The 21-year-old French-Filipina beauty who represented Negros Occidental was crowned Miss World Philippines at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City in the early hours of Monday, June 6.
Gwendolyne Fourniol bested 35 other aspirants for the title.
She previously joined the Miss World Philippines 2021 pageant representing Himamaylan City where she made it to the Top 15.
Gwendolyne is the daughter of Simfrosa Bolivar Fournial who lived in Kabankalan City but is a member of the Bolivar-Jaruda clan of Himamaylan City, and her father is Thierry Fourniol of France, her aunt Rita Lamayo Balisnomo said.
Mayor Raymund Tongson congratulated Gwendolyne in behalf of the people of Himamaylan for being crowned Miss World Philippines 2022.
“You truly deserve this win, Gwen. May your hardwork and commitment during your entire Miss World journey continue to inspire people. You have represented our beloved city, our province and all the Negrosanons well. Basta Himamaylanon, gwapahon”, the mayor said.
“As an advocate of education, I do agree that during the pandemic we have suffered the most, but the children who have a lack of access to education have suffered the greatest.
“And working hand in hand with ERDA Foundation who empowered the marginalized Filipino, I believe by uniting benefactors and encouraging children and allowing them to go back to school especially during this pandemic will make this world a better place because education is the greatest weapon against poverty,” Gwendolyne said in answer to a question during the pageant.
Her mother was a former beneficiary of the ERDA (Educational Research and Development Assistance) Foundation, which sends underprivileged children to school.
She obtained a degree in Psychology from the Philippine Women’s University and worked as a house helper in Luxembourg where she met her husband.
“If it were not for ERDA, I wouldn’t exist, and my mother would still be living in poverty in Negros,” Gwendolyne said.
Gwendolyne was born and raised in France and moved to the Philippines when she was 18. She studied Economics and Modern Languages in England, and can speak Tagalog, French, and English fluently.
Gwendolyne works with ERDA Foundation.
Among the judges at the Miss World Philippines tilt was Negrense Harold Geronimo, Megaworld’s senior assistant vice president.*