Miss Ecuador

Cristina Reyes Hidalgo

Cristina was born in Guayaquil, the main commercial port of Ecuador. She is a lawyer from UCSG (Universidad Catolica Santiago de Guayaquil) and has a Bachelor degree in Politics and Social Science, a minor in Public Law and is now in her second year of Mass Communication at UTPL. She completed her apprenticeship at the Court of Law and then worked for an attorney in her city. Currently she is the anchorwoman of the local newscast at TC Television. Cristina is also a poetess and has published a book with her best friend called "Travesia" plus she is the vice president of a foundation called "Espiritu de Esperanza" which helps rescue and support the street children. Her ambition is to obtain a master’s degree in Human Rights, participate in Politics and her dream is to become a Mayor or even President of her country. In her leisure time she likes to sing and play guitar, acting, reading, walking swimming, biking and dancing the merengue. Her grandfather taught her that the best things in life are: to love your country, help each other and work with responsibility to conquer your dreams.


Where did you grow up? Tell us a little about your home town/city, and family.
I was born in Guayaquil, the main commercial port of Ecuador. I grew up in this beautiful and tropical city with a marvellous river and a wonderful and huge jetty called "Malecon" in Spanish. Here at the "Malecon" is located the monument that celebrates the Independence of South America with the statues of our heroes Simon Bolivar and San Martin. Guayaquil is a city that has vibrant life thanks to their people. During the past 10 years Guayauquil has changed its image and nowadays it is a modern city with lots of attractions.

My family is composed by my father Xavier and my mother Cristina, both are doctors. I have two younger brothers, Xavier of 21 and Belisario of 15. Talking about my family fills me with pride, they are my treasure. I owe them who I am; they are the base of my philosophy.

What Jobs have you done? What was the most interesting/bizarre?
I have done a lot of things. Once I worked selling books for children that was my first job. Also, when I was 19 years old I was elected Miss Guayaquil so I had to work hard with the Lions Club and Town Council. I did my apprenticeship at the Court of Law and then I worked for a very important attorney’s firm in my city. I had a radio programme where I could encourage young people to be leaders. Nowadays, I am the anchorwoman of the local newscast for national and international events. I also worked as a model for Latin fashion designers like Salvatore Laureano, Giovanni Scuttaro, Luis Tippan, Tatiana Torres, etc. The most interesting job was when I worked at Universidad Catolica de Guayaquil developing a project to increase penalties for the crime of children’s pornography. We researched a lot and then we sent the project to the National Congress. My most bizarre job: 6 o’clock in the morning, a table, a microphone, a TV camera and a lot of people, that was my first TV programme called "Ventana a la Calle" where people can reveal the problems of their community and I had to try to find a solution.

What are your career ambitions, how do you plan to realise them?
I want to obtain a master’s degree in Human Rights and Politics, because I consider myself as an activist who struggles to establish justice and achieve a better life for human beings. Someday I want to participate in Politics and try to be major of my city and why not President of Ecuador! However, to do so I must work hard, achieve my goals and train myself in all aspects in order to be better everyday. I am going to apply for a scholarship in an international university or foundation.

What is the proudest moment of your life? (Not including winning your National Title)
When I published my book "Travesia" when I was only 20 years old and that all the money I received for the books, I gave to different children’s foundations.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
Well, although I don’t believe in Halloween, I like to wear costumes. One day when I was 12, some friends and I decided to wear costumes and go out for sweets and candy on a Halloween day. I walked a lot and I didn’t get any candy, but I went home with chicken and French fries that some man gave me instead of candy.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
I continue my life the same way after winning Miss Ecuador World title, working with children on streets and women’s prison. However, I acquire a bigger responsibility. My name is no more Cristina, now my name is Ecuador and that makes me very proud. I started to train myself in different areas. I got a job at a local TV station reading the news. Nowadays everybody in my country knows the importance of my title and that Ecuador will be well represented at Miss World pageant.

Tell us about an interesting event you have attended, or a person that you have met.
I attended twice the America’s International Leaders Convention in Quito, Ecuador where several international personality leaders in their fields share their knowledge and experience with young leaders of the continent. Last June at this huge convention, I was selected amongst hundreds of young leaders to attend a special dinner with the international guests, where I met Collin Powell who taught me an extraordinary thing: "A leader must feel passion for his obligation."

What would you like to do, if you became Miss World 2004?
I want to become a "Missionary" and travel to places where there are conflict and work as a mediator in order to protect the integrity of human beings and their rights. Also I want to bring help to those places with extreme poverty like countries in Africa (Somalia, Ruanda, Sudan, Ivory Coast etc.) and Latin America. I also want to build a special centre where volunteers can rescue and support children with addiction problems (ninos gomeros) who live in the streets of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

If you had a personal motto what would it be?
Everyday I repeat myself that I am sure the future belongs to me, because I have the courage to believe in the beauty of my dreams.

Give details of any charitable work undertaken?
I have worked at the Women Prison in Guayaquil, helping them with implements and psychological attention for them and their children. I have worked there since 2000. Nowadays, I am running a Training Programme at this prison, so these women can study several topics like literature, arts, etiquette, beauty, politics, human rights, legal environment, etc. This way I want to give them a different view of life and convince them what is important for society.

Miss Ecuador's Gallery