Contestants in the Miss Republica Dominicana US® 2012 National Beauty Contest are officially presented

NEW YORK, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Edgar Payano, President of Bellezas Dominicanas USA LLC, together with associated companies Soneros Entertainment and XL Alliance, presented the contestants in the Miss Republica Dominicana US® 2012 National Beauty Contest on Sunday, July 8, at an event held at Brooklyn Terrace, where each one of the contestants for the title received the band for the province they will represent in the contest from Nathalie Munoz, the present Miss Republica Dominicana US® 2011. The event was presented by Honey Bunches of Oats® as official sponsor, and Telemundo 47, official channel of the contest.  

During the event, which was hosted by businesswoman and co-founder of the XL Alliance, Liliana Gil, it was announced that the final gala will be held on August 18 at the Symphony Space Theater, preceded by a series of official events, including Miss Rostro, a Preliminary Competition, and participation in Manhattan's Dominican  Day Parade.  This year the events will have exclusive coverage by Telemundo 47, which is celebrating its 47th anniversary of service to the community in the Tri-State area.   

Honey Bunches of Oats® of Post Food, which maintains a dynamic alliance between its Brands and the Hispanic community, is incorporating the contest as part of its summer campaign entitled "Bonchecitos Positivos." The cereal brand is offering Latinos in the Tri-State area a summer full of events, including private concerts with Latin GRAMMY winning artists, Chino y Nacho, and Fonseca, participation in the Puerto Day Rican parade, promotional events and official participation in Miss Republica Dominicana US.  "At Post Foods we are proud to recognize the contributions and impact of Hispanics, particularly the fast growing Dominican community in the U.S. This year, I am thrilled with our partnership with the Miss Dominican Republic US pageant. The pageant and its candidates embody the positivity and optimism that Honey Bunches of Oats cereal is known for with our Hispanic consumers and we look forward to a great summer of collaboration and celebration together," said Mike Foley, US Hispanic and Export.

Features:
The organizers of the event shared with those in attendance a number of features to be introduced into the contest for the first time this year, such as voting for Miss Fotogenica through the official Telemundo 47 Facebook page. The candidates have actively linked to the sponsoring brand on the 'Pensemos Positivo' page (www.facebook.com/pensemospositivo), where they share their best tips on healthy ways to start the day. Also this year for the first time, the audience can pose the final question through the Twitter accounts @MissRDUS and @HBOatsLatino #BONCHE, while followers of the contest can vote for their favorite candidate at the official website, www.missrdus.com. The candidate with the most votes will automatically become one of the semifinalists.  

The Candidates:
Miss Azua: Rossdiny Pagan
Miss Dajabon: Melissa Rivas
Miss Distrito Nacional: Yamile Mufdi
Miss Duarte: Julissa Burgos
Miss Espaillat: Gefranny Lara
Miss Hato Mayor: Yuleysi Izulec Beaton
Miss Hermanas Mirabal: Maria Cristina Payano
Miss La Altagracia: Chantel Martinez
Miss La Romana: Ileana Nunez
Miss La Vega: Johanna Ferreira
Miss Maria Trinidad Sanchez: Joely Bernat
Miss Monsenor Nouel: Yoency Paulino
Miss Monte Plata: Clarissa Molina
Miss Puerto Plata: Michelle Torres
Miss Samana: Paola Carrera
Miss San Cristobal: Erika Nina
Miss San Jose de Ocoa: Isaura Cordero
Miss San Juan: Katherine Tavarez
Miss San Pedro: Maybelline Canela
Miss Santiago: Maciel Santos
Miss Santiago Rodriguez: Natalie Rodriguez
Miss Santo Domingo: Kimberly Garcia
Miss Valverde: Yanill Garcia

Miss Republica Dominicana US® 2012 is presented by: Telemundo 47 and Honey Bunches of Oats®, with the sponsorship of: Yager Clinica Estetica, Yohanna Gursey NY, HR Fashions Trajes de Bano, Nunez Dental Services, YG Footwear, Miguel Bautista Fotografo, The Creative Capital, WOW Printing and with the support of La Mega 97.9, Amor 93.1 and Nova Era Entertainment Group.

For more information on the contest, the organization and tickets for the events, please visit: www.missrdus.com and follow MRDUS® on the social networks:

Facebook: /MissRDUS Oficial
Twitter: @MissRDUS
YouTube: /dominicanbeautiesusa
Instagram: MissRDUS

About Miss Republica Dominicana US® [MRDUS]:
The winner represents the Dominican community in the United States in the Miss Republica Dominicana Universo contest and works with the DREAM Project foundation. Miss Republica Dominicana US® is an event of Bellezas Dominicanas USA LLC with franchise rights of the organization Miss Republica Dominicana Universo and co-produced by XL Alliance and Soneros Entertainment. For more information on the contest and the organization, go to: www.missrdus.com

About XL Alliance and Soneros Entertainment:
Companies specializing in production, entertainment and marketing strategies for reaching Latino and multicultural audiences in the United States.  With offices in New York, Denver, Los Angeles and Bogota, Colombia; the crew has more than 40 professionals who combine in one single outfit credibility and experience in handling global brands, relations with artists and celebrities, and TV and film production. For more information, go to:  www.xlalliance.com

About Post Foods, LLC: Post has enriched the lives of consumers, bringing quality foods to the breakfast table since the company's founding in 1897. Post's portfolio of brands includes diverse offerings to meet the taste and nutritional needs of all families, including such favorites as Honey Bunches of Oats®, Pebbles®, Great Grains®, Post Shredded Wheat®, Post® Raisin Bran, Grape-Nuts®, and Honeycomb®.  Post is dedicated to health and wellness, offering consumers a variety of cereal choices to meet their nutritional needs from whole grain and fiber to lower sugar offerings.  For more information about Post Cereals, visit www.PostFoods.com.

SOURCE XL Alliance