The first edition of the Mister and Miss Batangas pageant gathers 23 of the province’s most formidable men and women./ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — The recent Filipino winners in big international pageants have celebrated their hometowns on the national and global stages, many of whom are former wards of proud Batangueño Arnold Mercado, who was instrumental in the success of 2013 Miss World Megan Young, 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, and 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa.
None of them, however, are from his home province.
“Megan is from Olongapo, Pia is from Cagayan de Oro, Kylie is from Baguio. Why have we not produced a big winner from Batangas? There are so many beautiful women in the province,” Mercado said at the press presentation of the candidates for the first edition of the Mister and Miss Batangas pageant, held at the activity center of the SM Center Lemery in Batangas on Oct. 15.
Mercado used to be part of the Aces and Queens pageant camp that scouts and hones ladies, and fields them to various national competitions in hopes of producing Filipino women who are competitive enough to snag international crowns. And with his and the camp’s help, Young was able to give the Philippines its first Miss World victory, Wurtzbach broke a 42-year title drought for the country in the Miss Universe pageant, and Verzosa became the sixth Filipino Miss International winner.
However, despite accomplishing what the camp has set out to do, Mercado still yearned for something closer to home; he wanted a Batangueña to also give pride and honor to the country on a major international beauty pageant. And this, he said, compelled him to take on the mantle of leading the Mister and Miss Batangas organization, and explore the entire province for potential international titleholders.
His initiative earned the support of Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, and even got endorsements from Wurtzbach, Verzosa, and Miss Universe Philippines National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee, one of Mercado’s former Aces and Queens wards who finished fourth in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant in Brazil.
The search gathered 23 of the province’s most formidable men and women, coming from different backgrounds and persuasions, and proudly showcasing what their respective towns and cities can offer on the national pageant scene.
The 2022 Mister and Miss Batangas coronation night will be staged at the Claro M. Recto Events Center in Lipa City on Dec. 10. EDV