Mrs. Philippines International Irma Bitzer (center) is sandwiched by throngs of other titleholders at the culmination of the program./ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines — At the culmination of most beauty competitions, only a select few remain on stage to wave in front of the cameras with crowns on their heads. But in the recent Mrs. Philippines International pageant, no “thank-you girls” (eliminated candidates) were left behind as the competition bestowed titles to all 21 contenders.
Fourteen women were crowned as the Philippines’ representatives to various international competitions at the conclusion of the pageant’s coronation night held at the grand ballroom of Okada Manila in Parañaque City on April 4, Holy Tuesday. The remaining seven ladies earlier received their respective special titles that also came with crowns.
They all filled the stage at the end of the program, leaving photographers and other media members jostling for the right position to capture a wide shot that covered all of them, with main winner Irma Bitzer sandwiched between throngs of other beauty titlists on both of her sides. The scene took place more than four and a half hours after they all entered the stage for the opening production number.
The new queen from Cebu City North also took home the lion’s share of special awards—Best in Head-to-Head Interview, Best in Advocacy Presentation, Bean Leaf Ambassador, and Best in Festival Costume—and received her Mrs. Philippines International crown from Leona Luisa Andersen-Jocson, who won in the national competition held in December 2021 but has yet to compete abroad. Bitzer will only have her chance to join her international contest after her predecessor had already participated in the global tilt.
Irma Bitzer receives her Mrs. Philippines International crown from predecessor Leona Luisa Andersen-Jocson./ARMIN P. ADINA
Earlier in the program, Andersen and her fellow 2021/2022 winners Elite Mrs. Philippines International Genevieve Louw and Ms. Philippines International Marites Ortega received their new crowns from the global organization TKS that mounts the international competition that they will be participating in. They will compete in the three different categories of the group’s Mrs. International pageant tentatively scheduled in October.
The other proclaimed main winners in the recently-concluded national pageant who will carry the country’s colors in various international competitions were Mrs. Philippines Planet Evangeline Pulvera from Bohol, Mrs. Philippines National Universe Princess Joesel Bajamonde from the province of Cebu, Classic Mrs. Philippines International Global Liz Tagimacruz from Cebu City East, Mrs. Philippines Grand International Honeylane Labang from San Fernando, Cebu, Mrs. Philippines International Global Grezza Day Rosale from Laguna, and Mrs. Philippines Woman of the Universe Mary Jade Luna from West Cebu.
Also crowned as the country’s representatives to several global tilts were Ms. Philippines International Analyn Roxas from Oriental Mindoro, Mrs. Philippines Earth Vernelie Diane Babasa from Lipa City, Elite Mrs. Philippines International Vanessa Magbojos from Bauan, Batangas, Mrs. Philippines Earth Classic Elma Lavajo from Sogod, Cebu, Mrs. Philippines Worldwide Woman Ruvigene Pantas Labong from Antipolo City, Mrs. Philippines World Universal Classic Ma. Concepcion Mirabuena from Sta. Ana, Manila, and Mrs. Philippines World Universal Maria Lezylda Quadra from the province of Cavite.
Those who received special titles were Mrs. Philippines International Imperial Nikka Salve Apungan from Rizal, Mrs. Philippines Ecotourism Ederly Abel from Batangas, Mrs. Philippines Heritage Lourdes Ferrera from Dasmariñas City, Mrs. Philippines Universal Beauty Milani Pareja from Tanza, Cavite, Mrs. Philippines International Beauty Erica Macatangay from Batangas City, and Mrs. Philippines Global Beauty Philma Saquisame from Imus, Cavite.
Earlier in the program, Mrs. Philippines International organization feted their queens who reaped honors in the global arena recently, Mrs. Grand International Imperial Patrizha Meer-Banzeula, Mrs. National Global Abigael Bayuga, Mrs. Heritage International fourth runner-up Cristhel Bulabon, and Elite Mrs. International Michelle Vitug Encarnacion. EDV