What ‘Inday Fatima’ looks for in Hiyas ng Pilipinas successor

‘Inday Fatima’ Bisan, 2023 Hiyas ng Pilipinas-Tourism World. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina

Fatima Kate Bisan, “Inday Fatima” in the daily afternoon variety program “Wil to Win,” is set to relinquish her Hiyas ng Pilipinas crown to her successor after a year-long reign that changed the course of her life.

The 2024 Hiyas ng Pilipinas “Grand Coronation” is set to take place at the SM North Edsa Skydome in Quezon City on Sunday night, Oct. 13, where Bisan and her fellow reigning queens are set to pass their titles to the new winners.

INQUIRER.net spoke with Bisan at the presentation of the official candidates held at Acacia Manila in Muntinlupa City, and asked what she would want to see in her eventual successor.

“Siguro (perhaps), someone who’s really competitive, but at the same time kind-hearted, and who’s really willing to work with the organization,”  said Bisan, whose monicker “Inday Fatima” first gained traction on social media as a content creator sharing videos that document her simple life in the province of Saranggani.

“I am also looking for someone, of course, physically beautiful, but at the same time, who has the heart and has the ability to speak to [people from] all walks of life,” continued the national pageant veteran.

Another queen who is set to crown her national successor is Juvyel Anne Saluta, who posted the Philippines’ first victory in the Miss Elite pageant in Egypt last month.

“I’m really looking for someone who can be a spokesperson, because it’s what pageantry is all about, for you to be the voice for the voiceless,” said the 20-year-old student from Manila.

“I’m really looking for someone who really speaks up about her causes, about her core, what she can give to the people, because Hiyas ng Pilipinas is all about giving back to the community,” Saluta continued.

The Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant has also teased a “first time in pageant history” for the Grand Coronation show. “Three international pageant icons will judge together for the first time,” the organization posted on social media on Friday evening, Oct. 11. They, however, did not mention who the important guests are.

This year’s Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant will choose the Philippines’ representatives in the 2025 Miss Tourism World and 2025 Miss Elite pageants. Another national crown is at stake for the country’s delegate to the next Miss Continental World competition.

Bisan is yet to compete in the Miss Tourism World pageant. The contest was supposed to have a 2023 schedule, but it was postponed. Hiyas ng Pilipinas Chair Mike Sordilla earlier shared that the international organizers are targeting a November competition.