The 43rd edition of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2011 national pageant will set foot in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Roberto de Venecia, Mutya ng Pilipinas Chair announced.

De Venecia said that the national pageant will devote its 43rd anniversary as a platform to support the Underground River/Subterranean National Park, which is considered as a National World Heritage site.

“It is popularly known as the longest navigable underground river and the most beautiful subterranean river in the world. No doubt, it was nominated for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Other remarkable locations in the area will also be featured to further exhibit its beauty,” De Venecia said.

At stake in this year’s competition are three titles: Mutya ng Pilipinas-International, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism, and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Overseas Communities.

The winners will represent the Philippines in the elite international competitions of Miss Asia Pacific, Miss Intercontinental and Miss Tourism International. The pageant also selects the country’s delegates to the Queen of the Year and Top Model of the World.

This year’s pageant theme is “Beauty Tourism Adventure” which will also highlight the equally attractive features of the “city in a forest” including the Jungle Trail, mangrove and tropical forest, wildlife sanctuary and other fascinating nature spots including the pristine white sand beaches of Puerto Princesa City.

Puerto Princesa City, led by Mayor Edward Hagedorn, will be the principal host of the pageant.

The brand new Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa, the official home of the Mutya ng Pilipinas, will be co-host throughout the week-long event.

The resort is located in the west coast, 80 kilometers away from Puerto Princesa City.

Two of last year’s winners did well in international competitions they took part in. Mutya-International Christi Lynn Mcgarry was a semi-finalist in the Miss Intercontinental Pageant 2010 held in Dominican Republic.

Mutya-Tourism International Barbara Salvador was 3rd runner-up in the Miss Tourism-International competition held in Malaysia.

Beauty queens from Filipino communities abroad are well represented at the Mutya.

“This year, we have Mutya-Zurich, Mutya-Arizona, Mutya-East Coast USA, Mutya-Norway, Mutya-Germany and other countries,” says De Venecia.

Qualified to join are single, beautiful, intelligent, talented and articulate Filipino women. She must be a high school graduate, at least 18 but not more than 24 years of age, with a minimum height of 5’5.”

Screenings will be held in Metro Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, and Pangasinan starting the first week of October. The pageant commences in November and the most-awaited finals will be held in December.

(source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/336344/palawan-host-mutya-2011)