BAGO City’s bet Angelica Esther Portugaleza was crowned Lin-ay sang Negros 2017, besting 23 other candidates in last night’s pageant held at the jampacked Panaad Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
Crowning Portugaleza were Senator Juan Edgardo Angara and her predecessor, Lin-ay sang Negros 2016 Alyssa Louise Erika Jimenea of Victorias City.
During the question and answer portion, Portugaleza was asked “as an ambassadress of good, how will you help the provincial government to bring services closer to the people?" A portion of her answer said: “Good governance is about transparency and accountability. If you want to bring services of the government closer to the people, of course you should start within the family as it is where our senses and values are honed.”
“Also, we need to work together to attain sustainability so that the future generation could also enjoy the fruit of our labor,” she added.
Aside from the coveted crown, the 20-year-old tourism management graduate of the La Consolacion College-Bacolod also received P60,000 in cash, sash, bouquet, trophy, gift certificate from Nature’s Village Resort and Hotel, a Globe cellphone unit, and 100 percent scholarship for one year.
“Everything is not what it seems, dreams really do come true thus, we should never give up,” she said when asked about her greatest lesson from joining the pageant.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo said "it is with great pride that we celebrate her victory, a first for the city. She is the embodiment of the new Bagonhon woman - strong, confident, gracious, elegant and humble."
This is the first time for Bago to win the title since its inception in 1994.
Lin-ay sang Pulupandan Maria Angela Tañoso, 18, a medical technology student of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City was first runner-up.
She received P40,000 in cash, sash, bouquet, trophy, gift certificate from Nature’s Village Resort and Hotel, a Globe cellphone unit, and one year 75 percent scholarship.
One of the crowd favorites, Lin-ay sang Silay Elodie Langlet also received P20,000 in cash, sash, bouquet, trophy, gift certificate from Nature’s Village Resort and Hotel, a Globe cellphone unit, and one year 50 percent scholarship after winning as second runner-up.
French-Filipino Langlet, 16, was also awarded as Miss Kapuso, Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown. The incoming Grade 12 student of the University of Saint La Salle-Bacolod was earlier chosen as Miss Sun.Star Bacolod.
Lin-ay sang Hinoba-an Vines Joi Guinto won as Lin-ay sang Organik na Negros, while Lin-ay sang Himamaylan Faye Coolen Goza and Lin-ay sang Candoni Euan Castillo were awarded as Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality, respectively.
Rounding up the top 10 were Goza, Castillo, Lin-ay sang Murcia Ma. Paula Gibraltar, Lin-ay sang Hinigaran Mary Glissel Cabatac, Lin-ay sang Toboso Febe Ann Punzalan, Lin-ay sang Sagay Princess Kuan, and Lin-ay sang Kabankalan Trecia Toquero.
Meanwhile, Tony de Ramos again won as this year’s Best Designer for the gown wore by Lin-ay sang Sagay.
Comprising the board of judges were Mr. Manhunt International Philippines 2015 Don Mcgyver Cochico, Ms. Earth Philippines–Air Sharon Rebecca Bridgman, commercial ramp model Jason Javelona, reigning Mr. Supranational Philippines Alberto Rodulfo Dela Serna, Lin-ay sang Negros 2000 Ma. Victoria Durana and renowned swimwear designer Ricky Abad Jr.
Adding excitement to the pageant was Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes, who serenaded the candidates.
Witnessed by at least 20,000 crowd, the 2017 Lin-ay sang Negros pageant night was hosted by Kapuso artist Mikoy Morales and Lin-ay sang Negros 2006 Nicole Puentevella.
The activity is one of the much-anticipated events during the Panaad sa Negros Festival, now on its 24th year.