ADVOCATES of anti-bullying were crowned as this year’s Mr. and Ms. Benguet.
In the coronation night Friday, November 22, hailed as Ms. Benguet is Bachelor in Secondary Education graduate Marilou Saguidec from Kibungan and Forensic student Seth Wayne Chacapna from Atok as Mr. Benguet.
Both expressed advocacy to stand against bullying and promote their corresponding towns and Benguet province.
“When I was elementary, I was small and thin and they think I cannot do anything but I was able to conquer it,” Chacapna said.
In an interview, the two who are not new to the world of pageants added it was an unprecedented win.
Awarded as 4th runner-up for Mr. Benguet is Erwin Jake Ducat from Tuba, 3rd runner-up Judy Lisayen of Mankayan, 2nd runner-up Novy Jones Aban (Kapangan).
For Ms. Benguet, 4th runner-up is Shania Faye Pronton from Tuba, Amie Rose Pitas from Kapangan as the 3rd runner-up, and Charlyn Gabao (Itogon) the 2nd runner-up and from Mankayan Ritchelle Espada as the 1st runner-up.
Saguidec said joining this year’s annual competition entails sacrifice of time, but for her it was all worth it.
“I think I’m going to lead outreach programs most especially for far flung areas and a lot more to expect,” the 22–year–old Benguet beauty added.
Chacapna, 20, said his motivation in the competition was his mom from Atok who is battling brain tumor for more than four years, adding he will continue his best to continue the legacy of the former Mr Benguet and do his best for the people of Benguet and the province.
The newly crowned Mr. Benguet was asked in the final question and answer portion what program would he recommend to provincial officials to implement, to contribute to a healthier Benguet and why.
“I would suggest to them that the law of synergy which suggests one times one is equals to eleven and that is what we call good responsive governance plus responsible citizens or human resource like us that contribute to the success of Benguet. And to be with that we need a responsive government to address the people of Benguet and responsible like us the citizens to serve the government and to give the government the best we could, for the province to be healthier not just better and the best province,” he answered. (With a report from Jean Nicole Cortes)