Cameras flashed as members of the audience cheered when the 30 delegates to the 48th Mutya ng Pilipinas were presented to the press during a special presentation held at the newly opened Hotel 101 in Pasay City last Wednesday.
This year’s official candidates are Lynette Bradford, Joanna Rose Tolledo, Cassandra Costales McDonald, Jannie Loudette Alipo-on, Marah Munoz, Jessica Jane Morales, Thalia Joyce Coronico, Rose Ann De Jesus, Joanna Marie Rabe, Michelle Thorlund, Rhancoise Marie Mayangitan, Marielle Cartagena, Mayu Murakami, Rdelyn De Leon, Ann Lauren Ose;
Maeryhnella Umayam, Petche Ann Vale, Angela Yagaya, Neliza Bautista, Jurice Encarnacion, Dianne Irish Joy Lacayanga, Rianne Charlotte Kalaw, Kristen dela Cruz, Ace Dianne Morales, Mary Theresa Erna Gonez, Justin Mae San Jose, Marie Joyce Marfori, Ganiel Akrisha Krishnan, Renelyn Deguit and Ashley Nicole Singh.
At the press presentation, Krishnan, of Manila, won Darling of the Press, a special award chosen by members of media who attended the event.
These ladies will vie for the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 international titles at the Resorts World Manila on July 30.
The three coveted titles are Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific, Mutya ng Pilipinas-Tourism International, and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Overseas Communities.
The winners are sent to international pageant events namely Miss Tourism International, Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International, and Miss Asia Pacific International.
Mutya ng Pilipinas President Jacqueline Tan said that the delegates will have pre-pageant activities in Puerto Princesa City on July 18-21 and other landmarks. She said that the world-class Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa will be the delegates official resort hotel in Palawan.
The Long Gown Competition will be held at the Hanna’s Beach Resort in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte on July 22-25 while the Regional Costume and Talent Competition will be staged on July 26, Tan said.
The Mutya ng Pilipinas Executive Committee is also composed of Chairman Joseph Tan, treasurer Ranie Hofilena, Michael Tan, and Jefferson Tan.
Tan also said that the beauty contest continues to include representatives from Filipino communities abroad in a tradition that started since 2010.
Among these overseas Filipino communities that took part in the prestigious pageant include Asian countries, Northern and Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Midwest, Hawaii, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, etc.
