Meika Gow, 41, from Penang was crowned Mrs Malaysia Global United 2023 and Athena Teh, 39, from Perak grabbed the title of Ms Malaysia Global United 2023 in the Malaysia Global United Pageant (MGUP) final at the Grand Ballroom, The Top, Komtar in Georgetown, Penang on July 1.
Madeline Cho, 47, from Penang bagged the title of Mrs Malaysia Global United 2023 Queen For Kids, and Julie Soon, 47, from Penang was awarded Classic Malaysia Global United 2023.
Meanwhile, Catherine Yeap, 48, from Penang, the Classic Malaysia Global United 2019 champion was appointed to represent Malaysia following an internal selection by Traccie Chan, the founder of Dare 2 Dream Management and pageant director of MGUP.
Organized by Dare 2 Dream Management, the Malaysian edition of the US-based Global United Pageant focuses on empowering women and young girls while raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer issues.
MGUP promotes the Gold Ribbon childhood cancer awareness program in Malaysia through the Light It Up Gold campaign.
Chan stated: “Our competition is different from others and is based on inner beauty and charitable giving, instead of concentrating on outer beauty.
She added, “Catherine Yeap was selected this round due to her contribution to the Light It Up Gold campaign by MGUP. She has been doing great work serving and giving back to the community in her role as Queen for Kids since 2019, after winning the title of Classic Malaysia Global United 2019.”
Meika Gow and Catherine Yeap will represent the country in the 2023 Global United Pageant in Minnesota, USA on July 19-23, 2023.
“I am proud and this is a great honour for me because I will be leading both our Queen for Kids Catherine Yeap and Meika Gow for the global competition with total number of 16 contestants from different countries this year.”
Chan, a beauty pageant title holder for Mrs Global United Lifetime Queen 2017 and Mrs Global United 2016, said she was surprised this year to be selected to compete with other Lifetime Queens in the USA world final.
“Every year, the Global United Pageant will select previous champion Queens with outstanding contributions to be crowned as Lifetime Queen. So, this year there will be returning 17 Lifetime Queens competing as well.”
There were also a host of subsidiary titles and awards presented to the participants such as Best National Costume, Ms Friendship, Most Photogenic, People’s Choice Award, Influencer Award, Best Model and Best Talent.
Chan said that fundraising was an important part of the event.
“This year we have successfully raised RM95,000 which is the best achievement since 2016. Even though we know the current economic uncertainty, we are deeply grateful to the donors and sponsors for the continued generosity.”
The total donation raised will be split, with RM15,000 for Light It Up Gold campaign to support wish fulfillment program, RM70,000 for National Cancer Society of Malaysia, and RM10,000 to Persatuan Dermawan Jishan Bukit Mertajam, an NGO for disadvantaged groups.
Present at the event were Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) CEO Madam Ong Bee Leng, National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) president Dato’ Dr Saunthari Somasundaram and its administration manager Petronilla Joseph, Penang Rose Charities Malaysia chairman Dato’ Lawrence Cheah, Persatuan Dermawan Jishan Bukit Mertajam chairman Loh Tat Sin and Miss Global United Pageant advisor Dato’ Tan Kok Aun.
The National Cancer Society of Malaysia is setting up the very first Homes of Hope in Penang which will provide free accommodation and support services to poor cancer patients who are living outside the state and undergoing treatment at Penang General Hospital.
Winners List:
Champions:
Mrs Malaysia Global United 2023 – Meika Gow
Classic Mrs Global United 2019 – Catherine Yeap
Ms Malaysia Global United 2023 – Athena Teh
Mrs Malaysia Global United 2023 Queen For Kids – Madeline Cho
Classic Malaysia Global United 2023 – Julie Soon
Top Awards:
Popularity Queen – Janice Kong
Charity Queen – Madeline Cho
Best Achievement Award – Daphne Khor
Influencer Award – Athena Teh
Best Model – Janice Kong
Best Talent – Winner Janice Kong
1st Runner up Madeline Cho
2nd Runner up Emily Zheng
3rd Runner up Cherish Goh
4th Runner up Athena Teh
Special Awards:
Most Photogenic Award – Julie Soon
People’s Choice Award – Janice Kong
Subsidiary Titles:
Best Evening Gown – Mpink Lee
Best National Costume – Janice Kong
Ms Congeniality – Xyandra Chong
Ms Elegance – Meika Gow
Ms Beautiful Skin – Emily Zheng
Ms Body Perfect – Jenny Ong
Ms Charming – Amelia Chew
Ms Inspirational – Veny Fong
Ms Most Courages – Dr Mecherl Lim
Ms Friendship – Cherish Goh
Malaysia Global United Pageant 2023 Ambassadors:
1. MGUP 2023 Ambassador – Datin Joyce Teoh
2. MGUP 2023 Goodwill Ambassador – Frennie Tan
3. MGUP 2023 Goodwill Ambassador – Terina Khaw
4. MGUP 2023 Goodwill Ambassador – Kylie Lim
5. MGUP 2023 Charisma Ambassador – Jovin Ooi
6. MGUP 2023 Charity Ambassador – Irene Tan
7. MGUP 2023 Community Service Ambassador – Fong Ying Ying
8. MGUP 2023 Charity Queen – Kiki Tan Kar Yen
9. MGUP 2023 Charity Queen – Evonne Eng Guik Hwa
10.MGUP 2023 Charity Queen – Zesselynne Loke
11.MGUP 2023 Charity Queen – Grace Chong
This article has been updated.
