TAPUAC STUNNER WINS MS. BALON DAGUPAN

DAGUPAN CITY – Irish Stephanie Caoile of Barangay Tapuac was crowned as Ms. Balon Dagupan 2019 during the pageant night at the city plaza here on December 15.

2018 Ms. Balon Dagupan Shaima Rashed Gad, joined by  Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, guest of honor and speaker National Youth Commission (NYC) Usec. Ronald Cardema, 2018 City Fiesta Hermano Mayor Coun. Jeslito “Jigs” Seen and the board of judges, passed on the crown to Ms. Caole.

MS. BALON DAGUPAN 2019 – Ms. Irish Stephanie Caoile of Barangay Tapuac (center, 1^st photo) was crowned as Ms. Balon Dagupan during the pageant night at the city plaza on December 14. Alexia Nevado of Barangay Malued (center, left, 1^st photo) and Cris-Ann delos Reyes of Barangay Caranglaan (center, right, 1^st photo) were adjudged as first and second runner ups respectively. Also in 2^nd photo (from left to right, 2^nd row) Coun. Alvin Coquia, former Coun. Karlos Reyna IV, Liga ng mga Barangay President Dean Bryan Kua, Pantal chairman Julita Perez, Caranglaan Chairman Teresa Coquia, NYC Usec. Ronald Cardema, Coun. Joey Tamayo, 2018 Ms. Balon Dagupan Shaima Rashed Gad, Dr. Ashok Vasandani, Mayor Belen T. Fernandez and Coun. Marvin Fabia. (CIO photo by Arriz Fruelda) 

Also present were Liga ng mga Barangay President Dean Bryan Kua, Councilors Joey Netu Tamayo, Alvin Coquia, Marvin Fabia, former councilors Karlos Reyna IV, Michael Fernandez, Dr. Ashok Vasandani and the city’s barangay captains, SK chairmen and council.

A 19-year-old Communication student of University of Pangasinan, Caoile bested 26 other competitors when she also won the Best in Swim Wear competition and minor awards such as Ms. Gorgeous Smile, Mima’s on Fleek Brows Award, Ms. Modelo, Ms. Kawai SPA and Ms. Glamshot.

“I would like to thank God Almighty for the strength and wisdom, and also the city government of Dagupan, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation and to everyone who came to support not just me but all of my fellow candidates,”  said Caoile.

She also admitted her surprise to be named as Ms. Balon Dagupan as this was her first major pageant.

In the question and answer portion for Top 12 candidates, Caoile related the depiction of female empowerment to her own experiences as an active member of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

“As an active young volunteer of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, I am proud to say that I am a member of a group of girls who want the world to be a better place. Because we believe that women built up the whole country and we have to start promoting their beauty. Just like how Ms. Balon Dagupan 2019 pageant highlights the beauty and intelligence of every women here in Dagupan City. You can never go wrong with an empowered woman, ” added Caoile.

Joining her royal court are Alexia Nevado of Barangay Malued and Cris-Ann delos Reyes of Barangay Caranglaan as first and second runners up, respectively.

Nevado was also adjudged as Ms. Dove BeYOUtiful while delos Reyes was adjudged as Best in Evening Wear along with other minor awards such as Ms. Café Angelito, Ms. DYT and Ms. Stillwaters Spa.

Caoile received P35,000 cash prize for the grand title while Nevado and delos Reyes received P25,000 and P15,000, respectively.

Caoile will also represent the city as an ambassadress of good will during her reign as Ms. Balon Dagupan 2019, according to 2018 City Fiesta Hermano Mayor Coun. Jeslito “Jigs” Seen.

Meanwhile, other candidates also received awards such as Ms. Congeniality (Mica Ella Luna of Bonuan Gueset); Ms. Photogenic (Allysa Andrea Reyes of Lasip Chico); Ms. Skin Blend (Shirley Sotelo of Mangin); Ms. All White (Angelica Saplan of Pogo Grande); Ms. Sizzling County (Jazel Romero of Bolosan); Ms. Creamsilk (Angelica Saplan of Pogo Grande); Ms. Glims Skin and Body (Desiree Almonte of Mamalingling); Ms. Modelo (Shirley Sotelo of Mangin and Jazel Romero of Bolosan); Ms. Flawless (Joliza Cruz of Lucao); Ms. Coca-Cola Body (Elyssa Orito of Tebeng); Ms. Headzone (Angelica Saplan of Pogo Grande); and Smart Texter’s Choice (Ma. Luisa Mangundayao of Pantal).

All candidates were awarded plaques of appreciation by their respective SK Chairmen.

Designer Elizabeth Cabario of Elizabeth Gowns also won the Best Designer Collections award and received a cash prize of P10,000.

The Search for Ms. Balon Dagupan 2019 was also held in conjunction with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) night, one of the major highlights of the month-long Dagupan City Fiesta. (Verdelle De Vera/CIO)