Former Mutya ng Pilipinas president Hemilyn Escudero-Tamayo was crowned Mrs. Tourism Universe 2021 during a virtual competition held last Aug. 3.
Hemilyn edged out close to 30 candidates for the coveted title, during a competition beamed through live stream on social media.
In her speech, Hemilyn focused on caring for the world during the pandemic.
"This pandemic has been the worst nightmare for all of us. It has taken our freedom, jobs and to some loved ones. As a mother who truly cares for the world, I will teach my kids and people around to follow the health and safety protocols and learn to adapt to the new normal. To be able to cope and move forward, and most of all, I will encourage everyone amidst the pandemic to stay positive. Pray to God Almighty that this will be over soon. Let us have this burning faith in our hearts and heal as one. Thank you - Mrs Tourism Philippines 2021," she said.
Hemilyn also won special awards such as best in national costume, best in talent, best in speech, best in YouTube views, and Facebook’s most viewed mother.
Other winners were: Mrs. Philippines-Japan Catherine Yogi, Mrs. Tourism World 2021; Mrs. Ecuador Monica Nugra, Mrs. Tourism International 2021; Mrs. Peru Lisha Aliencaste Nin, Mrs. Tourism Earth 2021; and Mrs. Singapore Stelle Roche Kaye, Mrs. Tourism Globe 2021.
Now in its 4th year, the Mrs. Tourism beauty pageant is the brainchild of Mr. Ovette Ricalde of MegaStar Productions. It has a popular tagline, “A Mother Who Cares for the World.
Ricalde believes Hemilyn would make a perfect winner because of her beauty and philanthropic works. She is also an artist, entrepreneur, image consultant, investor and pageant producer.
Hemilyn was trained by the Kagandahang Flores (KF) beauty camp under pageant guru Rodgil Flores.
In 2019, Hemilyn enrolled at the prestigious Yale University in Connecticut, USA to further her studies in the field of arts.
Hemilyn is the daughter of former Casiguran, Sorsogon City Mayor Dr. Oscar Escudero. She is married to Philippine Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Antonio Tamayo, whose family owns the University of Perpetual Help DALTA Medical Center. They have two children.
She took up financial management in Texas, USA and is a product of Charlston School of Protocol and Etiquette and Fashion Image Institute in San Francisco. She is the founder of Total Image, Inc., an image consultant agency.
A relative of Governor Chiz Escudero of Sorsogon, Hemilyn is a popular figure in the pageant industry long before she got married.
Hemilyn is also an officer of the United Women’s Artists Association of the Philippines, a group of professional women having common interests towards the arts, led by fellow artist Menchu Arandilla.