Ilagan celebrates corn, cityhood charter during local pageant
MANILA, Philippines — Ilagan City, the "Corn Capital of the Philippines," celebrated the 13th anniversary of its cityhood with a lineup of activities geared towards its campaign to become a global "Livable City" by 2030.
A basketball exhibition with celebrities playing against locals, a cheerdance competition, and the search for its muse were among the highlights in its social calendar.
The annual Mamanggi Festival, which affirms the heroic efforts of its farmers as food producers, did not push through this year as the recent elections made it difficult to prepare and finance the undertaking. Locals are looking forward to its resumption next year.
City mayor Hon. Josemarie "Jay" Diaz said during his opening speech of Binibining Ilagan 2025 that the anniversary pays tribute to the city's vibrant culture through the competing delegates.
"More than a showcase of beauty, the Binibining Ilagan pageant is a platform of empowerment and confidence. Ilagueñas are strong pillars of change; using the runway for a greater purpose — creating ambassadors of hope in the process," Diaz said.
Aspiring nurse Mariella Mirasol Lourdes Tyrrell of Sta. Isabel Sur bested 18 other hopefuls to be crowned the new Binibining Ilagan.
She also won the lion's share of special awards including the Best Festival Creative Costume, Best in Casual Wear, Bb. Cape Ilocandia, and Bb. Villa Mercedes.
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Tyrell will represent the city in the forthcoming Queen Isabella province-wide pageant early next year, during the celebration of the Bambanti Frstival.
Nicole Barbero, a registered nurse from.Sta. Victoria, was proclaimed Binibining Turismo, Sining, at Kultura on top of Best in Evening Gown and Skinovation Beauty honors earlier in the evening while Heart Angel Lara, a nursing student from Alibagu, was named Binibining Agrikultura and took home the Bb. CRP Tingkad award.
Caryl Franchette Leaño of San Vicente (Bb. Kojic King) and Precious Diane Alvarez of Cadu were named runners-up in descending order.
The other semifinalists were Sharah Maine Mendieta (Marana), Gemalyn Raquel (Sta. Victoria), Lea Bianca Cabalonga (Fugu), Christine Mae Navarro (Best in Swimsuit, Alinguigan), and Nicole Osias (Cabisera 10).
Other special award recipients were Kenneth John Gaspar as Best Festival Costume Designer and Marjorie Tuppil Cabaccan (San Ignacio) who was voted as Miss Congeniality by her co-candidates.
Queen Isabella 2024 1st runner-up Jonline Ariola, who was crowned Binibining Ilagan 2024, bequeathed her crown to the new winner from Sta. Isabel Sur.
Besides Ilagan's continuing campaign to be global Livable City, it also promotes tourist destinations like the Japanese Tunnel, the Abuan River, the giant Butaka park, and the Ilagan Sanctuary.
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