Fil-Am Canadian Audrey Estrada-Ronquillo, niece of Mrs. Richelda Quero Estrada- Valdez of Agoo Computer College/Philippines, http://www.agoocomputercollege.blogspot.com http://www.richelda.blogspot.com,
Miss Audrey Estrada Ronquillo-placed first-runner up in the 2008 Miss LA Galaxy competition. Julie Kristene Bornemann won the award to be the official spokesperson for the 2008 LA Galaxy soccer team.
In one of the closest competitions to become the right hand lady of international soccer super star David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy Soccer team, Filipino-American Canadien Audrey Estrada- Ronquillo placed first runner up in the team's 2008 Miss LA Galaxy competition.
The crowning took place during halftime of the Galaxy vs. FC Toronto game last October 13 at the Home Depot Center. Four finalists walked in mid-field before the stadium announcer declared the winner.
A Fashion Institute of Designer Merchandise (FIDM) student, Julie Kristine bested the 26-year-old Ronquillo, who won the Fans Choice Award earlier in the evening.
Kristine will be the official 2008 spokesperson for the LA Galaxy soccer team, receiving a $1,000 prize and a one-year supply of CoverGirl makeup.
As first runner-up, Ronquillo also received prizes and will be a part of the Miss LA Galaxy Court.
“It’s absolutely an honor and a dream come true to be standing here in the stadium with thousands of people,” said Ronquillo after the crowning. “I don’t know what to say. This moment is ineffable. I don’t think I could have been a loser tonight.”
Ms. LA Galaxy Program Director Charity B. Shilkret said this was by far the closest decision the judges ever had to make.
“This year’s competition was the most competitive,” said Shilkret. “We had the most amount of entries and had over 20,000 online voters compared to 8,000 last year.”
The winner was chosen based on poise, confidence, public speaking abilities and academic success, according to Shilkret.
For the past six weeks, Ronquillo beat out a competitive pool of 80 applicants to become one of the 10 finalists. She became the first ever Filipina to make it to the finals.
Before the crowning, the ten finalists had to strut their stuff, competing in various events including LA Galaxy soccer trivia, sportswear, on-the-spot interviews and evening wear.
Graduating summa cum laude and Communication Studies' valedictorian from Loyola Marymount University, Ronquillo felt she would be the right person for the job as Galaxy spokesperson. She is also an elementary school teacher and plans to pursue a career in broadcasting.
“Being Filipino, Chinese, American and Canadian, I wanted to bring an international flavor to the LA Galaxy soccer team, something that [Galaxy President] Alexi Lalas wanted,” added Ronquillo.
Audrey’s father Romeo Ronquillo, mother, grandmother, uncle and brother attended the event to show their support.
“We’re very proud [of her] just being in the competition,” said Romeo. “We feel that she is already a winner. Whether she wins or loses, she’s a winner to us.” (AJ)
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