Miss Kosovo at Miss Earth beauty pageant

The Republic of Kosovo is participating for the first time with the other 90 nations at the international beauty pageant Miss Earth, which is being hosted in Philippines.

Yllka Berisha, the winner of Miss Kosovo 2007, is in Philippines representing the newlyborn nation at Miss Earth 2008.

Miss Earth is one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world in terms of the number of national level competitions to participate in the world finals along with Miss World and Miss Universe.

The reigning Miss Earth titleholders dedicate their year to promote environmental projects and to address issues concerning the environment. The final night of this event will take place on November 9, 2008 in Manila, Philippines.

Miss Kosovo is being sponsored by Agnesa Vuthaj Association, a beauty pageant association owned by the former Miss Kosovo, Agnesa Vuthaj.

Winners Crowned at the West End Beauty Pageant

WEST END, Grand Bahama Island– Thirteen young ladies charmed their way into the hearts of judges and well-wishers as they vied for the titles of Little, Junior Miss and Miss West End. Capturing the crowns were, Ansonique Hanna, Ashanti Stuart and Mariah Williams, who each received $1,000 scholarships.

Sponsored by Ginn sur Mer, contestants were judged on speech, talent and evening gowns.

Runners-up in the Little Miss division were: Trevesia Rolle, 1^st runner-up and Kaiden Hepburn, 2^nd runner-up. In the Junior Miss category, 1^st runner-up was Breneka Stubbs, and Jean Hanna placed second. Runners-up in the Miss category were: Shaquel Hepburn, 1^st runner-up and Taveka Russell, 2^nd runner-up.

Receiving special awards were: Kaiden Hepburn, Miss Amity and Little Miss Photogenic; Breneka Stubbs, Junior Miss Photogenic; Mariah Williams, Miss Photogenic; Ashanti Stuart, Best Float, Miss Popularity and Junior Miss talent winner; Trevesia Rolle, Little Miss talent winner; and Taveka Russell, Miss talent winner.

Highlights of the pageant included special performances by 10-year-old Clarissia Smith as Lil Miss Jessie Pearl (a younger version of the infamous Miss Daisy); the West End Marching Band; and soloist Lashando “Ace” Burnside.

Pageant organizers were pleased with the overwhelming support received from the West End community and announced that the three winners will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, in July, to compete in the Sunburst International Beauty Pageant.

Beauty pageant Saturday

BRANDON - The 2009 Miss South Dakota USA and Miss South Dakota Teen USA pageants are slated to take place this weekend at the Brandon Valley Performing Arts Center.

Seventy-eight of South Dakota's women will compete for both titles and the opportunity to represent South Dakota at the Miss Teen USA national pageant and the Miss USA Telecast live on NBC this April.

On Saturday, each contestant in this year's pageant will compete in three categories: evening gown, swimwear and a personality interview.

Both the preliminary and finals show are open to the public. The preliminary event will be held Saturday at 8 p.m. and the finals show will take place Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door or preordered by visiting www.misssouthdakotausa.com or by calling 952-440-4550.

Miss International Beauty Pageant contestants visit Hong Kong

With the 48th Miss International Beauty Pageant 2008 taking place at the Venetian Macao on November 8, the contestants were taken on a trip to Hong Kong where 30 of the contestants visited Megabox the key shopping landmark in East Kowloon. Mr Valiant Leung, Senior Executive Vice President and Executive Director of Sun Innovation Holdings Ltd. kick off the event with a welcome speech followed by a greeting from Ms Czarina Man, General Manager, Marketing of MegaBox Development Co., Ltd. Ms Priscila Perales, Miss International 2007 also came to support the contestants and say hello to the audience in Hong Kong.

Lastly was the self-introduction by each member of the delegation. During the event, the contestants helped distribute the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children charity Christmas card order forms to the audience.

Quake worries Pakistan's Miss Earth candidate

Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines – Two weeks before the contest, Pakistan’s representative to Miss Earth beauty pageant looked elegant and poised.

However, she admitted that earthquake that rattled her native land earlier that day worries her.

“My heart bleeds for them but these things happen," Nosheen said. “I just hope that help with reach them."

Nosheen’s worry stemmed from the pre-dawn earthquake that rocked Pakistan's south-western Baluchistan province.

Reports said, the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred at about 5:10 a.m. claimed more than 200 lives and injured hundreds of others.

Nosheen, the 23-year-old beauty queen from Brierfield, United Kingdom, said she has yet to hear from the Pakistan Embassy in Manila about the real condition in her country.

News reports said that Dilawar Kakar, the mayor of Ziarat town - the place that was gravely hit by the disaster - has been persistently asking for help.

While waiting, Nosheen said that she constantly updates herself via the internet. In fact, “after this (interview), I will surf the net to get a better sense of what is happening."

