Newly crowned Mutia ti La Union Kristine Billy Mateo Tabaday. Image: INQUIRER.net/ARMIN P. ADINA
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, La Union—Kristine Billy Mateo Tabaday edged out 19 other aspirants to clinch the Mutia ti La Union title and give her town of Sudipen its third straight victory in the province-wide competition.
At the culmination of the competition held at the Poro Point Baywalk in this city on March 2, La Union Day, Tabaday inherited the crown from her townmate Divina Marie Villanueva, who was proclaimed Mutia ti La Union in the pageant’s previous staging in 2020, just days before the country was placed under lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ann Margaret Sanglay started the “three-peat” for the town in 2019.
Tabaday was also the “People’s Choice,” and received the Mutia Beautiful Skin award during the competition. She also took home P150,000 for bagging the top title.
Heavy favorite Anjali Kumar from Bauang received P100,000 for being the Muti ti La Union Agri-Turismo titleholder. She also took home the lion’s share of special awards—Miss Beautederm, Miss Nisce Skin, Mutia Fashion Model, Best in Swimwear and Best in Evening Gown.
The Mutia ti La Union Kalikasan crown went to Patricia Nicole Bangug from Agoo, who also received the Best in Environmental Advocacy Campaign and Best in Environmental Awareness Activities awards. She took home P75,000.
Zyra Mae Carbonell from the surfing capital of San Juan settled for the first runner-up spot and received P50,000. She was also Miss Colurette. Strebel Joy Bugnay from Bacnotan, who received the Most Viewed Environmental Advocacy Campaign award, was second runner-up and received P30,000.
Mutia ti La Union Kristine Billy Mateo Tabaday (center) beams with her court (from left) second runner-up Strebel Joy Bugnay, Mutia ti La Union Kalikasan Patricia Nicole Bangug, Mutia ti La Union Agri-Turismo Anjali Kumar, and first runner-up Zyra Mae Carbonell.Image: INQUIRER.net/ARMIN P. ADINA
First-term Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David, the first woman to assume the gubernatorial seat and the youngest one elected to the position at 25, surprised spectators when she participated in the opening production number. “I only rehearsed it for one hour,” revealed the Gen-Z public servant.
“We are finally back to celebrating and doing festivities face to- ace. I know you all missed this. We were able to achieve this because of your discipline and cooperation,” she said during her welcoming remarks.
Ortega-David said the 2023 staging of the competition, three years after the last one was held, has a purpose and a mission. The pageant highlighted the value of environmental preservation and sustainability, and showcased the 20 delegates’ advocacy campaigns. “We need to restore our planet,” said the governor.
In a segment during the competition, the delegates paraded in outfits made of recycled materials while declaring the environmental issues they each want to spread awareness about.
The pageant also amped up the celebrity wattage with reigning Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi leading the judging panel, while Kapuso heartthrob David Licauco provided entertainment and serenaded the delegates.
Kapamilya host Robi Domingo and 2020 Miss Grand International first runner-up Samantha Bernardo hosted the ceremonies, with 2014 Binibining Pilipinas Universe Mary Jean Lastimosa as on-ground anchor. /ra