Miss Real Estate Philippines : A beauty pageant of a different kind

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
22 July 2008

Summer is over but the temperature is still rising, particularly at the Philippine Real Estate Festival as it presents 24 gorgeous young women vying for the title of Miss Real Estate Philippines on July 25 at the SMX Mall of Asia.

The second annual beauty pageant intensely screened over 200 young women before coming up with the list of official candidates who will represent the country’s top real estate builders and developers.

In the process, these young women will immerse in all areas of the real estate industry. They have been busy with a crash course on the state of real estate, and with seminar-workshops that educate them on why real estate industry is a vital in Philippine economy.

During the press presentation of these real estate beauties at the Lancaster Suites in Mandaluyong City, the media had a closer look at each of the candidates as they strutted their stuff and flaunted their curves in skimpy yellow bikinis.

“Believe me, Miss Real Estate Philippines is more than just a beauty pageant. It’s beauty pageant for a cause. The winner will be the ambassadress of real estate industry in the Philippines. She will help and spearhead the outreach projects that will provide homes to the most disadvantage social sector,” PREF chairman Rosemarie Basa said.

The top 24 who made the official list of candidates are: Theresa Baltazar, Glaiza Bilas, Amit Bhopal, Glenda Cabailo, Ferina de Paz, Shamaine del Rosario, Angelee de los Reyes, Richel de los Reyes, Mirasol Dianco, Paula Figueras, Mean Flores, Jeff Gaitan, Cherry Kubota, Mary Ann Laggui, Andrea Laurel, Christine Mayor, Elizabeth Naluz, Sandra Palma, Jennifer Recto, Katrina Rigets, Alex Roces, Bernadette Solero, Jesusa Torres and Camille Rodriguez. They will face the judges during the pre-pageant on July 24 (also at the SMX).

Filipino-Australian Rose Cel Aguilar, last year’s winner, will relinquish her crown to the winner who will receive valuable prizes that include cash and a house and lot. She will also represent the country in the first-ever Miss Real Estate Asia pageant that will be held in November.

Miss Real Estate Philippines is just one of the components that anchors the 2008 Philippine Real Estate Festival. The rest of the activities will officially open on July 26.

This three-day spectacular event will commence with an exhibit that will bring together 150 of the country’s biggest and most trusted real estate development companies and projects, finance institutions, suppliers, contractors, and professionals.

Other events include: the launch of the 2008 BREW (BizNews Asia Real Estate Who’s Who) Awards; Free seminar-lectures concerning a wide array of topics including identifying practical investments, constructing dream houses on a tight budget, detecting fake land titles, how to avail of housing loans, and even feng shui; Dedicated sessions for OFW groups, real estate brokers, and the Filipino Inventors Society; and Fiesta Pinoy set on the last day of the festival.

Fiesta Pinoy, which serves as the official closing of the festival, will combine indoor games, contest, raffles, disco dancing, mini-parade, and a musical concert for the amusement and entertainment of exhibitors, patrons, and guests.