Danielle Castaño begins work on her way to win the country's first Miss World crown

Danielle Kirsten Muriel Castaño may well be defined above the average definition of beautiful, as she exudes confidence that complements an irresistible combination of substance and style. Danielle is the newly-appointed official representative to the Miss World 2008 pageant to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, this December.

"It is with great honor that I receive the appointment bestowed upon me by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. [BPCI] to become the official representative to the 2008 Miss World beauty pageant," she says. When asked about the new responsibility she is about to take on, Danielle expresses her excitement. "I am resolving to make the country proud as I continue the quest to win for the Philippines its first Miss World crown," she says, as she beams yet another confident smile.

One thing that Danielle is most proud of about herself is the fact that she knows that she is a very strong and responsible person, capable of pursuing her goals by being independent. This 19-year-old charmer was raised in the country's shoe capital, Marikina, but is currently residing in Quezon City.

The eldest of three sisters, Danielle also has a soft spot for children, particularly the sick and abused. According to her, she wants to campaign for their rights as part of her advocacy.

"I want to be remembered by people as someone who did something socially significant, and not just become another pretty face," she admits. She adds that she wants to carry across a message of hope for underprivileged children around the world, should she be lucky to take home the first Miss World crown for the Philippines.

Danielle was the crowd favorite in the Binibining Pilipinas 2008 pageant, bagging five special awards from the major sponsors.

Known as the country's most prestigious pageant with four decades of glorious existence, Binibining Pilipinas is responsible for sending the official Philippine representatives to the three different international pageants recognizing excellence beyond beauty worldwide.

Danielle is currently undergoing a series of rigorous training in catwalk skills and personality development with topnotch experts, but is definitely ready to make the country proud as she competes against 180 official representatives in the Miss World 2008 pageant to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa.