The site of the media launch of the Miss Filipina International 2023, the Wilshire Garden of the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Miss Filipina International 2023 Launched in Beverly Hills
BY JANET SUSAN R. NEPALES
Photography by Gian Barbarona
Glamour, beauty, and glitz were all present at the media launch of the Miss Filipina International (MFI) beauty pageant 2023 under new ownership.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary and introducing the new owner of the MFI, the event was held at the Wilshire Garden of the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the new home of the MFI, and the venue of such glamorous events like the Golden Globes, the Oscars Governors Luncheon, the Emmys and the Grammys.
The event had a guest list that included a who’s who in the beauty world and was decorated with balloons, tables with golden table runners, and flowers everywhere.
Margaret Gardiner, Miss Universe 1978, who made history by being the first South African woman to win the Miss Universe title and is now a journalist for The Sunday Times, arrived.
Maureen Christa Pojas Wroblewitz, the first Filipina to win “Asia’s Next Top Model” in its fifth season and the first runner-up in the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant, also graced the event.
Mark Anthony Nicolas, the two-time Emmy award-winning producer of “The Talk” show, also attended.
More than a hundred guests arrived for the media launch. At the same time, two videos were shown to the guests – the vision of the Miss Filipina International 2023 and the introduction to the new owner of the pageant, Geoffrey Jimenez, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Worldwide Media Entertainment Corporation.
Key people behind the Miss Filipina International 2023 were introduced: Lisa Lew, MFI producer, former Binibining Pilipinas International, and eight-time Emmy awardee for producing such shows as “Judge Judy” and other top-rated shows, spoke about the production of the pageant. Ronald “Ron” Ramores, director of Human Resources of GJ Group of Companies and Executive Coordinator of Miss Filipina International, spoke about the candidates. Joey Galon, a fashion and beauty expert who has served as Executive Director for local pageants in the Miss America, Miss USA, and Miss Universe, spoke about coaching and mentoring the candidates.
Above from left: Ronald Ramores, Lisa Lew, Geoffrey Jimenez, Janet Nepales, and Joey Galon
Other beauty queens and MFI titleholders, past and reigning, were also present: Blessa Ericha Figueroa (Reigning Miss MFI 2022), Kayla Usison (2nd runner up Miss MFI), Margaux Ugalino (3rd runner up Miss MFI), Ceejae Minell Delumen (Miss Teen MFI), Alicia Chelsea Buendia (2nd runner up Miss Teen MFI), Sarah Nunnink, Miss Tourism 2018, Heather Casignia, 1st runner up MFI 2016, Kelly Ceniza, 1st runner up MFI 2017, and Caroline Luce, 2018 Miss Teen MFI semifinalist.
Jimenez announced that MFI would move to a glamorous venue—the famous International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton, home to many of the most prestigious awards shows and events in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Los Angeles. The black-tie dinner gala coronation night on Saturday, August 5, 2023, celebrates the beauty pageant’s 10th anniversary, which gives the biggest cash prizes.
The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin Beverly Hills. The other prizes are a $5,000 cash prize and a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin Beverly Hills for the first runner-up, who will be crowned Miss Tourism, and a $2,500 cash prize and a $5,000 gift certificate from iSkin Beverly Hills for each of the second, third and fourth runners-up.
Jimenez said, “We are excited to stage Miss Filipina International 2023 in the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton, an elegant venue befitting our search for the best and brightest Filipina who is beautiful inside and out. We will go all out to tap the Beverly Hills setting as a marvelous opportunity to showcase the culture, fashion, and vibrancy of the Philippines and its people through our candidates.”
Jimenez also stressed the uniqueness of the U.S.-based MFI because it is open to candidates of at least one-fourth Filipino descent from around the world. Candidates must also be from ages 16 to 28.
Miss Universe 1978 Margaret Gardiner attended the event.
An immigrant success story, Jimenez rose on his own merit due to hard work, discipline, and determination. Proud of his humble beginnings in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, Jimenez, the son of a farmer and a housewife, immigrated to America and, like many of his fellowmen, dedicated himself to the nursing profession.
Today, he is the CEO of more than 30 hospices and home health agencies across California and the Midwest. Along the way, he has become a Filipino American community leader, a philanthropist, a passionate advocate of Filipino talents, and a supporter of events that boost Philippine arts, fashion, and culture.
Jimenez brings his commitment to promoting the Philippines, the beauty and artistry of its people, to Miss Filipina International.
Geoffrey Jimenez is flanked by the Miss Filipina International titleholders.