Their memorable Mutya moments

MANILA, Philippines - A new Mutya Ng Pilipinas will be chosen from a batch of 30 hopefuls tonight at grand finals at The Arena in San Juan City (telecast as a TV special on ABS-CBN’s Studio 23 on Sunday night, Dec. 11, 9 to 11). No, not just one but three: Mutya ng Pilipinas-International, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism and Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas Communities. The lucky winners will represent the country in three international pageants: Miss Intercontinental, Miss Tourism International and Miss Asia-Pacific International (to be revived after a seven-year hiatus).

With “Beauty Tourism Adventure” as theme, this year’s search is presented in cooperation with Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City and Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa (the official home of the pageant).

Reigning Mutya ng Pilipinas queens are Barbie Salvador, Christi Lynn McGarry and Carla Lizardo.

Funfare’s “beauty experts” Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib asked past winners what their memorable Mutya moments were.

• Gloria “Bong” Dimayacyac, 1983 Mutya Ng Pilipinas-Asia and Miss Asia: So many memories that not one stands out. I can almost still see the details of every nook and cranny of Silahis Hotel where I stayed for almost three months. I can still taste the Filipino breakfast served in the coffee shop every morning just before our hectic schedule started. Everything that happened back then made me feel like a real queen. The memories are still fresh and still continue to make me feel good

• Shawnaleh Brauner, 1991 Mutya Ng Pilipinas-Globe: I went to Turkey for the Miss Globe. It was my first time to ride a plane. I was so young and alone. I lost all my baggage after an emergency landing in New Delhi and survived the unplanned three-day stay in Paris. I went through all the events wearing borrowed T-shirts. I was never able to get my luggage back.

• Angelica Jasmine Berroya Reyes, 1994 Mutya Ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific and Miss Asia-Pacific semi-finalist: Unexpectedly winning the crown at a young age. Besting equally talented and beautiful candidates was very rewarding. It was a life-changing moments.

• Rochelle Ong, 1998 Mutya Ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific: The whole journey was an unforgettable experience for me. It’s something I would treasure forever.

• Darlene Carbungco, 2001 Mutya Ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific and Miss Asia Pacific fourth runner-up: Coming from a very sheltered life and winning the pageant was so overwhelming. It opened many opportunities, like socializing with people I only watched or read about. Representing the country in the 2001 Miss Asia Pacific helped me gain self-confidence. I just enjoyed the competition for the journey itself. Truly amazing!

• Hemilyn Escudero, 2005 Mutya Ng Pilipinas finalist (appointed to represent the country at the 2005 Miss Globe Pageant, competed at the 2006 Miss Petite International Pageant in Texas and won Best Costume and in 2007 competed at the Miss Global City International Pageant where she was chosen Miss Global City Asia): The experience here and abroad is something that I would be able to share, cherish and treasure for a lifetime. Experience is indeed the best teacher. It made me the person that I am today; it became my training ground to be well-rounded with a strong sense of awareness. It has developed my patience and ability to focus and get the things that I want and has increased my knowledge in the pageantry world.

• Kirby Ann Basken, 2006 Mutya Ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific International (competed in the 2006 Miss Intercontinental in the Bahamas and made it to the semi-finals and in 2007 crowned Miss Universe Norway, making her the only Filipina to ever win a national beauty title in two countries): Double the title, double the fun. Glamour and glitter aside, it was the people in Mutya who made the pageant memorable. I learned so much about myself when I joined Mutya, and most importantly, I learned so much more about my mother’s homeland, my heritage. Being Mutya ng Pilipinas and Miss Norway at the same time allowed me to take my rightful place in the world, my rightful home…Eurasia!

• April Love Jordan, 2006 Mutya Ng Pilipinas second runner (tapped to join the 2006 Miss Tourism Queen of the Year and won the Miss Charm Award, and in 2009 crowned the grand winner of the International Model and beauty Festival in China): Representing the Philippines in the Miss Tourism-Queen of the Year International in Kuala Lumpur. I was 18 then. It was my first trip out of the country and it was really unforgettable!

• Jam Charish Libatog, 2008 Mutya Ng Pilipinas Tourism-International: I almost became a member of the Professional Models’ Association of the Philippines. Ariel Atendido, the president at that time, was one of the judges. But I chose to work in Macau. I was able to go to Vietnam together with Jonavi Quiray, Mutya ng Pilipinas International 2008 to represent Philippines in a TV show showcasing different cultures and traditions in Southeast Asian countries. I was a semi-finalist in the 2008 Miss Tourism International Pageant held in Malaysia where I met Miss Czech Republic who became my good friend. We still communicate and even plan to see each other soon.

• Jane R. Banares, 2009 Mutya Ng Pilipinas International: It made me a stronger person because it gave me a bigger view of life. I’ve met the worst and best people in the world. It opened windows of opportunity for a girl who did her best and believed that her imperfection made her unique. I will always treasure my experience with all the girls especially my co-winners and Athena Imperial (Mutya 2009 semi-finalist and 2011 Miss Philippines-Earth) who inspired and believed in me.

• Christi Lynn McGarry, 2010 Mutya Ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific International (tapped to compete at the 2010 Miss Intercontinental Pageant when Carla Lizardo was unable to participate. Ashley made it to the Top 10 and was awarded Miss Intercontinental Asia-Oceania): Many people would think that my most unforgettable moment was when I was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas or being able to compete and represent the Philippines (along with enjoying the beautiful beaches) in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. But actually, the most important is my winning new friends.

• Carla Jenina Lizardo, 2010 Mutya Ng Pilipinas Intercontinental: The most unforgettable moment for me was still being Mutya ng Pilipinas Intercontinental. Winning was something that I really didn’t expect, and at that moment, I realized that I could achieve anything as long as I put my heart into it.