Veterans, rookies, overseas beauties clash in Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant

(From left) Mutya ng Surigao del Norte Angela Okol, Mutya ng Rizal Liz Mabao, Mutya ng Guindulman Katherine Topsnik, Mutya ng Bataan Iona Gibbs, Mutya ng Makati Shannon Robinson and Mutya ng Canada Margaret Rodrigo. Images: Philippine Daily Inquirer/Armin P. Adina

MANILA, Philippines—The 52nd Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant promises to be an exciting competition with a formidable batch of contenders composed of seasoned candidates, competitive neophytes and impressive overseas beauties.

The national pageant, which took a break in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, returns this year, and continues to recognize Filipinos living abroad by accepting representatives from overseas Filipino communities to compete with homegrown beauties.

Leading the roster of overseas Filipino women are 2022 Miss Summit International first runner-up Margaret Rodrigo from Canada and 2020 Miss Philippines Ecotourism Ilyssa Mendoza from Melbourne, Australia.

“Coming here to the Philippines, it’s like I’m here at home. Everyone looks like me,” Rodrigo told the Inquirer at the sidelines of the press presentation held at Citadines Bay City Manila in Pasay City last Nov. 25.

She also shared meeting a huge Filipino community in Las Vegas when she represented Canada at the 2022 Miss Summit International pageant. “That makes you feel at home anywhere you go,” she said.

Other seasoned contestants are joining Rodrigo and Mendoza in this year’s Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant, some of whom are Hiyas ng Pilipinas and Miss FIT Philippines veteran Katherine Topsnik from Guindulman in Bohol, 2019 Miss Scuba Philippines Liz Mabao, and 2021 Miss Universe Philippines alumna Angela Okol.

“I would bring my experiences because, for me, each pageant is a chance for me to improve,” Topsnik told the Inquirer.

But a competitive set of rookies could give these veterans a run for their money. Iona Gibbs from Bataan and Shannon Robinson from Makati City are first-time pageant contestants, but they have already caught the attention of many. observers.

“Some may consider being a newbie a weakness. I consider it to be a strength in that I can bring a different point of view to things and take everything with the ‘newness’ and the naivety in a positive way, and make a difference,” replied Gibbs to the Inquirer’s question.

This year, the national pageant will award four titles—Mutya ng Pilipinas 2022, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism International, Mutya ng Pilipinas-World Top Model and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Overseas Communities.

The runners-up will also receive special titles—Mutya ng Pilipinas-Luzon, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Visayas and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Mindanao—like what was practiced in the pageant’s earlier years.

The 2022 Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant will stage its coronation night at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Sunday, Dec. 4. Klyza Castro and the rest of her 2019 batch of winners will relinquish their crowns.  /ra

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