Cebuana girls crowned Little Miss Solane 2014

CEBU, Philippines - Two lovely girls from Cebu emerged as this year’s top winners in Little Miss Solane, the heritage pageant that empowers girls to become talented and successful women in the future. Marydee Manayaga won the Little Miss Solane Cuties title, while Duchess Blythe Uybengkee was named Little Miss Solane Teenies during the national pageant held at the SMX Aura Convention Center, Taguig City. 

Seven-year-old Marydee wowed the audience with her dancing skills and her love of science during the question-and-answer portion, besting 11 others in the Cuties category (6-10 years old). The first-time pageant contender also won the Naturally Beautiful Face special award.

In the Teenies category (11-14 years old), the 13-year-old aspiring theater actress and international flight attendant, Duchess, showed that persistence bears fruit. She joined last year’s pageant in the Cuties category but did not win the crown. The setback did not stop her from trying again. The new Little Miss Solane Teenies was also awarded the Yupangco Music Academy Best in Talent for her interpretation of the Little Mermaid classic “Part of Your World.”

As grand winners, Marydee and Duchess each took home P50,000 cash plus P50,000 worth of scholarships and developmental programs. They also have the privilege of joining Solane activities that include outreach programs, trade shows and other special events where they can further showcase their talents.

Other pageant winners are: 1st runners-up Steph Netthel Redne Yamut (Cuties, and also from Cebu) and Ma. Dominique Trillana (Teenies); 2nd runners-up Ashley Kate Arindain (Cuties) and Kyla Angelica Marie De Catalina (Teenies). The first and second runners-up took home P30,000 and P20,000 cash, respectively.

Special awards also went to cuties Yamut (Best National Costume, Darling of the Press), Beatrice Bade (Most Elegant in Partywear), Sheena Belarmino (Little Miss Sporty and Healthy, Yupangco Music Academy Best in Talent), Sofia Berry Villanueva (Little Miss Best Friend, Monde MY San Little Miss Intelligence), Angela Marie Gilstrap and mother Michelle (Solane Mom and Daughter of the Year) and Isha Kim Quibal (Champion Fabri-con Child of the Year); and Teenies Maria Christine Mendoza (Little Miss Sporty and Healthy), Alessandra Reanne Rafael and mother Rosamarie (Solane Mom and Daughter of the Year), Ma. Mercy Bacarisas (Most Naturally Beautiful Face, Darling of the Press), Schanelle Ashley Banzon Champion Fabri-con Teen of the Year), Marielle Jhoy Tubig (Most Elegant in Partywear), Ma. Dominique Trillana (Monde MY San Little Miss Intelligence), and Sharmaine Michaela Richards (Best in National Costume, Little Miss Best Friend). They all received P5,000 cash prize for their special awards.

“The exposure gained from this pageant will certainly help them to be better people for their families, friends and their community,” said Isla LPG Corporation CEO Ramon del Rosario. “Little Miss Solane 2014 is an avenue where young misses can meet new friends, learn new things about themselves, and more importantly, improve their talents and well-being.”

On its second year, Little Miss Solane is a talent and personality search where young ladies can discover, develop and nurture their potentials at an early age to help them grow into empowered, responsible and successful women in their own right. Unlike other children’s competitions that focus merely on physical attributes, Little Miss Solane endeavors to enhance talent and potential, and build character and personality. (FREEMAN)