7 News Belize

Pageant Organizer Says Rebecca Rath Still Queen
posted (May 29, 2017)
Late on Friday evening we got a release form NICH and the Queen of the Jewel Miss Belize Friday. It was over two thousand words long, and amounted to Pageant Organizer Opal Enriquez responding to Tony Rath's many assertions alleging corruption, disorganization and bad-mindedness.

But tucked in there was a reel news gem. The release said, quote, "Effective immediately, the official title of Miss Belize 2017 and all affiliated duties as the reigning Miss Belize will pass to our 2016 first runner- up, Marcia Moody of San Ignacio in the Cayo District. Marcia will represent Belize in the 2017 Miss International Pageant in Japan later this year. We would like to thank Rebecca Rath for being an outstanding beauty ambassador as our Miss Belize 2016 winner."

So, we took that to mean that she was basically firing Rebecca Rath, or dethroning her via press release. It seemed a most unbecoming end for Belize's most beloved queen - and today via telephone, Opal made the media rounds to say that she's not dethroning Rebecca - its all a mix up:..

Opal Enriquez, Ms. Belize Pageant Organizer
"In terms of Rebecca, Rebecca can still make appearances. Rebecca can still do speeches. Rebecca can still do all the wonderful things that she has been doing as Miss Belize Universe 2016. Nothing is stripped from her, nothing is taken from her. I didn't kicked her to the curve, as somebody told me. That is not the case. Rebecca is still very much significant in terms of being a beauty queen in Belize."

"Belize does not have a license for Miss Universe for 2017. So, Rebecca Rath, Miss Belize Universe 2016 doesn't have a successor for Miss Belize Universe 2017. Rebecca has been informed that she retains the title of Miss Belize Universe 2016. Because there was no Miss Belize 2017. Allow her to garner the sponsorship that she needs, allow her to get the support that she needs and put Belize in a place where we are still in the international realm, we are still ready to compete, we're still prepared, we're still looking good."

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"Great, but it seems she herself has some misunderstanding about this."

Opal Enriquez, Ms. Belize Pageant Organizer
"You know what, here is the thing about that, and I felt terrible because the story that went out Friday, went out late Friday and I was under the impression that it was not going to be printed today and a letter for Rebecca to give to her and by the time got to Rebecca to email her and say "Bex, I need you to hear this from me, you're not being dethrone, you're not being fired, nothing is terminated for you, we just want to give Marcia some support. You're still a wonderful queen, you still can go ahead and do your appearances." I understand that there were some confusion even for Rebecca about the fact that she was being "fired" or dethrone. That is not the case."

And so while Opal Enriquez had nothing bad to say about Rebecca Rath - it's clear that she was stung by the scathing five part expose on the pageant which Tony Rath, Rebecca's father, published online. Opal said she's not any of those things he called her:.

Opal Enriquez, Ms. Belize Pageant Organizer
"Rebecca has made it clear that she does not want to do anymore pageants. You read the long expose from her Tony Rath. They have no desire to go through another rocky road to anything with me. I have no desire to continue being disrespected. I kind of chuckle to myself when "rocky road to Miss Universe" it wasn't exactly a walk in the park for me either. I've been in the pageant industry for a very long time and I do it out of the goodness and kindness of my heart and the love for my country, so the last thing I want is to be painted and vilified in such a negative way. I responded to the things that he said in the allegation. I'm not a thief, I'm not a bully, I'm not a narcissist. I'm simply a person who love my country who is doing the best I can to keep us in the international scene."

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"The most significant allegation made against you is that you told Miss Universe Pageant organizers that you would not be supporting Rebecca in any way. Did you say that to undermine her?"

Opal Enriquez, Ms. Belize Pageant Organizer
"I did not say that. It took me 10 years to get Miss Belize back in Miss Universe. What do I have to gain from something like that? I am still wondering where this is coming from and I'm thinking maybe it came from the same person who told Tony Rath that I stayed at a $350 hotel when I did not."

Rebecca Rath issued her own statement today basically saying goodbye and thanks to all those who supported her. She notes that no reason was given for what she interprets as the termination of her reign as Queen. She adds that she is not going anywhere and will continue to remain available and involved.

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