KATRINA Zayas Acaylar of Barangay Balulang is Cagayan de Oro's newest beauty queen after being crowned Miss Cagayan de Oro 2017.
In the Higalaay Festival's most awaited event, Acaylar bested the other 11 candidates and ultimately won the crown which was held at the Limketkai Atrium, August 26.
On the other hand, Marianne Serenuela of Barangay Bulua won fourth runner-up followed by Alexa Patriana of Barangay Gusa as third runner-up. Jaymee Padilla of Barangay Balulang was crowned as second runner-up and Meg Bacareza of Iponan as first runner-up.
After months of preparation, training, and exposure, Miss Cagayan de Oro was finally crowned. Since last month, the candidates have been through various minor competitions of the pageant which helped the judges determine the city's next beauty queen.
Last month, Miss Cagayan de Oro has already started various competitions for its candidates. These included the Press and Public Presentation, the Talent Competition, the Swimsuit Competition, the Long Gown Competition, and the Mega Fashion Show. Besting in these competitions gave the candidates greater chances of winning the crown.
In every awarding, Acaylar proved to be the corporate partners’ favorite as she won fifteen out of 24 corporate awards. Acaylar also won two major awards such as the Best in Swimwear and the Miss Mags Casual Wear.
On the other hand, Meg Bacareza of Barangay Iponan also won two major awards such as the Darling of the Press award and the Best in Long Gown award. Meanwhile, Jaymee Padilla of Barangay Balulang won as the Best in Personality while Leticia Lamour Sy of Bulua grabbed the Best in Talent award. Charissa Velez of Barangay Carmen won as Miss Photogenic.
The question posed to the top five candidates of the pageant was “What do you think is the biggest problem that is being faced by our world today?”
Acaylar cited the problem of terrorism in Mindanao today and that the only thing that can unify and bring peace to people is the acceptance of each differences.
Acaylar was crowned by former Miss Universe Philippines Chamcey Supsup who was the chair of the board of judges and Miss Cagayan de Oro 2016 Sherlyn Doloriel.
The other candidates for this year's Miss Cagayan de Oro include Suzanne Martil of Barangay Tablon, Shekinah Julia Salcedo of Barangay Balulang, Glysa Basay of Barangay Kauswagan, Mary Kate Go of Barangay Gusa, and Shara Philline Pleños of Barangay Puntod.