TWO THOMASIANS joined the elite list of Thomasian beauty queens.
April Rose Perez and Justine Gabionza were adjudged the best among 23 other contestants in the Miss Earth-Philippines 2002 beauty contest last May 12 at the University of the Philippines Theater.
Perez, a student from the Faculty of Arts and Letters, was pronounced this year’s winner while Gabionza, a student from the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, was crowned first runner-up. Gabionza is a member of the UST fencing team and a former member of the UST volleyball team.
Both exhibited class and poise as they reaped six of the 11 major awards. Perez took the Miss Close-Up, Miss Swimsuit, Miss Avon, and Texters’ Choice awards, while Gabionza won the title of Miss Sunsilk and Best in Evening Gown.
In the semi-final round, Gabionza ranked first in the swimsuit competition with Perez in second. In the long gown competition, Perez placed first and Gabionza second. The good standing of both candidates were enough to foil their dismal performance in the casual interview where Gabionza ranked fifth while Perez ranked seventh. Billy Joe I. Allardo
