MGI appointment

 RoAn Tamondong joins MGI's top 10 court

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

A few days after Brazil's Isabella Menin was crowned the 10th Miss Grand International, online poll winner from Mauritius, Yuvna Gookool - who was fast tracked to the Top 10 for garnering the most number of votes - resigned from the extended court. All the other five ladies who did not make it to the Top 10 were all crowned as 5th runners-up.

This prompted the MGI Organization to appoint Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2022 Roberta Angela Tamondong to fill up the vacated position. So she now belongs to the extended court of 5th runners-up with Oxana Rivera of Puerto Rico, Jirisley Jiminez of Spain, Priscila Londono of Colombia, and Pich Votey Saravody of Cambodia.

 While a number of Filipino pageant fans do not agree with RoAn accepting the appointment, we see the wisdom in her decision. First, her action brings the Philippines back into the good graces of the MGI Organization, after Samantha Bernardo declined its offer in 2020. This assures a good standing for the next Philippine representative next year.

Second, and more importantly, the acceptance of the appointment will afford RoAn the opportunity to endear herself to the Thai fans. With the Miss Universe Organization now wholly-owned by a Thai conglomerate, and the possibility of Thailand as venue for its future pageants, RoAn has made a wise move likened to that of Catriona Gray during her bid to the crown in 2018. Her exposure to Thai fans through Thai TV networks and channels will greatly help her in her future plans to join the Miss Universe.

Yesterday, Nov 1, all ten queens arrived at the Subarnabhumi Airport via Flight TG434 from Jakarta at 5pm to start their media tour. The ladies will be touring all over Thailand, and other countries, until the end of December.

RoAnw is the last Binibini to represent the country in the Miss Grand International pageant, as the BPCI's contract ends this year. Next year's Miss Grand International will take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on October 25, 2023. Stay tuned!