In its 16th year, the international Costa Maya Festival, San Pedro's annual showcase event is going stronger than ever. And last night, it started with a bang, as a Belizean won the Reina de La Costa Maya Pageant. Ms. Belize Maria Jeffrey bested queens from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, Mexico and El Salvador. With assistance from our colleagues at the San Pedro Sun and Reef Radio, here's Maria's crowning moment.
Kainie Manuel, San Pedro Sun
"How did it feel last night when the girls are standing there and they go, 'its Miss Belize.'?
Maria Jeffrey, Miss Costa Maya
"I was just standing there hoping and hoping and trying not to think too much in my brain and they are calling the names and I was just speechless, speechless. I am still speechless right now."
Kainie Manuel,
"How did it feel to keep it in the country?
Maria Jeffrey,
"It feels great because this is like an international pageant so we are competing against various countries so to actually keep the crown in our own country, it is the best feeling in the world, the best feel I have had.
It was really great. All the girls are so friendly. We got along well, like if we knew each other from a long time. And the language barrier..."
Kainie Manuel,
"You don't speak Spanish and they don't speak English."
Maria Jeffrey,
"Yes and it didn't seem to affect, I did my lil bruk up Spanish and they laughed at me and corrected me but it was really good. I enjoyed it."
Miss Mexico, Isis Barrera, placed 2nd while Miss Nicaragua Daniela Lacayo Segueria placed third. It's only the second time a Belizean has won the pageant.