MANILA, Philippines — When the Miss Queen of Hearts Philippines pageant announced the opening of its search for its 2021 edition earlier this year, three would-be winners were said to represent the country in international competitions—the Miss Global Universe, Miss Tourism Worldwide, and Miss Lumiere International World contests.
But at the homestretch of the local competition, the Queen of Hearts Foundation announced that two more titleholders will see action in the global arena—in the 2021 and 2022 editions of the Miss World Peace pageant.
And on the national pageant’s coronation ceremonies, the organizers selected two more winners who will also see action overseas—at the inaugural editions of the Miss Western Pacific and Miss Southeast Asia pageants.
When the 2021 Miss Queen of Hearts Philippines pageant staged its coronation program at Crosswinds in Tagaytay City on July 5, a total of seven national titleholders received international assignments, while the three remaining ladies in the Top 10 also took home crowns.
After a series of virtual competitions, the organizers narrowed down the roster of 22 aspirants to only 10 finalists, to adhere to the government’s limitations on live events. The top ladies were holed up inside the hotel, where they prepared for the festivities staged without any live audience.
Proclaimed Miss Philippines Global Universe was Maerylle Blauta from Abuyog, Leyte. Early favorite Kathie Lee Berco from Pangasinan received the Miss Philippines Tourism Worldwide crown, while Julia Mendoza from Sasmuan, Pampanga, was hailed Miss Philippines Lumiere International World.
Queen of Hearts Foundation Chair Mitzie Go-Gil told the Inquirer in an online interview that Blauta’s competition will be held in Singapore in December, while Berco and Mendoza will fly to the island state next year.
Apriel Joana Zapanta from Cebu City was crowned 2021 Miss Philippines World Peace, while Rose Michelle Ilagan from Oslob, Cebu, was proclaimed 2022 Miss Philippines World Peace. The global pageant will hold a virtual competition this year, while next year’s installment will be held in Singapore.
Crowned Miss Philippines Western Pacific was Sophia Andanar from Atimonan, Quezon, while the Miss Philippines Southeast Asia title went to Edna Gunio from Taguig City.
Both ladies will represent the Philippines in their respective pageants’ inaugural editions in Singapore in 2022.
The Miss Queen of Hearts Universe title went to Glenmayne Yalung of Nueva Ecija, while the Miss Queen of Hearts World crown was awarded to Famela Rose Santos of Pampanga. Irene Guzman of Luna, La Union, rounded up the winners’ circle as Miss Queen of Hearts International.
Another Queen of Hearts Philippines queen is currently seeing action on the international arena, Sheenary Tamagos form the Province of Cavite who is representing the country in the Miss Lumiere International World pageant’s virtual edition this year.
Tamagos was originally part of this year’s roster of Miss Queen of Hearts Philippines pageant contestants, but was pulled out of the national competition as a last-minute candidate in the Singapore-based global tilt.
In an earlier interview, Go-Gil told the Inquirer that the Miss Queen of Hearts Philippines winners will serve as role models.
“She must be dignified in all the roles that she plays in life in an honorable, worthy way, showing great self-respect and respect for others,” she said.