Miss Cebu 2014 Candidates

2. Crystal Star Aberasturi, 21

This mestiza model induced laughs with her remark that she started joining pageants as early as kindergarten! Talk about starting young. “Joining pageants make me realize my strengths and weaknesses,” said Star, whose most major pageant title to date is Miss Mandaue 2011 first runner-up (although she is acknowledged as Miss Mandaue 2011 after the original winner gave up her crown for a job offer overseas). Her previous pageant stints include participating in Miss CESAFI, Miss PAGCOR, Miss CVIRAA and Sinulog Festival Queen.

Star is a registered medical technologist who earned her degree from Cebu Doctor’s University.  “I know a little ballet, and I’m good at memorizing medical stuff, but I get amnesia the next day. I love dogs very much. Every time I see a dog, it makes me happy and puts a smile on my face. I consider Mother Teresa of Calcutta as my idol because she served the poor whole-heartedly,” quipped the stunner when prodded to share more of her interests.

She’s not the only beauty queen in the family though, as younger sis Steffi Rose is the reigning Miss Mandaue. Pageant fanatics are already taking mental note of the powerhouse sisters from Cebu for future national beauty tilts.

3. Hannah Marie Gore, 20

One of the more articulate ones in the bunch, Hannah was proud to share that her batch at Cebu Normal University scored a hundred percent passing rate at the recent board exams.

“I love animals, dogs especially. I love fashion, travelling, reading books and all kinds of music from techno, ballad and rock. I can listen to anything except K-Pop,” Hannah shared. 

What pushed her to join Miss Cebu? “Miss Cebu is such an eye-opening experience that should be part of every Cebuana’s dream. Since I was in college, the pageant has been such an inspiration for me because of the beauty of the candidates, even the non-winners. I believe that I can also be an inspiration for those who are somewhat shy and meek to come out of their shells,” she explained. Hannah’s elder sister Rosemary (who’s now with the US Navy…kick-ass, right?) joined the pageant back in 2011, placing third runner-up. Will she surpass her sibling’s placement?

4. Ayn Ilya Ingking, 21

Named after famous American writer-philosopher Ayn Rand, this Psychology graduate from the University of San Carlos is a pageant newbie. As a Gawad Kalinga volunteer for the past three years, Ayn was among the concerned Cebuanos who joined the relief efforts in Bohol by distributing goods to isolated areas such as Maribojoc and Loon.

The freshman Law student says joining the pageant gives her a “wider range of influence to inspire more people and push her advocacies to a higher level.”

On whether she thinks English fluency is requisite for a beauty queen (in light of the recent flak our Miss Universe 2013 bet Ariella Arida received for an interview where she singled out Latinas’ inability to utter a complete sentence in English) Ayn expressed, “I believe that action accompanied with words is much stronger and powerful, so I think being able to communicate well is important. But then, not everyone can be fluent in English so we should also try to develop our speaking abilities.”

5. Margaret Tacy Manalop, 21

Selflessness and optimism are traits this lady has seemed to master at a young age. Despite having to stop schooling for the moment to give way to her siblings, Margaret still takes on a positive attitude in life, knowing that her turn to achieve the college dream and be a professional will soon come. “Hopefully, one of my siblings will get to graduate this March, so I’m excited to return to school,” she said. She took up Nursing at the University of Cebu.

“Miss Cebu has been a tradition for the past 30 years. The winners truly exemplify excellent Cebuanas. This is an opportunity for me to develop myself and inspire the youth that no matter how difficult life can be, we have to stay strong and not forget to pray.”

Given the resources and enough time on her hands, Margaret would love to satisfy the wanderlust in her.

6. Kirstie Gayle Barbas, 20

Here’s another registered nurse, this time, from Cebu Doctor’s University. Kirstie, who stands at five-foot-five, is into fashion, dogs, travelling and dancing.

Asked why she joined the pageant, the morena beauty replied, “Miss Cebu personifies women who are both beautiful and intelligent. They also have the heart to inspire other people. I believe this pageant gives us the platform, the venue and the opportunity to grow and mature as a person.”

7. Marilis Claire Morales, 23

This five-foot-five lass comes across as the shy and demure type. But who knows, our first impression could be wrong and being presented to the media could really be nerve-wracking. Mer, as friends fondly call her, is a Nursing graduate from Velez College who’s currently connected to The Happy Hippo Trading Company as a partner. 

