LIN-AY sang Negros 2018 Danice Decolongon of Ilog town said it never crossed her mind that she will win the beauty pageant in her first attempt to join a beauty contest.
The neophyte beauty queen told SunStar Bacolod that it was actually her friend who convinced her to join.
“I was really reluctant because I did not have any experience joining a beauty pageant. And for me, to start right away with Lin-ay sang Negros would be quite ambitious. But since my friend was that convincing and my parents, so I ended up joining the pageant and even got the title," she said.
She felt much honored to be named as this year's Lin-ay sang Negros. She did not expect to get the award considering that she did not do well in the Talent Night and even in the Corporate Awards.
“Before the pageant night, I really broke down at the closed-door interview. I thought I will never win. But with this crown, I will continue with my advocacy in educating, empowering and enriching the youth towards culture and heritage as the youth nowadays are undergoing a scarcity of knowledge on culture. There is such thing as an erosion of national pride and identity among the youth,” she said.
She said she will start promoting her town and the province using the social media as her platform.
Meanwhile, Lin-ay sang Toboso Klaire Ann Labrador Libre, who is the first runner-up, said she is still in shocked about her recent winning.
“I am grateful that they chose me to be the lady next to the top winner. Every girl aims to land on the top three,” asid Lin-ay sang Toboso.
Her advocacy would be to go into the depths of what the province can offer.
“I will go to places in the province that have not been discovered, not just in my hometown,” Toboso said.
Lin-ay sang Hinigaran Yasmine Cabalfin said she is grateful that she finished second runner-up.
“It was in 2008 that Hinigaran won the title. It is my honor and my pleasure to be among the top 3. I considered this as a big achievement. I invite everyone to come to our town. We have the best ‘talaba’ and ‘lampirong,’” said Cabalfin.
The top three Lin-ay beauties joined the closing ceremonies of Panaad sa Negros Festival yesterday at Panaad Park and Stadium.