Vietnamese wins Miss Talent at Miss International Beauty 2009

A Vietnamese contestant, Vu Thi Hoang Diep pocketed an early prize, Miss Talent, at Miss International Beauty, it was announced on July 17.

Miss Talent is one of the secondary prizes offered by organizers before the main prizes are awarded on the final August 1.

After nearly two weeks of participating in the pageant’s events, Diep still remains in the top three of the online voting on the pageant's official website.

Currently, Diep and other contestants have been in training for preparations for the final.

Talking with SGGP, Diep said she was surprised with the result but thought it would be a good encouragement for her to keep doing her best at the contest.

“All the contestants are really nice to me and we all receive good treatment from the organizers during the contest,” Diep added.

Miss International Beauty Pageant, founded in 1973, aims to symbolize beauty and harmony for different nationalities, bring about friendship across the world and to promote world peace.

Miss International Beauty Pageant 2009 has attracted 43 contestants from around the world. The final night will take place in Urumqi, China.

Despite reports of recent unrest in and around Urumqi, organizers have insisted the pageant will go ahead.

Source: saigon-gpdaily.com.vn

Ma. Isabel Lopez Has Forgiven Myrna Sese Panlilio

Now that Miss Philippines Universe 1964 Myrna Sese Panlilio died of cardiac arrest the other day, the incident involving her fellow Miss Philippines Universe (Binibining Pilipinas) alumna, Ma. Isabel Lopez, at the last edition of Binibining Pilipinas is once again a hot discussion.

Ma. Isabel, who represented Philippines at the Miss Universe 1982, lashed out at the beauty contest organizer last March 2009 when she received mistreatment from them. It was reported that Ma. Isabel was forced to leave the pageant for attending it without an invitation. And who did it?

It was Myrna Panlilio who told her to leave the venue and who apparently called the security guards to escort her to the exit door. The reason why Ma. Isabel was barred was apparently because of her sexy image during the 1980's.

But with the death of Myrna, Ma. Isabel said in an interview that she had already forgiven the dead beauty queen.

Speaking sadly, Ma. Isabel said that "she respected and understood what she had to do at that time".

"I pray for her soul. I am sure she's happy now with the Lord."

Shanna Moakler quits Miss USA over Miss California controversy

A day after Donald Trump allowed Miss California Carrie Prejean to keep her crown following controversy over her opposition to gay marriage and semi-nude photo scandal, former beauty queen Shanna Moakler has resigned from her spot with the Miss USA California organization.

Moakler, the reality star and ex-wife of drummer Travis Barker, is a proponent of gay rights.

Following Trump's decision, Moakler said she could no longer associate with the pageant because of Prejean''s comments and Trump''s decision, Usmagazine. com reported.

"I feel that at this time it is in my best interest to resign from the Miss California USA organization," The New York Daily News quoted her, as telling Us.

"I cannot with a clear conscience move forward supporting and promoting the Miss Universe Organization when I no longer believe in it," she added.

At a news conference, Trump defended Prejean for her position that marriage was between a man and a woman.

She gave her answer during the April 19 Miss USA Pageant, owned by Trump.

Prejean, 22, has charged that the semi-nude photos were leaked by people angry over her opposition to gay marriage.