MISS CEBU 2011: Pre-pageant gives glimpse of strongest contenders

CEBU, Philippines - Having to navigate a dangerously wet stage in high heels while still maintaining queenly poise might have added to the nerves of the Miss Cebu 2011 candidates during pre-pageant night, but they didn’t show it.

The makeshift stage at the Fuente Osmeña was wet Friday evening from another downpour that the city has been experiencing of late, so the 12 ladies vying for Cebu’s most prestigious pageant title thanked their lucky stars that not one of them wobbled and missed a step.

Three ladies who each bagged two awards out of the eight given out went home happier than the rest. That could help them come with added confidence on tomorrow’s coronation night, Jan. 12, at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino with the special citations as their morale boost.

Rosemary Gore, 18, was named Miss Gems and Designs by Premium Concepts and Miss PLDT MyDSL Watchpad IT Girl. The Medical Technology student from Southwestern University wore a surprised look on both times she was called. “I can’t say I’m that confident because tonight they judged me mainly on how I look and how I walk, but during pageant night it will be all about the question and answer part, and how comfortable we will be on stage. I did not expect any award at all tonight. It’s not that I’m not that confident, but there’s always self-doubt,” she told The FREEMAN.

Vanessa Claudine Ammann did her model-turned-politician mom proud by winning Best in Runway and the Marco Polo Image Award. She will not rest in complacence though for she thinks each girl has a fighting shot to get the crown. “I do believe that everybody here has a chance because we all have different traits. We all have what it takes to be Miss Cebu, so it will just come down on how we will score come pageant night,” said the Advertising Arts major from the University of San Carlos.

Asked if her mom Queenie has been giving her pointers, the multi-racial 21-year-old said that she’d rather discover things on her own than depend on someone else.

“I prefer to keep my business away from her even though I respect her completely. She has been trying to help me such as how to walk well and everything, but I take it upon me to learn for myself. I would rather be my own woman than copy from somebody else.”

What aspect does she think needs a bit of polishing for her to deliver a flawless performance this Wednesday? “Oh the way I talk! Because I talk very fast and sometimes I talk without thinking. But I’ve been working on that and I really think I’ve been improving. I think coronation night will be a great night for me.”

Another stand-out was 21-year-old Erica Jane Tudtud, an Interior Design student from the University of San Carlos and a model under Fashion TV Cebu and A.D. Models Philippines.

She was awarded Miss Maybelline and Miss Lecit-E for exuding youth, fun, innovation and confidence.

“I know that I can make it to the Top 5 or even win the crown. I can walk and project well, I can be myself on stage. I feel so great. I actually didn’t expect anything because everyone had a shot to win an award tonight, so I’m very happy that I got two awards,” she said.

The rest of the awardees were Miss Maitre Chocolatier Maureen Gail Espina, and Best in Resort Wear Benjielyn Rose Ongluico. An award for Best Designer for Resort Wear was given to Peewee Senining whose flowy creations were worn by candidates Maureen Gail Espina, Mia Zeeba Faridon and Junelyn Bilocura. Judging them were Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry, Miss Cebu 2010 Reena Elena Malinao and The FREEMAN lifestyle columnist Han Kintanar.

Apart from the world-class beauty that is the Cebuana, the talents of our Cebu designers were also showcased. Dexter Alazas crafted the gowns for the ladies’ opening number. They later on donned resort-inspired outfits by Senining, Rey Humberto Villegas, Ivan Belocura and Hadji Godinez. The Miss Cebu 2010 court made up of Malinao, 1st runner-up Maria Gresa Lugo, 2nd runner-up Maria Eliza Zosa, 3rd runner-up Rogelie Catacutan, and 4th runner-up Carole Monique de Leon also walked the stage in Mique Yapching originals. 

The pre-pageant ceremony was hosted by former Miss Cebu beauties Kat Ros and Kris Janson, with a performance from Cebuano singer Jimmy Marquez. Finals night will have Cebuano actor Matteo Guidicelli as one of its main hosts.

In a press release, the Cebu City Toursim Commission revealed that the candidates underwent a series of seminars and trainings to gain further knowledge and awareness on the different sectors and industries of Cebu, as well as workshops for personality enhancement. These included the Toastmasters communication workshops, dialogues with Mayor Michael Rama, Leadership Forum with Congressman Tomas Osmeña, Lecture on Business Prospects with Jay Aldeguer, Business and Etiquette seminar with Marco Protacio, Workshop on Cebu History Culture & Heritage by Commissioner Tetta Baad, Runway workshops with Protacio Empaces, Personality Development Workshop by Elite Model Management Manila, Talk on the Concept of Tourism in Cebu by DOT VII and Cebu’s Export Industries by DTI and the 888 News Forum, among others.

They also took Cebu City’s official cultural and heritage tour, Pasiyo sa Kabilin and embarked on numerous activities and attended events such as the Pasko sa Sugbo Launching, caroling for the Cebu City Streetchildren’s Christmas Party and the Balik Cebu program.