AFTER its successful first run, “Miss Millennial” returns to television with 40 young Filipinas who are set to showcase the beauty and charm of the Philippines.
Same as last year, “Eat Bulaga” tapped local beauty pageant titleholders and challenged them to represent their hometown in a competition that is first-of-its-kind in local television.
Unlike the typical pageants, “Miss Millennial Philippines” official candidates need to forgo of their high heels, tiaras and fancy dresses and instead focus on promoting the tourism aspect of their province.
“Last year’s journey was really an eye opening one for all of us. Personally, I love to travel and when the competition started, I felt guilty for missing out on the wonderful places we feature. After watching each episode, you’d want to visit those places and try the food, immerse on their culture and meet the locals. We want to spark that same curiosity this year,” said Eat Bulaga’s senior vice president for Creatives and Operations, Jeny Ferre.
Aside from representing their different provinces, Ferre said the millennials will also create eye-catching television and online campaigns which will best promote their hometowns. These materials will be featured daily on the longest-running noontime variety show and in different social media platforms.
“Essentially this is about tourism, but the heart of this pageant is the energy of the young people. We want to merge the traditional media and online to highlight the must-see places in the country. We want to use social media as a positive platform to educate the people on how beautiful and majestic the Philippines is. We think these millennials are the best ambassadresses of their provinces because they have firsthand experience of the culture and tradition of their hometown,” she said.
Ferre also admitted that among all the well-loved segments of the program, “Miss Millennial Philippines” is the most difficult and expensive to produce. She said that aside from the logistics and production constraints, it’s not easy to gather 40 candidates with different background and from different places.
The “Eat Bulaga” boss said it’s fulfilling though as the show continuously tries to cultivate a sense of nationalism among its viewers.
“We are trying to give the candidates and the viewers the best experience ever. This is the most expensive but the most worthy segment of Eat Bulaga and this is our way of returning the favor to the communities that supported us through years.”
Contestants
The 40 entrants who will compete for the Miss Millennial Philippines 2018 title are: Sharmaine Dela Cruz (Zamboanga), Mae Angela Miguel (Zambales), Maria Isabel Alves (Parañaque), Marela Glospeah Caro Juaman (South Cotabato), Ina Louise Abello (Palawan), Jaila Ragindin (Bataan), Kate Maureen Sunga (Guimaras), Denice Fritz Daligcon (Apayao), Danna Rose Socaoco (Misamis Oriental), EllenMay Otalla (Rizal), Verna RIcaella Franco (Tarlac), Kiezel Mellado (Sarangani), Trisha Aceret (Ilocos Norte), Shaira Marie Rona (Mandaluyong City) and Ma. Gienel Caling from Nueva Ecija.
Marissa Ruado (Masbate), Daphne Kyara Marie Algrame (Negros Oriental), Jennifer Lemaitre (Laguna), Jewel Palacat (Ilocos Sur), Shaila Rebortera (Cebu), Merrielle Sarmiento (Oriental Mindoro), Femush Lyssa Maynes (Nueva Vizcaya), Elaiza Monica Mascarinas (Compostela Valley), Eloiza Canlas (Pampanga), Lesly Joy Sim (Quezon Province), Alyssa Angelica Dacuno (Samar), Trissia Aldave (Camarines Sur), Ivory Felix Calampinay (Malabon), Elisha Libres (Davao del Sur), Joanna Kalkschmidt (Capiz), Zane Anne Deza Parel (Isabela), Lady Justerinnie Santos (Bulacan).
Meanwhile, provinces that are sending their first Miss Millennial representatives are Batanes (Ma. Ellena Velasco), Aurora (Verny Abby Zabat), Bukidnon (Sunshine Gumbao), Abra (Chanel Mistyca Corpuz), Siquijor (Neriz Lantaca), Agusan del Sur (Judie Anne Castro), Iloilo (Demi Patria Jainga) and Jolo, Sulu (Nur Shaira).
This year’s grand prize winner, which will be determined by text and online votes, will take home a house and lot from Camella Homes, a brand new Montero Sport and P500,000.
“Eat Bulaga” will also choose one Miss Bayanihan Queen, the contestant who produced the best tourism campaign, and will award P1 million to fund her chosen local tourism project.
“This is another way of discovering and touring the different regions of our country. The vision of ‘Eat Bulaga’ is that after following this pageant, everyone is moved to personally see and experience the beauty of the Philippines,” Ferre added.
Catch “Miss Millennial Philippines 2018” at noontime from Mondays to Saturdays in “Eat Bulaga” only on GMA-7. PR