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| Miss El Salvador Sandra Glower Silis, Reina de
la Costa Maya 2000
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| Miss Mexico Valeria Gonzalez, winner of best
cultural costume
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The true beauty of the Costa Maya was
well represented on stage by the participants of the five Mundo Maya countries
competing for the title of Reina de la Costa Maya International. These beauty
ambassadors from their respective countries resembled goddesses as they
illuminated the stage with their grace and charm. Hundreds of locals and
visitors came out to witness the selection of Miss Costa Maya 2000.
The official opening ceremonies commenced with the
acknowledgment of dignitaries by Master of Ceremonies Angel Nuñez. Dignitaries
of the evening included Salvadoran Ambassador to Belize, Licenciado Manuel
Antonio Vasquez and wife; Mayor Alberto Nuñez; Dame Minita Gordon; Miss Costa
Maya 1999/2000 Denisse Zarahid Guzman of Mexico; Minister of Sugar, Industry,
Local Government and Latin American Affairs, Honorable Valdemar Castillo; Area
Representative Patty Arceo and other invited guests. Adding to the splendor of the evening was Mexican soap
opera star Rodrigo Vidal who emceed the pageant with Tina Auxillou of Caye
Caulker. The five contestants, each worthy of the title, displayed great
confidence during the event as they made their presentations in their national
costume, swimsuit, special dance presentation and evening gown. Although all the
participants were winners in the hearts of San Pedro, it was Miss Sandra Glower
Silis of El Salvador who was crowned Miss Costa Maya. Miss Silis is a 19
year-old student studying Judicial Science and was the first runner-up in the
Miss El Salvador Beauty Pageant 2000. Our new Miss Costa Maya 2000 enjoys reading, going to the
movies and being with friends. Miss Salvador also won the title of "Piel
Coppertone" for her lovely skin. Miss Mexico, Valeria de Anda Gonzalez was
awarded the title for best costume depicting the Mayan goddess Ixchel, a costume
designed especially for her by Carlos Magaña of Isla Mujeres. Her costume was
fabricated entirely of coconut material and her verbal presentation emphasized
the importance of the coconut industry to her hometown Isla Mujeres. Miss
Gonzalez is currently Nuestra Belleza Quintana Roo and also hails from a
tropical island like La Isla Bonita. Having much in common with the people of
San Pedro, Valeria felt right at home and displayed an easy confidence on stage,
which earned her the first runner-up title. Festival goers then celebrated the
crowning of Miss Costa Maya 2000 and bid farewell to Miss Costa Maya 1999/2000
Denisse Zarahid Guzman also of Mexico. The difficult task of choosing the winner
fell in the able hands of Senator Barry Bowen; Ms. Yvette Graniel, Miss Costa
Maya Belize 1996; Ms. Maria Otero, Chief Executive Director of the Radisson Fort
George Hotel and Marina; Mr. Carlos Avila, Charge D' Affairs Guatemalan Embassy;
and Mr. Jorge Alvarez, Fashion Photographer for Venus Swimwear.
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| Grupo Do Mayor
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Pageant night was also El Salvador Night, the evening
set aside to enjoy this country's always entertaining cultural dance
performances. Additionally, the Salvadoran delegation made a special
presentation to Costa Maya Festival committee member Wil Alamilla Jr. for the
hospitality he has rendered to their delegation throughout the years. El
Salvador was represented by the festive Cuicali Folkloric Dance Group and Grupo
Do Mayor. The opening night of the Costa Maya Festival was a successful one,
paving the way for four more nights of exciting
entertainment.
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