PHOTOS: Miss Resorts World 2013

2013 QUEENS. 1st runner-up Avonlea Paraiso, Miss Resorts World 2013 Nikita McElroy and 2nd runner-up Natasha Julian. All photos by Jory Rivera

MANILA, Philippines - The Miss Resorts World 2013 pageant was held last Saturday, November 30, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

20 ladies vied for the title. Professional model Nikita McElroy brought home the crown.

Bianca Valerio and Rovilson Fernandez hosted the program whose theme was Dreams and Fantasy. It was divided into 4 segments:

• Voyage/Travel for the candidate introductions
• "Under the Sea" for mermaid-inspired outfits on the candidates
• Flora and Fauna for the swimwear competition
• Cinderella for the evening gown competition

Unlike the 2012 pageant which I covered for Rappler.com, the 2013 pageant was a charity show, and tickets were sold for the benefit of  #YolandaPH (Haiyan) relief efforts. The candidates themselves sold tickets to the show days before the coronation night. (In the 2012 pageant, tickets to the coronation night were free.)

The event raised P600,000 in ticket sales. Resorts World Manila donated the same amount, for a total donation of P1.2-M.

Special awards:

• CHALLENGE FOR A CAUSE winner: Nikita McElroy 
• BEST IN SWIMWEAR: Jaysel Arrozal
• BEST IN TALENT: Jaysel Arrozal
• CAR CHALLENGE winner: Jaysel Arrozal 
• DARLING OF THE PRESS: Nastazha Cardel 
• MISS PHOTOGENIC: Avonlea Paraiso

Top 5:

• Jaysel Arrozal
• Samantha Purvor
• Avonlea Paraiso
• Natasha Julian
• Nikita McElroy

Winners:

• 4TH RUNNER UP: Jaysel Arrozal
• 3RD RUNNER UP: Samantha Purvor 
• 2ND RUNNER UP: Natasha Julian
• 1ST RUNNER UP: Avonlea Paraiso
• MISS RESORTS WORLD MANILA 2013: Nikita McElroy 

Here are my exclusive photos:

OPENING NUMBER. 'Voice of the Philippines' winner Mitoy Yonting opens the show with a child performer

LED MAGIC. Newport Performing Art Theater's magnificent LED backdrop adds dimension to every segment

HELLO, SAILOR! Program hosts Bianca Valerio and Rovilson Fernandez

CHAMPAGNE DREAMS. Candidates introduce themselves pin-up style

UNDER THE SEA. Fame Flores opens the second segment with an amazing song number

MALE VOICE. All-men singing group Primo

CHILLING. You see numbers and performances like this only in Resorts World Manila

SEA GODDESSES. Candidates dressed as mermaids

MORE NATURE. Acrobats open the 3rd segment, Flora and Fauna

MY PERSONAL FAVORITE. Candidate #1 Avonlea Paraiso

WOULD-BE WINNER. The radiant candidate #10 Nikita McElroy

SUNSHINE IN A FLOWER. Candidate #19 Caneille Faith Santos

LIKE A VICTORIA'S SECRET ANGEL. Candidate #13 Natasha Julian

CHALLENGE FOR A CAUSE winner: Nikita McElroy

BEST IN SWIMWEAR, BEST IN TALENT, CAR CHALLENGE winner: Jaysel Arrozal

DARLING OF THE PRESS: Nastazhsa Cardel

MISS PHOTOGENIC: Avonlea Paraiso

THE TOP 5. The ladies are mostly also Special Awardees

MISS RESORTS WORLD 2012. Filipino-Spanish Alexandra Salmeron

LAST TWO STANDING. Nikita McElroy and Avonlea Paraiso

THE VICTORS. (From left) Samantha Purvor, Avonlea Paraiso, Nikita McElroy and Natasha Julian

MISS RESORTS WORLD 2013. Professional model Nikita McElroy

- #CoffeeWithKai