PAGLAUM Village in Bacolod may have lost its bid to advance in the ranks of barangayhood separate to Mansilingan, but its residents have yet another reason to celebrate and be proud of. Recently, two of its young ladies have been chosen to join in two national beauty competitions.
These two beautiful ladies are Hannah Claudette Lladoc, Bacolod’s sole candidate to the Miss Teen Philippines, and Aiko Takahashi, Bacolod’s official representative to the national finals of Miss Silka 2014.
Hannah, a Mass Communications freshman at the University of St. La Salle and Aiko, recently crowned Ms. Silka Bacolod, put Paglaum Village on the map of national beauty pageants.
Hannah is a consistent honor student of Paglaum Village Elementary School who was considered by pageant organizers as having “a resemblance of classic character, Snow White."
Without doubt, she fits the title well. Her well-rounded face, long locks, childish countenance and in particular, "skin as white as snow," has secured her a spot in the Miss Teen battled by prime cities and provinces last month.
Hannah is very talented, too. Her speaking skills in both English and Filipino landed her high ranks in local newscasting competitions for students last year. Hannah is the only daughter of Jun and Lilibeth, who are both dedicated government employees. Both parents had been consistently posting videos of their child since the regional qualifiers leg in Iloilo up to the national competition in Manila. Truly, they are proud parents.
Hannah has not bagged the crown, but she sure has made Paglaum Village, and of course, Bacolod City, proud. According to beauty pageant experts, the Miss Teen Philippines is “the right arm of Bb. Pilipinas to continue the winning streak of the country as a powerhouse of beauties."
Like Hannah, Aiko Takahashi's family is overwhelmed by her recent success after being crowned Miss Silka Bacolod 2014. Call it beginner’s luck, but this Business Management student has all the charm to be hailed as queen on her first time to join a beauty competition.
Aiko's sister Chieko Takahashi is a close friend from primary school. Being in a community school, we usually go to their house to eat snacks or fool around. Aiko had always been the dark skinned, chubby girl running around with their big, big dogs. I remembered she ate a lot of junk food then and was not picky on what to munch at all. Fast forward to 2014, it is a pleasant surprise to see how she transformed to a beautiful lady like her sister.
Aiko walked with a charming confidence and elegance. The orange and light yellow gown made her skin and Asian look glow with so much radiance. A head-turner with her morena skin and chinita eyes, she may be confused as either the younger version of Miss Universe runners-up Miriam Quiambao or Janine Tugonon.
But Aiko is her own class—outspoken, driven and risk-taker. I believe these are what beauty queens should possess, and more.
Residents and conveners supporting the separation of Paglaum Village—also a settlement for provincial government employees—from Mansilingan promised to celebrate everyday successes in the community after its failed attempt to win the elections.
And so today, Paglaum is in high spirits to celebrate the recognition of two beauties from the village—two equally talented and elegant queens worthy to take their reigns.