CEBU, Philippines — After a month of virtual and physical screenings, the country’s very first Cebu-based national pageant formally introduced its finalists during a press presentation held at the Triton Grand Ballroom of JPARK Island Resort & Water Park Cebu.
From more than 150 aspirants, these 35 ladies coming from all over the Philippines were selected as inaugural candidates of HiyasngPilipinas: Angel de Guzman (Sultan Kudarat), We’Am Ahmed (Davao del Norte), Ma. Guizzelle de Leon (Quezon Province), Katherine Topsnik (Bohol Province),
Phoebe Godinez (Lapu-Lapu City), Kefiaiah Al-zair (Cebu Province), Renee Gabrielle Brañanola (Tuburan, Cebu), May Alexandra KriziaHamsirani (Dumaguete City), Tracy Lei Icaza (Indang, Cavite), and SollaireRallos (Parañaque).
Also vying for several titles at stake are Sheena Mae Balansag (Misamis Oriental), Megan Campbell (Cebu City), Leila Alexis Mah (Mandaue City), Jessa Mae Guillena (Dauis, Bohol), Irish Ebuen (Davao City), Evangeline Fuentes (Pangasinan), Dean Dianne Balogal (Baguio City), AzrielAtira Coloma (Tacloban City), Athena Claire Auxillo (Toledo City, Cebu), ShuveeChrisnaEtrata (Bantayan Island), Sheila Marie Fraser (Tagbilaran City), RyccaTimog (Camarines Sur), and Patricia Marie Mendiola (Lucena City).
Completing the roster are Nazreen Alba Fazil (Cavite Province), NatsumiBerdanSekiguchi (Caloocan City), Mary Love Lopez (Bukidnon), Mary Bless Arano (Panabo City), Marianne Niel Insigne (Eastern Samar), Marla Alforque (Carcar City), Louise Tan Theunis (Carrascal), Lorieche Layne Galariana (Talisay City, Cebu), Julie Fe Moyon (Misamis Occidental), Hannah Isabel Quiohilag (Laguna Province), ClytemestraMiaflor Juan (Dasmarinas, Cavite), and Beatrice Marie Abella (Quezon City).
At the press launch, the candidates paraded in swimwear and later on fielded various questions from media. Declared Darling of the Press was Dean Dianne Balogal of Baguio City, with Megan Deen Campbell of Cebu City, and Louise Tan Theunis of Carrascal also named among the second and third choices.
Launched to grand fanfare last October when Cebu was in the limelight after back-to-back victories at Miss Universe Philippines and Miss World Philippines, HiyasngPilipinas is backed by the experience of a competent team of experts led by Cebuana beauty queen Eva Patalinjug as National Director.
“I’m making sure that all the girls will feel at home and not left out. I want to make them feel that they are already a part of the family. As much as possible, avoid favoritism, though we really can’t avoid some people favoring one from the other. But as the National Director, I want to be neutral and get to know each one of the girls. I see to it that everything should be fair and equal,” Patalinjug told The FREEMAN when asked what she wanted the candidates from outside of Cebu to experience with HiyasngPilipinas.
Also making up the pageant’s Board of Directors are Director for Charity Karla Tandoy, Finance Director Sugar BorjaSagarino, Communications Director AugusteIzharPepito, Public Relations Director Alma Maria, Operations Director Roy Erwin Tizon, Vice President JesselleSaniel, and Chairman of the Board Ronald Yap Elpa.
The HiyasngPilipinas coronation will be held this February at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino. Winners will be sent to Miss Elite World, Miss Tourism World, and Miss Tourism Queen International. The organization is also on the lookout for at least two more international titles to franchise.