Tracy Maureen Perez

The Philippines is gearing up for Miss World finals

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

After returning to Manila from her relief initiative in Cebu, Miss World-Philippines 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez met with a few members of the pageant media in an intimate catch-up huddle at the Pandan Cafe in Quezon City recently. She is preparing herself - physically and mentally - for the final phase of the Miss World 2021 competition when it resumes on March 16. She felt the long holidays have "dulled" her so she needs to hone her pageant skills and be in top fighting form when she departs for Puerto Rico in the first week of March.

"We, all 97 contestants, were called for a meeting in the morning of Dec. 16 and were informed of the postponement. From there, I visited my relatives in Oceanside, San Diego in California. It was my first time in the States and I spent my holiday with them until Jan. 4. Then went back to Cebu for our #OdettePH relief initiative.

"I stepped back and recharged. My journey is fulfilling but quite taxing. I value family and my 'me' time. I also prioritize my emotional self as depression has no face, so I listen to my mind and body.

"My immediate task now is to get my momentum back, and yes, I can bring change to the world and bring my advocacy to the global stage. I've brought my heart, my soul, and my experiences to Puerto Rico. But this time, I'll also bring the hope of Filipinos to the fight. My mindset is to be consistent throughout - someone who'll represent the organization as its international spokesperson."

With the tutelage of her Aces & Queens trainor's and the guidance of national director Arnold L. Vegafria, Tracy is confident that she can prep herself up again for the final show within a month's time. The Top 40 contenders are expected to be in San Juan by March 12, as the competition starts anew the day after. With all the physical training and mental conditioning she's undergoing, she tries not to overthink her battle plans.

"If there's one thing I learned from my Miss World journey, so far, is that, I just always have to stick to what I know. It pays to be just yourself. Coz the organizers will know if you're putting up a facade. 

"That's also my takeaway from our previous queens; that there's really no formula. At the end of the day, it's just faith. It's about you performing and just being prepared for anything. I don't really think about it too much. My co-candidates told me that I'm different from what they envisioned Miss Philippines to be.

"I've worked my hardest to be where I am now, and I'm proud of that. I basically came from scratch, and the organization sees that. They don't see a beauty queen, they see a person. And that's very important.

Tracy qualified to be in the Top 40 by winning in two of the fast track challenges. Her Beauty With a Purpose (BWAP) project for solo parents in her hometown in Cordova was chosen as one of six outstanding advocacy programs, alongside the projects from Kenya, England, South Africa, USA, and India. She was also one of the four remaining top contenders in the head-to-head challenge, together with delegates from Paraguay, Cameroon, and Nepal.

The Philippines won the Miss World crown in 2013 with Megan Lynn Young. The country's other victorious moments came in 1968 (Cecilia Amabuyok, 4th runner-up), 1973 (Evangeline Pascual, 1st runner-up), 1993 (Sharmaine Ruffa Gutierrez, 2nd Princess), and 2011 (Gwendolyn Ruais, 1st Princess).

The Miss World 2021 coronation night will unfold on March 16, 2022 from the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in Puerto Rico. Stay tuned for upcoming broadcast bulletins of the final show.