The pageant of Subaraw Festival is now a national event featuring candidates from different cities and provinces, 30 candidates were formally introduced to the local media today, November 4, at the City Hall of Puerto Princesa.
10 are hometown candidates coming from barangays , schools and municipalities in Puerto Princesa and Palawan.
“Itong Subaraw Festival nagsimula sa PPUR Day celebration. Nag-decide ang City Leadership na i-angat ang level ng celebration na ito dahil sa boung Pilipinas ito yung pinaka-pambihira na festival, dahil nakabase sa biodiversity, nakabase sa iba’t ibang buhay sa dagat at lupa, sa mga kababayan natin, kung mapagtulungan natin na magawa itong sikat, major national event eh hindi imposible na bandang huli gawin natin itong international event,” Mayor Lucilo Bayron said.
Miss Subaraw Festival started last year as part of the festivity that honors the world famous Underground River that became a UNESCO world heritage site and a 7 Wonders of Nature wonder.
Festival Committee Chairman Carlo Abogado said that originally there were 35 candidates who confirmed their participation this year, but for some reason there were only 30 who made it.
One who backed out is the representative of Bicol because she was beaten by Dengue and is still recovering as of now.
The theme for the coronation night on November 8 at the City Coliseum is “Filipina”.
The Designers’ Circle of the Philippines will showcase different Filipiniana attire from opening number to long gown, with the swimsuit wear will be presented with “biodiversity flavor” featuring flora and fauna designs.
Known Manila pageant director Cata Figuroa will handle the show. He is best known for directing Philippine Fashion Revolution and some Bench fashion shows.
“From a local pageant to a national pageant, medyo mabilis kinourse-tru natin to with Designers Circle of the Philippines, basically ang mga nakuha natin ay mga reigning Queens ng kanilang local, iba dyan respected winners ng area nila,” Abogado said.
Among candidates with known credentials are San Pablo City Roberta Angela Tamondong, who was the reigning second runner up of Miss Teen Philippines, and the latest fling of Jemuel Pacquiao, the son of Boxing Champ and Senator Manny Pacquiao. She is also the reigning Miss Quezon City.
Former Miss Puerto Princesa Angelica Lopez that represented the City in Miss MIMAROPA is representing Mandaragat-San Miguel Senior High School in this year’s pageant.
Here are the other candidates this year: Jhanina Gonzales of Obando Bulacan, Christine Jayne Dayao of Zambales, Gillean Jagmis of Cuyo, Johselle Realubit of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, Jelyn Joyce Igpalina- Inagawan, Puerto Princesa, Anjelijhen Damasco-Malabon City, Cherry Mae Distal-El Nido, Jamaica Venturillo-Cagayancillo, Anne Marie Jade Gilongos-Nabas, Aklan, Nica Nabua-Talisay City, Charlene Boholano-Albay, Imae Abrea-Aborlan National High School, Danielle Isabelle Dolk of Laguna.
Other candidates also are Katrina Mae Sese of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, Jashmin-Lyn Dimaculangan of Capalonga, Camarines Norte, Ann Roxal Palmares-Dumangas, Iloilo, Blessie Joy Villablanca- Manapla, Negros Occidental, Jhoanna Marie Mullick of Badiangan, Iloilo. Silvana Rauch- Angeles City, Gian Mae Benedicto-Batangas, Roxanne Natividad- Valenzuela City, Zarene Mae Tansiongco- Romblon, Shara Maxine Barber- Palawan State University, Bea Ramirez- Lipa City, Jeisa Gane- San Jose, Puerto Princesa. Vhem Aringo-San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, and Azekah Alvarez of San Miguel, Puerto Princesa.
This year’s festival Queen will take home P100,000 cash, first runner up is P70,000 and the second placer is will got P50,000. Special awards is P5,000 each and the Best In Festival Costume will win P10,000 cash.
Abogado said that if the winner is not from Palawan, rest assured she will be regularly seen here in the City being the ambassadress of Puerto Princesa Underground River, he made sure that the festival will allocate budget for her to attend important events here in Puerto Princesa.
The expected guests to arrive on the Grand Coronation night are Angelee Delos Reyes, Miss Philippines Earth 2013, Mr. World Asia Pacific 2019 JB Saliba, Ms. Globe 2019-2nd Runner Up Leren Mae Bautista and ABS-CBN actor Vin Abrenica.
