Barangay 1 lass wins Ms. Balingasag title

TOTCHIE Echeveria of Barangay 1 bested 14 other equally beautiful ladies after she was named Miss Balingasag 2013 during the coronation night held Friday at the town's gymnasium.

Completing Echeveria's crown are Neccah Marie Veronilla from Barangay 6 (1st runner up); Melody Mabelle Pestillos of Barangay 2 (2nd runner up); Liza Mae Cabingas from Barangay Linabo (3rd runner up) and Crislie Bulwan of Barangay Mambayaan (4th runner up).
 
Echeveria was also chosen as Best in MG Salon while Veronilla bagged the Best in Gown minor award.
 
Pestillos also bagged the Best in Swimsuit while Cabingas was Ms. Photogenic.

This year's 15 candidates were earlier presented to the media through a press conference last Thursday at the municipal hall.

The other candidates who joined the beauty search were Kaeya Kenn Lagutin (Barangay Waterfalls), April Jean Daguimol (Barangay Linggangao), Cherry Mae Lumindras (Barangay 4), Rhea Joyce Hernandez (Barangay Baliwagan), Cherry Lou Acera (Barangay Mandangoa), Ma. Chairez Lonzaga representing St. Peter College, Judy May Abog of East de Oro Furniture, Jean Rose Stahley of San Isidro, Angelie Pimentel representing Wendel Madrono’s Internet Café and Chihara Golden Janio of Misamis Oriental Institute of Science and Technology.

During Thursday's press conference, the ladies showed of their wits even under pressure as they answered the questions thrown by the members of the media.

Each candidate gamely gave her opinion on several issues related to tourism, environment and personal views in life. Among the candidates who gamely spoke out what's on their mind and gave a clearer view of their town were Cabingas, Abog and Echeveria.

The members of the media later chose their Darling of the Press who was awarded during the coronation night.

Balingasag Vice Mayor Marrietta R. Abogado, who chaired the event, said the candidates were already winners after they hurdled the series of elimination.

Abogado said Echeveria will represent the town as the ambassadress of goodwill.

"Though the prizes of this year's pageant are not that big compared to other big pageants, what is important is that they will have once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will forever cherish," she said.