A 19-YEAR-OLD college student bagged the coveted crown as Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Philippines 2016 as her ticket to the Miss Earth competition in 2016.
Aside from hauling several corporate and minor awards, Vanessa Ann Caro is the top crowd favorite and one of the three Miss Iloilo Dinagyang winners.
Caro said that Ilonggas are confidently beautiful with a heart by reiterating the lines of 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurzbach of the Philippines and ready to fight for expanded womens rights.
The Ilonggas can do more if given the chance to perform and show-off and be a leader in any field of endeavor.
In glittering pageant rites Wednesday night, January 21, at the University of San Agustin gymnasium, the other two winners were Janine May Coo as Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Heritage and to represent Iloilo in the Miss Philippines Heritage competition slated within this year in Metro Manila.
The other winner is Jhoanne Tanada as Miss Iloilo Dinagyang Aliwan to represent Iloilo in the search for Reina ng Aliwan Festival of the Manila Broadcasting Corp by April this year.
Completing the court of five selected contenders were second runner-up Angel Magahum and first runner-up Jeanyfer Ozbot.
The other candidates were Pauline Rose Gerochi, Mary Lee Tuble, Japril Maquiling, Karla Beverly Tan and Janielle Gracie Miranda.
Alex Soncio, MID chair said they have resorted to three winners this year as there are more beautiful and talented Ilonggas fit for national competition.
The beauty and talent search is one of the highlights of the annual Iloilo Dinagyang Festival spearheaded by the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, the Iloilo City government and the San Jose Parish.
The pageant was graced by national beauties, Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago who acted as the nights hostess, Miss Philippines Universe 2013 Ariella Arida, Miss Philippines Universe 2014 MJ Lastimosa, queenmaker Jonas Gaffud, Miss World Philippines director Cory Quirino, 2015 Mr International Philippines Reniel Villareal, 2012 Manhunt International June Macasaet, 2015 Mr Model International Arcel Yambing and 2015 Mr Philippines Tourism William Pagayon.