Pinay wins Miss Tourism Int'l for 3rd time

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipina clinched the title for the second straight year at the Miss Tourism International pageant held on New Year's Eve at the Marriot Hotel and Spa in Putrajaya, Malaysia. 

Angeli Dione Gomez, 20, beat 59 other contestants from around the world to win the title, which was handed to her by Miss Tourism International 2012/2013 and fellow Filipina Rizzini Alexis Gomez.

Thailand’s Sunidporn Srisuwan (Miss Tourism Queen of the Year) won first runner-up; Australia’s Sarah Czarnuch (Miss Tourism Metropolitan) won second runner-up; Dominican Republic’s Michelle Alexis Torres (Miss Tourism Global International) won third runner up and Malaysia’s Thaarah Ganesan (Miss Tourism Cosmopolitan International) won fourth runner-up. Vietnam’s Phan Hoang Thu was named Ms. Southeast Asia.

“Ms. Gomez’s victory in the Miss Tourism International pageant is a perfect way to cap the country’s impressive streak in the pageant scene and is wonderful news to start the new year.  The Embassy extends our congratulations and wishes her well during her reign as Miss Tourism International,” said Embassy Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Medardo Macaraig, who attended the coronation night.

During the coronation night, the candidates were asked how they will promote world peace. During her turn, Ms. Gomez said that she will promote tourism because it involves people-to-people movement and communication, which will make each one understand cultures, beliefs and traditions.  

This is the third time that the Philippines won the title in the international beauty contest. In 2000, Ma. Esparanza Manzano of Quezon City won the title.

The Miss Tourism International pageant began in 1994 in Kuching, Sarawak with candidates from 20 countries. The title is now franchised in over 80 countries worldwide.  

The Philippines tops the list for the most number of wins in the pageant, followed by India (2001 and 2008) and Poland (1998 and 1999).