“But after the pageant, I hope to go around the Pakistani communities in Britain and gather as much help as I can," she added.

Nosheen, who arrived in the country with the other contestants last October 19 was introduced before the members of the press at the Lighthouse Hotel in Subic Bay Wednesday evening.

Pageant contestants were also toured at the various tourist attractions in Subic Bay as part of the promotional tour of the environmentally-orientated beauty pageant.

When asked if she would consider pulling out of the pageant, Nosheen explained that her decision would really depend on the outcome of the situation.

“It is a very personal question. I will decide if and when any news puts me on that situation," Nosheen explained. “But as of the moment, I am praying for my people and I am hoping for the best."

Nosheen, a communications student in Sheffield University, was only runner-up in the Miss Pakistan World 2008.

However, since the winner was unable to participate in pageant, Nosheen was chosen by the pageant organizers to represent Pakistan in the eight Miss Earth beauty pageant, which will be held on November 9, at the Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles, Pampanga.

S'pore beauty wins

SINGAPORE air stewardess Lilian Lee has clinched the Miss Intercontinental Asia Pacific title at the 37th Miss Intercontinental Pageant held in Zarbse, Poland, last Saturday.

The 24-year-old competed with 56 beauties from all over the world. Colombia's Cristina Carmago, 23, was the overall winner, taking the Miss Intercontinental title.

Local pageant organiser iGlamour Singapore helped Lee to prepare for the pageant and her gowns were sponsored by boutique Blum & Co.

The former Singapore Polytechnic student was chosen as the Singapore representative after winning the Miss Singapore Sweetheart pageant here.

She told online portal Stomp: 'When you're there, they don't call you by your name but by your country's name. So it was an extremely proud moment for me when they called for 'Miss Singapore' in front of an international audience.'

The pageant started in 1971 on the island of Aruba in the Caribbean as a way to attract tourists. It was held there for 10 years and has since been held in different countries each year, says the organiser, World Beauty Organization.

Green babes beauty contest

WHAT do we want? Girls in bikinis. When do we want it? Now!

Who said eco-campaigning had to be boring?

These girls stripped off in the name of the planet for the Miss Earth beauty contest 2008.

It helps raise awareness of green issues around the world and is being held in the Philippines.

The competition - now in its 8th year - has attracted 85 gorgeous environmentally-conscious cuties from around the world.

Heats were held around the globe to whittle down the finalists.

Yorkshire's Caroline Duffy is flying the flag for the UK at the event, where tasks have included tree planting and visiting local schools to speak about nature.

The 21-year-old teaching assistant, pictured here, loves orang-utans and her ambition is to work with them in Borneo.

She added: "I want to show people that with determination, together we can all move forward into living healthier, happier and more sustainable lives."

We're right behind their message at The Sun Online - even if their skimpy bikinis result in temperatures going up even more.

It all comes down to beauty at the Miss International Beauty Pageant

After the Miss Macau beauty pageant, make way for the next queen to be crowned at the 48th Miss International Beauty Pageant which will be held on November 8 at the Venetian Macao.
A total of 63 beautiful young ladies from different countries will try to stand out from each other by using looks, skills and intelligence. The contestants from all over the world will be competing for the title of the 48th Miss International Beauty Pageant winner, 1st runner up, and 2nd runner up.

All of these 63 women have their eyes on the same goal, Miss Priscila Perales' crown. The Mexican Miss International Beauty won last years contest and for the whole past year has travelled around the world spreading beauty and grace thanks to the the 47th Miss International title. In her own words: “I've learned to be a public relations person, to talk and know different people and different cultures, to spread my wings” and for this she feels blessed. The 63 girls were presented to the media during a press conference yesterday where they unveiled the traditionally inspired costumes they'll be wearing at the event. Some of them looked more traditional than others and again some of them looked more flashy than others, but they all had one thing in common: they were all being shown off with smiley, happy faces, just like a pageant should be.

Formally called “The International Beauty Pageant” this event originated in Long Beach, California, USA, in 1960. Since then it has been held in Japan over several years and after a quick return to Long Beach the contest has become a multi-national event recognised as the “Beauty Olympics”.

Miss International Beauty Pageant is one of the top three international beauty pageants in the world. It is more than just 63 beautiful women gathering as contestants from “different ethnicities, who speak different languages, with various religious, traditions and cultural backgrounds”, as the Executive Director of International Cultural Association, and pageant owner, Mr Hirofumi Hashimoto said.

Until the show begins next Saturday, the 63 women will have a full agenda over the next few days. Today, they'll be paying a charity visit to the Fo Hung Society of Macau. The students from the society will welcome contestants with a Portuguese dance, before a small tour inside the centre and a handcraft demonstration of recycled materials. After this, and once more the women will be faced with another marathon of photographs from the media. But that's the effort you have to put in when the dream is to be part of the exclusive club of the most beautiful and talented women on earth.

