5th Annual Miss Teen Philippines USA 2009

The Philippine Hearts and Hopes Society, Inc. and AZE Group Events and Productions earlier completed the first phase of their annual search for the 5th Miss Teen Philippines. The 12 finalists, representing a cross-section of the Tri-State area will vie for the honor of being selected “Miss Teen Philippines” in a Beauty Pageant which will be held August 2, at the Conlon Hall of St. John the Evangelist Church in Bergenfield, New Jersey. Pageant Director Erno Hormillosa announced the names of the twelve finalists, ranging from 14 to 18 years old, single, of Filipino descent, who where all chosen and were judged upon many attributes including high attractiveness, intelligence, personality, and character which represent the fine characteristics of Filipino womanhood that PHHOSO would like to present.

“I am very proud of this year’s finalists,” said PHHOSO President and Founder, Nena Lozada Kaufman. She added, “They represent the best and the beautiful among the feminine youth in the Filipino and Filipino-American community,” when she presented the twelve in another event last March 15 (2nd Mrs. Philippines America Beauty Pageant). This event is one of the most successful pageants also sponsored by PHHOSO and AZE Group Events and Productions which was held this year at The Sheraton in Newark, NJ.

The PHHOSO official release of the 20 finalists line up are, in alphabetical order, Marian Abao, Gabrielle Andres, Kimberly De la Santa, Alexandra Garcia, Arianne Maliwanag, Rene McHugh, Kimber Matias, Elizabeth Stern, Melissa Ocampo, Leah Toribio, Klarissa Valeriano, and Jill Quiros.

Come August 2, the above finalists, will be judged according to how they score in terms of physical attributes, 25 percent; talent, 25percent; personality, 25percent; and personal interview, 25 percent. The winner will receive a crown, trophy, sash, and a bouquet of flowers. They will also receive round trip tickets to the Philippines, a $1,000 scholarship grant and cash awards for the winner’s own charitable project in the Philippines. The organizing committee will determine the amount at the proper time.

Proceeds from the Pageant will benefit PHHOSO’s various charitable projects in the Philippines. To date, it has already donated over $70,000 to the Philippines. The outpouring of support towards PHHOSO this year is outstanding. It can claim that the Miss Teen Pageant is the number one beauty contest in the USA. It has always selected twelve finalists, and the competition is real decided upon by a panel of qualified judges.

At the Astoria Manor last year, over 700 guests attended the pageant. This year promises to have a larger attendance with already over 300 reservations booked to watch the anticipated spectacular show. As in the past, this year’s pageant, is in the good hands of it’s talented and very creative Pageant Director, Erno Hormillosa, who is no stranger to beauty contests. He promises to make this year’s event more fun as well as more historically significant reminiscent of the Spanish era. The cultural program is planned with contemporary relevance in mind. PHHOSO’s pageants have always been unique and very colorful. It has provided a plethora of entertainment to those who participate and attend. With the combination of its dynamic duo, Nena Kaufman and indefatigable pageant director, Erno Hormillosa, expect them to build up on previous years’ successes. The pageant director hinted that this year’s candidates will be given more creative opportunities to showcase their individual talents and achievements. His arduous efforts leave no doubt that this will be an event to remember.

PHHOSO also announced that during this event, it will also present the 2nd Miss America’s Five Prettiest, which is one of its most promising annual contests. They will also be crowned and conferred the title so given. Next year’s “Prettiest,” according to the rules, will be selected among finalists for Miss Teen Philippines this year and will be crowned the following year. The winner of the Miss Teen Philippines automatically becomes one of the Five Prettiest. One contestant will also be selected from non-PHHOSO Beauty Pageant.