Choosing Miss Cebu was a Fun Experience!

When Philip Rodriguez invited me to be one of the judges of the Miss Cebu 2012 Contest, I did not hesitate to accept the position.  There is something very gratifying in changing the lives of the winners for the better.

My fellow judges were Martin Xu, newly appointed Country Manager of Cathay Pacific, Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros, Couturier Francis Libiran, and jewelry designer Ana Rocha.  It was instant chemistry among the five of us which made our job more FUN than tedious.  On a level playing field, interviewing 12 young talented ladies with strong opinions about their advocacy and their vision for Cebu could be a difficult task. The rapport we had among us judges made our task lighter.

The 12 contestants were Michelle Angelique A. Tan, Ann Caryl S.Gotingco, Mary Hazel Haruka Watabe, Rachel Chloe T. Palang, Cynthia Lois D. Tac-an,  Pierre Anther G. Infante, Ella Beverly P. Sarmago, Herle Kim T. Artugue, April Ann Claire R. White, Jonnie Rose Louise R. Wee, Shannen R. Abarquez, Lesly Ann P. Fernandez.

All twelve contestants paraded in elegant evening gowns executed by Cebu's finest designers: Cary Santiago, Jun Escario, Philip Rodriguez, OJ Hoffer, Wendel Qusido, Jojo Romoff, Philipp Tampus, Yvonne Quisumbing, Arcy Gayatin, Albert Arriba, and two others whose names I missed.

The best evening gown was worn by Pierre Anther G. Infante, and the designer who garnered the award was Cary Santiago. And the winner of Miss Cebu was.....also Pierre Anther G.Infante.

Congratulations to all of the contestants. As Mayor Mike Rama said, they are all winners.

Congratulations to the choreographers, to the costume designers, the producer of the show, to Cebu City Tourism Foundation, and to all the sponsors who made the show a successful, enjoyable event.

Taking her final walk, 2011 Miss Cebu Mia Zeeba Alfariddon

The hopeful contestants for Miss Cebu 2012 with Miss Cebu 2011

Past winners dressed by one of Cebu's finest designers Philip Rodriguez with actor Rafael Rosell were anchor hosts

Jaja Rama, of Cebu's Tourism Office, in a flowing Rodriguez emerald green joins my fellow judges Jewelry designer Ana Rocha, Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros and Cathay Pacific Country Manager Martin Xu

Charismatic Cebu Mayor,  Mike Rama said "They are all winners!" 

Ana Quisumbing, Officer of the Cebu Tourism Office and winner of Ms. Curvaceous contest, 4th from left in a black gown took good care of us judges.  L to R-- couturier Francis Libiran, Cathay Pacific GM Martin Xu, myself, jewelry designer and boutique owner Ana Rocha, and Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros

President of Cebu's Fashion Designer Guild, Philip Rodriguez, movie and TV actor Rafael Rosell, myself and Francis Libiran enjoyed the dinner party after the event.