La Salle student crowned 2012 MassKara Queen

A FOURTH year Bachelor of Science in Biology student of University of St. La Salle (USLS) was crowned MassKara Queen 2012 at the jam-packed St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City Thursday night.

Ena Louis Velasco, 20, bested nine other candidates and won the cash prize amounting to P80,000, and was named Best in Evening Gown, Best Festival Costume, and Miss Boracay Newcoast.

Candidate number 3 Samyah Al-Dossary, 17, a second year AB Interdisciplinary Studies student of USLS, was named as first-runner-up and brought home P50,000 cash.

Candidate number 2 Daphne Tanya Molenaar, 17, a 5th year student of USLS, who was awarded as Best in Swimsuit, Best in Ramp, and Miss Jor Travel and Tours, was awarded as 2nd runner-up.

For the final test, the top three finalists were made to answer the question "If you are to choose an image or picture that describes why life is good in Bacolod City, what will you choose and why?"

Velasco got the judges' nod when she said she will choose the picture of smiles, which reflects the happiness of the people of Bacolod that, even in the bad times, they are able to survive.

Other winners include Dominique Abayon of Riverside College who won the Best in Talent; Kris Ann Marie Dumancas, nursing graduate of USLS, won the Miss Congeniality and Best in Make-up; while Kris Piamor Gicaro, a nursing student of Riverside College was named Miss Photogenic.

Judging the three-hour pageant produced by ABS-CBN Bacolod were Binibining Pilipinas 2012 semi-finalist and Miss Earth Philippines Fire 2009 Patricia Tumulak, former beauty queen Maggie Limjap, Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications of Megaworld Corporation Harold Geronimo, Miss Iloilo Dinagyang chairman Alex Gonzales Soncio, Visayan Daily Star lifestyle columnist Ivy Visitacion, Lin-ay sang Negros Director Rene Hinojales, Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, and Police Regional Office Western Visayas Director Agrimero Cruz. (Merlinda A. Pedrosa)