Top ECE grad is new Miss Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines - Reminiscent of a Victoria’s Secret Angels fashion show sans the famous provocative lingerie, the 43rd edition of Miss Mandaue opened with a bevy of pink, white and golden-winged angels strutting their stuff on-stage Sunday night at an impressive Convention Center of J-Center Mall, Mandaue City.

Last year’s winner Crystal Star Aberasturi served as head angel of the heavenly army during the production’s initial salvo. But best epitomizing genuine beauty and grace was Mandaue City First Lady Sarah Walker-Cortes, who could have been Queen Angel herself, had she donned wings along with her ethereal gown. 

The twelve finalists were made to portray urban jungle muses, advocating relevant concerns and aspects of Mandaue City. And who was declared fairest angel by evening’s end?

Some quarters predicted it was a no-contest for early favorite Nicole Tuazon, and true enough, she did not disappoint her plenty of supporters by romping away with her first crown as Miss Mandaue 2012. This is the second pageant for the 21-year-old after her Miss Toledo-Independence 2011 stint, where she placed first runner-up.

“I feel great winning Miss Mandaue tonight because as you can see, all of the candidates deserve to win. They are all beautiful and did their best. It is such a pleasure and an overwhelming feeling to win the crown,” she remarked after her coronation.

Tuazon harvested majority of the corporate awards namely, Ms. Philippine Airlines, Ms. Lecit-E, Parkmall Shopper’s Choice Award, Ms. J-Centre Mall, and Face of Solaire and Casino Hotel Manila. In an earlier-held poolside presentation with the local tri-media, she was also judged Darling of the Press.

She said, “Being named Darling of the Press really helped me a lot in gaining confidence because I used to have low self-esteem. The media gave me great confidence, so thank you for that!”

A resident of Barangay Talamban, Tuazon said that it was her friends who prodded her to join the pageant as an avenue to strengthen her confidence. In preparation, she underwent workshops and trainings with her handler Jonas Borces and brushed up on a lot of readings.

The 5’6”-tall lass is often told that she looks similar to Miss Universe 1999 first runner-up Miriam Quiambao. Asked if she intends to join national beauty tilts in the future, Tuazon answered that her sights for the moment are set on reviewing for her October board exams. After that, she will decide what pageant to try next.

Academics is not something that she takes lightly. She is after all a Cum Laude graduate from the University of San Carlos, where she completed an Electronics and Communication Engineering degree.

“Aside from the fact that I love Math, I chose ECE because I’m interested in how things are made, and I would want to be part of the success of the Philippines in the growth of technology,” said Tuazon on what got her interested to pursue a career in a male-dominated field.

Since she is the Urban Guardian Angel for Peace and Order, Tuazon said that during her reign, she would like “to inspire the Mandauehanons to shift their focus on more productive pursuits, instead of contributing to the rising crime rate nowadays. They can engage in educational workshops, tutorials, sports fests and the like. I would love to help them do these, so that they will be able to divert their attention to something more beautiful and important.”

Meanwhile, Tuazon’s first runner-up is Daisy Rell Lopez, a 17-year-old Accountancy student of the University of San Jose-Recoletos and a Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president of Compostela. She was also given the Ms. Michel Lhuillier Award.

Second runner-up honors went to half-Italian Jacqueline Pedotti. The 18-year-old taking up Psychology at the Cebu Doctors’ University also won Best in Fun Wear.

Candidate number one Maria Cassandra Yu was named third runner-up and given a citation as Ms. Slimmer’s World. She is an 18-year-old Business Administration student at the University of San Carlos.

Fourth runner-up Keena Mary Anne Sumido was thought to be Tuazon’s close contender as she won a lot of early special and corporate awards. These were Rejuveline Girl, Best in Urban Guardian Angel Costume, Ms. Casino Femme and Miss Photogenic. One of this batch’s youngest, the 16-year-old is a fresh high school graduate from Leyte’s Naval State University.

Other awardees were: Miss Friendship Joanne Bonnety, Gems and Designs Girl Armejoice Bael, Smart Texter’s Choice Award Michelle Jane Uy, Ms. NGenius and Best in Evening Gown Namrata Neesha Murjani.

Cebu’s participating designers were likewise recognized. Best Urban Guardian Angel Costume Design went to the designer of Murjani’s angel ensemble, while Best Designer for Evening Wear went to Wendell Quisido, whose revealing long-gown creation was worn also by Murjani.

Serving as jurors for the evening included the first crowned Miss Cebu Janice Minor, Magallanes Publications publisher Yong Magallanes, Cebuana fashion icon Marguerite Lhuillier, Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, Bb. Pilipinas-World 1996 Daisy Reyes, designer Dennis Aseron and top fitness trainor John Jake Cue.

The program, aired live over Skycable, was hosted by Miss Mandaue alumna and Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry and had a song-and-dance performance by ABS-CBN heartthrob Rayver Cruz. (FREEMAN)