BOUTSABA Sengpan, Miss Laos 2016, is happy and proud of winning the title and the role of a cultural ambassador who will take part in cultural and social activities throughout Laos and in foreign countries.

She is also pleased on winning the awards, which are worth about 400 million kip, including a crown worth 35 million kip, sash, 30m kip in cash, a Hyundai Accent Blue worth 190m kip and other prizes.

Sengpan, 18, said the role associated with Miss Laos will give her a better life because she has become very well known among members of the public, entertainment companies and magazine producers.

She wisely used the awards she has gained such as mainly using the money for her studies, gave some to her parents, donated for public funds, and kept the rest for her future.

It was not easy for her to win the contest because she had to compete with another 19 contestants who were also beautiful and possessed many talents and skills.

However, she had tried her best in all steps and followed the rules well. The contest progressed and she was finally announced as the winner, making her very happy and proud after all.

Boutsaba is single and friendly. She comes from a normal family in Xayaboury province and is currently in her second year at the University of Health Sciences in Vientiane.

Besides the Miss Laos 2016 title, she won two other awards — Most Popular with Photographers and Miss Charming.

Before winning Miss Laos 2016, she won a provincial beauty contest held as part of Xayaboury’s annual elephant festival last year.

Born on June 3, 1998, in Namtuan village, Xayaboury district and province, she attended primary and secondary school in her hometown before relocating to Vientiane to go to university.

In the future, she hopes to compete on a bigger stage at the regional or international level. She will try her best if there is a chance. She would also like to be a nurse, which is what she is currently studying towards at university.

As Miss Laos, she is working on her role as a cultural ambassador by taking part in cultural and social activities in Laos and foreign countries.

Boutsaba said she is very proud to be Miss Laos because it is an honourable and important title.

“I am really happy and proud about it. This was my dream since I was a kid. I was so excited when I was announced as the winner. During the contest, I expected to win but I was not sure because there were many contestants who all were qualified.

“However I tried my best, and finally my dream became true. I am also happy and proud of my role as a cultural ambassador presenting Lao culture to foreign countries and working at cultural events and activities around Laos,” she added.

Vice President of TV Lao, and also an organising member, Ms Outhonethip Souvannavong said Boutsaba had tried her best in all steps of the contest and she followed the rules well so was consequently announced as the winner.

“In fact, all the contestants were beautiful and qualified but Boutsaba was the most outstanding and was chosen by the judging panel. I would like to congratulate her on the title and wish her every success.”

“The Miss Laos contest is an official project to encourage young people to preserve Lao culture and support young women to show their beauty, character, knowledge, and special talents.

“It is a really important, meaningful and interesting event. So, I would like to ask all confident girls to take part in next year’s contest,” she urged.

The Miss Laos title is seen as a badge of honour for Lao women nationwide and is something coveted by every woman. The event is also seen as a stepping stone to the day when the contest winner represents Laos on the regional and international stages.

The winner will be a cultural ambassador during visits to foreign countries. She will also take part in cultural events and activities around the country that benefit society at large. She will carry out her duties for one year.

This year the project was organised by the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union and TVLao and supported by various sponsors.

The 2016 contest was different from previous years. It was more colourful and interesting because there were more activities alongside the event, and significantly the crown is more elaborate and expensive than last year’s.

The final round took place on Oct 8, and the 20 contestants were chosen from the semi-final round nationwide.

The 20 contestants this year consisted of eight from Vientiane; three from Champassak; two from Xayaboury; and one each from Oudomxay, Huaphan, Xieng Khuang, Luang Prabang; Khammuan, Savannakhet and Attapeu provinces.— Vientiane Times

Published in Dawn November 30th, 2016