PNHS student wins Sinulog sa Pinamungajan Festival Queen

CEBU, Philippines - A Grade 11 student of Pinamungajan National High School was crowned Sinulog sa Pinamungajan Festival Queen 2017, after almost three hours of group and individual dance showdown offered to the Child Jesus last week at the municipal auditorium.

Juvie Detuya, 16, bested 15 other tribe muses and lead dancers including first runner-up Anne Claude Gentapa, 14, of Rizal Elementary School and second runner-up Maryflor Candoli, 19, representing Cebu Technological University – Pinamungajan.

“I won, maybe because I put my heart into it. It was really my offering to God, to Santo Niño. I offered that dancing for my family,” the new festival queen said.

Detuya, a crowd favorite, also expressed her inclination to join more beauty pageants in the future. She said she is inspired by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach’s determination to get the crown despite experiencing failure twice in Binibining Pilipinas.

Like any other pageant enthusiast, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2007 Anna Theresa Licaros look-alike is excited to watch the crowning of the next Miss Universe.

“I, my friends and classmates will watch the competition on January 30 on TV. We will cheer for our very own bet Maxine Medina. I believe she can do it,” Detuya said.

The two-day Sinulog sa Pinamungajan Festival, which was officially opened by Mayor Glenn Baricuatro and directed by Paul Soberano, exhibited Pinamungajanons’ faith and devotion to Señor Santo Niño.

Dressed in bright-colored costumes, the contingents danced to the rhythm of their drums, lyres and gongs as a thanksgiving offering to the Holy Child.

Municipal tourism officer Yogi Ygay and Municipal Youth Council president Monching Makiling revealed that this year’s festival was the most watched in 20 years.

Ygay and Makiling noted the influx of tourists who joined the festivity in this mid-western town. (FREEMAN)