Her poise and smooth answer paved the way for 20-year-old Cebu model Eva Psychee Patalinjug to win her crown as Mutya ng Pilipinas – Asia Pacific International. Other 2014 pageant winners are 2nd runner-up Kim Fyfe from Australia; Mutya ng Pilpinas-Overseas Communities Patrizia Bosco from Milan; Mutya ng Pilipinas -Tourism International Gleniffer Perido of the Cordillera, and 1st runner-up Cristine Racel of Olongapo City during the coronation night in Paranaque City. (INQUIRER PHOTO)
It sounded like a scene from the movie “Miss Congeniality”.
A Cebuana beauty’s response about “world peace” helped her win the Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International title held at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City on Friday night.
Eva Psychee Patalinjug, a 20-year-old commercial model, was one of the top ten delegates who made it to the final round of questions.
Asked how she would educate young people about gender equality, Patalinjug replied:
“In a new era today we have our own opinions, and that must be respected. Gender equality must be respected, as well as those people that need to be educated. We must be upholding and respecting each other. We have different kinds of principles and values in life. We are unique and beautiful in our own way. That’s why I’m urging every one of you to respect each other. Let love and respect reign in our hearts, so that world peace will be upon us.”
A second contestant, Glennifer Perido of the Cordilleras, who also mentioned peace and unity in the world took the Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism International crown.
Patalinjug’s answer prompted pageant host Christian Bautista to say, “This is the first time in a pageant that I hosted where I actually heard world peace.”
His co-host Bela Padilla exclaimed: “I know. I only see it in movies!”
But it did not stop there.
When Perido was asked what question she would pose to God if given the chance to see him, the Tabuk City native said: “I will ask Him the thing that I can do for the Philippines, to help especially when it comes to world peace. It is through peace and unity that we can be as one, peace and unity will give us a better life.”
Patalinjug’s victory further established the Queen City of the South as a bastion of beauty.
Eva Psychee Patalinghug
Cebuana beauties before her had taken major Mutya titles two years in a row. Rizzini Alexis Gomez and Angeli Dione Gomez (not related) won the Mutya-Tourism International title in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
The two Gomezes also scored back-to-back victories in the Miss Tourism International pageant in Malaysia.
Also this year, another Cebuana Kris Tiffany Janson won the first-ever Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental title while Jamie Herrell took the Miss Philippines-Earth crown.
Patalinjug shared her thoughts about Cebu’s recent emergence in the pageant circuit.
“We are confident and we work hard in everything that we do,” she told the Inquirer after her coronation.
The Cebuana beauty queen also got a string of special awards. She earlier received the Best in Swimsuit award at the Sheridan Resort in Puerto Princesa City, which fast-tracked her to the pageant’s Top 10. She was also proclaimed Mutya ng Solaire, Mutya Viva Discovery and Mutya ng Sheridan.
Aside from the newly-designed crown, Patalinjug took home a P150,000 cash prize, P100,000 worth of cosmetic services at the Zen Institute, a shopping spree at Fisher Mall, a scholarship grant from the University of Perpetual Help System, and several flights via Sky Jet Airlines for one year.
Pageant organizers did not disclose which international competition Patalinjug will be competing in.
She inherited her title from 2013 Miss Intercontinental third runner-up Koreen Medina, who was also proclaimed Queen of Asia and Oceania. But rival pageant Binibining Pilipinas now has the right to send the Philippine representative to the Germany-based global tilt.
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Perido is bound for Malaysia to attempt a three-year streak for the Philippines in the Miss Tourism International contest in December.
Perido’s crown also came with a P120,000 cash prize, P100,000 worth of cosmetic services at the Zen Institute, and several flights via Sky Jet Airlines for one year.
Mutya ng Pilipinas president Jacqueline Tan said the pageant espouses “beauty tourism,” so the winners are expected to promote Philippine destinations to local and international tourists.
The pageant also promotes Philippine fashion by showcasing the designs of local couturiers in the national costume competition. Designer Renee Salud made the swimsuits and evening gowns of the 30 delegates, as well as the ternos of the Top 10 candidates.
GMA7 will air the 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas coronation ceremonies at noon Monday.
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