MANILA, Philippines - As part of its continuous search for representatives who will promote the products and attractions of Marikina, the city government, together with Kalahi Marikina, Inc. presented 30 candidates vying for the title of Binibining Marikit and Ginoong Makisig to the press recently at SM City Marikina.
Aside from meeting the press, the candidates were given questions that tested their knowledge about their beloved city and their skills in answering during an open forum.
Mayor Del de Guzman said that the candidates will have a cat walk tour this month of various tourist destinations within the city, such as the Shoe Museum, Cultural Center (house of Laureano “Kapitan Moy” Guevara, the father of the shoe industry of Marikina) and shoe factories courtesy of the Marikina City Tourism, Culture and Arts Office.
The walking tour will be one of the basis for the Q&A portion that will take place on the Coronation Night in December at the Marikina Convention Center consequently the 18th anniversary of the city.
Harry Singh of Kalahi Marikina said that the winners of the contest will receive P10,000 (fourth runners-up), P15,000 (third runners-up), P20,000 (second runners-up), P30,000 (first runners-up) and P50,000 (grand winners), inclusive of a sash and a bouquet of flowers. They will also serve as ambassadors of youth and will represent Marikina in national pageant competitions.
Binibining Marikit at Ginoong Makisig is a fund-raising project for a major socio-historical project, the Dambana ng Lahing Marikina. It is a granite wall with a towering symbol of Marikitna (Inang Marikina) holding an eternal flame on one hand and the symbol of the shoe industry on the other.