PANGASINAN'S Barbie Salvador emerged as Mutya ng Pilipinas 2010 and is set to represent the country in the Miss Tourism International pageant.
MANILA. Mutya ng Pilipinas winners (l–r) 1st runner-up Suzette Hernandez, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Intercontinental Carla Lizardo, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism International Barbie Salvador, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific Christi Ashley McGarry, and 2nd runner-up Sharon Grace Angel. (Sunnex/Glaiza Jarloc)
Standing 5’6” tall, she was also awarded as Mutya ng Pilipinas-Loreal Paris and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Resorts World.
“I feel very surprised and I've wanted to know how it feels like to be crowned and I finally got the answer,” she told Sun.Star.
With her graceful walk and straightforward answers, she believed that her spontaneity helped her to win the crown.
And with the pageant fever still very much felt in the country, Salvador hopes that everyone will continue to support them in their upcoming international competitions.
Mutya ng Bicol Carla Lizardo came in next and was crowned as Miss Intercontinental.
Lizardo also won the Long Gown competition after she awed everyone with her grey beaded Frederik Peralta gown. She also won the Mutya ng Pilipinas-Resorts World special award.
Grabbing the third spot is Mutya ng Pilipinas East Coast USA Christi Ashley McGarry. She won Miss Asia Pacific.
McGarry was also awarded as Mutya ng Pilipinas-Discovery Shores and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Resorts World.
She will also be competing for Bikini Philippines 2011 after she won the Ms. Swimsuit during the pre-pageant night last August 27 at Resorts World.
Mutya ng Batangas Suzette Hernandez and Mutya ng Lapu-Lapu City Sharon Grace Angel were awarded the first and second runner-up, respectively.
When Sun.Star was able to interview the Cebuana beauty, Angel said: "I'm so happy and thankful to those who believed in my potentials."
Angel, who will be sent to the Top Model of the World competition this year, also took home the Miss Photogenic trophy.
Other contestants who received special awards were Mutya ng Bogo City Tanchellie Lobete for Mutya ng Pilipinas-Maybelline New York; Mutya ng Manila Carolyn Ty for Miss Cultural Photo; Mutya ng Vigan Gabby Estimada for People's Choice Award, and Mutya ng Pampanga Ayie Tanquenco as Miss Congeniality.
Mutya ng Pilipinas National Pageant Committee Chair Tati Fortuna was very happy and proud of the 24 girls.
She told Sun.Star that they were able to elevate the status of the pageant and was very impressed by how intelligent and beautiful the bets were.
“We've achieved what we want to achieve which is to elevate the status of the pageant. All the winners are all very intelligent, well versed with the issues and very focus on tourism,” she said.
Mutya ng Pilipinas 2010 was hosted by Sarah Meier, Rj Ledesma, and Phomela Baranda.
Philippine All Star and the O.N.E also performed during the coronation night.
Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant night will have a delayed telecast on ABS-CBN this Sunday, September 5, 2010. (Glaiza Jarloc/Sunnex)