Miss Jamaica, World Yendi Phillipps, is among the finalists for the Beauty with a Purpose Award at the Miss World pageant.

The Beauty with a Purpose Award is one of five fast-track events that automatically qualifies the winning contestant to the Top 15 semi-finals. The recipient of this award is the delegate whose charity project has created the most impact within the judges, fellow contestants and society in general.

During the Red Cross Ball in Beijing, Miss World Chairman Julia Morley announced the five finalists who will compete for this humanitarian award.

Phillipps, who planned and executed a charity fashion event in Jamaica to benefit the victims of Hurricane Dean as part of her Miss World Beauty with a purpose campaign, is up against Ecuador's Valeska Saab, China's Ka Yi Cheung, Indonesia's Kamidia Radisti, and Sweden's Annie Oliv.

GlobalBeauties.com lists the other charities of the Miss World beauties as follows:

Miss Hong Kong China, Ka Yi Cheung "helps old people and regularly works at retirement homes. She also has strong ties with (the United Nations' Children's Fund) UNICEF".

Miss Ecuador, Valeska Saab, "helps people with a terrible generic skin condition called itchiosis".

Miss Indonesia, Kamidia Radisti, "helps less fortunate children with home schooling, free medical services for babies and young children".

Miss Sweden, Annie Oliv, "has for the last two years worked with a disabled person who has always been in a wheelchair and unable to do anything for herself".

The winner of the 'Beauty with a Purpose Award' will be announced at the coronation to be held in Sanya, China on Saturday, December 1.

Top Model

Yendi will show lots of national pride in this fabulous two-piece swimwear and beach wrap. - photos by Winston Sill/ Freelance Photographer

Phillipps also made it to the top-seven of the Miss World Top Model competition, another fast track event. The winner of that event was China's Zi Lin Zhang.

Puerto Rico's Jennifer Guevara placed second, while Mexico's Carolina Moran placed third. Rounding out the top seven were Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela respectively.

Phillipps, however, did not make it to the top three of the talent competition. That competition was won by Ghana's Irene Dwomoh, while Scotland's Nieve Jennings placed second and Sweden's Annie Oliv placed third.

- A.R.