CEBU, Philippines - Karina Nikko Gajudo, an 18-year-old nursing student of Velez College, bagged her first major beauty title after being crowned as the Miss Mandaue 2010. The pageant night was held last Thursday at the Mandaue City Plaza Square, wherein she bested 14 other lovely candidates who vied for the coveted title.
The victory has brought great pride and honor to Gajudo, as she views this as an opportunity to serve as a role model to the youth of Mandaue.
“I’m so excited [about] the things that I will be doing because ever since, I've always had the passion to serve people. I’m very much willing to support and help in the programs of the City of Mandaue, whoever the next leaders would be after the election,” said Gajudo in an interview with The FREEMAN last Friday noon.
But like in many a beauty pageant, Gajudo's big win is not without its share of intrigue, which has kept pageant fans buzzing since coronation night. That the presscon prepared for Gajudo and her court the day after the pageant was only attended by her and her fourth runner-up Jescel Ybañez didn't also help douse the controversy.
Allegations that results were rigged to favor Gajudo had surfaced. It was purported that her name was already engraved on the trophy of Ms. Mandaue even before this was handed to her. But Gajudo sent photos of her trophy to The FREEMAN to prove the speculations wrong.
“I am not affected by these issues because I believe that these are not true and merely rumors. I gave my best during the pageant. I believe in my capabilities that’s why I am not affected by the intrigues," she said.
Anna Maris Igpit, the Bb. Pilipinas World 2006 and former Ms. Mandaue herself, also came to Gajudo's defense. Igpit, who trained Gajudo, said that she was just worthy of the crown.
“Not to be biased [but] she really deserved the crown. She had the best performance during that night. I saw how she started, and the improvements that she had before the pageant night. There were those who answered well also during the pageant, but I believe that the board of judges was looking for the total package of a beauty queen,” Igpit said.
“Karina really has the determination to win. She has an intense hunger to end the pageant night victoriously. She was able to answer well. She was a total package,” Igpit added.
According to Gajudo, she had prepared well for the pageant, acknowledging that several of her competitors also had the big potential to win the crown.
“There were a lot of girls who had the edge but I just believed in myself. I was a bit pressured, but this was set aside because I had my faith in God and I gave my best,” said Gajudo.
Another issue was that she somehow crossed ethical boundaries by paying for the Cary Santiago gown she donned during the pageant night because she allegedly wanted to make sure that she would be the one wearing the famed designer's creation.
Gajudo clarified, “The gown was sponsored for the pageant. Yes, I did pay Cary but only after the pageant because I wanted the gown to be mine. I told Cary that since he made the gown for me, I wanted it to be mine. So I paid for it."
In a latest development, local tabloids, including sister publication Banat News, reported that on Friday evening, during the miting de avance of Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes, Karina got into a confrontation with her 3rd runner-up Sharon Grace Angel that became physical. It was not clear as to who started the catfight, but according to Banat News, it ensued after Gajudo accused Angel of starting the rumors about her win.
The FREEMAN tried to get Gajudo's comment on the reports, but as of presstime, she could not be reached. Meanwhile, the pageant committee head Clarence Sanchez was quoted by Banat News as saying that he has no idea about the incident, so there's no way of telling if sanctions are to be imposed, should any beauty queen be found out of being guilty for "un-queenly" behavior.
Apart from Angel and Ybañez, completing Gajudo’s court are Katrina Yuson (1st runner-up), and Elly Rose Apple Angcon (2nd runner-up).
During the pageant, Gajudo also harvested several special awards including Best in Funwear, Parkmall Shopper’s Choice, Smart Texter’s Choice and Best in Formal Wear Design.
Yuson, on the other hand, was Media’s Choice, Miss Natasha Beauty and Best in Formal Wear. Angcon and Angel got the Best in Costume and Miss Natasha awards, respectively.
The other minor awardees were Gerlie Nuneza (Miss Photogenic and Friendliest Girl), April Ann Claire White (Best in Costume Design) and Joanne Amomompon (On-line Voter’s Choice).
Gajudo said, “I won because of my own sacrifices. I did my best in my own way."