Miss Blog Asia

If it is possible to pick from the contestants to the 56th Miss World Contest in Warsaw Poland I might be able to decide who is the most beautiful girl in Asia - not only looks, of course.

Some people like sweet, some sour and some hot. Well, some people like western girls, I like Asians. I don't know why. Anyway, here are my top ten prettiest girls in Asia from among the representatives of Asian countries at the Miss World Event.
10. Sun Rey Mom - 22 year old student from Cambodia - 173cm. Wants to be an air hostess. Likes to play basketball, read and cook.

9. Thuy Mai Phuong - 18 year old student from Vietnam. 178cm Wants to be a business woman. Likes to jog, swim, read and music.

8. Melisa Mahapol - 23 year old graduate from Thailand. 168 cm

7. Pereira Colleen Francisca - 24 year old Business Owner from Singapore.

6. Anna Maris Igpit - 19 year old student from the Philippines

5. Natasha Suri - 22 year old model from India

4. Janet Chow - 23 year old student from Hong Kong

3. Dou Liu - 24 year old TV host from China

2. Kazuha Kondo - 21 year old student from Japan

1. Sharon Park - 21 year old student from Korea


Those are my picks from among the Asian countries who sent their prettiest. How about you?

Who's your favorite?
http://www.panasianbiz.com

Kit-Yee (Kitty) Man is a 5th-year master's student of International Economics and Finance at Tilburg University. There is something special about her. In summer 2005, she participated in the Miss Hong Kong Beauty Pageant. She was selected as a semi-finalist (top 10) in the competition and was voted 3rd by the public. Lingxiao Qu from Univers interviewed her recently.

By Lingxiao Qu

So tell me more about you and the Miss HK Pageant. Why did you participate in this competition?

Thanks to the structure of the master's programme, I was free from lectures in the last semester. That gave me the chance to do research for my thesis in Asia and the time to participate in the Miss Hong Kong beauty contest. I knew it would require tremendous courage but the thought of adding something extraordinary to my simple life excited me. The contest helped me discover my other talents besides academic excellence. Not only did the training and lectures develop my character, but the charity events I was involved in during the pageant were also meaningful and a good way of spending time.
Each year the Miss Hong Kong pageant visits other countries. Since I enjoy travelling, this was another reason for me to participate in the contest.
My motivation was simply to take on a challenge, to see if I could handle the pressure, to meet more friends, and to gain an unusual experience.

What was your life like as a student at Tilburg University?

I had a fairly active student life in Tilburg,. I went to parties occasionally, and helped found a financial club and an international committee of an existing student organization. I was on exchange to the University of Iowa in the USA during my 3rd year of study. Furthermore, I spent much of my holidays and weekends travelling. I went to Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Belgium, Germany, France, London, the U.S., etc.

Did this experience impact your life and lead to big changes?

It certainly did. If I had not returned to Asia for this contest, I would probably have graduated by now and found myself a finance-related job in Holland. I wouldn't have had the chance to do all that charity work, go to Maldives, and visit the tsunami-affected areas in Thailand and Sri Lanka. All the things I did during the pageant preparation were worthwhile and meaningful. It truly broadened my horizons and let me see the other side of life. I learned to work professionally with other contestants and crew members.

Our performances were often under intense pressure as our programmes were viewed live by millions of people and broadcast all over the world. I welcomed the challenges and enjoyed the experience tremendously. It's revealed my potential and made me a better person. I believe everyone should develop his or her own talents and interests.

What are your expectations of your life in 5 year's time?

I aim to live a fulfilled, vivid, and exciting life. I want to be happy, and acquire fame while maintaining my dignity. I want to spread happiness to people around me and contribute to the society I live in. Although life can be tough sometimes, I must hold a positive view always. I believe I'll have built up my own career, will be financially independent, and will live the life that I've always dreamt of. I'm confident that with hard work and my talents, I can achieve any realistic goals I set for myself.

Since you are an IEF student, will you seek a career in that field, or you will spend more time in show business?

Right now, I'm already working as an artist, TV programme host, and part-time model in Hong Kong. I aim to develop my career in show business first and later extend it to the financial field. To many people's surprise, what I've learned at Tilburg University is actually helping me in the show-biz world. For example, having an analytical mind, team-work skills, and being resourceful while doing research. My current job is providing me with plenty of learning opportunities too; it will help me to build on my existing knowledge and skills.

You were born in Holland. Do you consider yourself more Dutch or Hong Kongese?

Given that I've travelled all my life and grown up in a multicultural environment, I see myself as more of a world citizen. I'd call myself a Eurasian if such a word actually exists. I love embracing different cultures and I believe each culture has its virtues and attributes. The blending of East and West gives a very interesting equilibrium. [Lingxiao Qu]