Gandapulis pageant ‘beautifies’ the image of the National Police

This time last year, PO1 Arla Ray Pacencia, a nurse from Tacloban City whose family was hit hard by Supertyphoon Yolanda, won the first Miss PNP pageant, also known as Gandapulis.

Monday night, like last year, the 2018 search also produced a batch of six Gandapulis beauties from the field of 28 aspirants, topped by PO1 Madonna Gay Cajocon of PRO 9 Zamboanga Peninsula, and completing her court were PO2 May Shell Oro of PRO 10 Northern Mindanao, first runner-up (Miss Makadiyos); PO1 Elymor Chrysma Caberto of PROCOR Cordillera Region, second (Miss Makabayan); PO1 Cris Pastores of PRO ARMM, third (Miss Makatao); and PO1 Anne Jerica Buenafe of PRO Central Luzon, fourth (Miss Makakalikasan).

Madonna and her court from left: PO1 Anne Jerica Buenafe of PRO 3 Central Luzon, Miss Makakalikasan (fourth runner-up); PO2 May Shell Oro of PRO 10 Northern Mindanao, Miss Makadiyos (first runner-up); PO1 Elymor Chrysma Caberto of PROCOR Cordillera Region, Miss Makabayan (second runner-up); and PO1 Cris Pastores of PRO ARMM, Miss Makatao (third runner-up).

What makes the pageant different from all the rest is that, as the three hosts announced, there wasn’t a swimsuit competition. Instead, the candidates paraded in flaming-red “resort wear” that exposed nothing more than part of their smooth arms and legs. Also, they expounded on their advocacies (against terrorism, drugs, etc.) in video clips. They were all articulate, very convincing in their explanation and very clear in their vision of a better society. They then wowed the SRO crowd at the Camp Crame Multi-Purpose Center by parading in ethnic gowns, prompting Phillip Salvador, one of the judges, to exclaim “Amazing!” when one candidate ruled the stage with a costume that must have weighed tons.

From left: PSSupt Rhodel Sermonia, chief of Police Community Relations Group; and newly installed PNP chief Director Gen. Oscar Albayalde; with former Gov. Chavit Singson and Phillip Salvador who were among the judges — Photos by Ricky Lo

As the Top 10 semi-finalists competed in the Evening Gown segment, Bacoor, Cavite, Mayor Lani Mercado (another judge), commented, “Ang gaganda nila! This pageant surely softens the image of the police.” I agreed 100 percent. “It also ‘beautifies’ the image of the police,” I told Lani, and mentioned that not only policewomen but also policemen have been doing the same by winning in male “beauty pageants,” including Neil Perez, 2014 Mister International; Don McGyver Cochico, 2015 Mister Manhunt International Philippines, and 2016 Gwapulis winner Willy Quinto. All of them were present, along with 2017 Man of the World Mustafa Galal Elezali of Egypt, an accountant.

Judge Bacoor, Cavite, Mayor Lani Mercado

Like P/SInsp Sofia Lauren Deliu (Junior Presidential Security Aide-de-Camp) who finished among the Top 15 semi-finalists in the 2015 Miss Philippines Earth contest, PO1 Madonna said that, given a chance, she would like to compete in a national beauty pageant. In the meantime, her concern is her anti-terrorism advocacy. A B.S. Criminology graduate from Jose Rizal Memorial State University in Dipolog City. (Sofia and her boyfriend, P/Insp Abdul Bassar Abdurajak, were married last March with Pres. DU30 as principal sponsor.)

Winners all (in male ‘beauty’ contests), from left: 2016 Gwapulis PO1 Willy Quinto of Northern Police District; 2015 Manhunt International Philippines PO2 Don McGyver Cochico of PNP Crime Laboratory; 2017 Man of the Year Mustafa Galal Elezali (of Egypt); and 2014 Mister International PO3 Mariano Flormata Jr. (Neil Perez), of Aviation Security Group

Incidentally, was she named after Madonna?

“No,” smiled Madonna, 24, who has been with the PNP for three years. “I don’t think so. Baka nga hindi kilala ng mother ko si Madonna. But when people ask me, I just smile.” Her boyfriend, also a cop, was not at the event to cheer her right on. “He is detailed in Zamboanga.”

Madonna (right) waits to be crowned by 2017 Miss PNP PO1 Arla Ray Pacencia, a nurse from Tacloban City whose family survived Supertyphoon Yolanda

Trivia:

• What makes Mayor Lani look so fit and fabulous (she celebrated her 50th birthday last April 13)? “I am on a Keto Diet,” consisting of all fats. The Camp Crame Multi-Purpose Center was within shouting distance from where Lani’s husband, former Sen. Bong Revilla, is detained. “Are you spending overnight with him?” we kidded Lani. “Bawal,” replied Lani. “No visitors allowed on Monday.”

Alvin Anson serenades the five finalists with the Rey Valera song Naaalala Ka before the winner and runners-up were announced

• Told that he and fellow action stars (currently not so active) could star in the local version of the hit Hollywood movie Expendables (which cast veteran action stars), Phillip said, “What I am planning to do is a movie about Marawi.” Good idea. Phillip is close to Pres. DU30. “The President has visited Marawi several times and I was with him,” added Phillip. “That’s how I got the idea of doing a movie about the place.”

Oops!

In a story yesterday, Froilan Kampilan (left) was wrongly identified as general manager of the National Housing Authority (NHA). Actually, he is the assistant general manager. The NHA general manager is Marcelino Escalada Jr. (right).

(E-mail reactions at [email protected].  For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare.  or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)