Batch 2015: The brainy bunch

CEBU, Philippines - The Miss Cebu 2015 coronation night wasn’t spared the Pope fever, with the Roman Catholic Church head’s Philippine visit a recurring topic during the Q&A segments in a pageant famous for putting more weight to intelligence above other criteria. And seemingly of the same wavelength, the evening’s last five standing stated similar answers when asked who they’ll bring as guests if Pope Francis were to have dinner with them.

While her fellow finalists picked Cebu’s street kids, consistent favorite and eventual winner Wynonah Van Joy Buot said she would gather students of Cebu to have the privileged experience of sharing a meal and a special evening with the Pope, currently the rock star of the Catholic flock the world over.

Buot, 21, said: “If I were to take Pope Francis for dinner here in Cebu, I will take with me the students of Cebu because our students are the hope of our future, and our Pope Francis is the hope of our country. We can talk about how we can strengthen, unify, and share and love and respect so that we can encourage our citizens to take part and make a change here in our society.”

A Mass Communications graduate from the University of the Philippines-Cebu, Buot drew the loudest shrieks from supporters during Wednesday evening’s 31st Miss Cebu coronation at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.

Her fans were in overdrive, as she nabbed all the awards (just like last year’s Eva Psychee Patalinjug, who placed first runner-up) namely, Miss Friendship, Miss Photogenic, Kapamilya Star of the Night and Best in Evening Gown.  At the pre-pageant, she was also awarded Best in Fun Wear and Miss Ayala Fiesta island.

Asked during the casual interview to pick a flower that describes her best, the MAC model replied with confidence: “If I were a flower, I would be rose. I believe there is always beauty in imperfection. I am beautiful in my own way. [The kind of ] beauty who loves to give, respect, continues to strive and improve herself in order to be of influence to society…and be a catalyst for change.”

Buot, born in Cebu but raised and educated in Saudi Arabia up until her college days, offered the victory to her elder sister who joined Miss Cebu in 2009 but was unplaced. She also dedicated her crown to her parents, her “tiger mom” especially, for pushing her hard to be an achiever since she was a kid.

With roots in Carmen and Bantayan, Buot’s family migrated to Saudi Arabia when she was five. She lived there for 11 years, only coming home to Cebu four years ago to attend UP-Cebu. Back in Saudi Arabia, she spoke Bisaya at home, Tagalog in school, and Arabic or English to natives.

Prior to joining Miss Cebu, she worked as sales and marketing associate at LOHAS Skin +Slimming House of Beauty, where she is currently on leave.

The five-foot-eight stunner is a Miss UP Cebu 2012, and admitted she is eyeing Binibining Pilipinas 2016.

Buot won P60,000, trips to Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States, Korea and Hong Kong., and other spomnsor prizes.

First runner-up is Maria Genefe Navilon, a 23-year-old creative writer and blogger who is in the process of completing a book compiling all her poetry. Asked during the casual interview who she would select as a companion is she was stranded on an island, the University of San Jose-Recoletos Mass Communications graduate named Katniss Everdeen of “The Hunger Games” series, citing the fictional character’s superb survival skills.

Navilon, Gen previously tried her luck in Miss Mandaue 2011 and Miss Philippines Earth 2012 pageants, organizes Sunday meet-ups for a group that calls itself the Young Cebuano Writers Club and enjoys increasing followers of her blog.

Second runner-up honors went to Aivy Mae Castro, a Daanbantayan native who is currently in her final year as Management Accounting major at the University of Cebu. She is the reigning Miss Mandaue 2014 fourth runner-up and a Mutya ng Pilipinas 2014 finalist.

The third runner-up spot was for Lucena Rose Magdadaro, 23, a former taekwondo player and varsity basketball player who last year represented the town of Sogod in the Miss Philippines Earth pageant. She is a sophomore Nursing student at Cebu Velez College.

Architecture student Domenic Reynes rounded out the Top Five with a fourth runner-up placement. The University of San Carlos student considers it a huge achievement to place high in her very first pageant.

One interesting question that cropped up that evening involved the issue of Cebu’s proposed BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system. Asked about her stand about phasing out jeepneys to make way for the BRT, Katherine Jumapao replied, “For us to move forward, we should innovate. Let us not be hesitant to change, and let us not resist what may cause progress. The BRT will ease up traffic here in Cebu and provide new job opportunities for drivers and Cebuanos.”

Judges were Suyen Sia, Binibining Pilipinas-Maja 1986 Iza Gonzales-Agaya, Carlos Celdran, Frederick Peralta and Emmy award-winning producer Michael Carandang.

Former Miss Cebu Tourism runner-up also took the stage to pay a tearful tribute to former Cebu City Tourism Commission chairman and former Cebu City Vice-Mayor Renato Veloso-Osmeña.

Opening with the launch of Lakbay Lingaw, Cebu’s newest tourism campaign, the Miss Cebu 2015 coronation included performances by “Star Power” third runner-up Monica Sacay, “The Voice of the Philippines Season 2” contestant Jem Cubil and “Star in a Million” second runner-up Jimmy Marquez

This year’s theme was “Revving Up Cebu,” manifested in the candidates’ wardrobe changes throughout the evening including Pusô-inspired creations by designers Alejandro Godinez, Barbie Alvez, Peewee Senining, and Rey Villegas, Modern Maria Clara with creations by Yvonne Quisumbing, Brian Aloquin, Protacio, and Edwin Ao, and finally, glamourous Red Ternos as interpreted by Albert Arriba, Marichu Tan, Jun Escario, Ditas Rodriguez, Wendell Quisido, Philipp Tampus, OJ Hofer, William Manahan, Dino Llorren, Arcy Gayatin, Ren Manabat and Harley Ruedas.

The Best in Evening Gown Designer award went to Marichu Tan, whose red terno creation was worn by candidate number two, Febb Flores. (FREEMAN)