big wins in two preliminary competitions for the 2017 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant taking place in the Philippines.
Rita Nurmaliza’s “Garuda”-inspired garb won for her the Best in National Costume award in a contest held at The Manansala Loft by The Rockwell Club in Makati City on Nov. 17.
Garuda is the mystical bird in Indonesian mythology.
Two days before this, Nurmaliza sang her way to the second top spot in the talent competition staged at Johnny B. Good-Makati at the Glorietta 3 in Makati City.
The Best in Talent title went to Lydia Simonis-Tariu, who scored a back-to-back victory for Cook Islands for the said award in the global tilt with her traditional Polynesian dance routine.
Easter Islands’ Tiare Faundez, who also presented a traditional Polynesian dance routine, finished third in the talent contest, participated by more than half of the delegates.
For Friday’s national costume competition, Russia’s Viktoriya Dashieva finished second, while Brazil’s Francielly Ouriques placed third.
Ouriques was also chosen as Miss Zanea Shoes first runner up, while India’s Sonika Roy was hailed Miss Zanea Shoes.
New Zealand’s Acacia Walker received the Best in Hairstyle award.
The next big preliminary segment, the swimsuit competition, will take place at the Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, on Nov. 21.
The 2017 Miss Asia Pacific International coronation night will be staged at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on Nov. 29.
Tessa Le Conge from the Netherlands will relinquish her title. /jpv
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