After a rigorous screening process, 22 candidates were pronounced worthy to be one of the finalists for the most prestigious Binibining Bayambang ever staged so far.
The lovely ladies attended their first official function as candidates on Orientation Day held February 15, 2017 at the Saint Vincent Village Pavilion. Spearheaded by the Local Council of Women (LCW), it proved to be a long, tiring day for the finalists, but they heroically stood their ground – or held on to their extra-high heels.
Ian Camille Sabangan, PRO of LCW, officially welcomed the bevy of candidates, while Municipal Administrator Atty. Raj Sagarino, who is also the Vice-Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, told the ladies that they have become de facto members of the LCW. They are to serve as ambassadresses of the town during LCW functions and other official functions, she explained.
Atty. Sagarino informed the girls further that they are scheduled to have a photoshoot in their nautical wear at a Subic yacht club on March 23-24, and that there will be a pre-pageant on March 25, meant to showcase their casual wear, swimsuit, and talent. They will be coached by none other than former Ms. Philippines herself, Ms. Evangeline Pascual. On April 2, pageant proper and coronation night, there will be additional competitions, such as most creative costume (with Bayambang products as theme) and long gown contests. Shoes will be provided to the ladies.
Several prizes are reportedly at stake – Ms. Tourism (first runner-up), Ms. Charity (2nd runner-up), Ms. Congeniality, Ms. Social Media, and special awards such as Best Smile and Ms. Red Cross, to name some.
The overall aim of Bb. Bayambang is to promote the town, LCW Chair Ms. Niña Jose-Quiambao pointed out. “The ladies will be working in charity activities, women empowerment activities, and the beautification of Bayambang” she added. If the contest is grand, it is because this is the first time that the beauty contest will be held under CTQ as mayor, she said. “This is meant to showcase the beauties of this town and inspire some pride” in Bayambangueños.
Ayen Garcia, Project Director and Creative Director of Bb. Bayambang 2017, further detailed the schedule of activities, including a date with Toastmasters International for a Q&A training, including a coaching on how to speak well and relate to the public.
By noon, the ladies were introduced to local media members gathered together by Media Affairs Officer, Dr. Leticia B. Ursua. They included Jessie Perez and his crew (Aksyon Radyo and USATV), Yolanda Sotelo (Philippine Daily Inquirer northern correspondent and Northern Watch publisher), Eva Visperas (Philstar correspondent), Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre (DWIZ and People’s Journal correspondent), Minnie Caburnay (DWPR), and Susan Yadao of DWIZ Dagupan. As though to give them a foretaste of the pageant night’s sometimes gruelling Q&A portion, the members of the press grilled the girls with assorted questions, ranging from the lessons they had learned from the latest Ms. Universe pageant, to college courses they are taking, to the relevance of beauty contests in this day and age. The contenders admirably stood their ground and kept their poise intact despite the difficulty of some of the queries thrown at them. But the inquisitive media members agreed that the girls were good at answering and that being a finalist was already a winning moment for them all.
A day before, a number of the contenders accepted the invitation to be at the blood donation drive at the Bayambang National High School gym, with a few of them gamely donating blood.
After the press conference, the girls went to the SVV Clubhouse for a cocktail dress photoshoot. By evening, they were presented to the LGU family at the Public Auditorium during the post-Valentine’s Day party held for employees whose birth dates fell on February.
Below is the official list of the 22 finalists.
NAME | AGE | ADDRESS | COURSE | |
1 | Ercil C. Lorenzo | 16 | Poblacion Sur, Bayambang, Pangasinan | High School |
2 | Kaye Louise Garcia | 16 | Asin, Bayambang, Pangasinan | |
3 | Nicka Abegail Corpuz | 20 | San Gabriel II, Bayambang, Pangasinan | |
4 | Paula Jean A. Bugarin | 21 | Nibaliw Norte, Bautista, Pangasinan | BS Secondary Education (MAPEH) |
5 | Veronica Paas | 21 | San Vicente, Bayambang, Pangasinan | BEED Enhanced General Education |
6 | Bianca Marie Paguirigan | 20 | Zone V, Bayambang, Pangasinan | Bachelor of Secondary Education |
7 | Zeina Acosta | 19 | Zone VI, Bayambang, Pangasinan | BS Tourism Management |
8 | Dyan de Vera | Asin, Bayambang, Pangasinan | High School | |
9 | Riena Jane Tillay | 19 | Zone VI, Bayambang, Pangasinan | BS Business Administration |
10 | Hillary Castro | 16 | Buenlag 1st, Bayambang, Pangasinan | |
11 | Angel Kiara Candelaria | 17 | Pugo, Bayambang, Pangasinan | |
12 | Nicole Junio | 18 | Pugo, Bayambang, Pangasinan | BS Business Administration |
13 | Amyriel Bautista | 19 | Bani, Bayambang, Pangasinan | Bachelor of Arts in Communication |
14 | Kimberly Maregmen | 23 | Bilad, Camiling, Tarlac | BS Accountancy |
15 | Angelus Ferrer | 24 | Zone V, Bayambang, Pangasinan | BSE- English Major |
16 | Ray Ann Claire Magno | 20 | M.H. Del Pilar, Bayambang, Pangasinan | Bachelor of Arts in Communication |
17 | Mikee Cruz | 21 | San Gabriel II, Bayambang, Pangasinan | |
18 | Louise Anne Calimlim | 18 | Zone III, Bayambang, Pangasinan | BS Business Administration |
19 | Avegail Junio | 17 | Bani, Bayambang, Pangasinan | |
20 | Carla Macaraeg | 17 | Sanlibo, Bayambang, Pangasinan | BS Secondary Education (MAPEH) |
21 | Divina Marie Villanueva | 19 | Nandacan, Bautista, Pangasinan | |
22 | Riza Diego | 24 | Telbang, Bayambang, Pangasinan | Master of Arts in Science Education |