The Philippines scored its first victory in international pageant this year when a mother and a grandmother won titles at the Mrs. Classic Universe and Mrs. Grandma Universe twin beauty contests held in Sofia, Bulgara recently.
Agnes Padao Jakosalem, 52, a real estate broker from Consolacion, Cebu, won Mrs. Grandma Universe 2017. She was crowned by last year’s winner, Greta Kraleva of Bulgaria.
Jakosalem, who was born in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, is a licensed medical technologist. She has two sons and a daughter, and a 7-year-old granddaughter.
She is the owner-operator of Homes 4 Us and CEO of ADEO Land International.
In 2016, Babylyn Decena Newfield of the Philippines won Mrs. Grandma Universal (equivalent to runner-up), also in Sofia.
Maryrose Real Salubre, 41, an Australia-based businesswoman who hails from Baybay, Leyte, was crowned as Mrs. Classic 2017 (equivalent to runner-up).
The Mrs. Classic Galaxy 2017 pageant is open to women 40 years and above and without a grandchild. Susan Bawlick Pagan, 54, from New York, USA, won the title.
In September, Pagan and Salubre both competed in Mrs. Universe 2016 contest in Guangzhou, China where Salubre represented Australia while Pagan was the Philippine delegate.
Ovette Ricalde, local franchise director of the pageant, thanked those who supported the Filipino beauty queens.
“Thank you to all my media friends. Winning is not easy. It’s a combination of hard work, patience and trust in God.
Thank you to our God Almiighty,” Ricalde said.
