Miss Malaysia Universe

Finalists shape up for the big day
By CHOONG MEK ZHIN

MENTION the phrase “beauty pageant”, and images of beautiful women with even hotter silhouettes spring to mind. Thus, with this in mind, the finalists of the Miss Malaysia Universe 2008 descended en masse on a local fitness centre for some exercise to tone up their figures.

Miss Sabah Cassey V. Pilos, 21, said she had an exercise regime back home in Tawau.

“I go jogging thrice a week and try to visit the gym as often as I can. Getting to exercise with the girls now is really fun.”

Popular: The treadmill is a big hit with the finalists as they get to watch television while exercising.

The Kadazan lass, who is an accountant, never imagined she would win the state pageant and is thankful that she has been given the opportunity to compete for the title that she believes will open a lot of doors for her.

Thirteen of the 14 finalists spent the whole morning in a personal training session and body combat class conducted by Celebrity Fitness.

Celebrity Fitness marketing manager Michael Andreas said as the official fitness club for the pageant, access to the gym was given to them to help them prepare for their big day.

“We chose the body combat class for them because it's an empowering cardio workout that will help increase their metabolism and energy,” Andreas said.

This is the first time the gym is sponsoring the beauty pageant.

Andreas added that Miss Malacca Jezamine Lim was unable to make it because she had to sit for her final exams in college.

The tallest contestant, Jean Thor Jean Nee, 23, representing the Federal Territory, believes that winning is not the important thing in such a pageant.

Raring to go: The finalists are all smiles and feeling positive before the start of the workout.

“It's the polish we get that's most important. The experience counts a lot. I'm glad that I finally got to learn how to use gym equipment properly,” Thor said, adding that “to be happy is to be beautiful”.

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