Can Christi Lynn McGarry compete in Miss Intercontinental again?

It seems that almost year in and year out, the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant never runs out of controversial issues.

Christi Lynn McGarry was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2015 Sunday night. However, it turned out that she had already competed for the Miss Intercontinental title in 2010 when the local franchise was not yet under the fold of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.

Alerted by InterAksyon, BPCI immediately acknowledged the potential conflict on Monday and furnished us this statement: “The Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated is studying the issue about Christi Lynn McGarry who then competed for Miss Intercontinental 2010. We will update everyone should we arrive at anything final.”

McGarry, who listed Nabua, Camarines Sur as her hometown in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas, represented the Filipino Community of East Coast, USA back when she competed in the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2010.

As the winner of the Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific title in that pageant, the 24-year-old stunner earned the right to represent the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Intercontinental contest where she finished among the Top 15 semifinalists and also won the special award, Miss Asia Oceania Intercontinental.

A check with Miss Intercontinental’s official website states that delegates should be “at least 18 years old and under 27 (in the year they participate in the telecast).” Pageant rules are not posted in detail so it is not known if contestants who already participated in previous pageants are allowed to compete again.

If McGarry can’t compete anymore in Miss Intercontinental, would she forfeit her Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental crown?

Would this pave the way for 1st runner-up Hannah Ruth Sison, who was reportedly heartbroken after her three-year campaign for a Binibining Pilipinas crown fell short for the third and final time on Sunday? Pageant insiders feel that this is an unlikely scenario and point to McGarry switching titles with Binibining Pilipinas-Supranational Rogelie Catacutan as a more plausible solution.

For now, the issue remains unresolved as there is no scheduled date yet for Miss Intercontinental 2015. Last year, the pageant was won by Thailand’s Phataraporn Wang while Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2014 Kris Tiffany Janson won 2nd runner-up—the country’s best finish in the pageant’s 42-year history.

source: interaksyon.com

Mutya 2012 Candidates Unveiled

MANILA, Philippines – Most of the candidates in this year’s Mutya ng Pilipinas are first-timers in beauty contests.

While other beauty contests are known to include candidates who have joined other beauty contests in the past, Mutya ng Pilipinas scoured the country to unearth new faces, says fashion designer and Mutya project designer Renee Salud in an interview with Bulletin Entertainment and select members of media during the press presentation at the Midas Hotel, Manila on July 18.

Salud boasted that a good 90% of the 30 official Mutya candidates this year, ranging from ages 19 to 23 years old, are first-timers in national beauty pageants.

“It has been said by everybody na ang Mutya ng Pilipinas is a stepping stone for a lot of ladies who won in other national beauty contests,” he pointed out.

The contestants are Dale Ivory Lee, Regine Fondevilla, Jean Margaret Tamparong, Clarisse Angelika Barrameda, Nova Joy Johnston, Phoebe Corrine Pataytay, Gina Damaso, Reynalyn Flores Yamanouchi, Jillian Kristin Deveza, Maribee Tiburcio, Donna Marie Libre, Keziah Llare Gallardo, Jessica Barbour, Regine Semira, Caitlin Gainey, Kaylee Calaguas, Mutya Johanna Datul, Emi-Con Sauquillo, Kariza de Guzman, Diana Joyce Ramirez, Carin Adrianne Ramos, Charmaine Guintu, Paula Bascon, Emma Tiglao, Rizzini Alexis Gomez, Gylene Angelica Ramos, Rachel Malumes, Larrah Grace Lacap, Camille Guevarra, and Priscilla Kimberly de la Cruz

The ladies were selected following a series of regional screenings conducted nationwide and even abroad, Salud said.

“We had a series of trainings and we had them speak to experts of the business to transform them from being plain janes to beauty queens.”

Jacqueline Tan, President of Mutya ng Pilipinas Inc., shared that the competition this year will see some “changes” in which old and the new traditions meet.

“Siguro ‘yung mga pageants before were more of Maria Clara types, so ngayon we’re gonna be more hip na talaga kasi we’re having our swimsuit competition in Cebu.

"So it’s going to be a fashion show. Not only a swimsuit competition but we’re gonna have a fashion show talaga. It’s gonna jive with the music and they’re gonna dance and sashay on the runway,” Tan enthused.

At the press launch, some of the girls got an edge over the rest by receiving special recognitions. Mutya ng West Coast USA Kaylee Calaguas bagged the Mutya ng Sheridan award as well as the Mutya ni Lito Sy award (Most Photogenic) while Mutya ng Isabela Mutya Johanna Datul received the Press Favorite award.

The overall winners in the competition will take on the titles Mutya ng Pilipinas-International, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism and Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas Communities. They will represent the Philippines in various international beauty pageants abroad.

The winners will also receive cash prizes and gift certificates.

Salud gladly shared that the winners will be given "opportunity to land in decent jobs because the owner of Mutya ng Pilipinas now has a lot of businesses. Those ladies who will be willing to work with them will be accepted.”

Mutya ng Pilipinas grand coronation night will be on Aug. 12 at the UP Diliman Theater, 7 p.m. with delayed telecast on GMA-7 at 10:30 p.m.

source: mb.com.ph