Gilda Jovine, Miss Universe Dominicana 2000, and Claudia Santaella, Miss Mundo Dominicana were chosen the Dominican representatives to the leading world pageants. Gilda Jovine is a blonde, 19-year old, advertising student, who represented Constanza. Claudia Santaella is a brunette, 19-year old, professional model who represented the National District (Santo Domingo). Winners of special awards were: Marlene Burgos, Puerto Plata, Miss Friendship; Yaira Abreu, Santiago, Miss Photogenic; Dulce Esperanza Tavarez, San Francisco de Macorís, Miss Belleza Rondinella. Miss Venezuela, Martina Thorogood, first finalist of the Miss World 1999 pageant, was one of the jurors. Other jurors were Dr. Angel Contreras, Mirtha Hernandez de Capellán, president of Rahintel; TV producer Mayra Robles; Marino Ramírez, secretary Acroarte; Felix Reyna, director of Rahintel and Univisión Dominicana; Luis Bautista, president of Luva Auto Import (Kia trucks); and Mary Pily Rodríguez, representing Salon Rondinella. For an online photo, see http://www.elsiglord.com/vivir/27a/4.htm http://www.listin.com.do/260300/welcome.htm (27 March 2000)
