Miss Mabalacat City

CONGRATULATIONS are in order.

For the successful staging of Miss Mabalacat pageant last night. A 25-year-old lass in Arlyn Anunciacion is actually the first ever Miss Mabalacat City, with the town’s conversion into a component city taking place only in July last year.

Arlyn is from Barangay San Francisco here but finished her elementary and high school education in New York City before taking up nursing education at the Angeles University Foundation. She is one fine lady – composed, witty, poised, charming, talented.  Name it, she might just have it.

It’s actually her second time to join one of the most awaited pageants in the province. She was unlucky four years ago but this time, she emerged as a deserving winner – with all her maturity in wits and looks.

It was actually a close call between her and first runner up Laurene Leonarda who also wowed the judges, crowd and organizers from the very beginning. Laurene was given many special awards like Miss Photogenic, Best in Talent, Miss Personality and two others. She was equally beautiful and talented.

But I guess Arlyn, winner of Best in Long Gown and second Best Talent, appeared to have been more composed and witty as she answered the final question with all confidence and sincerity ("If you are crowned Miss Mabalacat tonight, what would you tell your first runner-up?"). Her beauty transcended to her intellect which counted heavily for her and for the judges' score sheet.

Arlyn’s younger sister and a former Miss San Francisco too, Avon, made it to 10 semi-finalists but was unlucky to land in the top five. She was given though the Miss Telegenic Award, with her smile that looked so expensive up close and personal but has nevertheless charmed the lenses and TV screens.

If and when both Laurene and Avon decide to make another run for the pageant, I think these two will battle it out for the top plum.
Of course I am not counting out the rest of the other finalists (there were 30 applicants but only 17 made it). 
They were all gorgeous.

Ella Mae Sullano of Barangay Lakandula was not only pretty but was so graceful with her dance talent. Dancing like Regine Tolentino, she was great and a pre-finals favorite to win that category.

Second runner up and tall girl Narane Guevarra looked so classy like a topnotch commercial model. So was 4th runner up Marie Rose Antonio who was a standout too with her dark skin but was so attractive. Miss Congeniality Jessielyn Fernandez, 3rd runner-up, was equally charming and witty with her UP-Clark background.

The other girls in the cast of 10 semi-finalists were superb too. Hana Shan Dimauan was compared many times to Alice Dixson with her looks.

Mestiza girl Krislane Yalung performed a unique “Cabaret” ala Liza Minelli. She is full of potentials. Hilarry Pamintuan and Miss Body Beautiful Angel Panapanaan exuded some extra-ordinary charm too.

Unknown to many, this year’s concluded pageant was the very first time for a lass from Macapagal Village to have joined the annual event.

Pageant Chairman June Magbalot was ecstatic when Joyce Musni, 18 years old, made it to the finals. June said it was a long-time wish of Mayor Marino Morales that someone from little known barangays like Macapagal (the others being Marcos Village and Calumpang) join. Joyce was simple and demure.

To all the girls like Renaly Tapnio, Marie Joyce Marfori, Jhomai Pablo, Maica Manalang, and April Jane Pare – sulk not – you were all equally beautiful. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. At some point, you all shone above the others (like Renaly’s talent and answer in casual interview). You were all equally stunning.

*****

I must congratulate the organizers too, especially June Magbalot, chief of staff of Mayor Morales. That was one gargantuan job, especially coming at the heels of rehearsing (for only four full days) that street dance that won for Pampanga the top and only prize in Dulansangan/Fiesta Republica in Malolos City.

You only had a few winks in between the pre-pageant right before the Dulansangan then onto this back-breaking event. Those insulin injects must be really working on you. I admire your strengths – physical, emotional, physiological, etc.  You are a blessing to the city with your contribution for the preservation and tilling of culture and the arts for the present and even future generations.

The Mabalacat City Culture and Arts (MCCA) with choreographer and lead dancer Dabu manifesting more than one talent with his resourcefulness and multitasking. Same thing for the rest of the gang Joel, RK, Carl, Benedict, Arnold, Joven, Joseph, Serving, Mong, Verna, Vine, Ding Baluyut and cousin Joseph Tulabut. Your respective tasks have made it easy for June that is why he is profuse in having you behind him always.

June is equally grateful too to the Corpuz family and the trio of Dan Terea, Francis “Swey” Licup and  Sherwyn Funcian who did not only sing with much fervor for the Doxology but were also unselfish with their talent to serve as emcees, voice over and script writers. Dan also went out of his way to assist June in many ways for the success of the pageant.

June says thank you too to video and photo artists Borj Meneses, Dodjie Aguinaldo, Alvin Tanglao, Jay Layson, Benedict of Mabrock.

Of course not to be left out is Ermie Dizon, June’s right hand man, who decided and acted so swiftly on some concerns that were vital to the success of the pageant (and the Dulansangan). He is like Robin to Batman, a Bernie Taupin to Elton John, Hutch to Starsky, Bato Kay Darna (hehe). Ermie was even unmindful to be serving as June’s palengke gal, shuttling Divisoria and Mabalacat for some pageant needs.

To those I failed to mention, you know more or less how your contributions have been given true worth. Just like the candidates, you are all winners!