Mutya candidates ramp off their bikinis in Puerto Princesa City

Best in Figure award for New Jersey Mutya

SHE THOUGHT another girl would win. So when Ashley McGarry, Mutya ng East Coast, was proclaimed Best in Figure during the 2010 Mutya ng Pilipinas Swimsuit Competition held Aug. 13 at Sabang Beachfront in Puerto Princesa City, she was “extremely overwhelmed.”

All 24 delegates paraded in white bikinis before local residents and tourists on a stage that faced the magnificent coastline in Sitio Sabang.

Pangasinan’s Barbara Salvador, Batangueña Suzette Hernandez, Sharon Angel from Lapu Lapu City and hometown girl Cindi Madumma rounded up the Top 5.

Ashley, born in New Jersey, is no stranger to beauty tilts. She was the first Miss Teen Philippines-USA in 2004 and placed second in the Miss Teen New Jersey-USA pageant in 2005, besting over 200 hopefuls.

Last February, representing the Philippines, she placed sixth in the Top Model of the World competition in Germany.

The 2010 Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant will select three winners to represent the country in the Miss Asia Pacific, Miss Intercontinental and Miss Tourism International competitions. It will also send the country’s representatives to the Queen of the Year and Top Model of the World contests.

Coronation night is set Aug. 28 at the newly-built Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

City Information Office / C. Catimpo