December 31, 2012 -- Last day of the year. But Philippines' supremacy as "Country of the Year" didn't end up until Janine Tugonon's 1st Runner-Up finish in the 2012 Miss Universe pageant which was held in Las Vegas, Nevada last December. Last pageant of the year and a great way to end the year for Philippines as Rizzini Alexis Gomez wins the Miss Tourism International 2012 title and the crown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After 11 years, Rizzini is the 2nd Filipina to win the pageant. First Filipina to win this pageant was Maria Esperanza Manzano in 2000.
Rizzini is a registered nurse and she also joined some national pageants in her country one of those was in Miss World Philippines and Mutya ng Pilipinas wherein she won as "Mutya ng Pilipinas - Tourism 2012." Rizzini did not expected to win the crown. Her goal for herself during the pageant was to enter the Top 10. When she got into the top 10, their final question and answer was to identify one festival in their country and explain why it is unique. This was the winning answer of Gomez,
"One important festival in the Philippines is the Sinulog Festival. It's
one of the grandest and most colorful festivals in the Philippines. 'It's unique because of the undying devotion of the Filipinos to the
Senor Sto. Nino Child Jesus. It's a symbol of our culture and heritage,
our unity as one, and our diversity and bringing people together to
promote our traditions for a brighter future."
If Philippines' Janine Tugonon have the so-called, "COBRA WALK" and if Shamcey Supsup have the "TSUNAMI WALK", Rizzini said that she has the "RIZZI WALK" she explains that the "Rizzi Walk" is about herself. The walk itself shows her personality. Now, a great journey begins for Rizzini as she is Miss Tourism International 2012. Here are the official results of Miss Tourism International 2012:
Universal Beauty Council wishes Rizzini all the best in her reign!
