Miss & Mrs Asia 2010
A sellout crowd of over 1300 people witnessed two magnificent and unforgettable cultural pageants performances. The 22nd Annual Miss Asia USA and the 6th Annual Mrs. Asia USA Cultural Pageant were presented together onstage at their new home, the beautiful La Mirada Theatre. Because of the ever-growing popularity of Miss Asia USA and Mrs. Asia USA, a larger and more modern venue was required to accommodate the guests and the improvements to the Pageants.
If thunderous applause and raucous support for the Delegates is any indication, the audience enjoyed a truly remarkable and diverse display of Asian cultures performed by the Delegates in the Parade of National Costumes. The evening’s festivities were hosted by Emmy-nominee David Millbern and the lovely producer and on-air host for Saigon TV, Michelle Phuong Thao.
Following months of painstaking preparation by each Delegate, dreams turned into a wonderful reality on Saturday night with the crowning of two outstanding and deserving Queens. After five categories of intense competition in both pageants, the distinguished panel of judges selected the striking Ariana Manibog Varela, representing the Philippines, as Miss Asia USA 2010 and the beautiful and talented North Carolina based Janet Pichon Hixson, also representing the Philippines, as Mrs. Asia USA 2010.
Virgelia Villegas, Chairman & President of Virgelia Productions, Inc., produced, wrote and directed the show. When discussing the two new Queens after the show, Virgelia reflected on the Judges’ selections. She said, “Both Ariana and Janet demonstrated the total commitment necessary to perform at the highest level when the spotlight was shining on them. Their dedication and hard work formed the foundation for the self-confidence, intelligence and elegance that the Judges look for in a queen. and proud Asian communities as Ambassadors of Goodwill and Culture.
“As our Queens, they will continue to earn the most prestigious titles for Asian women in America, you have to be willing to sacrifice and give your total effort above and beyond your God-given abilities. Both of these outstanding and talented women did so and I am proud that they will serve all of the unique tradition of these two pageants demonstrating how to bring unity through diversity.”
Representing Sri Lanka was Sarah Makandura who ended up as the 2nd runner up. This was an immensely memorable moment for her.
The crowd watched as Miss Asia USA picks their Top Five, and finally, Sarah Makandura representing Sri Lanka heard her name as the final spot in the Top Five.
The night started with the Opening Dance, then to the Parade of National Costumes which showed the elaborate, authentic details of each of the countries. After swim was evening gown, where all the 24 beautiful girls walked elegantly in their evening gowns and after their final scores were in, they all waited in anticipation as to who would be called for the Top 10.
The Top 10 included Miss India, Rachna Mamidi. From the Top 10 down to the Top 5, Sarah was relieved to hear her name called. After the Final question the girls waited back stage wondering who would be crowned The Queen of Miss Asia USA.
As the girls were called to receive their crowns, Sarah stood standing amongst two other girls. Jennifer Huang Gonzalez representing Taiwan, Fourth Runner up, Natalia DiNatale representing Lebanon, Third Runner Up and then Sarah received Second Runner Up, First Runner Up being Jenny Cho from Korea and Ariana Varela representing the Philippines took home the title for Miss Asia USA.
Sarah is so pleased and honored to represent Sri Lanka in this Cultural Pageant and said, “The moment seems so surreal when you are up on stage, you want to capture the moment before it’s gone. I took a moment while waiting for my name to do exactly that; I took a mental picture of my head, I looked at my parents, family members, the audience and the girls next to me and smiled. I knew that moment would never return. I am so grateful for all I have, I’ve been so blessed to be where I am today and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!”
Sarah now plans on returning to school at the University of California Riverside and also plans on pursuing modeling and continuing to represent Sri Lanka in the best she can, but most of all she says, “I’m most excited to spend time with my family and my close friends, its long overdue!” We wish Sarah all the best in her future endeavors!
India’s Rachna Mamidi
Not to be left behind was India’s Rachna Mamidi. Rachna represented India for the Miss Asia USA 2010 Cultural Beauty Pageant on Saturday August 21st at the La Mirada Performing Arts Theater. She, along with the other 23 delegates, entertained the audience in an opening number wearing sparkling gold cocktail dresses. Rachna was featured front and center. Rachna then stunned the guests and judges in an elaborate and embellished Indian bridal costume. She wore dazzling gold jewelry and white jasmine flowers in her hair to represent a traditional Indian bride. Rachna looked absolutely regal in a beautiful red evening gown that showed off her poise and elegance.
She was selected to be a top 10 finalist and impressed the judges with the eloquence and professionalism with which she answered the top 10 question, “What is your dream job and are you doing that now? Why or why not?” She answered that her dream job is to pursue medicine and specialize in pediatrics; she is currently applying to Medical School. She wishes to become a medical professional because of what she experienced from her travels to rural India with a non-profit called Project RISHI. She observed the conditions from lack of medical care and wanted to have a direct impact on people’s lives. Rachna’s answer resulted in an eruption of applause throughout the whole theater. From this experience, Rachna has grown more aware about the various cultures in Asia and was honored to be given a chance to share her Indian heritage with others.
Virgelia also announced the Queen’s Court for Miss Asia USA 2010 and Mrs. Asia USA 2010 and the winners of the special recognition awards:
What makes this pageant a class of its own is the sheer style and professionalism of Virgelia and her team. Everything worked like a well oiled machine. The event started in time and ran on schedule. The pageant had it all it takes to be a world class international event.
This in total contrast to the Indian pageants held here in So Cal which comparatively mismanaged and notoriously unpunctual. And not to mention contestants being crowned left and right till the audience loses track of who is being crowned for what. It would be a good idea for the organizers of Indian pageants to utilize Virgelia’s expertise and talent.
Miss Asia USA 2010
Jenny Cho / Korea – 1st Runner-up
Sarah Makandura / Sri Lanka – 2nd Runner-up
Natalia DiNatale/ Lebanon – 3rd Runner-up
Jennifer Huang Gonzalez / Taiwan – 4th Runner-up
Mrs. Asia USA 2010
Armine Stepanyan Johnson / India – 1st Runner-up
Theresa Nguyen / Vietnam – 2nd Runner-up
Kim Vorn/ Cambodia – 3rd Runner-up
Angie Yang / Taiwan – 4th Runner Up
Pooja Sharma & JS Bedi
