IPOH: A 12-year hiatus from the pageant world didn’t stop Celine Phong Sze Ling from making Malaysia proud after being crowned as the Tourism category winner at the Mrs Asia International 2023 event.
The competition held in Thailand in early December saw Phong defeat 23 other participants in the category.
“After winning the Miss International Malaysia in 2011, I took a break and married. I am blessed with two daughters, four and six years old.
“It took me a few months to prepare for the Mrs Asia International. I learned how to dance a traditional Chinese dance from YouTube, and then performed it at the competition,” she told reporters at V-Life Cafe, here Friday (Dec 15)
Unlike other beauty pageants, Mrs Asia International’s contestants are women who are married or single mothers. It has two categories, namely those below 45 and the classic category for those above 45.
Phong said she decided to join the competition after strong support from her family.
“My husband has been supportive from day one. He knows this is my dream, so I am happy he understands.
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“My daughters were also excited to see their mom on stage. Both of them have shown interest in joining pageants, and I will definitely support them,” said the beauty queen, who also works as a traditional Chinese medicine therapist.
The Ipoh-born beauty hopes her win will inspire others to pursue their dreams.
“Mrs Asia International is about empowering women, and I believe in that.
“Women should always pursue their dreams and go after what they want in life. Being independent, strong and confident is what all women should be,” she said.
The competition also saw another Malaysian representative, Chris Koh, awarded the first runner-up for the Mrs Asia International Classic category.
Participants from Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore, among others, were also represented at the event.