MANILA, Philippines?Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza is in the country to spread goodwill and foster a celebratory atmosphere among Filipinos to mark the success of the first nationwide automated elections held in the country last May 10.

The Venezuelan beauty, who arrived on Monday, was presented as Smartmatic?s ?Ambassador of Transparency? to members of the media at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City Tuesday.

?You may have already gotten tired of my face,? said Smartmatic Asia-Pacific president Cesar Flores. ?So now I bring you a new face, nicer, younger and more passionate to deliver this gratitude,? he added, as he presented the 24-year-old beauty queen.

Smartmatic is a part-owner of Smartmatic-TIM, the Commission on Elections? technology partner for the May 10 elections.

?Dayana is an icon of beauty, success, perseverance and hard work,? said Flores, who is also Venezuelan. ?She?s been around the world supporting social initiatives, spreading goodwill to thousands of people around the world.?

Flores said Mendoza was a ?token of our appreciation? to remind Filipinos of the success of the May 10 automated elections.

?I?m here to congratulate the Filipino people for the amazing results of the election,? Mendoza said.

She said she was proud of the Filipino people for successfully holding its first national automated elections.

?Right now the world is chaotic, and you guys showed the whole world that things can get better,? she said.

Asked why Smartmatic chose to present an ambassador only now, more than a month after the elections, Flores said, ?We wanted to bring her since day one, but we were very focused on making sure the elections will take place.?

Supporting social causes is nothing new to the statuesque Mendoza. The Miss Universe title gave her the opportunity to promote HIV/AIDS awareness in different parts of the world. And even after relinquishing her title to compatriot Stefania Fernandez last year, Mendoza said she continues to support HIV/AIDS organizations in New York, where she is currently taking acting classes. The lessons are part of the prize package she received when she was proclaimed Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam.

?Whenever I can do something, I?ll do it. It?s selfish to always think about ourselves, our work, our lives,? she said.

As Smartmatic?s ?Ambassador of Transparency,? Mendoza will also contribute to the projects sponsored by the Philippines? two Miss Universe titleholders.

Mendoza is to visit the ?Una Mano? school on Wednesday to donate computers on behalf of Smartmatic. The school, located at the San Pablo Apostol Parish in Tondo, Manila, is run by the Canossa-Tondo Children Foundation Inc. sponsored by Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz.

Mendoza will also meet with Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran to help out with the latter?s initiatives for Habitat for Humanity in the Philippines.

Antonio Mugica, Smartmatic Worldwide CEO, said Dayana?s presence in the country should foster a celebratory mood among Filipinos.

?The success of the May 10 election is a great cause for celebration,? he said. ?You have become a role model for the rest of the world.?

He said Mendoza told him that even in New York, she learned of the success of the first automated elections in the Philippines.

?Don?t let anyone rain on your parade,? he reminded Filipinos. ?The May 10 election is a testament that Filipinos can accomplish great things.?

Mendoza, meanwhile, has this to say to losing candidates who complain of cheating: ?I understand how difficult the previous elections were. There has been a huge improvement this year. You should be proud of your people?s achievement.?