Who will be the fifth Queen of Cebu?

CEBU, Philippines -  Queen of Cebu, the prestigious pageant for alternatives now on its fifth fabulous year, is set to crown a new title-holder come November 9 at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. A brainchild of renowned Cebuano couturier Cary Santiago, this year’s search has 24 candidates vying for five titles: Queen Tourism, Queen Earth, Queen International, Queen World and the major crown of Queen Universe.

Last Friday saw the candidates officially presented to the public in a pre-pageant fashion show with cancer survivors in celebration of Pink October (breast cancer awareness month) at the Ayala Activity Center.

In the same event, check donations were ceremonially turned over to the ICANSERVE Foundation by the Ayala Center Group and Artspeak care of The Freeman. Ayala Center Cebu also handed a separate donation to the Kythe Foundation, an organization that also supports cancer patients.

Meanwhile, one candidate will be awarded Queen of Cebu 2013 Facebook Darling to be announced on coronation night. To determine the winner, the number of combined ‘likes’ for their official headshot and swimsuit photos (which will be posted soon) will be tallied. The candidate who garners the highest number of ‘likes’ will win the award and a cash prize, so followers can start liking their favorite candidate now.

Beginning today, tickets for Queen of Cebu 2013 will be available at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel Ticket Booth from 1p.m. to 6 p.m.  (FREEMAN)