Ms Mandaue '06 all set to dazzle

This year's prestigious Miss Mandaue beauty pageant promises to exceed last year's dazzling presentation as the organizers introduced the 20 lovely candidates in a press conference held recently at the Super Metro Mandaue.

According to pageant director Doy Radaza, what makes the coming pageant more impressive is this year's batch of candidates who are "better prepared mentally and physically," as well as the availability of fiscal support to ensure this is another event to look forward to in the City of Mandaue, which was chosen to host the ASEAN Summit this December.

The Cebu media got more than a sampler of the battle of beauty and wits that is definitely going to happen this May 8, with the candidates' spontaneous answers to questions ranging from social, economical, political to personal issues.

When asked what plans they would undertake for the benefit of Mandaue should they win the title, the answers came in variety: some of them wanted to focus on the environment, employment issues, education, public service, and "health of the Mandauehanons for the asset of the city is its people."

Repeated statements of their high regard for the City of Mandaue prompted a question on how earnest they were in representing Mandaue. Most of the candidates said that their presence in the pageant and their willingness to miss out many of their daily routines should go to show that they love the city.

The press con also became an opportunity for the media to choose among the present crop of candidates the "Darling of the Press." The eloquent candidate no. 17, the 16-year-old Nicole Schmitz, went home with the prize.

But there were also other candidates who charmed the crowd with their candid honesty. Take for example candidate no. 2, Maria del Carmen Garcia, who admitted of having tendencies to stutter due to stage fright. Candidate no. 8 Carielyn Encierto, when asked what kind of vegetable she'd like to be, quipped that she'd prefer to be a carrot since it contains Vitamin A for the eyesight; thus, it can aid the media in recognizing who is most deserving to be the "Darling of the Press."

Some made strong statements such as candidate no. 9, Anais Nuñeza who stressed her opposition to Cha-Cha, since she believes it "authorizes foreigners to acquire lands in our country later on making us aliens in our own land." When asked who among the poor sectors in the community she'd like to help should she be crowned Ms Mandaue, Joelle Kristianne Nepomuceno said she would prioritize the underprivileged students. She added that this sector is deprived of the chance to hone their potential due to monetary constraints and for someone coming from UP High, she could also identify with the problem.

The Ms Mandaue 2006 pageant is chaired by Lollipop Ouano-Dizon. The winners are expected to take home cash prizes and gift packages plus free trip and accommodation to tourist destinations outside and within Cebu.

The celebrity hosts tapped for the pageant's coronation night are real-life sweethearts Dingdong Dantes and Karylle.

Find out who will victoriously emerge as Miss Mandaue 2006 this coming May 6 (Saturday) at the Mandaue City Sports Complex simultaneously broadcasted at Sky Cable Channel 15.