CEBU. Miss Cebu 2015 Wynonah Van Joy Buot (center) waves to the crowd, along with her court: (from left) Domenic Reynes (fourth runner-up), Maria Genefe Navilon (first runner-up), Aivy Mae Castro (second runner-up) and Lucena Rose Magdadaro (third runner-up). (Sun.star foto/Amper Campaña)
A STANDOUT in a row of beauties wearing glittery red gowns, a graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu seized the crown from 11 other contenders for Miss Cebu 2015.
Wynonah Van Joy Buot, 20, a Mass Communication graduate of UP Cebu, “consistently impressed” the judges all throughout the competition, said one of the judges, Frederick Peralta.
Answering the final question—“If you could host Pope Francis to dinner, who would be your Cebuano guests and why?”—Buot said she would invite the students of Cebu.
“If I were to take Pope Francis for dinner in Cebu, I would bring with me the students of Cebu because our students are the hope of the future and our Pope Francis is the hope of our country (…) We can then talk about how we can strengthen, unify, and share love and respect, so that we can encourage our citizens to take part and make a change here in our society,” said Buot. A loud cheer from her supporters answered her back.
Buot was known in her college days as an advocate of student welfare and the environment, under the Union of Progressive Students organization.
Having received the crown, Buot said she will campaign for better awareness of environmental issues and disaster management, especially on the aspect of mobilizing people in disaster response.
Buot received the crown from UP Cebu Political Science major Cheriemel Diane Muego, who is now working as the assistant protocol officer of the Cebu City government and, until recently, was Cebu City mayor Michael Rama’s chief of staff.
“She’s prepared for this. She’s a honed candidate. She’s prepared for the crown. Her head is ready to get the crown,” Peralta said at the sidelines of the event.
Interviewed separately, Muego said she had Buot in mind as this year’s Miss Cebu, citing her confidence and intelligence.
“I am very happy that another UP student won. At one point, I knew she would get it.
She was very consistent from the pre-pageant night up to the pageant night. She won many awards. During the Q&A, she also performed very well. There’s no other way to get the crown,” Muego told Sun.Star Cebu.
Buot was also hailed last night as Miss Friendship, Miss Photogenic, Kapamilya Star of the Night, and Best in Evening Gown. During the pre-pageant last Saturday in the Ayala Center Cebu, Buot claimed the Best in Fun Wear as well as the Miss Ayala Fiesta Island awards.
Miss Friendship by Waterfront and Miss Photogenic: Wynonah Van Joy C. Buot @sunstaronline #MissCebu2015 pic.twitter.com/SjmHSnXe2e
— S-Kai ☆⌒(ゝ。∂) (@skylarkVIP) January 14, 2015
Miss Cebu 1st runner-up: Ma. Genefe Navilon @sunstaronline
#MissCebu2015 #Sinulog2015 pic.twitter.com/u8GH2FLgaz
— S-Kai ☆⌒(ゝ。∂) (@skylarkVIP) January 14, 2015
Miss Cebu 2nd runner-up: Aivy Mae Castro @sunstaronline
#MissCebu2015 #Sinulog2015 pic.twitter.com/JwG2YSnWDG
— S-Kai ☆⌒(ゝ。∂) (@skylarkVIP) January 14, 2015
Miss Cebu 3rd runner-up: Lucena Rose Magdadaro @sunstaronline
#MissCebu2015 #Sinulog2015 pic.twitter.com/Y6BHv4jOjN
— S-Kai ☆⌒(ゝ。∂) (@skylarkVIP) January 14, 2015
Miss Cebu 4th runner-up: Domenic Reynes @sunstaronline
#Sinulog2015 #MissCebu2015 pic.twitter.com/FtGfdNLCla
— S-Kai ☆⌒(ゝ。∂) (@skylarkVIP) January 14, 2015
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