In Swimsuit


National Costume

Photos courtesy of Essential Beauties.com
Ma. Anna Kathryna de Guzman Yu, a 22-year-old entrepreneur and part-time model, will represent the Philippines at the 2005 Miss Maja World (Maja Mundial) Beauty Pageant which will be held in Sincelejo, Sucre, Colombia on July 23.

Yu, or Kath to family and friends, has been chosen by Pageant Enthusiasts Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (PEGPI), the new franchiseholder to the international beauty contest that pays tribute to world-famous Spanish painter Don Francisco de Goya, who dedicated his masterpieces (such as the Dressed Maja and Naked Maja) to queens and women of high social standing who depicted everything that means excellence. As such, the pageant pays homage to Goya through its participants who exemplify the word “MAJA”.

Kath will be joined by more than 30 other beauty delegates from all over the world who will vie for the Miss Maja World crown currently held by Colombia’s Sandra Milena Sanchez. The finals will be held at the Teatro Municipal in Sincelejo, State of Sucre on July 23.

Born on October 7, 1982 in Manila, Kath is the eldest in the brood of five of Chinoy businessman Benjamin Yu, Jr. and the former Imee de Guzman, proprietors of Purifil, Inc., a firm that deals with franchising of water refilling stations. Kath’s younger sister Stephanie won as Miss Philippines-Fire at the recently concluded Miss Philippines-Earth pageant. Proud of her Chinese-Filipino ancestry, Kath hopes to put this heritage to good advantage at the Maja pageant in Colombia; in fact, she is the lone delegate originating from the Far East.

Kath graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Humanities major in Management from the University of Asia & the Pacific. She currently owns and operates Coldstone Café in Eastwood Libis and is part-time owner of Chi Asian Fusion in APC Magallanes. Kath has demonstrated her astute sense of business at a very young age; when she was in 2nd year high school (at Jubilee Christian Academy), she was already operating her own sit-down bakeshop, baking being one of her favorite hobbies.

Blessed with a very fair complexion and fine Oriental features, 5-foot-7 Kath has also modeled for Bench and CK Eyewear and has been featured in MOD magazine. She maintains her 34-25-35 well-toned physique by indulging in healthy high-protein, low-fat diet and working out at the gym regularly. Aside from being a kitchen buff, Kath is also into swimming; she also loves traveling, having been to the US, Australia and around Asia.

“I am challenged, not so much for winning the Philippines’ first Miss Maja World crown, but more for being a worthy representative of our country in this mission of beauty, peace and goodwill,” said Kath during her send-off press conference at The Legend Villas on Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City last July 4. Kath is leaving for Colombia on a Philippine Airlines flight via Tokyo and Los Angeles on July 8. “I am excited to meet my co-candidates and I shall do my best to promote Philippine pulchritude and tourism. I would like to thank my family, friends, supporters and sponsors, without whom this mission of goodwill would not have been possible,” added Kath whose motto is “God makes everything possible in His perfect time”.

For the Colombia pageant, Kath will be wearing a national costume and long gown created by Jonti Martinez, swimwear by Renee Salud, and formal wear and after-fives by Julius Jose Ornum.

Kath’s sponsors and supporters include: Philippine Airlines, The Legend Villas, Ensembles & Freeway Clothing, Celine Shoes, Get Happy Accessories, Katinko Ointment, Bulan Commercial, Purihealth Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Purifil Water Corp., Natural Organics Papaya Soap, Kailah Kristianne Paper Products, Roger Parreno’s Flowers, Kenzo Miranda, Melvin Sia, Ogie Leona, d!ck Hong and the Intramuros Administration.

this is for hispaniced countries?

Yes, The Philippines won 1st runner up last year and in 1973

Wowness, a Chinay.. Hehe.. Ayaw nila ng Kastilaloy? biro lang.

I think she is already in Colombia

wow she is tall and hot as well

Here is a partial list of the awards won by Philippine representative in that pageant

NANETTE MACAPAGAL PRODIGALIDAD (1ST RUNNER-UP, 1973)
PACITA GUEVARRA (3rd Runner-Up, 1974)
ANETTE LIWANAG (4th Runner-Up, 1975)
MARIA LUISA GONZALES (2nd Runner-Up & Best in National
Costume, 1985)
JEANNE THERESE HILARIO (2nd Runner-Up, 1989)

AVA QUIBRANZA (Semifinalist & Best in National Costume,
1979)
MARIA ASUNCION SPIRIG (Semifinalist & Best in National
Costume, 1980)
JOSEPHINE BAUTISTA (Ms. Maja Popularidad & Best in
National Costume, 1981)
MARIA ANNA CADIZ (Semifinalist & Best in National
Costume, 1983)
CATHERINE JANE BRUMITT (Semifinalist, 1984)
MARIA CHRISTINA RAMOS RECTO (Ms. Maja Talent & Best in
National Costume, 1986)
MARIA LUISA JIMENEZ (Semifinalist, 1987)

MARIA MURIEL MORAL (MS. MAJA SIMPATICA & BEST IN
NATIONAL COSTUME, 1988)
SELINA MANALAD (Ms. Maja Popularidad & Ms. Maja
Elegancia, 1991)
TIFFANY CUNA (Semifinalist, 1995)

BTW, WTH does Maja mean.
Maja Blanca, Maja Salvador, maja de Filipinas? Hmm

article from PDI:Editor's Note: Published on page A25 of the July 7, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

WHO would think that watching a beauty pageant could launch one's own candidacy?