Miss Earth to boost Freeport’s tourism

CLARK FREEPORT - The Miss Earth 2008 pageant will surely bring in more tourists and boost this Freeport’s popularity and potential as a staging ground for beauty pageants and glamour events.

This was declared by Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president and chief executive officer Benigno Ricafort after organizers of the Miss Earth 2008 chose the Clark Expo Amphitheater as the venue of the beauty pageant this coming November 9.

“Any event done inside Clark is a great help in local tourism, but with Miss Earth pageant being held here we could expect more tourists from other countries, especially those who are going to cheer for their respective candidates,” Ricafort said.

The 8th Miss Earth beauty pageant will see to the participation of 85 candidates who have started to arrive in the country since October 19.

The pageant will be broadcasted live via ABS-CBN in the Philippines and in many countries worldwide via Star World, The Filipino Channel, and other partner networks. At the conclusion of the final night of the competition, outgoing titleholder Miss Earth 2007, Jessica Nicole Trisko of Canada, will crown her successor.

Ricafort added that Clark Freeport is one with the pageant’s environmental advocacies. Miss Earth is an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness.

Along with Miss Universe and Miss World contests, Miss Earth is one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world in terms of the number of national level competitions participating in the world finals. The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promote environmental projects and to address issues concerning the environment.

Carousel Productions organized and launched the first Miss Earth beauty pageant in 2001. It was intended to actively promote the preservation of the environment. Ricafort added that environmental advocacies are easily promoted through international pageants like the Miss Earth pageant.

The candidates for this year include Albania - Rudina Suti, Argentina - Camila Solórzano, Armenia - Arpine Atoyan, Australia - Rachael Smith-Como, Bahamas - Garnell Storr, Belgium - Debby Gommeren, Bhutan - Tsokye Karchung, Bolivia - Carolina Urquiola, Bosnia & Herzegovina -Alisa Zlatarevic, Botswana - Nametso Ngwako, Brazil - Tatiane Alves, Canada - Denise Garrido, China - Ying Kun Zhou, Colombia - Mariana Rodríguez, Congo, D.R. - Olga Yumba, Congo Republic -Katissia Kouta, Costa Rica - Wendy Cordero, Cuba - Jessica Silva, Czech Republic - Hana Svobodová, Dominican Republic -Diana Flores, Ecuador - Andrea Carolina León, El Salvador - Claudia Linares, England - Caroline Duffy, Finland - Minna Nikkila, France - Charlotte Lagauzere, Georgia - Sopiko Svimonishvili, Germany - Dayana Schult, Ghana - Sara Adoley Addo, Greece - Ria Antoniou, Guadeloupe - Jennifer Desbouiges, Guam - Jennifer Neves, Guatemala - Heidi García, Honduras - Kenia Andrade, Hong Kong - Chen Yu, Peru - Giuliana Zevallos and the Philippines very own Karla Paula Henry, among others.

Miss International Beauty Pageant 2008 Pics

Kyoto: (L-R) Florence Loi of Macau, Tham Zi Wei of Malaysia, Ochgerel Khulangoo of Mongolia, Sai Ma of Hong Kong, Kim Min-Jung of South Korea, Liu Changwen of China, Yu Ting Yen of Taiwan and Ee Tok Wee of Singapore, representatives for the Miss International Beauty Pageant 2008, pose as they visit a Japanese garden at the Nijojo castle.

The beauty pageant will be held in Macau on November 8.

Anastasia Queen Beauty Contest Announced: 15,000 Gorgeous Girls - Choose the One!

BANGOR, Maine, October 22, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ - Anastasia International, the Bangor Maine based leading introduction agency specialized in Russian and Ukrainian women seeking contact with foreign men, launched a competition today to select the Anastasia Queen 2008 from thousands of Russian and Ukrainian women registered on their introduction web site, http://www.anastasia-international.com/

Russian and Ukrainian women are renowned for their outstanding beauty and feminine allure. Anastasia staff had a hard job selecting 100 registered women from the profiles, photographs and videos of more than 15,000 registered on the site. Now they are turning the selection process over to the registered members of Anastasia International. Registration is free. Just visit the site and register.

Voting is simple. Browse the short list of competitors, click on your favorite and vote. A unique aspect of the competition is the interactive element that allows all the registered members of the site not only to vote but to e-mail, telephone and video-chat with the contestants in Russia and the Ukraine.

Round One of the three-stage competition lasts two weeks with voting from October 20th until November 9nd.

The 15 girls with the most votes will go on to Round 2, the Bikini round, where they will be whittled down to seven finalists by site members based on appreciation of their considerable appeal in a bikini.

