Miss Lumiere International World 2018 first runner-up Donna Marie Jan Balaoro/ARMIN P. ADINA

MANILA, Philippines — Nine applicants successfully hurdled the first auditions for the Miss Philippines Lumiere International World pageant conducted by Singapore-based organizer Lumiere International Pageantry. Another round of auditions will be called next month to help fill the remaining slots for the target number of candidates for the national competition.

Justina Quek, who heads the organization, flew in from the “Lion City” to personally oversee the proceedings held at the Glass Room of Okada Manila in Parañaque City on March 18. She was joined by 2018 Miss Lumiere International World first runner-up Donna Marie Jan Balaoro from the Philippines to share her pageant journey with the lucky aspirants, and to provide motivation as well.

The applicants also went through the watchful eyes of Singapore-based beauty queens, 2019 Mrs. Singapore Global Universe Ronalyn Tingcang Tay, 2019 Mrs. Singapore Worldwide first runner-up Mary Ann Carlson, 2020 Mrs. Singapore Asia Pacific Cosmopolitan Andrea Lim York Mun, and 2019 Mrs. Asia Pacific All Nations Marinel Obejas; and 2021 Mrs. World Peace Special Queen Ambassador Shan Shan Lim from Myanmar.

Lumiere’s Filipino queens also lent their expertise to help conduct the auditions— 2019 Mrs. Asia Pacific Global Avon Morales, 2019 Mrs. Worldwide second runner-up Llena Tan, 2022 Mrs. Worldwide Special Queen Ambassador Sarima Paglas, 2022 Mrs. Worldwide Lumina Golden Goddess Krisanta La Madrid, 2022 Mrs. Asia Pacific Special Queen Ambassador Monaliza Salenga, and 2022 Mrs. Asia Pacific All Nations Louise Suzanne Alba-Lopez.

Miss Lumiere International World 2018 first runner-up Donna Marie Jan Balaoro (fifth from left) joins the lucky aspirants who passed the first auditions./ARMIN P. ADINA

In an exclusive interview with the Inquirer conducted on March 17 at the Goryeo Restaurant of Okada Manila, Quek said, “we really need candidates with the highest standards. If you are going to represent the Philippines in the future, you really need queens like [Morales] with a high standard. It is one thing, but the personality is also important.”

No Filipino woman has ever captured the Miss Lumiere International World crown. Aside from Balaoro, her predecessor from the Philippines Sammie Anne Legaspi also finished second in the international competition in 2017.

The 2023 Miss Philippines Lumiere International World pageant is open to single Filipino women between the ages of 20 and 29. A minimum height requirement of 1.6 meters (roughly 5’3”) was also imposed by the pageant organization. Details of the second auditions will be announced later.

Three winners will be chosen in the national pageant, who will represent the Philippines in the Miss Lumiere International World, Miss Tourism Worldwide, and Miss Global Universe pageants, all organized by Lumiere International Pageantry.

Quek said no entry fees will be collected from the applicants. The organization will also shoulder the license fees of the eventual winners for their participation in their respective global tilts. EDV