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| Mauricio and the Reina de la Costa Maya
contestants and 1998-1999 Queen Astrid Ramirez
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Preliminaries:
Mauricio Islas was invited to San Pedro to host the festival's opening night
when the pageant takes place.
The San
Pedro Sun caught up with him later in the evening at the Holiday Hotel
before his dinner engagement with the contestants of the Costa Maya Pageant. After several moments of pleasantries, we
asked if he would mind us taking some photos of him and the Reina de la
Costa Maya contestants for the newspaper, which he readily agreed to. To
show the popularity of this international superstar, when he stood for his
photo shoot with the San Pedro Sun, the rest of the crowd went wild. The
crowd lined up behind with flashbulbs going off left and right as they vied
to get a photo of him for their own personal files. On Monday, August
16th, coincidentally Mauricio's birthday, he spent time relaxing at his
hotel and visiting sites around the island. In the evening, a special
birthday dinner was enjoyed with some new acquaintances at Elvi's Kitchen.
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| Vanya Vasquez of Belize who won
"Piel Coppertone."
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On Tuesday, a special breakfast took place at Micky's Place in honor of
the superstar. This breakfast, given by Hon. Patty Arceo and his Worship
Mayor Alberto Nuñez, hosted invited guests Eileen Jamison and Felix Ayuso
of the San Pedro Sun, Mauricio's entourage and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hess of
the United States. During breakfast, Mauricio commented on the great island
atmosphere and the friendliness of its people. He said that the warmth he
has felt is overwhelming.
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| First Runner-up in the pageant from El Salvador
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Unfortunately, the first night was rained out
and had to be cancelled until Wednesday, August 18th. Mauricio, who was
scheduled to leave for Miami on this date, was gracious enough to
re-arrange his schedule to fit the Costa Maya program. Mauricio's co-host
for the evening was lovely Mrs. Wilema Alamilla Gonzalez, a former Miss San
Pedro. The judges for the evening were Mariam Roberson from Belize, Carlos
Morales from Guatemala, Fabiola Rodriguez from Venezuela, Peirro Vasquez
from Grupo TACA and Janet Woollam from Canada.
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| Costa Maya Queen
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On Wednesday, Guatemala
Night, thousands witnessed the crowning of 1999 Costa Maya Queen, Miss
Denisse Zarahid Guzman of Mexico. The pageant surpassed the audiences'
expectations as the contestants proudly represented their country's names
with dignity and pride.
During the evening the beauty contestants displayed
their finest as they made their presentations in their national costume,
swimsuit and evening gown. The pageant was highlighted by the presence of
Mexican actor Mauricio Islas, who conducted the pageant. Acting as
co-hostess was San Pedro's own beauty, Mrs. Wilema Alamilla Gonzalez.
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| Pageant Hosts Mauricio Islas and Mrs. Wilema Alamilla Gonzalez
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| Best Costume winner from the pageant from
Guatemala with Mauricio
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Costa Maya Festival Home | Costa Maya 99 Opening | Salvador Night |Guatemala Night | Honduras Night
Mexico Night | Belize Night | Open Day | La Reina de la Costa Maya
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