Miss Mexico, Natalia Villanueva, proved to have what it takes and proudly represented her country to bring a two peat grab of the Costa Maya Crown at this year’s Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant that took place on Thursday, August 2, 2012, at the commencement of the International Costa Maya Festival in San Pedro, Belize
It was another fantastic show of pageantry and display of cultural elegance as eight delegates from across Central America and Mexico battled it out for the coveted Miss Costa Maya crown. This year’s cultural costume presentation was probably one of the best in years as all the delegates presented spectacular costumes that totally awed the crowd. Among the best were that of Miss Belize, Miss Nicaragua and Miss Guatemala, but it was Miss Panama who was given the award for the best Cultural Costume.
The pageant continued with the swimsuit competition in which the contestants were judged for their physical fitness and overall look in their swimwear. The evening gown and question and answer segment was where the judges separated the winners from the group.
At the end of an exciting pageant filled with elegance, beauty and entertainment, Miss Costa Rica took third place, Miss Panama placed second and Miss Mexico took the crown for the second year in a row. Mexico once again claims the most wins at the Costa Maya Pageant with six titles. Guatemala is close behind with 5 title wins. Panama is the only country without the Miss Costa Maya title with just five years participating in the pageant, but it seems they are getting closer to the crown each year they participate. Belize is the only other country with more than one win with a count of two.
Entertainment between pageant segments was excellent with a highlight performance rendered by the Ballet de Camara de Quintana Roo that awed the audience with a performance that can only be compared to something out of Disney’s Fantasia. It was an impressive display of modern dance and ballet wrapped up into a storytelling performance. Other performances included the modern break dancing act of Belize’s Nu Generation Dance Company, the sweet voice of nine-year old Belizean singing sensation Jael August and the super powerful voice of San Pedro’s Natalie Arceo who gave rendition to two of her original songs.
The event was broadcast live on Belize City’s Channel 5 with Open Your Eyes morning show hosts Marlenie Cuellar and William Neal covering the event for viewers in the mainland. Island residents and visitors to Ambergris Caye had to be at the festival grounds to have enjoyed the spectacular pageant. Hosting the pageant was Eiden Salazar Jr. of Reef Radio and Jennifer Chiong, Miss Costa Maya 2008 from Guatemala.
