Opal Tells Rebecca No Hard Feelings

Now, it is no secret that the Raths were not too happy with the Queen of the Jewel organization. Following her appearance in Manila, Philippines, Rebecca’s father and well-known photographer, Tony Rath, posted a five-part blog chronicling his daughter’s journey and challenges to Miss Universe. In those articles, the senior Rath made serious allegations against Enriquez to the effect that she did not meet her commitments and that in fact; she got in the way of Rath placing among the top thirteen semi-finalists.  But did that trigger the move made by the organization to oust Rebecca?

On the Phone: Opal Enriquez, National Director, Queen of the Jewel

“I understand that Rebecca and her family and her team have been running their own show and maybe this is what the public doesn’t know. They have been running their show for a very long time and they are just doing that with my blessing. Rebecca can continue…prime example is she just went to the Cayman Island as Miss Belize Universe 2016 and I had no idea. I get a message from the Director of Cayman who said to me your queen is here; how come you are not? And I had no idea. It is things like that; situations like that that I don’t want to have happen anymore. So I am allowing Rebecca to be able to continue to represent as an amazing beauty ambassador. I think Rebecca has done an excellent job as a brand ambassador. This is nothing against her. This is not, despite what the public is saying, this is not me being vindictive or I hate her—God forbid that term—or my clap back to what Tony said. It’s nothing like that. It is giving Rebecca an opportunity to say guess what there is no Miss Belize Universe 2017; I am Miss Belize Universe 2016.”

Rebecca Rath today issued a very classy response. In a release she says that no reason was given as to why her term was cut short and says that it was a corporate decision taken by the Queen of the Jewel organization and the Government of Belize through the National Institute of Culture and History. Rebecca also thanks her fans and supporters. But today NICH distanced itself from Enriquez’s statement. NICH says it is in no way associated with the content and explanation from Enriquez. According to the release, its logo was inadvertently placed on the press release and so apologizes for the oversight.  NICH states that it owns the “Miss Belize” name and has granted Queen of the Jewel permission to use said name for the purpose of the coronation or installment of Miss Belize ambassadors.  Although a representative from the Institute of Creative Arts, NICH sits on the Board of Directors of Queen of the Jewel, it functions and activities are separate and apart.