THE NEW MISS TOURISM INTERNATIONAL 2012/13 IS MISS PHILIPPINES RIZZINI ALEXIS GOMEZ!
Datuk Danny Ooi, founder and owner of Miss Tourism International, Miss Tourism International 2013, Miss Tourism International 2012 and Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, founder and chairman of The Sunway Group
As I was one of the 9 judges, I enjoyed a great view upfront and was able to take these scintillating photos for your edification with my trusty Leica camera!
All judges had to give 30 points for each of the 10 top finalists; 10 for Beauty, 10 for Presentation and 10 for Interview. All earlier marks were deleted and we started on a clean slate.
It was a hard decision but in the end we voted for Miss Philippines though I really admired and liked Miss Malaysia. Of course being a dedicated and impartial judge, I never allowed nationalism or false sense of patriotism to affect or colour my professional judgment!
There were 4 other titles apart from the coveted Miss Tourism International and Miss Malaysia Jun Yong won Miss DreamGirl of the Year International 2012/13 which is a nice title but to be frank, this essentially means Miss Malaysia was 4th runner-up.
Miss Tourism International is an internationally recognised title of world standing as even though it is a Made-in-Malaysia title, no Miss Malaysia had ever won in the first 14 years of its existence!
It took 15 years before a Miss Malaysia won last year during the 15th Miss Tourism International when Gabriella Robinson smashed the record by being the first Miss Malaysia to win!
I was hoping Miss Malaysia Jun Yong would create history by being the second Miss Malaysia to win and establish a world record with 2 consecutive victories by the same nation!
But it was not to be. So sad but this was what we judges decided unanimously.
Miss Philippines Rizzini Gomez wore a stunning gown by Philip Tampus and hails from Cebu, Philippines. This 22 year old stunner lived and worked as model in Manila for 13 years when her father was a professional basketball player.
"When he retired he took us back to Cebu our home town. He now works as basketball coach in Cebu."
No wonder Rizzini is so tall at 5 ft 9 inches since her dad is tall or else he would be unable to play basketball professionally.
I demanded to know if her 2 brothers are as tall and handsome.
Rizzini grinned, "Oh yes, they are as 'guapo' as I am 'maganda' as you called me in the changing room when you and the other judges went past us to be introduced. In fact one of my brothers is here right now but he is not invited to the After Party which is very exclusive!
"I cannot even phone him as we are not allowed to go back to our bedrooms where my handphone is," she sighed. I offered my phone as a gallant act but she could not remember his number. So I never got to meet her handsome brother! Bummer.
Rizzini Alexis Gomez is, believe it or not, a registered nurse! How convenient to marry her since she can administer to your needs when you fall ill!
"I graduated last year and now works at St Vincent Hospital in Cebu. However I have taken a year off since winning the Mutya Ng Pilipinas title, the Miss Tourism Philippines title and now I am Miss Tourism International! I am so pleased and proud! Now I will probably be based in Manila as there are more ooportunities there now that I have won the international title."
All 10 finalists were asked the same question; "What is the most popular festival in your country and why?"
This was a brilliant stroke as every contestant stood an equal chance yet each answer would be unique and different!
Bravo to D'Touch for coming up with this great equaliser of a question that was fair to every contestant as some questions are always deemed too easy or too tough when asked individually!
The Top 10 finalists; left Miss New Zealand, Miss Paraguay, Miss Russia Miss Australia, Miss Venezuela, Miss Philippines, Miss Thailand, Miss Malaysia and Miss India
The Top 10 and judges had to start all over again from a clean slate as all previous marks were deleted. As one of the 9 judges, I had to give 10 marks for Beauty, 10 points for Presentation and 10 for Interview.
My favorite Miss Philippines Rizzini Gomez gave a brilliant answer to the question "What is your nation's most popular festival and why?"
