James BryceTHE rock is set to crown its 50th Miss Gibraltar this year.
The contest, which has grown over the years, has now become one of the social highlights of the year, particular after the 2009 winner Kaiane Aldorino went on to win Miss World.
The very first Miss Gibraltar pageant was actually held in 1959, and was won by Viola Abudarham. However, the competition did not resume until 1964.
This year, nine contestants will be competing for the title and will take over the reign from the 2011 winner Michelle Gillingwater Pedersen, whose mother Louise was coincidentally Miss Gibraltar in 1982.
In a special anniversary show, being held at St Michael’s Cave in April, the Ministry of Culture is organising an appearance of past Miss Gibraltars.
“It will be a very special night,” said a spokesman.
Meanwhile Gail Francis Tiron, Miss Gibraltar in 1985, has written a book about her experience to raise money for local charity Calpe House.
She said: “Miss Gibraltar is important here. And it was one of the greatest moments of my life.”
World leader, but down-to-earth
THE world looked on with amazement when the tiny enclave of Gibraltar produced a Miss World in 2009.
And the truth is you could not expect to find a more down-to-earth, well adjusted girl than Kaiane Aldorino, 24.
Now back in Gibraltar after her year travelling the globe, she told the Olive Press how happy she is to be home.
The hospital administrator said: “I love coming back to live a normal life again.”
The bilingual beauty spent the whole of 2010 travelling around the world in the role, visiting countries including Korea, Japan and Brunei.
She is still amazed at the 15,000 people who turned up to her victory parade in December.
“There were more people on the streets than even National Day. It really took me by surprise,” she said.
Come on girls, slap your meat on the counter, let’s have a butchers! Pathetic parade of pulchritude.