MISS Progress International Philippines 2022 Beatriz “Zea” Vasquez Awatin was given a warm sendoff party at the Kagandahang Flores Camp in Quezon City before departing for Puglia, Italy on September 7 for the 8th edition of Miss Progress International.
At about this time last year, Awatin met members of the media for a meet-and-greet for the international pageant that was scheduled for the last quarter of 2021, also in Italy, but was postponed indefinitely because of the pandemic.
Awatin, a cum laude graduate of Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at San Beda Alabang and a masters degree holder in International Relations from De La Salle University, had remained steadfast in spite of the unexpected delays last year and continued with her pageant trainings as well as pursued productive endeavors including her personal advocacies as a Rotary Club member and Project Pearls volunteer.
The daughter of Joselito Awatin of Padre Garcia, Batangas and the former Glenda Vasquez of Manila, Zea is aiming to clinch the second Miss Progress International crown for the country that was first won by Jedaver Opingo in 2017.
Zea is being sent to Italy by Karen Jane Marjoribanks, the national director for the Philippines.
The Associazione Culturale in Progress organizes Miss Progress International which has been recognized and supported by the President of the Italian Republic, the Italian Council of Ministers, the Italian Ministry of Tourism, and the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities.
Miss Progress International believes that to make progress, we must strengthen three critical pillars: human rights, environment, health. As a result, each candidate must present a viable project. Candidates were asked to write a project based on their assigned social theme or “Progress ‘Pillar,” and this year’s theme for the Philippines is human rights.
Zea’s project is entitled “The Jeepney Library.” As a vehicle of progress, Jeepney Library is an aid to support the lack of access to modern education for the poorest of the poor children of Manila. It is customized with a portable Wi-Fi and computers/laptops built in to give less fortunate children the right to gain access to technology and information and make sure that “no one is left behind.”
Zea, along with the 30 other delegates worldwide, will tour Puglia, Italy. They will visit several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
On September 17 (September 18 at 3:30 AM PH time), the coronation night will be streamed lives on Miss Progress International’s YouTube and Facebook pages, as well as on a European TV station that will be announced later.
