Miss Bayambang 2018 Strut Before the Press

By Staff of the Bayambang 's LGU

And then there were 20!

From 46 applicants, the number was whittled down to that magic number, and the lucky girls picked out by the Screening Committee are the official Bb. Bayambang candidates for 2018.

STUNNERS - The 20 members of beauty pageants for the Search for Binibining Bayambang 2018 pose recently for the selected members of the media for the Top 3 “Darling of the Press” held inside the Saint Vincent Village Pavilion of the palatial mansion in the Central Pangasinan town of Business Czar and the town's Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao.The lookers are led by the pageant’s organizer chaired by Actress and Bayambang First Lady Ms. Niña Jose-Quiambao (black dress) and the town’s Administrator Lawyer Rodelynn Rajini A. Sagarino.This year’s contestants are mostly students who studied as far as the University of Makati in Makati City and Saint Louis University in Baguio City. The pre-pageant and pageant nights will be on March 24 and April 6, 2018 The financial prize for the winner of the spectacle will be P100, 000 and additional P100,000 for her chosen charity organization while P10, 000 each as consolation prizes for most of the 19 other contestants. PHOTO: MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

The lineup was presented to members of Pangasinan media at the Saint Vincent Village Pavilion on February 10. The press contingent, gathered by Media Affairs Officer Dr. Leticia B. Ursua, was led by no less than the veteran trimedia man Rhee Fer Hortaleza, who has been the mentor’s mentor of Pangasinan-based media people for decades, and Lelia Chua-Sy, the publisher of Northern Times and Pangasinan Star, among other things.

The young ladies admirably kept their poise despite the intimidating presence of such high-ranking members of the press. Some of the questions dwelt on current events, while other questions, like Hortaleza’s, focused on Bayambang and the pageant itself (“How did all this start?”), particularly its advocacy of stamping out poverty in the whole town. A few questions, like that of Chua-Sy’s (“Why is it important for you to win?”), probed the personal side of the beauty title contenders.

Among the most striking questions is the one posed by Eva Chan-Visperas of Philippine Star and Sunday Punch: “Do you speak Pangasinan? Do you think it is important to use and preserve it?” Number 18, Ara Joyce S. Bato, 18 years old, of Poblacion Sur straightaway answered, “On mansasalita ak na Pangasinan. I believe it is important to preserve it because it is one of the markers of our identity, it is unique, and it is the most beautiful language, for me.”

An early standout is #5, Nuryane Samson, 17, of Bani due to her darker-than-usual skin tone – her father being of Indian descent. Yolanda Sotelo of Philippine Daily Inquirer asked whether she has experienced discrimination and bullying as a result. Nuryane turned visibly emotional, and after she regained her composure, she revealed, “Yes, I’ve had negative experiences, pero hinahayaan ko lang. Masaya ako sa kulay ko. Kung ano binigay sa ’kin ni God, tatanggapin ko po yun.”

One question, posed by Susan Yadao of DWIZ Dagupan, was addressed to all contenders. “Do you believe in beauty with ‘retoke’ (plastic surgery/augmentation)?” #2, Shana Mae Ferrer, 18, of Mangayao, tacitly said no: “I will not change any part because God created me this way.” But #9 chose to be more nuanced: “How I (naturally) look is how I choose to express myself, but I have no judgment against those who want to have retoke. If mas confident ka by having [plastic surgery], then that’s ok with me,” answered Romhellie Ann Apostol, 17, of Tambac.

Minnie Caburnay-Alcaide of DWPR Radyo Asenso and Manila Star asked, “Beauty fades. How would you like to be remembered?” #16, Mariela Joy R. Ferrer, 17, of Magsaysay answered, “I want to be remembered by [the kind of] help I was able to give to my hometown.”

The other media personalities who attended the press con are Framy Sabado of Bombo Radyo Dagupan (who dwelt on fake news), Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre of DWIZ Dagupan and People’s Journal (on politicians’ desirable qualities), Leizl Basa-Iñigo of Manila Bulletin (on life lessons from mothers), Mortz Ortigoza of Northern Watch (on Filipinos’ reputed ignorance on global affairs), and Glen Tiempo of DWIN Agila Radyo (on federalism).

Earlier in the day, Bb. Bayambang 2018 organizers led by Local Council of Women (LCW) of Bayambang Chair Ms. Niña Jose-Quiambao and Municipal Administrator Atty. Rodelynn Rajini A. Sagarino gave the young beauties a general orientation on the upcoming pre-pageant and pageant nights on March 24 and April 6, 2018. “This is not a one-night affair, with the winners having no duties and responsibilities. We go beyond physical beauty and talent. We want somebody who really wants to be Bb. Bayambang and help the LGU in its major undertaking, the Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan. We believe Bb. Bayambang is an excellent platform for such an undertaking.”

Ms. Niña concurred: “Bb. Bayambang is all about beauty for love and service.”

They further revealed that the ladies’ official handlers from the LCW, called Mamitas, will guide them in the year-long work to promote this anti-poverty advocacy. “When you win, what will be your advocacy, your priority projects?”

Sagarino then announced that the cash prize for the grand winner will be P100,000 plus an additional P100,000 for her chosen charity organization.

 

Some members of the Fourth Estate as judges.

“This is a commitment,” she emphasized, as she explained why they needed to fill out the Commitment Form. But she also advised the girls, “Just be yourself and enjoy the process. You don’t compete with the others; you compete with yourself, to improve yourself.”

Sagarino also announced that the 20 contenders will be trained by no less than Aces and Queens, the people behind the success of the likes of Pia Wurtzbach, Maegan Young, Venus Raj, Maxene Medina, Ariella Arida, Shamcey Supsup, et al. The upcoming photoshoot will be at Thunderbird Resorts, San Fernando City, La Union. The emcees will be Xian Lim and Gretchen Ho, while the performer will be Michael Pangilinan. The panel of judges will include other big-name personalities (whose identities will remain under wraps until the big night).

Here’s the official lineup of contenders for Bb. Bayambang 2018 (contestant number, name, age, address):

1. Queen Jahn Rica B. Tagulao, 17, Bongato West
2. Shana Mae Ferrer, 18, Mangayao
3. Ma. Melvina F. Riñon, 17, Zone V
4. Mary Alexia A. Villafuerte, 15, Zone III
5. Nuryane Samson, 17, Bani
6. Ercil C. Lorenzo, 18, Poblacion Sur
7. Ma. Joyce Anne DV. Ramos, 21, Hermoza
8. Hazel Anne E. Magno, 19, Sapang
9. Romhellie Ann Apostol, 17, Tambac
10. Gabrielle Marie B. Reloza, 18, Magsaysay
11. Asontea Quen B. Quijalvo, 19, M.H. Del Pilar
12. Karen D. Ventura, 22, Buayaen
13. Adelina C. Soriano, 19, Maigpa
14. Jenesse Viktoria P. Mejia, 17, Zone III
15. Rachel I. Mariñas, 17, Zone V
16. Mariela Joy R. Ferrer, 17, Magsaysay
17. Ina Niña Mae Azhyneth S. Laroco, 19, Tococ East
18. Ara Joyce S. Bato, 18, Poblacion Sur
19. Brengie Sen G. Tamayo, 19, San Vicente
20. Ferline P. Aquino, 20, Cadre Site