Mutya sa Minglanilla 2005: Here they come

How does one define a beauty contest? And could one use it to size up a contestant straightforwardly? Perhaps, a beauty contest, too, is an act of asserting to one's double-edged liberty of expression. The town of Minglanilla is pleased to introduce the 17 image-rich, witty and assertive candidates for the search of the next Mutya sa Minglanilla. Last August 7 in Tubod Flowing Water, the town presented a bevy of finalists who emanated admirable charm and personality.

The seventeen lovely candidates are eager to buoy up the Mutya sa Minglanilla's bequest of purpose through the genuine ambition of becoming an instrument for the development of the town of Minglanilla.

Either for men or women, joining a beauty contest is actually realizing one's worth. It is not just distinguishing the significance of one's physical appearance but also the prosaic rediscovering of one's being. It enables the candidate to recognize her strengths and weaknesses. It is an opportunity to know and deliver one's self better.

"Being a Mutya sa Minglanilla candidate is an opportunity for me. It allows me to understand more the significance of joining a beauty pageant," said 16-year old Julie Christine de Jesus. She is currently taking up BS-HRM at the University of San Carlos.

Glenny Lyn Lugatiman and Sweet Candy Johnson are fourth year high school students of the University of the Visayas. Emie Jane Empleo is currently taking up Bachelor in Elementary Education. Business Administration students of USJ-R, Dyzsa Jagna and Jackielou Baculanta agreed that one has to be true to oneself because real beauty comes from within. Other Josenian contestants who supported the idea were Noche Amor Ponce and Marie Cris Saramosing. Kayle Faye Companion, Hannah Lee Cabañas, Hannah Branzuela, and Imelda Remeticado all expressed a high regard for the pageant. These Carolinians are perfectly aware of their role to do something positive as lucky grand finalists. Christine Tura wants to own a travel agency. Other grand finalists include Riza Marie Lañojan, Ariel Ong, and Lilet Magaspi. Mutya sa Minglanilla's coronation night will take place in the town's new complex on August 21, at 7:00 p.m.

The pageant's sponsors are Tubod Flowing Water, Pepsi, Globe Telecom, I-Cooler Marketing, Arcason Construction, Hipolan Construction, and Motortrade Nationwide Corporation.

"I will just be myself. I cannot pretend to be someone else. This is the way I deliver myself. This is the way I speak out my mind," Tonivi Salazar answered, the most assertive of them all, when asked about her edge over the other ladies.

Many feminists regard beauty contests as degrading to females in general, with particular on the objection to swimsuit rounds in the competition. Exactly the same point was asked to the contestants. The Mutya sa Minglanilla hopefuls defiantly expressed their opinions on the misconception of some people to beauty contest.