Presenting the 22 Candidates for Bb. Bayambang 2017

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.

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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