Mer said she had the privilege to live abroad like so many Filipinos aspire for, but eventually chose to stay in Cebu. “I decided to come back here since I consider it my home.”

Want to know what makes her knees weak? “I have a weakness for children. Whenever I see a kid, I can’t help but pinch their cheeks.”

She joined the beauty tilt, believing that she has the ability to be the voice for those who want to see change in Cebu. “I would like to focus on getting streetkids out of the streets, and find ways for them to have a home and education, because children are the hope of the future,” she expressed. 

8. Cheriemel Diane Muego, 19

Confidence personified, this senior Political Science student at the University of Phi- lippines-Cebu seems like the girl who won’t back down from any question tossed her way. “The main reason I joined Miss Cebu is because I want to prove that pageants are not offensive to women. I also believe that Miss Cebu is not just an ordinary pageant not only because it promotes conservatism, but because it also serves as a venue for us candidates to spread our advocacies. I myself am personally advocating for one of  the marginalized citizens in the city, which are the fisherfolk who are affected by reclamation projects,” said Diane. 

Diane placed first runner-up in Miss UP and Bb. Ormoc 2012. What aspect of the pageant does she feel not too confident? “I know I’m not that good in ramp walking, so I’m focusing on improving on that aspect. However, since I know Miss Cebu is not just about physical beauty and how well you walk, I’m also consistently reading news articles to be more socially-aware and that will give me an edge in the question and answer portion.”

This aspiring professor is a huge fan of Beyonce, Bollywood films, indie films, cats and revolutionaries. She also describes herself as a frustrated photographer and makeup artist.

9. Grace Anne Marie Yap, 21

G-Anne, a willowy morena, has a charming face that anyone would be drawn to. She’s a Management Accountancy graduate from the University of  San Carlos who’s now employed as a sales administration staff at  a leasing and finance corporation.

Measuring five-foot-six and a half, G-Anne believes the Miss Cebu pageant promotes social awareness among its candidates through the numerous activities and lectures that they are made to participate in. 

10. Eva Psychee Patalinhug, 19

Coming across as the fun gal you’d love to be BFF’s with, Eva (pronounced as Ava), is as charming as they get. The Miss Mandaue 2013 second runner-up would be first to say that “I’m not just a pretty face.”

Hailing from a family of politicians, she herself has dipped into the world of governance and leadership as Lapu-Lapu City Sangguniang Kabataan chair and as a student representative in her college for three consecutive years.

Aside from Miss World 2013 Megan Young, she considers as role model former President Cory Aquino because, “like her, my mom is also serving in the government. She is beautiful, an empowered woman and was an inspiration to all.”

Eva is a graduating Nursing student at Cebu Doctor’s University. While she would have loved to be a doctor someday, the stunner said fulfilling that dream is quite expensive, so plan B is to become a lawyer instead.

11. Natasha Angela Manuel, 18

Natasha, who idolizes Canadian fashion model Coco Rocha, is a Cebu Runway Model search winner and Miss Mandaue 2013 finalist. She is now in her third year at the University of San Carlos, taking up Accounting Technology.

This beauty queen aspirant loves watching basketball games. She also relishes the presence of children, simply because she grew up without siblings. “But contrary to what people perceive about an only-child, I didn’t grow up spoiled. My mother gives me everything I need and want, but she raised me as a single mother which is the reason why I look up to her the most. She got married a year after I met my biological father. And that was the happiest moment of my life – meeting my father,” said Natasha.

12. Pearlyn Hortelano, 23

Will Pearl live up to her name and emerge the victor in Miss Cebu’s Pearl Batch? The tallest among the ladies at five-foot-nine, Pearl is a Hospitality graduate from Cebu Technological University who left a hotel job to work as executive secretary of Rotary Club of Cebu South in order “to contribute my passion in humanitarian services.”

She had previously joined Miss Mandaue 2009 and Mutya ng Pilipinas 2009. Pearl is proud to share her humble beginnings, as what she had made of herself despite challenges is a good source of  inspiration for others. “I can really say that my personality now is molded by my experiences.  Even though I’m still 23, I’ve gone through a lot in life, which I know will also inspire many people,” the family breadwinner quipped.

What would she ask Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, if  given the chance to push for a cause close to her heart? “Since I am a resident of one of the urban poor areas here in Cebu City which is involved in the 93-1 issue, I would ask Mayor Mike Rama what his plans are or whether he has plans about the resettlement and find a solution for the problems of the urban poor,” was her reply.