Gwendoline Ruais named finalist in 3 ‘fast-track’ contests in Miss World 2011

Miles away in the cold, foggy streets of London, a Filipina is making waves. Miss World Philippines Gwendoline Ruais has qualified in three special competitions leading up to the Miss World 2011 pageant. Ruais is a finalist of the Miss World’s “Top 20 Beach Beauty," “Beauty With A Purpose," and “Top Model" fast-track competitions; the others are for Sports and Talent. The winners of these pre-pageant competitions will be announced on November 6 (November 7 in the Philippines), and are guaranteed a slot in the semifinal round of the pageant.

The "Top 20 Beach Beauty" is the pageant’s swimsuit fast-track competition while the "Top Model" is a modeling fast-track competition. The “Beauty With A Purpose" competition, meanwhile, focuses on various charities from all over the world and selects finalists based on the causes the contestants have supported. The name of the competition is taken from the pageant’s overall theme. According to the profile of Ruais on the Miss World website, the 5’11" stunner is part of the Model United Nations Assembly, an academic simulation of the United Nations. Ruais subsequently chose to join the Human Rights Council, where she was elected best debater. She placed 15th in the pageant-ranking site Missosology’s “Hot Picks" for the week of October 20. The 21-year-old Ruais, who is half-Filipino and half-French, graduated with a Business management degree last year and was crowned Miss World Philippines on Sept. 18, 2011. — RSJ, GMA News The Miss World 2011 pageant will be telecast November 7 [Monday] at 10 a.m. on GMA Channel 7.