YANGON, Nov. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Myanmar has preliminarily chosen 24 finalists to compete for Myanmar Miss ASEAN Culture here in December, according to the organizing committee for the contest Monday.

    The finalists, aged between 20 and 25, were selected recently from among 107 contestants at a series of events held since early last month,  it said.

    The contestants, with a matriculation pass as the minimum educational qualification, were judged on their personality as well as their proficiency in English and knowledge of Myanmar culture and traditions and their ability to play a traditional Myanmar musical instrument,  it added.

    The winner and two runner-ups will be announced on Dec. 11 and they will be sent for Miss ASEAN Culture quest in Jakarta from Feb.20 to March 3,  2005 and the winner will serve as a goodwill ambassador at regional business events. Enditem