Filipina beauty is Miss US International 2009
Joekerr
http://goodnewspilipinas.com/?p=7058
The Filipino-American daughter of a couple from Cagayan de Oro and
Misamis Oriental has been crowned Miss United States International
2009.
Aileen Jan “A.J.” Valdehueza-Yap won the title at the Stafford
Conference Centre in Houston, Texas and will represent the US in the
49th Miss International pageant to be held at the Venetian Macao
Resort in Macau, China on November 7, 2009.
A.J. is the daughter of Dr. Romeo “Boy” Sy Yap of Cagayan de Oro City
and Virgincita “Geget” Bautista Valdehueza Yap of Balingasag, Misamis
Oriental. She is the younger of two siblings and has an older brother
Nathan.
“We are just so fortunate that the Lord granted us this wonderful
gift,” proud Dad Boy Yap said in an email interview from Texas. “ Saba
kaayo ang auditorium,kay daghan kaayo sa among barkada ang nitambong.
I was one proud father to see our daughter being crowned. For the
family it is a very “crowning moment.”
Aileen Jan Yap
Aileen with her dad Dr. Romeo
“Boy” Sy Yap and mom Virginia
“Geget” Bautista Valdehueza-Yap.
[Danny Pozon]
A.J. also swept the preliminary competitions by winning both the “Best
in Swimsuit” and “Best in Evening Gown” awards.
Among the six judges were reigning Mrs. America Maureen McDonald and
former Miss Universe Chelsi Smith.
Ms. Wyoming Keri Shar was chosen fourth runner up; Ms. California
Kristy Davis, third runner up; Ms. Michigan Shawna Vale, second runner
up and Ms. Florida Lees Darayanne Garcia, first runner up.
A.J. is a junior at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas
majoring in biology. Her father Boy is a psychiatrist and Mom Geget is
a nurse by profession and Director and Owner of Virginia’s Lakeview
Personal Care Home in Texas, USA.
She graduated as the Most Outstanding Student at the Sacred Heart
School in Conroe, Texas and went on to graduate Summa cum Laude at
Willis High School.
Aileen Jan Yap
Miss US International 2009 Aileen Jan Yap with her court. [Danny
Pozon]
AJ wants to pursue a career in pediatrics. “I’ve always wanted to be a
doctor, seeing how my parents can help someone else’s life and also
seeing how rewarding it is to be able to help someone in need,” she
said. “I want to specialize in pediatrics because I love kids, being
the second youngest cousin, I have a lot of nieces and nephews and
being around them help me decide how much I really enjoy being around
children.”
Miss International is the fourth largest beauty pageant in the world.
Around 70 contestants from all over the globe are expected to join the
49th edition of the pageant at the Venetian Macau Resort on November
7, 2009. Alejandra Andreu of Spain will crown her successor at the end
of the event