Megan Young scores solo dance spot at Miss World finals

Megan Young is also one of the finalists in the Beach Fashion competition of the 2013 Miss World. -- Photo from the pageant's official Facebook page

MANILA -- The Philippines' Megan Young has added another feather to her cap, this time as one of the few contestants who will perform a dance from their respective countries at the culminating event of Miss World in Indonesia.

The 23-year-old actress shared the news on Friday in a post on the official Facebook page of Miss World Philippines, which she has used to chronicle her participation in the preliminary activities of the international pageant.

"We rehearsed for Dances of the World. I'm proud to say that I was chosen to showcase my dance from the Philippines! I'll be showcasing a dance called Singkil. I am very, very happy because I get to share this Filipino-Muslim dance to the WORLD," Young said.

Originating from Lanao del Sur, the Singkil is a popular Maranao dance whose name is derived from the bells worn on the ankles of a Muslim princess. The performance is said to recount the epic legend of "Darangan."

It is characterized by a female dancer, traditionally of royal blood, carrying fans, while accompanied by a female "servant" with an umbrella. The dance is also known for the rhythmic clapping of bamboo poles, which the "princess" navigates as if to escape a natural catastrophe.

For her Singkil performance, Young was trained by choreographer Carlos Buendia, Jr.

In previous editions of Miss World, the Dance of the World segment had chosen contestants perform a 30-second routine each during the coronation night.

This year, Young is reportedly joined as a finalist in the segment by the candidates of Chile, Nepal, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, US Virgin Islands, Slovakia, Indonesia, China, Namibia and Ireland.

Strong showing

The Kapamilya star was earlier selected as one of the 11 finalists in the Beach Fashion competition, whose winner among the 125 competing beauties will be announced during the September 28 coronation night.

The 2013 Miss World, its 63rd edition, has been met with protests in Muslim-majority Indonesia since it kicked off in Nusa Dua, Bali last week.

Amid mounting calls to cancel the finals night altogether, pageant organizers have said it is considering moving the event from the capital's neighboring province Java to Bali, but later on admitted difficulties in logistics.

Young's apparent early-favorite status in Miss World comes on the heels of another victory for the Philippines in an international pageant.

Last week, Filipina beauty Mutya Datul bested 82 other candidates to be crowned Miss Supranational 2013.