The seven finalists will yield just one winner, the Anastasia Queen 2008 based on members voting for their favorite as she portrays herself in a video talent contest.

Visit http://www.anastasiaqueen.com to register and vote now.

ABOUT ANASTASIA INTERNATIONAL

Founded in 1993 in the United States, Anastasia International is the leading company for introduction and romance tours for Russia and the CIS. Its primary goal is to create a comfortable online venue that makes it easier for couples to find each other and communicate.

To learn more about Anastasia International, please visit their informative web site: http://www.anastasia-international.com/anastasia-difference.html

Web: http://www.anastasia-international.com

Press Kit: http://www.anastasia-international.com/press-kits.html

China lawmaker quits beauty contest after outcry

BEIJING (AP) — An ambitious young Chinese politician has withdrawn from a Hong Kong beauty pageant following withering criticism from commentators online, state media reported Monday.

Yuan Jing, a member of Jiangsu province's rubber-stamp parliament, had been accused of conduct unbecoming a lawmaker and of exploiting her official titles in seeking the Miss Chinese International crown, Xinhua reported.

Yuan, who is also an alternate member of the Chinese Communist Youth League's Central Committee, said she was dropping out due to time constraints, Xinhua said.

Yuan, 22, said she had had reservations, but decided to participate anyway because "that's a dream cherished deep in the heart of every girl, I guess."

Chinese have embraced beauty contests with gusto since communist authorities began permitting them over the past decade.

Organized by Hong Kong television station TVB, Miss Chinese International draws contestants with Chinese backgrounds from around the world. Past winners have gone on to successful careers as entertainers and fashion models.

Yuan had been ranked second on the contests online preselection, Xinhua said.

She defended listing her official titles on her online introduction, saying she hoped it would give her an advantage over the competition.

"Contestants naturally would try all means to win votes. Why can't I?" Xinhua quoted her as saying.

Polit-Babe In Beauty Contest Row

Yuan Jing, 22, was accused of conduct unbecoming a lawmaker when she made a bid for the Miss Chinese International crown.

Yuan, a member of Jiangsu province's parliament, claimed she was dropping out due to time constraints.

She said she initially had reservations about entering, but decided to give it a go because "that's a dream cherished deep in the heart of every girl, I guess".

Opposition did not come from fellow politicians but from internet users throughout China.

"Being a People's Congress deputy means she represents the people," said one user on sina.com, China's major internet portal.

"What she's supposed to do is to help improve people's livelihoods, not go for a beauty crown."

Yuan had been ranked second in the running on the competition's website.

She defended listing her official titles, saying she had hoped it would give her an advantage over the competition.

"Contestants naturally would try all means to win votes. Why can't I?" she added.

But she denied quitting because of social pressure, saying: "It's really because of my own tight work schedule.

"If such opportunities present themselves before me in the future, I'll go for it again, definitely.

"I'm not only a People's Congress deputy, but also a vigorous young person."

Beauty contests have become a big hit in China after the politburo gave them the green light a decade ago.

Run by Hong Kong television station TVB, Miss Chinese International draws contestants with Chinese backgrounds from around the world.

Miss Tibet 2008 beauty pageant attracts only two contestants

Dharamsala, Oct.11 (ANI): Two Tibetan damsels will compete in the Miss Tibet beauty pageant 2008 starting here on October 12.

The names of two participants would be disclosed on Sunday.

Tibetans say that current unrest in Tibet and their extremely conservative society are factors responsible for the poor response.

“From my point of view, at least I can imagine something that probably because of the recent unrest in Tibet, starting March and then it continued in throughout April, May, June. There isn’t any an atmosphere for celebrations within Tibetan society. So I think Tibetan girls are shying away form that,” said Lobsang Wangyal, Director Miss Tibet Pageant.

Wangyal added that continuation of Miss Tibet beauty pageant would definitely help in improving Tibetan society.

The winner will receive 100,000 rupees, while the runners-up will receive 50,000 rupees.
Dolma Tseringkyi, Miss Tibet 2003 agrees that traditional values and the political unrest is preventing Tibetan girls from participating in the event.

“It’s really very disappointing that there are only two ladies this year. One thing is the social pressure and the other is the traditional thinking,” she said.

Tseringkyi represented Tibet in Miss Tourism World contests in Malaysia and Mexico, winning the Miss Goodwill and best National Costumes titles respectively.

Miss Tibet 2006 was able to enter the Miss Earth competition 2006 in thehilippines.
Lobsang Wangyal Productions started the pageant in 2002 when a majority of the four short-listed girls backed out facing flak from community leaders. The pageant has survived through the years, at times witnessing only a single participant.

The pageant has had its share of successes and failures on the international stage.