Ariella Arida, Xian Lim, Megan Young and Dennis Trillo during the Limgas na Pangasinan coronation night. Images from Armin P. Adina
PANGASINAN, Philippines — After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Limgas na Pangasinan beauty pageant culminated with a stellar roster of celebrities that included some of the who’s who in the pageant industry.
Megan Young, the only Filipino woman to bring home the Miss World crown, hosted the program alongside Kapuso actor Xian Lim, with 2013 Miss Universe third runner-up Ariella Arida handling the earlier part of the coronation night, which was held at the provincial capitol grounds on April 29.
The judging panel also included 2020 Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo, reigning Miss World Philippines Gwendolyne Fourniol, and reigning Mister World Philippines Kirk Bondad.
Even the musical numbers were also star-studded, with the respective performance of Kapuso hunks Jeric Gonzales, David Licauco and Dennis Trillo. Licauco rendered a somewhat laid-back performance with the Top 12 on stage, but Trillo made up for it with his energetic number that prompted the audience to be on their feet.
When the program culminated early morning on April 30, Binmaley bet Nikhisah Cheveh was proclaimed Limgas na Pangasinan-World, making her the province’s representative to the Miss World Philippines pageant. She also became P200,000 richer by bagging the top title of the evening.
She received her Limgas na Pangasinan crown from Gwendoline Soriano, her immediate predecessor who was crowned in 2019. The former winner also received a proper farewell when she made her final walk four years after capturing the title in the very same venue.
Limgas na Pangasinan winners (from left) Erica Mae Antolin, Rona Lalaine Lopez, Nikhisah Cheveh, Stacey De Ocampo, and Denise Joy Flores wave before the cameras after their coronation./ARMIN P. ADINA
Cheveh asserted her dominance earlier in the competition when she received the important Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown awards. She also topped the poll among members of the media and was declared as “Darling of the Press.”
Meanwhile, Miss Photogenic Rona Lalaine Lopez from Mangaldan was crowned Limgas na Pangasinan-Grand, which came with a P150,000 prize and the right to carry the province in the Miss Grand Philippines pageant. Stacey De Ocampo from Bolinao was hailed as Limgas na Pangasinan-Mutya, and brought home P100,000 and the opportunity to join the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant.
Denise Joy Flores from Lingayen and Erica Mae Antolin from Urdaneta City finished as first and second runners-up, respectively, completing the circle of winners selected from a field of 25 aspirants from different parts of Pangasinan. EDV