Clint Holton Potestas
Of Sun.Star Cebu

IT WAS, indeed, saving the best for last.

Nineteen-year-old Kris Tiffany M. Janson was crowned Miss Cebu 2009 at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, last night. She was the last of the 12 candidates who vied for title.

Janson impressed the jurors with her stage presence and her answer to the final question: As Miss Cebu, how would you promote and preserve Cebuano culture? “I will promote it by simply telling people how important our history is. Cebu is my home, my paradise,” Janson replied.

Janson is an accountancy student at the University of San Carlos-Main. Although she works as a model under the AD Models Homme et Femme agency, it was her first time to join a beauty pageant.

The other winners are Rizzini Alexis Gomez, first runner-up; Kimberley Therese A. Burden, second runner-up; Michelle Iva G. Eguia, third runner-up; and Tara Frances L. Oliver, fourth runner-up.

Janson received 50,000 as her cash prize. Janson also won the Texters’ Choice, Miss Photogenic and Miss Belo Essentials Star White Skin awards.

Appropriate in a pageant with “Silver and Beyond” for its theme, the night featured some sparkling moments, including one of honesty and poise.

In the middle of delivering her answer to the final question, Eguia, candidate number nine, requested host David Celdran to repeat the question. “Would you mind? I am so nervous,” she said, turning to the pageants’ board. With that, she, among the five finalists, drew the loudest cheers from the audience.

Best gown, designer

Awarded Best in Evening Gown, Gomez wore a serpentina dress designed by Cary Santiago. Gomez also won another
special prize from the Belo Medical Group. Fashion designer Oj Hofer was Metro magazine’s Best Designer.

Candidate number two Sheda Lynn A. Dusaban received the Miss Friendship and Most Radiant Smile awards.

This year’s pageant was hosted by Celdran and 1999 Miss Cebu Tourism Menchu Antigua.

The judges were entrepreneur Beatriz Zobel de Ayala, Cathay Pacific executive Edward Higgs, commercial model Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales, Belo Medical Group representative Dr. Victor Lopez, fashion photographer Patrick Uy and Metro
magazine editor Katrina Holigores.

Former winners of the Miss Cebu competition have gone on to win other prestigious titles, including the Bb. Pilipinas crown, while others have pursued successful careers as models.

For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here.

(January 15, 2009 issue)
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