UK girl represents T&T The reigning Miss T&T/UK Melanie Peterkin-Philip struts her stuff in the streets of Port-of-Spain, the city she represented at the 2010 Miss T&T/UK Pageant hosted by Carivog International in Notting Hill London, in May. Photo: Andre Alexander 4 Nov 2010 Bobie-lee Dixon [1] Holding a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Business and Spanish, a Masters of Science in International Politics and Human Rights, a UN Diploma in Human Rights, and a host of other certificates and achievements, (too much to mention), Melanie Peterkin-Philip, who speaks Spanish fluently, basic Russian, and hopes to add French to her scientific studies of the human language (Linguistics), is the reigning Miss T&T/ UK. Peterkin-Philip who won the competition organised By Carivog International back in May, is currently in Trinidad attending to her ambassadorial duties. A wonderful experience A native of London with Trinidadian parentage, Peterkin-Philip explained that in order to enter the pageant one either had to be born in T&T and living for a number of years well in the UK, or born in the UK but having ties to T&T—Trinidadian parentage. Asked what her experience was like having entered and won her first pageant, Peterkin-Philip said, “It was an enjoyable experience. After spending time with the girls and going through the preparations I immediately expelled any negative notions I ever had about beauty pageants,” she confessed. According to Peterkin-Philip what she admired the most was that all the girls who entered the pageant had to be educated to the level of a degree or higher. She added that because of this it made the competition extremely interesting. ‘I love Port-of-Spain’ As customary, each girl had to undertake the task of delivering on the night, the history and highlights of the area she represented. Peterkin-Philip who represented the capital city of T&T, Port-of-Spain, aced her presentation, a verbal synopsis on the past history, present developments and future prospects for the city. She also won the title of the Miss Elegance. Other categories were swim wear, evening gown and the question and answer segment. The work begins The 29-year-old, who is currently employed with Cognizant Business Consulting (UK), as a consultant specialising in post-merger integration, global shared services, and IT strategies, is ready to fulfil all her ambassadorial duties. “I represent not only the pageant but I also represent Commonwealth events held in the UK. Part of my ambassadorial duties is to also promote the pageant here in T&T,” explained the beauty. Peterkin-Philip will also pay a courtesy visit to the Kids In Need Of Direction (Kind) organisation, a local charity supported by Carivog International. Other appearances she must make includes any functions/events held by the Tourism Development Company (TDC) of T&T. “Back home I must also attend every event that celebrates the culture of T&T in London,” emphasised Peterkin-Philip. The queen offers some words of advice With only ten days left in the beautiful twin island, five of which Peterkin-Philip will spend in Trinidad and five in Tobago, she offered her advice to other young women entering beauty pageants. “Be happy to be a part of something that can propel you into your dreams and goals. Being in this competition taught me so much, including how active T&T actually is in the UK. “Pageants promote confidence and supports good causes. Don’t think of it as just glitz and glamour, because it isn’t. “It is about networking, and it is an opportunity to give back to your community,” declared Peterkin-Philip.