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Cindy Miranda competes in Ms Tourism Queen Intl 2013

Joyce Burton-Titular

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'I have to think positively, that this competition will disregard politics'

COMPETING FOR THE COUNTRY. Cindy Miranda is representing the Philippines in Miss Tourism Queen International 2013. All photos by Jory Rivera/OPMB

MANILA, Philippines – Bb Pilipinas sent off another queen, Cindy Miranda, to represent the Philippines in an international beauty pageant to be held in China. The former co-host of “Wil Time Big Time” flew to Xianning, China early Sunday morning, Sept 22, to face contenders from different parts of the world. 

READ: Bb 16 Joanna Cindy Miranda wins Rappler poll

Cindy, a native of Nueva Ecija, told the press at her send-off last Sept 21 that it had always been her dream to be an international beauty queen. She said in Filipino, “This is my ultimate dream. I’ve been preparing for this all my life, joining pageants from an early age, because my first dream is really to become a beauty queen!”

Interestingly enough, Cindy had already faced off with two of our national beauty queens: Venus Raj and Janine Tugonon before they became famous. In Miss Earth 2008, Cindy represented Baguio while Venus Raj carried the Legazpi City sash. Venus made it as a runner-up while Cindy remained unplaced.

Then in 2010, things got better for Cindy when she placed 1st runner-up to a then-unknown Janine Tugonon who won UST’s Ideal Thomasian Personality competition that year.

[Venus Raj went on to win 4th runner-up in Miss Universe 2010, while Janine Tugonon was 1st runner-up in Miss Universe 2012. Will Cindy do just as well in her international competition?]

After finishing her Tourism degree and graduating cum laude, Cindy pursued showbiz, becoming a “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate [on reserve] and eventually landing a plum job as co-host on Willie Revillame’s show, “Wil Time Big Time,” on TV5.

Leaving that show to join Bb Pilipinas Gold 2013 last April was a big risk for but she went for it and eventually won one of the 4 titles being given away: Bb Pilipinas Tourism 2013. It was a step closer to her dream to represent the Philippines in an international competition.

What is Miss Tourism Queen International?

MENTOR'S MESSAGE. Bb Pilipinas pageant director Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta gives Cindy her message

Miss Tourism Queen International, or MTQI as pageant fans fondly call it, began in 2004 and is based in China. The Philippines has done well in this pageant, winning the crown when Justine Gabionza competed in 2006. The current reigning queen is Kantapat Peeradachainarin of Thailand, while the best performing nation is Russia which has won twice.

Although MTQI is a well-respected pageant, in recent years the organization has had problems, prompting the cancellation of its competition in 2010 and 2012. In fact, there were fears that MTQI would be cancelled again this year.

But Cindy Miranda did not give up hope. She kept training hard and preparing for the dream of her life. When the good news came that the pageant was indeed pushing through, Cindy said, “I was expecting it. I was going to church even at night, praying for it. I asked God for this and he granted my wish!”

Daddy’s girl

REUNITED WITH DAD. Cindy with her parents at her sendoff

Cindy Miranda grew up in a happy home in Nueva Ecija with 4 other siblings. “I was really happy because I was my dad’s favorite. I’m the youngest girl so I was his baby. My dad used to be a cigarette vendor, but my mom was a pianist who came from a good family. That’s why he worked so hard, to prove that he can support his family.”

Her father, Tony Miranda, eventually became successful enough to send all his children to private schools. But the hard work took a toll on his health and he is now fighting diabetes. Cindy said, “He has been in and out of the hospital and the doctors have even recommended the amputation [of his foot]. His eyesight is also getting worse. That’s why I’m so emotional when it comes to my Dad.”

The last time daughter and father saw each other was when Cindy won the Bb Pilipinas Tourism title in April 2013. So when her parents arrived at her send-off, it was a very tearful reunion. Her mom, Ana, had been able to commute between Nueva Ecija and Manila to see her more often; but because of his health, Cindy’s dad was only able to see her at the send-off party.

In spite of all the health problems, Cindy said her dad is a very strong person from whom she gets her own strength. “My dad is such a hard worker and I got that from him. That’s why I have insomnia! I over-think things. Instead of sleeping, I make plans and think about the things I should do, just like my dad!”

Pressured or motivated?

MOTIVATION. Mutya Datul's Miss Supranational 2013 win inspires Cindy to get the MTQI crown

Cindy admitted that she is feeling the pressure, especially after Mutya Datul, the first queen from this year’s batch of Bb Pilipinas winners, brought home the Miss Supranational 2013 crown when she competed in Belarus in early September.

READ: Mutya Datul is Miss Supranational 2013

“When I found out that Mutya won, my heart raced! I suddenly felt the pressure, but after a few hours it became a powerful motivator. I was with Mutya everyday, we had the same training so I told myself, ‘If she can do it, so can I!’”

But there are some valid concerns about politics. Can a Filipina win on Chinese soil given the current territorial dispute between the neighboring countries? While most pageant fans lean towards doubtfulness over a Pinoy win, Cindy remains hopeful.

“I have to think positively, that this competition will disregard politics. I think winning the crown can be a powerful way for me to breach the gap and be a way for the Philippines and China to be friends again,” she said.

Minus the politics, what are Cindy’s chances of winning?

HOT BEAUTY. Cindy has the winning look, politics notwithstanding

It is not impossible for Cindy to win, given that the Philippines has already won the title once. MTQI is also known for favoring “hot beauties,” and our girl certainly has that sizzling appeal. Her strongest asset is her near-perfect face — she is doe-eyed with doll-like lips and flawless porcelain skin. Dress this 5’7” babe in glittery, shimmery outfits and she should stun China!

Cindy is also gaining popularity online. On MTQI’s Facebook page, hers is the photo with the most likes even before the pageant’s official start on Sept 23.

Aside from popularity and physical assets, Cindy said she believes her experiences will help her shine in Xianning. “I’ve been through a lot of pain, a lot of rejection and trials but they are now my motivation. I have been working very hard for this moment to come and that’s a motivator for me to win the crown!”

The Miss Tourism Queen International 2013 will be crowned on October 3 in Xianning, China. – Rappler.com

Visit the official MTQI Facebook page and help Cindy shine in Xianning by leaving comments to cheer her on and liking her photo. 

You can also read:

Joyce Burton-Titular

Joyce Burton-Titular is a Filipina beauty queen with two Binibining Pilipinas titles: Miss Young Philippines 1980 and Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 1985. She currently keeps a beauty queen blog called Adventures of a Beauty Queen.

Joyce has more than a decade of experience as a news presenter. Her main work today is voicing — hers is the voice that reminds you to fasten your seatbelt and turn off your cellular phone when you fly Cebu Pacific.

Joyce is a mother of two, wife of one and the slave of 7 dogs and 7 cats.



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