SHOWBIZ BEAT MEDIA

Pageant impresario Arnold Vegafria, who is the main man behind ALV Pageant Circle, formally announced last November 24 that the premiere edition of the Miss Grand Philippines pageant will take place within the first half of 2023.

“I’m glad to be part of Miss Grand International (MGI) pageant’s legacy as it celebrates its 10th year anniversary,” his opening speech went. He also mentioned that this has been his dream quite some time and hailed MGI as “one of the most prestigious pageants in the world”.

The noteworthy launch was held at the Hilton Hotel in Newport City, where the main man behind the pageant himself, Nawat Itsaragrisil, was present.

An important part of his speech was when he humbly apologized to the Filipino pageant fans for the misunderstandings before.  He called Vegafria a “gentleman” and called Philippines “a capital of beauty queens in the world.” In a prior interview, he cited that his reason for having chosen ALV Pageant Circle as the new franchise holder is because of their “modern management style and professional team”.

Present during the event is the reigning Miss Grand International Isabella Menin of Brazil, as well as our very own Roberta Tamondong, the Miss Grand International 2022 Philippine candidate who was appointed 5th runner-up less than a month ago.

Miss Grand Cambodia Srey Pich Lim, Miss Grand Colombia Priscilla Nicole Londoño, Miss Grand Czech Republic Mariana Beckova, Miss Grand Indonesia Andina Yulianti, Miss Grand Puerto Rico Oxana Isabel Rivera Alvarez, Miss Grand Spain Hirisley Jimenez Marrero, and Miss Grand Venezuela Luiseth Emiliana Materan Bolaño, were also present and flew to the Philippines to help promote the franchise.

Itaragrisil and the Miss Grand queens will visit tourist destinations in Metro Manila such Intramuros, various historic heritage sites of Manila North Cemetery, the National Museum, etc. He also has philantrophic ventures here focusing Manila North Cemetery’s displaced community.

Ali Forbes, the first Philippine representative to Miss Grand International pageant, was a guest of honor, as well as other beauty queens managed by the ALV Talent Circuit. RJ Ledesma and Miss World Philippines 2022 Maria Gigante served as the event’s hosts.

ALV Pageant Circle also holds the Miss World Philippines franchise since 2017, which was previously in the hands of Cory Quirino.

Co-presentors of the Miss Grand Philippines launch are BENCH, Bluewater Day Spa, Vanilla Skin, and Solution Communication, in cooperation with OKBET, BENCH Body, BENCH Active,  BENCH Café. Other sponsors include: Manila Hotel (official residence), Hilton Manila and Ayala Malls (Circuit) (official venues), Triquint Transport (official transport). 

Donors include Beautywise, START, Hair Fix, Culture Salon by Jim Ryan Ros and, the City of Manila.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Showbiz Beat Media