Ms. World’s First Runner Up: SFU And The Philippine’s Pride

                                                               by: Natascha

Earl’s Court, London – 6 November 2011 Miss World-Philippines 2011 and recent Southville Foreign University (SFU) BSBM Graduate Gwendolyn Ruais, became the highest placing Pinay candidate in this year’s beauty pageant season with a 1st runner-up finish in the 2011 Miss World International.

Malacanang, last 7 November 2011 launched the beauty for her feat and unquestionable capability to compete against the best around the world.

Miss World organization chairman and chief executive, Julia Morley, said that there was only a slight difference between the scores of Miss Venezuela and Miss Philippines in their fight for the crown. A few years prior to this event, Gwen , an SFU Marketing student and Dean’s Lister received Distinctions in her Edexcel Research Papers.  She practiced her leadership skills in the SFU’s student body as the skilled volleyball player who helped her team.  The SFU Pioneers win 1st runner up in the Monarch’s  Cup Competition.

This leader and team player, with impressive athletic prowess, has a compassionate heart as well.   Lugging heavy hollow blocks and sifting sand for Habitat for Humanity, Gwen helped build homes, alongside her fellow classmates, for those along the Pasig River.

In Gwen’s Question and Answer portion she declared, “To be Miss World is my dream job, and I say job because it has a lot of responsibilities.   But there’s nothing I love more than communicating with other people.  As Miss World you get to use your potential and your voice to help people from all around the world. , and what is more wonderful than doing what you love by helping others

As Ms. World Philippines and Ms. World International 1st Runner up, Gwen serves not only as an inspiration, but as a symbol of the talent of SFU students and Filipinos everywhere.  She teaches us that going for your dreams takes determination and hard work, and that achieving it is never impossible.

In an interview with Gwen after the coronation, she said her nervousness was gone.  She only wanted a good night’s sleep and she was dedicating her crown to the Philippines.  She expressed hope that Filipinos would be proud and happy for her achievement in this competition.