Meet the 'Mutya' 12 semi-finalists

GMA Network Inc., the City Government's strategic partner for the creative execution of this year's search for Mutya ng Dabaw, is all set for Tuesday’s Pre-Pageant and Talent Night, where five finalists will be chosen from among the 12 semi-finalists.

The event will be held at SM City Davao Event Center starting at 5 p.m. and will be hosted by Kapuso actor Victor Aliwalas and Mutya ng Dabaw 2009 Resci Rizada.

Filipino-American beauty queen and recording artist Krista Kleiner will sit as one of the judges. Kapuso star and R&B Prince Jay-R will deliver a special performance.

"We will make this year's Mutya ng Dabaw search the grandest, most entertaining and most impressive to date. This is our way of showing that we are fully committed to serve our regional audience by becoming a medium to showcase the beauty and positive spirit of the Dabawenyos to the world," Oliver Amoroso, assistant vice president for sales and marketing of GMA Regional TV, has vowed.

He said the network is elated to take the challenge of leveling up the prestigious search in time for the city's Diamond Year.

The city is celebrating this year's 75th Araw ng Dabaw in March.
Thus, year's Muta ng Dabaw semifinalists are the following:

Ma. Elainezelle Clarice Tiu (Toril, Davao City) -- Ma. Elainezelle Clarice Tiu, 19-years-old, is a 3rd year BS Accountancy student at the Ateneo de Davao University. Ma. Elainezelle enjoys baking, sketching, and reading books. She is a consistent dean's lister and currently the Internal Vice President of the Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Pamantasan ng Ateneo.

Maria Theresa Tan (Ulas, Davao City) -- Maria Theresa Tan is an AB Communication Arts graduate from University of Immaculate Conception where she was also a scholar. This 22-year-old beauty is currently a Guest Relation Agent at Marco Polo Hotel.

Angelie Bontilao (Agdao, Davao City) -- Angelie Bontilao, or Angel, is an Emergency Medical Technicia (EMT) of Davao Central 911. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Pedro College last 2008. Angel is now taking her Master's Degree in Nursing at San Pedro College. This 24-year-old likes surfing the net, watching and reading news. She also does part-time modeling work.

Jhoanna Myles Te (Bacaca Rd., Davao City) -- Jhoanna Myles Te, or Twinkle, is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing cum laude graduate from San Pedro College. Her college years were highlighted by a Best in Psychiatric Nursing award. Twenty two-year-old Twinkle loves sports, watching movies, and internet surfing and also dabbles in modeling.

Regine Terza Fondevilla (Ecoland Subd., Davao City) -- Twenty-year-old Regine Terza Fondevilla is a BS Business Administration student at the Ateneo de Davao University, where she is also a consistent Dean's Lister. If she finds time, Terza enjoys reading, watching TV, working out and meditating. She is also interested in hosting, modeling and dancing.

Sheila Mae Holthe (Matina, Davao City) -- Sheila Mae Holthe is an 18-year-old Business Administration student from San Pedro College of Davao. Sheila, or Sheek, enjoys singing and modeling and her hobbies are internet surfing, eating and malling. She also loves reading books.

Marianne Mae Te (Toril, Davao City) -- Twenty one-year-old Marianne Mae Te, or Yannie, is a print model and an AB Hotel and Restaurant Management graduate of Philippine Women's College of Davao. Also seasoned beauty pageant contestant in the city, Yannie loves skim boarding and cooking. This young lady from Toril, Davao City describes herself as "systematic and highly oriented person with good analytical and problem solving skills."

Sandra Stein (Lanang, Davao City) -- Eighteen-year-old Sandra Stein is a 2nd year college student at the Ateneo de Davao University, taking up BS in Business Management. Sandra was born in Berlin, Germany and currently resides in Lanang, Davao City. The half-German, half-Filipina aims to be a successful businesswoman in the future. She loves traveling and swimming.

Ma. Angelina Arrozal (El Rio, Davao City) -- Ma. Angelina Arrozal, or Angel, is a 3rd year dentistry student at the Davao Medical School Foundation. The 19-year-old was also one of the semi-finalists in Miss Earth-Davao Region. She is a trainee for TV hosting at a local cable channel and a part-time ramp model. Angel is also a school orator and debater who enjoys painting, dancing and singing.

Jazzel Therese Gomez (Matina Pangi, Davao City) -- Jazzel Therese Gomez is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Bachelor of Arts Major in English Language from Far Eastern University. Nicknamed Jazz, she is currently taking Law studies at the Ateneo de Davao University. This 23-year-old's long list of achievements also includes bringing home the Grand Prize in the 2010 Anghel C. Palanca Peace Program Essay Writing tilt and receiving a 99 percent in English proficiency test in TOEIC Exam. She enjoys singings, reading and cooking.

Dorothy Maruel Ibañez (Lanang, Davao City) -- Dorothy Ibanez is a Registered Nurse, currently employed as a Health Consultant of the US-based Health Central Training Center. The 23-year-old is a Nursing graduate of Ateneo de Davao University. Dotty practices photography.

Gintherese Capa (Sasa, Davao City) - Nineteen-year-old Gintherese Capa, or Bagin, is taking up BS Civil Engineering at the University of Southeastern Philippines where she is also a student leader. While she is interested in singing, dancing and song composition, she also dabbles in modeling and enjoys acting. Bagin advocates "empowering the lives of the youth with positivity to lead a better society."