the Faculty of Education at the National University of Laos wins the university's first Miss Pi Mai Lao beauty pageant. The runner up was Ms Malaithip Singsathanath (left) from the Faculty of Science, and third place went to Ms Touly Sonsaksith from the Centre for Environment and Development Study. The young women were selected from 12 finalists at the final round of the pageant on Wednesday.
The National University of Laos hall at Dongdok echoed to the thunderous sound of drums, symbols, cheers and screams on Wednesday night at the final of the university's Miss Pi Mai Lao beauty pageant.
The event was held to choose the most attractive young women to ride on a float depicting the animal that represents the coming new year; next year will be the year of the rat in the Buddhist calendar.
One representative from each of the twelve faculties was selected last week to compete in the final.
Ms Manosy Baovankham, 21, a fourth year student in the Faculty of Education, was selected as the winner.
Ms Malaithip Singsathanath, 21, a fourth year student from the Faculty of Science, was runner up. Ms Touly Sonsaksith, 18, a second year student at the Centre for Environment and Development Studies took third place.
Ms Manosy's prizes included an educational fund worth 2 million kip, the latest motorbike model from Kolao, and 500,000 kip of telephone credit from the Lao Telecommunication Company.
Based on her good looks and the confidence she displayed in answering the judges' questions, she was also awarded the public vote prize of 1 million kip.
“I'm so excited and proud. I never thought I would be chosen as the winner of both categories. I'm particularly proud because this is the first year the contest has been held,” Ms Manosy said.
She believes the loud cheers she received from the crowd helped her win the pageant, along with her performance of traditional dance.
“Another reason I won might be because I was lucky in getting such an easy question, which was about the number of days in the Pi Mai Lao holiday and the meaning of each day. I answered the judges confidentially and correctly,” Ms Manosy said.
The event was attended by the Vice President of the National University of Laos, Associate Professor Lammay Phiphakkhavong, teachers, students and family members.
During the contest there were also performances of traditional songs and dances by students from each faculty.
“I'm very happy because tomorrow morning I and the runners-up will ride on a float made of flowers. The float will be part of a procession circling the university's President Building three times, and will be followed by traditional New Year celebrations,” said Ms Manosy.
