Will the new Bicolana queen be the first black Bb. Pilipinas?

MANILA, Philippines - Nineteen-year-old Naimah Abdirarazack Sayed Hussein (right), a deadringer for 2011 Miss Universe Leila Lopes, was named 2012 Mutya ng Magayon Festival Saturday night, April 28, at the Albay Astrodome. Her mother is a Bicolana from Bulan, Sorsogon, and her father is a half-African/half-Indian Somali national.

‘She wowed the judges with her beauty, charm, personality and intelligence,’ said Gerry Diaz who sat as one of the judges together with model Brent Javier, and designers Pepsi Herrera and Francis Libiran (who did the clothes for an episode of America’s Next Top Model). ‘If ever she joins, will Naimah be our first black Bb. Pilipinas?’

Why not, after all Bicolandia has lately been producing winsome beauties, including 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe (and Miss U fourth runner-up) Venus Raj and 2011 Bb. Pilipinas-International and (Miss International semi-finalist) Diane Necio.

Host of the event was Derek Ramsay. Entertainers were Matteo Guidicelli, Erik Santos and Alodia Gosiengfiao.

Among the celebrities at the affair were Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Audrey Zubiri (wife of former Sen. Migz).

Behind the successful event was Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, shown above (third from right) with (from left) Sen. Jinggoy, outgoing Miss Bicolandia Roxane Jesalva (who competed as No. 19 in the recent Bb. Pilipinas pageant), Naimah, Aiko Melendez, 2011 Miss World first runner-up Gwendoline Ruais and Mutya ng Magayon first runner-up Angelie Asuncion of Legazpi City.

Completing Naimah’s court are Mutya ng Magayon Tourism Keisha Dee from Daraga, Albay; and second runner-up Shine Borabo of Malilipot, Albay.