Miss Universe 2008 doing her first overseas duties in RI

Jakarta (ANTARA News) -
Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza is in Indonesia as the first foreign country where she will perform her duties, she told a press conference here Friday.
During a 10-day stay in Indonesia, she will among other things visit a number of other cities outside Jakarta, including Surabaya in East Java and Palembang in South Sumatra.
"I am so happy to be in Indonesia. This is the first country I am visiting since becoming Miss Universe," Mendoza said.
Mendoza arrived in Jakarta on Thursday to carry out a tightly packed schedule.
She is scheduled to meet several state officials including Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Watjik and Women`s Empowerment Minister Meutia Hatta. In Yogyakarta Mendoza will visit Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X in his palace.
"To me, Indonesia is a very beautiful country of great ethnic, religions and cultural diversity. I can learn a lot from this condition in preparation for my further tasks as Miss Universe in other countries around the world," the Venezuelan woman said.
During her visit in Jakarta, Mendoza will wear clothes with traditional designs created by Indonesian designers including Anne Avantie, Gregorius Vici and Djoko Sasongko and also from Indonesia`s famous houses of couture, Allure Batik and Zaenal Songket.
Mendoza`s attire at the press conference consisted of a pink fuschia and grey colored evening gown with a batik motif called Parang Barong Klowongan from Allure Butik.
Another unique gown was made of peacock feathers which was designed by Anne Avantie. The gown was one of her master pieces with high level difficulty of attaching the feathers, Avantie said.
Mendoza will wear the Avantie`s design on the crowning night of Puteri Indonesia 2008 (one of Indonesia beauty pageant) in Jakarta Convention Center, Friday night.
"I am happy to be Miss Universe and I hope I can do my best," Mendoza said. (*)

Source: ANTARA News