FIFTEEN ocean ambassadors will vie for the title of 2017 Miss Scuba Philippines contest, a pageant devoted to protect, preserve, and help save our oceans and its bio-diversity.
This year’s official candidates are Karren Arias, Kristine Nolasco, Nicole Aguilar, Florida Talosig, Helga Cerbo, Aliyana Ibnohajil, Angela Gene Valdes, Jolina Anne Roque, Elle Hollman, Mirtle Keith Gimenez, Danica Joy Acuna, Aivanna Elma, Mary Maureen Quiambao, Fel Banaybanay, and Sherlyn Legaspi Doloriel.
Voted as Darling of the Press was Sherlyn Doloriel of Misamis Oriental. She was followed by two 1st Runners-Up Angela Gene Valdez of Legazpi, Albay and Fel Banaybanay of Sogod, Southern Leyte.
“Miss Scuba Philippines is distinctive from other beauty pageants because it focuses on the importance of the preservation and protection of the Philippine marine resources,” said Cindy Madduma, the first Filipina to win the title of Miss Scuba International in 2015 and the national director of the national pageant.
“Saving Ocean Through Beauty” is the core principle of the organization, she said.
“It upholds not only showcasing physical beauty and the superficiality but also provides the necessity for our candidates to have a heart for the ocean,” she added.
Madduma said that she took the challenge with greater responsibility of forging on as instrument of change, a symbol of hope and the voice of the oceans not only in the Philippines but in an international community.
The grand finals of Miss Scuba Philippines 2017 will be held this election will decide who will go on to the finals which will be held on Oct. 10 in Resort World Manila.
The winner will represent the Philippines in the 7th edition of Miss Scuba International 2017 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia in November.