Search for the quintessential Boholana

PANGLAO, Bohol, Philippines – Among the highlights of the upcoming Bohol Sandugo Festival 2014 spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Bohol, the City Government of Tagbilaran and the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council is the selection of Miss Bohol 2014 who shall be the province’s Ambassadress of Goodwill.

Organizers promise that the coronation night this July 19 at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium will be a showcase of Boholana elegance in simplicity.

At the helm of the preparations are Bohol First Lady and Balilihan Vice Mayor Pureza Veloso-Chatto as chair, and Tagbilaran City First Lady Jane Censoria Cajes Yap as co-chair.

Through the years, the Miss Bohol pageant has maintained its reputation as the province’s most prestigious beauty contest.  Now on its 59th year of choosing a rightful muse for this world-famous tourist destination (the pageant has took on many names such as Miss Bohol Sandugo, but is now officially called Miss Bohol), the tilt now seeks to reinvent itself in order to keep up with the times.

Aside from being the quintessential symbol of Boholana beauty, brains and breeding, Miss Bohol should also be the epitome of the modern Boholana. Confident, charming and career-oriented, she is also in a unique and privileged position to use her popularity and personality for a good cause by being the spokesperson for various projects, causes and advocacies, and be a positive role model to her peers and to the community. These advocacies can be literacy, environment, women’s health, education and cultural heritage.

Believing that a beauty queen is a very effective spokesperson, Miss Bohol would surely be able to give the spotlight to these projects. This would ensure that her year-long reign would be meaningful and relevant.

This year’s 18 hopefuls – all of whom The Freeman was able to see up close and listen to as they elaborated their thoughts during a recent media presentation – are: Jassenie Mangaron (Loon), Jaya Lozano (Tubigon), Allyson Mycee Escobia (Anda), Liss Lee Centillas (Buenavista), Joyce Trexie Marie Cabagnot (Bohol Island State University), Clowie Lim (Ubay), Annaleah Saga (Carmen), Farwah Nijah Soriano (Pilar), Mary Rose Butalid (Panglao), Imaculada Cleofe Leopardas (Barbra Pearls Cosmetics), Liezel May Turtoga (Getafe), Geraldine Topsnik (Tagbilaran), Genina Abrau (Sierra Bullones), Maria Tifany Tabigue (Balilihan), Natasha Amethyst Torralba (Duero), Christine Mae Cuarto (Jagna), Queenie Melody Fullante (Dauis), and Diozel Namoco (Dimiao).

Miss Bohol 2005 winner Anna Maris Igpit (who went on to win Binibining Pilipinas-World 2006) hosted the press presentation at the Bellevue Resort in Panglao. Candidates were in their top forms as they sashayed in swimwear designed by Hanz Coquilla.

Igpit announced that among the prizes for this year’s titleholder is a training scholarship under the Kagandahang Flores beauty pageant camp based in Manila. “Expect a Boholana in upcoming national pageants,” Igpit teased.