'Beauty boot camps' key to Philippine pageant dominance

In 17-centimetre stiletto heels students, work to make the act of sashaying second nature come pageant time.

Manila (AFP) - Rodgil Flores casts a stern taskmaster's glance as grimacing young women in bikinis stride across one of the mirror-walled studios that is central to making the Philippines a beauty pageant juggernaut.

In 17-centimetre (seven-inch) stiletto heels, the students sway their hips between long slow strides, a brutal drill that Flores requires them to repeat in order to make the act of sashaying second nature come pageant time.