Just a little over a week ago, the coronation night of the two-month long Miss CosmoWorld Philippines 2023 search concluded with Davao del Sur’s Elda Aznar snatching the top crown from among 21 candidates who vied for the title. Aside from earning the right to represent the country in the annual Miss CosmoWorld competition in Malaysia, the former Binibining Pilipinas candidate also bagged the P1 million cash prize offered by the pageant, by far the highest cash reward awarded in local pageantry this year. First runner-up honors went to Carrascal, Surigao del Sur’s Jasmine Omay, another Binibini veteran, while Second runner-up was Albay’s Lienel Navidad.

As the dust settled for the beauty competition’s successful first Philippine staging, pageant fans turned their attention to the other international searches currently ongoing in different parts of the world.  As the stage lights dimmed for the ladies who dazzled in the cosmos, with the new queen slowly shifting back to training mode for her bigger battle, the pageant organizers thought there was still room for more good news from their side of the sky. 

Reigning Miss CosmoWorld and Miss CosmoWorld Philippines Chairperson Meiji Cruz revealed their decision was based on the satisfactory turnout of candidates who participated in the competition.

“We are happy with the quality of ladies who participated in our inaugural search.  Not only did we attract participation from truly deserving and experienced pageant candidates, we also had with us some high-potential first-timers who were in it to win it,” Cruz says.  She adds: “Over and above that, our pageant’s advocacy, which is financial literacy, requires us to field our ladies in areas where their business acumen can be better shaped and molded, enabling them to really reach greater heights in managing their finances.”        

Thus, exactly a week after the top three pageant winners were crowned, the remaining four finalists (a final cut of seven was announced during the pageant’s coronation night) were called for their own respective crowning at the Madison Lounge of Hilton Manila in Newport World Resorts for their ambassadorial titles.  The lucky ladies who were named Miss CosmoWorld ambassadorial queens were:

Twenty-seven-year-old Roella Frias of Calumpit, Bulacan, as Miss Entrepreneurship.  This dog lover will now represent the organization at events pertaining to SMEs and even skills training programs.

Albay’s Aliyah Rohilla as Miss Trade and Industry.  This norm challenger who is aspiring to be an aviation mechanic will be sent to affairs related to the interests and concerns of the Trade and Industry Department as well as the country’s chambers of commerce and industry.

Events host Gezza Avila, who represented Quezon Province, was named Miss Tourism.  She will be introduced and made to work with the country’s tourism leaders and the allied hotel and hospitality industries to help promote the country as a tourist destination.

Young politician Rian Maclyn Dela Cruz of Malolos, Bulacan, was chosen as this year’s Miss Youth.  She will be immersed in various activities that will promote the empowerment of the youth, hopefully allowing them to contribute positively to the country’s growth.  Quite appropriately, Rian Maclyn is seeking an elective post in the forthcoming Barangay and SK elections as an SK Chairperson.

Asked how she feels about having additional queens by her side, Miss CosmoWorld Philippines 2023 Elda Aznar says: “I’m happy for my CosmoWorld pageant sisters.  These finalists are equally deserving to have their own titles.  Together, we can all promote the CosmoWorld brand and financial literacy in the country. And come to think of it, I even have a bigger court now!”

With the way this move by this new pageant organization surprised the local pageant town, all of us can only guess what their next exciting move will be! Abangan.