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Ailyn Agonia
Doha
BEAUTY queen from the Philippines Justine Mae 'Jaya' San Jose paid a courtesy visit to the Philippine Embassy Doha on Sunday as part of her line-up of activities during her eight-day stay in Doha.
Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Wilfredo C Santos received San Jose and her delegation which included some members of the Alliance of Filipino Journalists in Qatar (AFJQ), the Filipino community group along with her homecoming activities, and event sponsor Filipino Community Center (FCC).
San Jose, whose immediate family resides in Doha, had been recently crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International 2016 in Manila. San Jose will be representing the Philippines in an international pageant to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in December.
It was the second time San Jose paid courtesy visit to the Embassy with a crown. The first time was when she bagged the title of Binibining Laguna, a pageant held in her hometown last year.
On Saturday, the Filipina beauty queen met with some leaders and members of the Filipino community in a thanksgiving event hosted by the Kulinarya Qatar 2016 Core Team at Eve House of Catering and Events. During the programme, AFJQ led by its Vice-President Alvin Abainza handed over the funds raised during the Photoshoot for A Cause with San Jose held at the Philippine School Doha (PSD) on Friday. The initiative organised in collaboration with HERO Qatar raised more than QR5,000. The proceeds will be donated to World Vision Philippines and to PSD.
A plaque of recognition was awarded to San Jose as HERO Qatar Ambassador by HERO Qatar Founder Henry Dimaano. The thanksgiving event was also graced by UFOQ executive officers and council members led by UFOQ Chairman Ressie Fos.
"I am very happy to be back in Doha, my second home. I had the best experience during the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant which included having the opportunity of touring around the Philippines. I also had a chance to meet Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at a function. For my upcoming competition in Malaysia, I am training hard and preparing myself to bring home the crown for the Philippines. While I am confident that I will do my best in the international pageant I am also open to whatever will be the result of the competition," San Jose told the local media at a press conference held prior to the thanksgiving programme. She underscored her plans to go back to her studies after her reign in Mutya ng Pilipinas.
On September 30, 2016, San Jose will be among the honorary guests during the Foundation Day of PSD to be held at Al Rayyan Sports Club. Being a former student of PSD, she will be recognised by the school for her achievements. The beauty queen is slated to hand over part of the proceeds of the recently concluded charity photoshoot on the occasion.
