Miss Tourism Queen International pageant
By JOSE D. PATAO, JR.
Crowd-favorite Justine Gabionza drew raves for her flawless swimsuit presentation that even earned her a standing ovation from the audience during the Miss Bikini contest, Miss Tourism Queen Int'l pageant's 1st sub-competition. She won the Bikini Princess of the World title.
MISS Philippines-Air 2002 Justine Vinluan Gabionza, 23, is now in China to represent the Philippines at the 2006 Tourism Queen International Beauty Pageant which will be held in Shanghai on July 8.
Justine left for China last Saturday, June 17, to join about 80 other contestants worldwide for the 3-week long pageant; she was chosen by Carousel Productions, the local licensee for the international tilt.
Justine has been modeling since 2000 and has also joined several beauty pageants. In 2001, she won third runner-up honors at the Miss Global Queen Philippines pageant won by JP Abinuman. In 2002, she was crowned as Miss Philippines-Air and competed at the Top Model of the World competition in Dusseldorf, Germany where she took fourth runner-up honors.
From then on, 5-foot-8 Justine has been keeping a healthy balance as a BS Tourism student at UST and a much sought-after ramp and commercial model. She is also very active into contact sports like fencing, taekwondo and boxing.
For the Tourism Queen International pageant, Justine will be wearing a patadyong with beaded checkered alampay, tapis and matching umbrella created by Jonti Martinez for the national costume competition. Her gown and other dresses were designed by Nicky Martinez.
