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Miss Mermaid Philippines Kayla Marie Partoza Talusan won the Miss Mermaid Asia title, besting 35 other contestants in Hurghada, Egypt recently.
But first: Yes there is a Miss Mermaid International pageant. A dude named William A. Balser founded the pageant in 2007 in Germany. It’s almost comparable to cosplay where participants live out a fantasy and dress in character, except Miss Mermaid International is on a different level all together.
Apart from being super specific to the mythical creature of the sea, participating mermaids will have to compete against each other.
Contestants are judged in six categories: Face, figure, interview, creativity, long-distance diving and well, mermaid posing under water.
According to Manila Bulletin, it was no less than Ovette Ricalde, the national director of Miss Mermaid International Philippines who handpicked the 23-year-old Talusan for the contest.
Apparently, Talusan dreamed of becoming a mermaid when she was younger. For the contest the culinary arts and business information management student, wore a R600,000 all-silicon mermaid’s tail. Her national costume and evening gowns were made by Francis Libiran no less.
So okay, how do you say congratulations in mermaid speak?
