Cebuanas Rizzini Gomez, Vanessa Amman vie for Miss World PHL title

CEBU, Philippines - There are 25 hopefuls raring to succeed Miss World Philippines (MWP) 2011 Gwendoline Ruais, and two in the list are representing Cordova town and Lapu-Lapu City of Cebu.

Candidate number 9 is Rizzini Alexis Gomez of Cordova town, a 21-year-old registered nurse who has so far three titles under her belt: Miss Mandaue 2008, Miss Cebu 2009 1st runner-up and Aliwan Festival Queen 2010. This magna cum laude graduate of the University of Cebu has her father, former PBA player Ruel Gomez to thank for her towering 5’10” height — making her an easy stand-out in any group.

Just like last year, MWP 2012 drew veterans or former finalists of rival contests Binibining Pilipinas, Miss Philippines-Earth and Mutya ng Pilipinas, and so there are understandably heavy favorites among these experienced girls. Despite that, Gomez has not been wanting in good reviews from avid pageant reviewers such as the one written at queentessenceph.blogspot.com, an online pageant magazine who commended her “queenly demeanor and poise.”

The post stated further, “Rizzini Alexis Gomez is simply resplendent. It is such a wonder why this girl did not qualify in this year’s Binibining Pilipinas,” while also advising that despite this initial positive impression, “her stylist should look into the best presentation for her because too heavy make-up ruins her total look.”

In another post by former beauty queen and avid pageant blogger Joyce Burton-Titular at adventuresofabeautyqueen.com site, she cited Gomez’ winning asset was her being “extremely photogenic.”

“But the one thing I believe makes Rizzini Alexis Gomez a woman of substance is her tenacity. She doesn’t let defeat stop her from achieving her dreams. After doing extremely well in three pageants, she had to face rejection this year at the initial screening of Bb. Pilipinas 2012. In spite of the hurt that caused, Gomez got back on her high heels and is now competing in the Miss World Philippines 2012. Very impressive!” wrote Burton-Titular, a Bb. Pilipinas-Universe winner in 1985.

The second Cebuana in the roster is candidate number 2 Vanessa Claudine Amman of Lapu-Lapu City. One among two half-Germans in this batch, Amman was Miss Cebu 2nd runner-up 2011 where she also won Miss Friendship. As a model, her lovely face has graced the print ads of big name brands. In MWP 2012’s charity gala night June 19 at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati, she managed to grab two pre-pageant special awards given out that evening, namely Miss Friendship and Miss Laguna World.

Amman, 23, is the daughter of Lapu-Lapu City Councilor and former model Queenie Amman while her father is originally from Stuttgart, Germany, now a resort owner and resident of Lapu-Lapu City.

Burton-Titular pointed out Amman’s “unconventional beauty” as her winning asset. “Vanessa Claudine Amman is not your typical beauty queen contestant: She’s got this fresh girl-next-door look and her corkscrew hair is everywhere! I think girls with that kind of big hair are brave to join beauty pageants because the current trend for beauty contestants is long hair with big soft curls. So I always enjoy it when someone walks in with hair like hers! She also did well in the Mega Fashion Crew 2011 reality show and made it into the Top 4.

Amman is also one of Mega Magazine’s most beautiful.”

Miss World 2012 will be held in China on August 18, while MWP 2012 is happening this Sunday, June 24, giving the eventual bearer of the crown the tough task of preparing for the international contest in less than a month.

Former Miss World 2nd Princess Ruffa Gutierrez and Game ‘n Go presenter Edu Manzano will step in as hosts for the grand coronation night at the Manila Hotel Tent which will be aired live on TV5 starting at 8:30 pm. There will also be a pageant primer on Saturday, June 23 at 10:45 pm.