Opisyal nang pumirma ang beauty and wellness guru at Chairwoman and CEO of CQ Global Quest na si Cory Quirino with GMA-7 bilang official TV network partner ng Miss World-Philippines 2011.
Naganap ang contract signing between Cory and GMA executives Mr. Jimmy Duavit (Executive Vice President and COO) and Ms. Wilma Galvante (Senior Vice-President for Entertainment Television) noong nakaraang Martes, March 22, sa boardroom ng GMA Network Center.
Masayang-masaya si Cory dahil sa wakas ay may tahanan na ang Miss World-Philippines. Ang CQ Global Quest ang may hawak ng franchise ngayon at si Cory ang uupo bilang pageant director.
Dating nasa Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. ang franchise ng Miss World. Pero nag-decide ang Chairwoman at CEO of Miss World Limited na si Julia Morley na ibigay na sa iba ang exclusive license agreement ng Miss World sa Pilipinas.
Nataon na si Cory Quirino ang pinili at pinagkatiwalaan ng franchise ng Miss World.
"They only gave me three minutes to decide if I want it or not!" natatawang pagbabalik-tanaw ni Cory sa panayam sa kanya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
"It was only in January of this year that Ms. Julia Morley talked with me with regards to the Miss World franchise. They really asked for me and they wanted an immediate answer if I would agree to handle the Miss World franchise.
"Like I said, they only gave me three minutes. Since I [only] had that short of a time time, I prayed to the Lord for a sign. Should I accept it or not? I immediately got an answer kaya hindi pa tapos ang three minutes, I said yes to them.
"I know that this will be a big challenge on my part. I've worked with many people before but this is the first time that I will embark in a national pageant. It's nerve-wracking but I accept the challenge. I know that God will always be there for me and guide me through everything."
Nakausap ng PEP si Cory sa formal launch ng Miss World-Philippines 2011 last Wednesday, March 23, sa SMDC Grand Showroom sa SM Mall of Asia Complex.
FORMAL TURNOVER. Nagkaroon ng formal turnover ng franchise ng Miss World noong January 25, 2011 sa EDSA Shangri-La Manila Hotel kunsaan dumalo si Julia Morley at ang reigning Miss World 2010 na si Alexandria Mills ng U.S.A.
Ayon kay Cory, naging mabilis ang mga pangyayari. Marami raw siyang natawagan agad para magbigay ng suporta sa pag-launch ng Miss World-Philippines 2011. Lahat daw ng tinawagan ay nangakong tutulong at magbibigay ng anumang suporta na kailangan niya.
"God is so good talaga. I never expected that it will all happen so fast. Parang kelan lang na kinausap nila ako for the handling of the franchise and we had a successful turnover.
"Then last Tuesday lang, official TV network na ng Miss World-Philippines ang GMA-7. If all of these are not God's work, I don't know what it is.
"Naniniwala kasi ako na kung hindi para sa iyo, hindi magaganap. But all of these blessings are coming in and I have nothing else to say kundi amen. Everything is really coming from God."
RIVALRY WITH BPCI. Ipinapanalangin ni Cory na hindi maaapektuhan ang pagkakaibigan niya with the people of Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. sa paghawak niya ng Miss World-Philippines.
"I pray na walang mangyaring gano'n because I've been friends with Ms. Stella Marquez-Araneta for a very long time. And the rest of the people of BPCI. I just want people to know na trabaho lang ito. Nothing personal at all.
"In fact, I've already reached out to them noong in-offer sa akin ang franchise. That was also noong nakaraang January. I called their office, pero wala raw doon si Mrs. Araneta. So I left a message kung puwede ba kaming mag-usap over dinner because of these things happening. But I never received a reply from anyone up to this day.
"It's okay naman because that's the way it is. Sabi nga ng iba, business lang ito. And no one should take it personally.
"Ako naman, if they are willing to still talk with me, I'm always open para sa kanila. I will still wait for that reply from them."
FORMAL LAUNCH. Naging successful ang formal launch ng Miss World-Philippines 2011 kahapon. Dinaluhan ito ng maraming designers, stylists, talent scouts, press and media people, at former title holders tulad nila Maria Isabel Lopez (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1982), Simonette delos Reyes (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1970), at Maggie Wilson-Consunji (Bb. Pilipinas-World 2007).
Naging host ng naturang event si KC Montero.
Ani Cory, "I'd like to thank the people who came to the launch. Halos lahat ng mga inimbita namin ay dumating. I am overwhelmed by it all. Everyone is happy that we have this new pageant and it will be aired on GMA-7.
"I would personally like to thank the people of the Kapuso Network for really giving this a chance. Hindi nila ako pinahirapan. Umoo kaagad sila sa request ko. Pangako nga nila, they will do what's best for Miss World-Philippines. Kaya naman sobra ang pasasalamat ko sa kanilang suporta."
Ang magwawagi ng titulong Miss World-Philippines 2011 ay makakatanggap ng cash prize na P1 million at isang brand new condominium unit courtesy of SMDC.
Open na ang applications for Miss World-Philippines at puwede nang mag-download ng application form sa www.missworldphilippines.com or pumunta nang personal sa kanilang office sa Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
This April na ang simula ng screening of applicants (from Metro Manila and from other regions) hanggang June 15, 2011. Ang screening of candidates ay gagawin sa PICC.
Ang grand coronation ng Miss World-Philippines ay sa July 2011.
pep.ph
Ruel J. Mendoza
March 24, 2011
