JANELA Joy Cuaton is best in festival costume. Armin Adina
The 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas winners shared their thoughts as they are about to relinquish their titles to a new batch of queens.
“When I joined Mutya ng Pilipinas last year, my advocacy was really about helping promote the province of Kalinga,” said Glennifer Perido, who was also proclaimed Miss Tourism Metropolitan International at the 2014 Miss Tourism International pageant in Malaysia. “So when I was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism, I grabbed the opportunity and used it as a tool in promoting and introducing my province, Kalinga, not just to Filipinos but to foreigners as well.”
Her batchmate, 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International Eva Psychee Patalinjug, said: “I wore my crown together with the title, not just on my head but with all my heart. I used it as an inspiration, to assist me in promoting tourism and social responsibility.”
But both queens said their titles not only came with responsibilities, but opportunities they never imagined would come their way.
Role model
“The best thing about being Mutya ng Pilipinas is it serves as a springboard to bigger and wider opportunities. If you’re Mutya ng Pilipinas, you’ll be able to become a source of positive change… a role model,” the 21-year-old Cebuana beauty told the Inquirer.
Patalinjug has already appeared in several music videos for local musicians, and has also dabbled in acting on television.
Perido, meanwhile, shared: “Being Mutya ng Pilipinas is not merely about having the crown and enjoying the perks of being a ‘beauty queen’; it’s more about being able to touch people’s lives and serve as their inspiration, especially to my fellow Cordillerans.”
Filipino-Italian model Patrizia Bosco, who was proclaimed 2014 Mutya ng Pilipinas-Overseas Communities, said “I’m sad, because there’s only a few more days left before I pass my crown.”
“To the contestants, enjoy the experience. Make friends, like what I did last year,” added Bosco at the regional costume contest and designers’ competition held at the plaza of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on Tuesday.
Early favorites
Thirty ladies are vying for titles.
Janela Joy Cuaton from the Filipino community in Doha, Qatar, is among the early favorites after bagging best in festival costume, Darling of the Press, Mutya ng SkyJet Airlines, Mutya ng Lito Sy Photography (Miss Photogenic), Mutya ng Inglot Philippines and Mutya ng Camera Club of the Philippines. She also advanced to the Top 5 in the swimsuit and terno competitions.
Another front-runner is Cagayan de Oro’s Julee Ann Bourgoin, who was proclaimed best in modern Philippine terno, Mutya ng Mags Clothing and Mutya ng Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Laguna’s Leren Mae Bautista bagged both the best in swimsuit and best in long gown awards, as well as the Mutya ng Sheridan title.
Pageant veteran Brenna Cassandra Gamboa from Nueva Ecija was proclaimed Mutya ng Hannah’s Beach Resort and also finished in the Top 5 of the swimsuit competition.
Aislinn Anne Sebastian from the Filipino community in Southern California was best in talent.
The 2015 Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant finals will be held at the Resort World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City tonight, August 2. There will be a delayed telecast on ABS-CBN
at 11 p.m.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer is a media partner of the pageant.