India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: This year's Miss Asia USA fashion show was held at the historic Millennium Biltmore hotel located at South Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. The spectacular event took place in the elegant Emerald Room, with its towering stone pillars and beautifully painted murals. It was the perfect setting for a fantastic fashion event.

Kicking off the 20th year in Miss Asia USA pageant history, with a bang, is not unusual for Virgelia Vilegas, host and President of Virgelia Productions, Inc. As Virgelia took stage, dressed in a beautiful black sequenced pant suit, she audaciously introduced the Miss Asia USA pageant as a "cultural-beauty event." She went on to say that the Miss Asia USA pageant promotes the recognition of young Asian women's culture, ethnicity, beauty, etiquette, poise, intelligence and dedication. Most of all, it is a preparatory event that aims to enhance social skills and confidence of its participants so that they can lead better lives. As applause echoed through the room, Virgelia introduced the participants of the fashion event as "this year's 2008 delegates".

The delegates entered the stage and paraded their colorful and intricately designed national costumes down the catwalk until they reached the mike, where they confidently welcomed guests and introduced themselves by stating their age and name.

A minute of silence paid tribute to the memory of those killed in the Burma cyclone, China earthquake and the multiple bombings in the Indian city of Jaipur. The show contained three main segments in which the delegates were judged: National costume, evening gown/ware and sensual swimsuits. Scala, Shari Hill and Malibu dream girl provided clothing for the evening and swimsuit segments respectively.

To entertain guests during intermissions were singing and dancing performances, including a spectacular Bollywood dance segment by former Miss Asia USA 2007 runner up, Shilpa Mamidi. Over 28 delegates represented countries from the Asian continent, among the participating countries were: India, China, Sri Lanka, Armenia, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Laos, Cambodia, Jordan, Burma, Malaysia, Israel and Thailand. Sri Lanka's delegate, Manuri Ranassinghe, stated that she was delighted to be part of such an amazing event. For her the pageant, although challenging, was not a personal goal but more a community goal.

For Manuri, sharing and learning about the diversity and similarities among Asian women is what builds communities. India's delegate Neha Goradia was equally delighted to have the honor of participating in the pageant.

For Neha, her greatest challenge was getting into the habit of meeting with her personal trainer and always looking her best. Her goals are to make life long connections and to boost her social skills. The delegates brought forth immense confidence, poise and national representation; it was a truly enjoyable afternoon.