Despedida for beauty queens

MANILA, Philippines - Last week, 2014 Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Yvethe Santiago was feted in two despedida parties. The first one was hosted by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda and his chief of staff, lawyer Carol Sabio, at the Passion Restaurant of Resorts World. Present were the members of the Albay Pageant Academy. Yvethe is from Daraga, Albay.

The second one was the official despedida hosted by Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) in Balay at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City. With Yvethe was her mom Nida Santiago, her aunt Nidia Cea who is her mom’s twin, Jimmy Estopace and this writer.

After Yvethe’s send-off, Gov. Salceda hosted a despedida last Sunday, Nov. 16, for Miss World Philippines Valerie Weigmann who also represented Daraga, Albay, in the Miss World Philippines pageant.

The next day, Cory Quirino (Miss World Philippines national director) hosted the official send-off for Valerie at Nest Manila in BGC. Cory excitedly told Valerie that she’s confident that Valerie will score a back-to-back win. Reigning Miss World is the Philippines’ Megan Young.