MANILA, Philippines - The Miss Teen Philippines International pageant is going places.

Now in its fifth year, the contest will stage its coronation night on May 31 in Davao City?culminating a 10-day caravan in which 30 candidates will tour Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Balingoan and Bukidnon.

Last year?s tilt attracted only 20 aspirants. The finals night was held at the AFP Theater in Quezon City.

The 2007 winners have been expanding their personal horizons as well. Some went to Europe and Southeast Asian cities as part of the prize package. Outgoing queen Maxine Monasterio went to Spain last year for an exposure and educational trip.

No swimsuits

The pageant sets itself apart from other beauty contests if only because it does not require candidates to parade in bikinis or swimsuits. Instead it has a ?fun wear? segment, with the girls in athletic outfits.

More importantly, unlike other competitions, Miss Teen Philippines puts more weight on a candidate?s brains and communication skills than on physical beauty. The winner is expected to possess wit and intelligence, since she will serve as a spokesperson for the advocacies of pageant organizers Yes! Environment, a non-government organization, and LiteSpeed Events.

Previous queens toured the Philippines and engaged the youth in discussions about good grooming, deportment, reproductive health, sexual well-being, and environmental protection.

This year?s competition seeks to gather ?youth ambassadors of eco-tourism? and educate them in the country?s ecological resources. The winner is expected to promote domestic eco-tourism throughout her reign.

Monasterio is a good example of the pageant?s ideals. In a phone interview with Inquirer Entertainment, the 17-year-old titleholder shared insights on life as a teenager.

The psychology freshman at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City said her life changed after winning last year. ?I wouldn?t say I?m more famous. It?s just that people recognize me more now. I?ve also become more aware of the things happening around me,? she said. ?Before, I was just like a regular teenager. Now I?m part of a bigger society.?

The most memorable part of her reign, she said, was her school tour in Cagayan de Oro City, where she talked about good grooming and the environment. ?I felt that I?ve done my part as a teenager, that I?ve contributed something to society.?

Yes! Environment and LiteSpeed have already searched Bacolod, Davao and Pampanga for Monasterio?s possible successor. They will screen aspirants in Bicol and Dumaguete today; Laguna on April 16; Baguio on April 22; Cagayan de Oro on May 4; Cebu on May 10; and Metro Manila on April 14-21. They will also select representatives from Filipino communities abroad.

Monasterio shared this incentive to those wishing to inherit her title: ?Miss Teen Philippines is not an ordinary contest. It will give you the chance to meet a lot of people and fulfill your role as part of the youth.?

College scholarship

The candidates will fly to the event venues via the official carrier, Air Philippines. They will receive fun wear from Planet Sports and shoes from official footwear Styletto. All 30 delegates will stay at the pageant?s official residence, the Marco Polo Davao.

The winner will receive P100,000 in cash, a four-year college scholarship, sponsorship in international youth-related conventions courtesy of the Institute for Foreign Studies, enrollment in a personality development program at the Dale Carnegie Training and other gifts.

The Miss Teen Philippines International coronation night will be held at the CAP Auditorium in Davao City on May 31. Studio 23 airs the pageant on June 8. For inquiries, call the pageant secretariat at 6723876 and 6723904 or log on to www.missteenphils.com

(E-mail aadina@inquirer.com.ph)