Girl on a mission

CEBU, Philippines - It’s been nine years since a homegrown Cebuana won a coveted Binibini crown and put the Queen City of the South on the map as home to not only the best beaches, but also to formidable brainy beauties. Karla Bautista did so in 2004, clinching the Bb. Pilipinas World title — and giving us further pride with a Queen of Asia and Oceania citation and a top five finish during the Miss World finals.

Other Cebuanas have attempted in the next years to penetrate the prestigious circle of Binibini queens, but to no avail.

This year, much to the delight of pageant fans who’ve waited for this gorgeous Cebuana to fulfill what they believe is her destiny, Kris Tiffany Maslog Janson finally answered the clarion call and screened to be a 2014 candidate. Of the 40 finalists who’ll showcase their best in tomorrow night’s finals, watch out for Binibini 13, Cebu’s next pride.

The Miss Cebu 2009 title-holder, dubbed “one of the prettiest faces to come out of Cebu in recent years,” has placed high in many pageant polls and lists of favorites. Online platitudes such as “cultured eloquence,” “sheer beauty” and “the Miss International prototype” for this 5’8” tall model are aplenty. During the tilt’s talent competition, Janson showcased a sultry side with a fiery belly-dance number. She garnered further attention after winning the Best in National Costume pre-pageant award, after charming judges and the audience with how she carried a sampaguita-inspired terno designed by another Cebuano pride, Cary Santiago.

Janson, 24, faces tough competition as several girls in this year’s roster are pageant veterans, including Diana Arevalo (competed in 2009 and 2011), Mary Jean Lastimosa  (2nd runner-up in 2011, competed in 2012), Ladylyn Riva (competed in 2011), Parul Shah, Hannah Ruth Sison, Ellore Noelle Punzalan (all three competed in 2013), and Pia Wurtzbach (1st runner-up in 2013).

Still, hopes are high for Janson, who currently works as a finance analyst for a multi-national company.

According to her profile in the official Bb. Pilipinas website, Janson is “very fun-loving, free-spirited and adventurous despite her serious job role. On her free time, she likes skim boarding, island hopping, travelling and trying out different cuisine.”

Her main inspiration for joining the pageant is her father who wanted to see her join a prestigious beauty pageant, before he died due to a heart attack. One of her best memories was a trip she took with her family before her father passed away, and in the future, she dreams of  travelling at least half of the world.

In a previous interview, Janson revealed that she began modeling at age 15. “It started with a friend of mine who was starting a clothing line and it just so happened that Dexter [Alazas] was directing the show, and I was just starting to grow into my body. When I was in grade school, I was really chubby and I was round-faced. I lost weight when I joined the varsity track team in high school. Dexter approached me and I tried a little bit of this and that, and eventually, I enjoyed every moment.”

Explaining why she decided to take up Business Management in Accounting at the University of San Carlos, she further said, “My parents both took it up and my mom is a certified public accountant. I have a lot of dreams. I want to be a lawyer and a pilot. It’s different when you’re up there and it’s scary when you think that you’re responsible for all the lives of your passengers, but wouldn’t it be fun to see a girl doing that?”

The 51st Bb. Pilipinas grand coronation night will be held on March 30, telecast over ABS-CBN. Special guests are Russian pop star Emin and reigning Miss Universe, Venezuela’s Maria Gabriela Isler. Stepping in as pageant hosts are Kapamilya stars Anne Curtis and Xian Lim, with former Binibini queens as segment hosts. – VAB (FREEMAN)