Aquino receives 2 beauty queens in Malacañang

MANILA (Updated) -- President Benigno Aquino III received Wednesday Miss Universe 2012 first runner up Janine Tugonon and Miss Tourism International Rizzini Alexis Gomez in a courtesy call at the Malacañang's Music Room.

Tugonon, 22, brought pride and honor to the country when she clinched the second highest post during the Miss Universe pageant held at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 19, 2012.

Gomez, on the other hand, was crowned the Miss Tourism International 2012 at the Sunway Resort in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on New Year's Eve. She is the reigning Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism 2012.

The Cebuana beauty bested 55 other delegates from around the world vying for the 16th Miss Tourism International crown and became the second Filipina to win the title after Maria Esperanza in 2000.

Tugonon was accompanied by Stella Marquez-Araneta, founder and chairperson of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. while Gomez was accompanied by Mutya ng Pilipinas president Jacqueline Tan.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Aquino congratulated the two beauty queens and asked about their experiences during the beauty pageants.

The President also wished them well in their future endeavors, added Lacierda.

"The President also shared with them some infrastructure projects the government is undertaking," he said.

Both beauty queens were given chance to have photo opportunities with the 53-year-old bachelor President. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)