MISS Guyana Universe Odessa Philips has promised the Guyanese public a 'glazy' performance when she enters Quito, Ecuador on June 1 for the international pageant.
Twenty-one-year-old Odessa spoke yesterday at a luncheon with the media at Water Chris Hotel - her final appearance before she departs Guyana next Wednesday.
The Guyanese beauty, who looked stunning in a sky blue halter back dress, asked her supporters to pray for her and to believe in her as she believes in herself and is quite confident she has an excellent chance of bringing home the crown.
The beauty was on a whirlwind training tour, from New York to Trinidad and Tobago and back to New York over the past three months. She recently received training in hair management in New York.
Ms. Phillips, who will be graduating from the University of Guyana in November, will be focusing on Solid Waste Management.
She said she has been working with Guy Enterprise and will continue the relationship on her return from Ecuador.
Her National Costume was designed by Mr. Dereck Moore and her evening gown was designed by Mr. Roger Gary. Michelle Cole and a Trinidadian designer also have pieces in the make up of her entire wardrobe.
Franchise holder Mr. Odinga Lumumba told the news conference that "Odessa has impressed the world" and he was quite confident that she would do well.
He said the Miss Guyana Universe Committee was contacted by the Global Beauties website, requesting pictures of Odessa; and the site even declared that Guyana has found a winner.
He told the media that every year the pageants are getting better despite the limited resources that they have. 'We are in the learning process, and we recognize that we are competing with persons involved in pageants for years and this is only our third year.
"They get the major sponsorship and their economy is much stronger.
We need more corporate support so that we can send the girls away, should they do well."
Lumumba disclosed that for next year's pageant, the focus would be on creating balance so that the focus would not only be on three or four girls, but on all 15 and also on a better ethnic spread since it has been a problem.
Answering questions about whether or not the queen's evening gown will be displayed in the magazine one week before the pageant, Lumumba said he was unsure.
"We want to hold our cards high, we have an ace and we want to hold it late", he said.
The Guyanese beauty made the rotating billboard last week in the pageant's host country.
At this time, only first runner-up in the pageant Miss Olive Gopaul is being considered to be taken to Ecuador.
On June 1, Odessa will be competing with 79 other beauties from around the world for the coveted title of Miss Universe. The 2003 Miss Universe crown went to Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic.