Twenty-three-year-old nursing instructor Claudett de los Reyes was crowned 2011 Miss Bikini Philippines in glittering rites last April 12, Tuesday, at the Resorts World Theater. The event, hosted by disc jockeys Christian “Slyde” Ardiente and Sheryl Crystal, will be aired tonight at 8 over Studio 23.
This now annual beauty pageant of Slimmers World International began with 300 aspirants after a nationwide search was conducted early this year by the contest organizers. The list was eventually trimmed down to just 27 contestants who vied for the title in last Tuesday night’s competition.
De los Reyes, a crowd favorite, who bested the other contestants with her remarkable poise and elegance, is a Bicolana who migrated with her family to Olongapo City where she now works as an instructor in the nursing department and as part of the marketing staff of the Lyceum College there. She finished her nursing course at the Columban College also in the same city. Claudett stands 5’6” and measures 31-24-36.
As this year’s Miss Bikini Philippines winner, she will represent the country in the Miss Bikini International to be held in China this July. Aside from the honor of being the country’s delegate to the international beauty pageant, she also brought home with her prizes amounting to P500,000. She plans to share her winnings with the people who helped her during her pre-pageant preparations. A part of her cash prize will also be set aside to fix their house in Olongapo.
A very prayerful person, Claudett wore a rosary ring and did a nine-day novena before the contest. Her prayers were answered apparently.
Miss Bikini Philippines first runner-up, 22-year old Unique Fadul, is also a stunner at 5’11” — with vital statistics measuring 34-26-36. A professional model from Manila, Unique will use her P250,000 prize for her grandmother’s medication and for the tuition of her stepbrother this coming school year.
Second runner-up is 18-year old Patricia Dominico, who stands 5’7” and measures 34-25-37. Like Claudett, Patricia is also based in Olongapo where she is an incoming fourth year hotel and restaurant management student at Columban College. She says that her winning P150,000 came at the right time because she could use part of the cash prize to pay for her tuition this June.
A total of P1.5-M worth of prizes were actually distributed in the recent Miss Bikini Philippines contest. Aside from the top winner and the two runner-up positions, several special titles were also given during the coronation night.
Here are the winners of the special awards:
April Jane Panugaling — Miss Arena Swimwear
Riz Lyka Ayuste — Miss Fontana and Best in National Costume
Claudett de los Reyes — Miss Broadmedic
Charmaine Petiluna — Best in Talent
Carla Angela Valderrama — Best in Long Gown
Jermaine Joy Barredo — Darling of the Clients
Maribel Rico — Best in Posing
Kiomi Tuibeo — Miss Congeniality
Sarah Jane Mercado — Miss Photogenic
Jamie Yin Baker — Miss Great Skin
The winners and the rest of the finalists were chosen by the board of judges headed by Slimmers World big boss Ronald Joseph Moy and Slimmers World vice president Helen Camacho. The other members of the panel were 1999 Miss Universe first runner-up Miriam Quiambao, 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-International Krista Kleiner, Second Secretary of the Royal Thai Embassy Consul Monton Chansiri, Slimmers World Bangkok general manager Natchanan Decha-akhra-wanit, top fashion designers Randy Ortiz and Frederick Peralta, the original holder of the Body Beautiful title Vivian Velez, the events director and PR manager of Fontana Resorts Nikki Anna Dominique Rubio, senior news reporters of ABS-CBN and GMA Mario Dumaual and Nelson Canlas and this writer.