Just when everyone was engrossed with Miss Universe Philippines 2021, the country scored another win in the international level – this time for married women.
Hemilyn Escudero-Tamayo, the former President of Mutya ng Pilipinas, was crowned Mrs. Tourism Universe 2021 – the highest honor during the virtual finals of the multi-titled Mrs. Tourism Pageant held in the country last Tuesday, August 3. She outclassed twenty (20) other candidates for the crown.
A mother of two boys and wife of businessman Richard Tamayo, she gave her 100% to the competition. In the process, she garnered a lion’s share of the special awards such as Best in Speech, Best in Talent, Best National Costume, Most Supportive Candidate and Most Viewed Mother.
Other titleholders in the said pageant are Mrs Tourism World Catherine Yogi (of Phil-Japan), Mrs Tourism International Monica Nugra of Ecuador, Mrs Tourism Earth Lisha Alencastre Nin of Peru and Mrs Tourism Globe Estelle Roche Kaye of Singapore. Thailand was originally scheduled to host the physical finals, but due to the pandemic, it had to be done virtually.
A Philippine Air Force Reservist, Hemilyn returned from a pageantry hiatus with much success. She is now ready to make her reign as productive and meaningful as possible, in keeping with the competition’s “A Mother Who Cares for the World” vision.
Congratulations from all of us at normannorman.com and Pageantry Norms! This is a well-deserved victory!
Now this post is no longer part of my #TurningPhenomenal Series because I have learned – from a reliable source – that she is indeed joining the dash for Miss Universe Philippines 2021.
#TurningPhenomenal Series No. 8
There are rumors in pageant circles that Bb. Pilipinas Globe 2019 Leren Mae Bautista is considering one more stab at national pageant glory via Miss World Philippines. If she indeed takes another plunge, the aim should be to win a crown better than the two already tucked under her belt (she was also Mutya ng Pilipinas years back). 
Miss World Philippines #Wishlist:
We all know that Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Bb. Pilipinas International 2014 Bianca Guidotti and Mutya ng Pilipinas (and former Binibini) have become very close friends ever since their active years participating in beauty pageants. During this quarantine period, the trio hatched the idea of coming up with a podcast that turned into a live chat with their equally beautiful guests. Below are two of the episodes where they separately invited Vickie Rushton and Alaiza Malinao in the discussion.
This blog entry will read like a throwback within a throwback. Just like Binibining Pilipinas, Mutya ng Pilipinas has already reached its Golden Anniversary last 2018 – fairly more recent but still full of pride and glory. For a national pageant to successfully make it through five decades is an achievement that stood the test of time. And its long list of titleholders and international winners gave their share to the country’s performance record in other beauty competitions – prime of which were Miss Asia Quest-turned- Miss Asia Pacific Quest-turned-Miss Asia Pacific International, Miss Tourism International and during selected periods – Miss World, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International, Miss Tourism Metropolitan International, Queen of Clubs International and Best Model of the World.
And just to complete the throwback, allow me to share the grand opening number and crowning moments of the 50th Mutya ng Pilipinas held at the Mall of Asia Arena last September, 2018. This was a monumental effort spearheaded by then President Hemilyn Escudero-Tamayo (right photo with Joy Arguil and I) who pulled out all the stops to make the production her farewell legacy for the pageant institution.
First on the list is Sherry Anne Tormes who was part of Bb. Pilipinas twice in the past. Originally, though, she was part of a previous edition of MPE. This is like her return to the competition that could bring her the crowning glory she has been aiming for.
And then we have Patrixia Sherly Santos whose pageant career brought instant recall to the “x” in her first name. She was also a Binibini in the past, aside from taking part in Miss World Philippines, Ambassadress of the World Philippines and the Redvocates Search for AIDS Ambassadors in the country.
Gianna Margarita Llanes was an Official Candidate of Miss World Philippines two years back. Her national pageantry experience brought the confidence in joining other smaller tilts where she was able to shine more strongly. In particular, she made it as 1st Runner-Up during Miss Mandaluyong 2019. 
Roxie Baeyens may be the youngest among the six, but she is the one who has already represented the country in an international beauty competition. She emerged 1st Runner-Up during Miss Tourism and Culture Universe 2019 after being named Face of Tourism 2019. She is from Baguio City.
Justiene Ortega is one lady who was able to juggle time between her pageant conquests and gainful employment. It does help when the field of work is in sales and marketing. She was a contender in past stagings of both Miss World Philippines and Miss Tourism Philippines.
Finally, we have Hannah Bithiah Merino – a proud Lagunense who worked as Flight Attendant of Philippine Airlines. This tall lady was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas Calabarzon before qualifying as one of the fifty lovelies who made the Golden Edition of Mutya ng Pilipinas more colorful. 