This was what happened to 22-year-old Ma. Anna Kathrina "Kath" de Guzman, the country's representative to the Miss Maja Mundial pageant which is set in Colombia on July 23.

Five weeks ago, Kath was sitting in the audience during the Miss Philippines-Earth pageant at the University of the Philippines Theater in Quezon City, cheering for her younger sister Antonette Stephanie, who was eventually crowned Miss Philippines-Fire. A representative of the Pageant Enthusiast's Guild of the Philippines Inc. (PEGPI) spotted Kath, and asked if she would consider representing the Philippines in Miss Maja Mudial.

This pretty young woman has a degree in Humanities from the University of Asia and the Pacific and operates Coldstone Café in Eastwood City, Quezon City. Also, she is part-owner of Chi Asian Fusion restaurant in APC Magallanes.

She said she was planning to bring native delicacies, like polvoron and pastillas, to share with fellow candidates in Colombia.

I guess Maja means intelligent/smart or something. If that's the case, then it's probably an intelligence pageant. Mundial means worldwide, so it can be any candidate (not just hispanicized countries). Anyway, she's quite pretty.

Here is the link:

The Philippines had produced several semifinalist
Miss Maja International


1978 Miss Maja International in San Juan Puerto Rico


1979 Miss Maja International in Dominican Republic

Miss Philippines won the Best in National Costume



Miss Philippines won the best in National Costume

1980 Miss Maja International in Canary island ,Spain

Miss Philippines also won Best In National Costume in 1986 and 1988 pageant

1988 Miss Maja International in Bayamon Puerto Rico
Miss Philippines won the Best in National Costume

Question, what makes this pageant different from the rest?!?!?

Miss Bolivia, Philippines, Germany, USA and China


Group picture


Group picture


Miss Philippines , Nicaragua , Guatemala


a cultural show

For more information see this link:Maja mundial

Majamundial.com

Wow very pretty

Miss Philippine is among the top 5 best in National Costume in the pre-pageant


Miss Maja Mundial Best in National Costume top five finalists were Panama, Diana Domínguez (5th); Philippines, María Anna Kathrina Yu (2nd); Ecuador, Valeska Saab (4th), Mexico (1st), Vanessa Méndez and Honduras, Gabriela Del Cid (3rd).






Miss Universe runners-up Puerto Rico's Cynthia Olavarría & Dominican Republic's Renata Soñé with semifinalist Debora Sulca Cravero were invited to judge the Miss Maja Mundial 2005 National Costume competition in the city of Sincelejo.

Congratulations to Miss Philippines for winning second place in the Maja Mundial "Best In National Costume " award

Miss Ecuador Valeska Saab was crowned as the new Miss Maja Mundial last night in Sincelejo, Sucre, Colombia. Virreina is Miss Guyana while the finalist are Misses Colombia, Peru and Canada. All "Misses Canada" entered the semifinals. After the announcement of semifinalist, all the other delegates including Miss Philippines decided not to participate in the questionable proceedings. Some members of the press decided also to walked out and even Miss Universe 1st runner-up Cynthia Olavarria shows her disapproval of the choices. A day before the finals, some of the delegates lost all their bags, wallets, credit cards and cellfones.

I thought based on the pictures in Maja Mundial pre-pageant activities Miss Philippines was among the early favorites ????

She had a lot of pictures there...

Congrats to Ms. Ecuador. Ms. Philippines looks great on the national costume.

I saw this complete article from Essential Beauties:

VALESKA Saab Gomez, a 5’9” beauty from Guayaquil, Ecuador, was crowned as Miss Maja World (Miss Maja Mundial) 2005 at the pageant’s finals held at the Teatro Municipal in Sincelejo, Sucre, Colombia last July 23, even as it ended in a thick cloud of doubt, marked by a walkout by the eliminated candidates and questionable results as admitted by some of the judges themselves.

Miss Saab bested 31 other contestants, mostly from Latin America, to become the first Ecuadorian to win the title. A pre-pageant favorite, Saab succeeded Colombia ’s Sandra Milena Sanchez and expressed her wish to join the Miss Ecuador pageant and eventually compete for Miss Universe next year.

Chosen as virreina or first runnerup was Miss Guyana Debra Gurucarran. Colombia ’s Hilary Izarra, Peru ’s Fiorella Flores and Canada ’s Stacey McKinney were named as second, third and fourth runnersup, respectively.

Rounding up the 10 finalists were: Aman Waraich of India, Sherilyn Allen of Jamaica , Albina Hussain of Bangladesh , Natalia Martinez of Spain and Erika Devries of theUSA.

