Thursday, July 3 2008

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Anya and other delegates during one of their many public appearances....

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THIS COUNTRY’S delegate to the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant, Anya Ayoung-Chee, has been getting favourable ratings in online polls. She is in the top three in a People’s Choice poll on one pageant site and also has a strong showing on other sites.

With excitement building ahead of the big event in Vietnam on July 14, fans of the TT beauty are now caught up in a campaign to win her even more online votes.

One local fan, Ian Royer, of Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi, was able to speak to Anya in Vietnam recently and shared with her the good news of her high placings in the online polls.

In an e-mail which has been circulating locally this week, Royer reported that Anya’s response was as follows: “Wow, I can’t believe that I am leading. It is so hard to tell what’s going on here because information is secular and our schedules are very packed.

“I really want to so say that the support from everyone is overwhelming and very touching! It gives me a lot of motivation to perform the best that I can to represent my country and my people! Thank you all so much again, you have no idea just how much it means to me.”

So far, Anya has visited three cities in Vietnam—Hanoi the capital, Ho Chi Minh City and Hué. She described the experience as unforgettable and said she was in awe of the unique culture and the people of Vietnam.

This country has had strong showings in the Miss Universe Pageant over the years. In 1977, Janelle Commissiong became the first black Miss Universe. Wendy Fitzwilliam won the crown in 1998, in Hawaii.

The pageant will be held at the Crown Convention Centre (Diamond Bay Resort) in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on July 14 when outgoing titleholder Riyo Mori will crown her successor.

Anya is among 80 contestants vying for the title.