Guatemala now has a “1-Up” on Mexico after Gabriela Asturias, Miss Guatemala, won the 15th edition of the beauty contest Reina de la Costa Maya held on Thursday, August 5, breaking the 4-4 tie both countries had on pageant wins!
Pageant night was the biggest draw of all the festival nights this year as it has proven to become a powerhouse pageant with eight beautiful contestants from around the region, packing excellent entertainment and wonderful surprises. The event was broadcasted live on Belize City’s Channel 5 and is available online.
The Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant kicked off the 19th annual Costa Maya Festival 2010. In a pageant to remember, Miss Guatemala took the stage along with the seven other contestants, all of them dazzling the crowd and judges with their grace, elegance, charm and intelligence. It was Miss Guatemala who impressed the judges the most with her fluent answers and stunning presence on stage as she also garnered the title of Best Cultural Costume.
In the opening dance, the eight contestants appeared on stage with colorful umbrellas on hand as they danced to Caribbean rhythms lead by songstress Natalie Arceo of San Pedro, Belize. The pageant continued with the parade of cultural costumes, the swimsuit competition and the display of evening gowns. In between segments entertainment was provided by Barbara’s Dance Group, singing performances by Kellie Cadogan (of Barbados) and Tricia, Denis and Clyve of Belize.
Taking second place was Miss Nicaragua Claudia Gadea and Miss Panama Yosibell Sanchez finished strong in third place. Panama is the only country without the Miss Costa Maya title with just three years participating in the pageant and Belize is the only other country with more than one win with a count of two. Miss Reina de la Costa Maya 2009 Maritza Rivas of Nicaragua was on hand to crown the new Miss Reina de la Costa Maya 2010, Gabriela Asturias.
