First Lady donates $1,000 for beauty tilt

First Lady Sophia P. Tenorio has graciously donated $1,000 to the Northern Marianas Beauty Pageant Association which is slated to crown the islands’ representative to the Miss Universe beauty tilt on March 31.

Ms. Tenorio is shelling out the money from her First Lady’s Vision, according to Gerard B. Salas, president of the NMBPA.

The First Lady over the weekend also hosted a luncheon and merrienda to the seven candidates vying for the honor and prestige to be named Northern Marianas-Miss Universe 2001.

NMI-Miss Universe will represents the CNMI in this year’s Miss Universe Pageant that will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 11.

Contestants to the local tilt include three residents of Saipan, two from Tinian and another two from Rota. Representatives of Saipan are Cathy Chargualaf, Alexis Hernandez and Sierra Cody. Entries from Tinian are Janet King and Eva Dela Cruz, while Rowina Ogo and Joleen Ramos make up the contingent from Rota.

The person crowned as Northern Marianas-Miss Universe 2001 will receive over $3,500 in prizes and a year-long courtesy use of a car provided by Triple J Motors, according to Mr. Salas.

The overall prize is broken down as follows: a $1,000 cash award, a $1,000 scholarship grant, $1,000 appearance fee for the duration of her reign and $500 allowance when she goes to compete in Puerto Rico during the Miss Universe Pageant.

Mr. Salas explained that aside from the NMI-Miss Universe, first runner-up and second runner-up plums, four other minor awards are at stake during the pageant. They are Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality, Miss National Costume and the NMBPA Spirit Award.

The NMBPA is a non-profit organization that was founded 26 years ago by current MVA Board member JM Guerrero. It crowns the CNMI’s representative to the Miss Universe Pageant on the basis of intelligence, poise, beauty and overall presentation.

“With the pageant, we hope to promote the islands’ culture by way of showcasing our talented, energetic, beautiful and glamorous women,” Mr. Salas added.

The Northern Marianas Beauty Pageant will be held at the Hibiscus Theater Hall of the Dai-Ichi Beach Hotel on March 31. Major sponsors of the beauty tilt are the MVA and Triple J Motors headed by its General Manager Jay Jones.