JONAVIE QUIRAY IS RELIEVED that there is no swimsuit competition in the Miss Tourism International pageant, but more pressing issues concern her.

Aside from the task of bringing back the crown to the country, the 2008 Mutya ng Pilipinas-International titleholder will also have to quell negative reports about the Philippines as she competes in the Malaysia-based tilt.

Since the pageant is tourism-focused, Jonavie said she will promote the Philippines as a peaceful place. ?I will tell everyone that only certain areas, particularly Maguindanao, are affected by recent incidents of violence.?

The 23-year-old native of Palawan told the Inquirer during her sendoff lunch at the Banana Leaf Curry House in The Podium, Ortigas Center: ?I will invite people to visit various destinations in the Philippines, among them the underground river in Puerto Princesa City, which is now considered one of the seven wonders of nature.?

Because Malaysia is a Muslim country, the oft-awaited swimsuit parade featured in other pageants is not a part of Miss Tourism International. Jonavie jested, ?I don?t have to watch my diet that much.?

Peachy Manzano won the title for the country in 2000. Last year?s representative, Jam Libatog, made it to the semifinals. Jam and Jonavie competed in the 2008 Mutya finals held in Puerto Princesa City. Jam was proclaimed Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism.

Good and ready
?I didn?t expect I?d also get a chance to compete internationally,? confessed Jonavie, an architecture student at the Palawan State University. (The Mutya organizers decided to send her because she was not able to compete internationally during her reign. One of the recent winners, Jacqueline Schubert, was sent to the 2009 Miss Intercontinental pageant. Jane Banares, the other 2009 national winner, has not receive an international assignment.)

Jonavie was informed about the Malaysia title only after she relinquished her title ? in the 2009 Mutya finals held August in Aurora province.

?I have been preparing myself emotionally, mentally and physically since my coronation last year,? said Jonavie, by way of declaring her readiness for the big league.

The Mutya pageant was her first beauty contest. She hopes to duplicate the feat in her first international competition.

Jonavie left last week for Malaysia, where she is expected to compete against 45 others. Coronation night is Dec. 31.