Earlier in the week, Miss Mexico Vanesa Mendez won the Best National Costume award for her colorful outfit entitled “La Guadalupena”, a tribute to Mexico’s Marian icon Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Philippines ’ Ma. Anna Kathryna “Kath” de Guzman Yu won second place for her burnt orange Maria Clara-inspired ensemble created by Jonti Martinez.

According to Kath, who talked to this writer by long distance call from the US, the finals became questionable immediately after the original 15 semi-finalists were announced. Seven of those who made the cut all flew in from Canada but represented countries of their ethnic origins namely: Misses Canada, USA, India, Bangla Desh, Jamaica, Guyana and Spain. Said contestants-in addition to 3 other girls representing China, Dubai and Germany- were sent to Colombia by Dennis Davila, the national director of Miss Universe Organization-Canada and franchiseholder to the Maja Mundial pageant. The unfair play became evident when Davila himself sat in the panel of judges that included 2005 Miss Universe runnersup Cynthia Olavarria from Puerto Rico and Renata Sone from the Dominican Republic, and semi-finalist Debra Sulca Cravero from Peru.

This prompted the eliminated candidates, including Kath, to quickly change from their long gowns into street clothes, walk out of the venue and wait inside their service bus until the proceedings ended. Surprised by the unexpected turn of events, the organizer Antonio Vergara Olmos panicked and ordered his staff to convince the girls to return to the theater, but the disgruntled contestants refused , not wanting to be “exploited” any further. A pageant judge also tried to convince the girls to return to the venue and admitted that there was, indeed, a mistake committed in the judges’ scores; his plea, likewise, was not heeded. Because of the adversities, the pageant hosts adlibbed their lines for the rest of the program.

Kath said that the ugly incident was “already adding insult to injury”. On the eve of the finals, Kath and several other candidates, including eventual winner Miss Ecuador, lost their valuables inside their service bus while they were rehearsing for the coronation show. Kath said they agreed to leave their belongings in the bus only when Olmos “insisted” it was perfectly safe to do so. Kath lost 2 cellular phones, a couple of credit cards and all her cash. It was her luck to have a spare credit card inside her passport and used as her “lifeline” until she left Colombia and flew to the US to visit her relatives in Los Angeles and Seattle. Kath also added that Olmos did not do anything to compensate for their lost things, or at the very least, alleviate their plight.

While waiting at the Bogota airport for their flights back to their respective countries last Monday, Kath and the other candidates bumped into Olavarria who was also flying back to Puerto Rico. The girls learned that Olavarria was invited by Olmos to Colombia but was given only a one-way air ticket; she paid for her own airfare back home. The winner, Valeska Saab, on the other hand, was going home to Ecuador with only a rhinestone-encrusted tiara, a sash and newspaper clippings to show as proof of her victorious feat. No prizes, in cash or in kind, were given to the winners. Another candidate, who was also a victim of the bus theft, missed her flight because she did not have enough cash to pay for the airport fee.

Olavarria also expressed her discontent at how the final judging proceeded and said that she also sensed unfair play throughout the show. When the gracious Puerto Rican beauty saw Kath and the other girls eating doughnuts (they did not have enough cash), she immediately treated them to a decent meal at the airport café.

This writer recalls that 2004 Bb. Pilipinas-International Maan Bayot also expressed her own dissatisfaction about last year’s pageant held in Santiago de Tolu (near Sincelejo). The home girl, aided by politicking, won, beating her and Canada’s Natalie Glebova (the reigning Miss Universe) to second and third place, respectively. Like this year’s winners, Maan did not receive any prize except for a small tiara.

Kath added that security was not exactly tight at the hotel where the delegates stayed. There were instances, she said, that several members of the Colombian military security detail were seen going in and out of the rooms of some of the delegates.

After Glebova won as Miss Universe last May, photos of her at the 2004 Maja Mundial pageant were posted in the Internet, including one with Manuel Espitio, a member of the Colombian military security detail assigned to safeguard the contestants, along with a close-up photo of a love letter for Espitio, written and signed by Glebova herself.

Kath said that the ugly incidents in Colombia has affected her emotionally but that she did her best to focus her mind to give it her all during the finals. “It is my duty to report all the details of my participation at the pageant in Colombia to Pageant Enthusiasts Guild of the Philippines Inc. (the local licensee to the Maja Mundial pageant)”, Kath said. “My experience in Colombia will be part of the lessons in life as I leave the past and move on to the future”, Kath added with nary a trace of sour-graping. She will be back in Manila on August 12.!

WWW.ESSENTIALBEAUTIES.COM

she was a crowd favorite but it is not the crowd who were the judges during the final night!

I do not know if the story were true, that the winners of the pageant were not given a cash money except for their crown and sash ?

If that so , I think Miss Asia- Pacific International has more credibility
the prizes for Miss Asia- Pacific is around $10,000 plus a lot of corporate sponsors than compared to the new Maja Mundial pageant.

I was also wondering why the Binibining Pilipinas Organizers which usually send Philippine representative to that pageant seem quiet .

I just also saw this news and posted it here.

Anyway ,Congratulations to Miss Ecuador