MANILA, Philippines - Crowd favorite Ara Isabel Diocos (photo) of Naga City was crowned 2015 Miss Bicolandia. The affair was part of the Peñafrancia Festival. The pageant drew participants from the six provinces of the Bicol Region (Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon). Past winners of the search were trained by Aces & Queens, some of whom became Bb. Pilipinas winners like the late Melody Gersbach (2008 Bb. Pilipinas-International) and Yvette Santiago (in 2012, who won 2014 Bb. Pilipinas Supranational).
Diocos’ runners-up include Princess Cecilio (first) of Daet, Camarines Norte; Miss BDO Bicolandia winner Maria Lina Prongoso (second) of Iriga City; Francia Layderos (third) of Albay; and April Ann Bigay (fourth) of Pili, Camarines Sur.