Another of my favorites Miss Thailand who won Miss South East Asia 2012/13, a new title introduced this year and limited to ASEAN nations. She was crowned by Karmen Khor, Miss Malaysia Queen of the Year
2 queens turning away in unison
Miss Malaysia Jun Yong won Best in Talent and Miss Dreamgirl of the World International 2012/13 and was sashed by Datuk DJ Dave and crowned by Datuk Danny Ooi
Miss Malaysia Jun Yong was a crowd favourite
Datuk Danny Ooi who created and owns the Miss Tourism International title crowned Miss Dreamgirl of the World who was Miss Malaysia Jun Yong
Congratulations Miss Malaysia Jun Yong! She is only 20 and is 168cm, 52 kg and 83-66-89 and wants to be a broadcast journalist
Datuk DJ Dave leaving the stage
Miss Cosmopolitan International 2012/13 went to Miss Paraguay Lourdes Maria del Carmen Motta Rolon and was sashed by Dato Jallaluddin Hassan
Miss Cosmopolitan International was Miss Paraguay
Datuk Danny Ooi, Miss Cosmopolitan International 2012/13 and Datuk Jallaluddin Hassan
Miss Tourism Global 2012/13 went to Miss Venezuela Marielis Alejandra Castellanos Perez and was sashed by John Autelitano GM of Sunway Resort, Hotel & Spa and crowned by Datuk Danny Ooi
John Autelitano, Miss Tourism Global and Datuk Danny Ooi
John Autelitano GM of Sunway Resort, Hotel & Spa sashing Miss Tourism Global
John Autelitano was perfect host with most!
Miss Tourism Metropolitan 2012/13 was won by Miss Australia Monika Radulovic and sashed by Datuk Ng of Sunway Properties of the Sunway Group
Miss Australia won Miss Tourism Metropolitan
Datuk Ng of Sunway Properties, Miss Tourism Metropolitan 2012/13 and Datuk Danny Ooi
5 winners have been crowned----except the Queen of them all Miss Tourism International 2012/13! Who will it be?
You could hear a pin drop as everyone waited with bated breath
The subsidiary winners---Miss South East Asia (Miss Thailand), Miss Cosmopolitan (Miss Paraguay) and Miss Metropolitan International (Miss Australia). Now who is Miss Tourism International 2012/13?
Miss Tourism Global (Miss Venezuela) and Miss Dreamgirl (Miss Malaysia) were also curious
Miss Tourism Global and Miss Dreamgirl
The reigning Miss Tourism International 2011/12 Gabriella Robinson who was Miss Malaysia was invited on stage to crown her successor as Kai Feng got the mike ready
Miss Malaysia and Miss Tourism International 2011/12 Gabriella Robinson taking her final walk and finale wave to her fans!
How I wept gallons of tears at this sight as I was also a judge last year and gave her maximum marks and now 365 days had passed so quickly!
Gabriella Robinson ready to crown her successor now!
All ready!
Datuk Danny Ooi making the momentous announcement! Miss Philippines won!
And the new Miss Tourism International 2012/13 was Miss Philippines Rizzini Alexis Gomez!
I gave her maximum marks!
Congrats Miss Philippines!
Gabriella Robinson, Miss Tourism International 2012 crowning her successor
Miss Tourism International 2011/12 crowning Miss Tourism International 2012/13!
Datuk Danny Ooi founder and owner of Miss Tourism International, the new Miss Tourism International, the old Miss Tourism Internationa (!) and Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, founder and chairman of The Sunway Group
Miss Philippines rule OK!
The Super Six!
Datuk Danny Ooi inviting Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah to join the beauty queens
Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah and Datuk Danny Ooi joining the winners
The trio leaving the 6 queens
The former Miss Tourism International Gabriella Robinson being escorted down
The Most Beautiful Girls on New Year Eve in the world!
Six stunners
The top 6 beauties finally were able to relax!
We Are the Champions!
Time to congratulate each other!
Cheers all round
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