Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Karol Castillo Pinillos, a native of the northern region of Trujillo, is already in HCM City, Vietnam and preparing for this year's Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant.

It has been reported that Karol is off to a good start at this 51st edition of the beauty pageant.

The 18-year-old Peruvian university student was chosen along with nine other candidates from amongst representatives from 80 countries for having the best traditional costume.

The host city, the Miss Universe Organization and the Universe Corporation have announced that preparations are ready for the final round of the pageant, which is to be held on July 14 in Nha Trang City.

Karol is scheduled to take part in activities in major cities throughout Vietnam.

Galas, parades, visits to charity organizations, and a national gift auction are just some of the events the Peruvian psychology student will be a part of.

The new Miss Peru Universe, who has long black hair and is just under 6 feet tall, won the crown in the Andean country after she captivated a panel of judges in May at what used to be the Hacienda Villa, located in Chorrillos, a seaside Lima district.

After the pageant, the new beauty queen stated she did not think she would win the crown and dedicated her victory to the city of Trujillo.