COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE -- It’s lavish, it’s eclectic. It’s powerful and grand. T'was a fitting finale for Jessel Mae Hombaya who grabbed the 2017 Bulawan Festival Queen.
Ten candidates representing their respective municipalities vied it out last March 5, of the week-long 10th Bulawan festival and 19th Founding Anniversary of Compostela Valley which runs from March 4 to 8.
“Tonight we will be presenting the other treasures of Comval, our ladies who are not only talented, beautiful and intelligent but also empowered. These ladies understand and recognize whatever strengths they have and they strive to attain goals and ambitions within their attainable frameworks,” board member Joanna Aileen Gentugaya, Bulawan Festival action officer said.
The ladies compete on their best Festival Costume Designs, all of them wearing their unique and equally stunning attires depicting the chosen icons of their municipalities. These include Banana-inspired gown for Laak, gold ore for Monkayo, rafflessia for Maragusan and fruits for Mawab, among others. Their talent portion also showcases live music incorporating the Bulawan music and dance steps. And finally, it's a match of wit and intelligence for the lovely candidates.
In the end, Ms. Jessel Mae Hombaya of Maco was hailed as the Bulawan Festival Queen 2017, bringing home P30,000 and trophy. Aside from bagging the crown, Ms. Hombaya also won most of the special awards: Best in Playsuit, Best in Performance Showcase, Ms. C2 Cool & Clean and Gandang Leo Revita awards.
As the queen, she automatically received the Beautederm Ambassador Award with cash prize of P4,000 and one-year supply of Beautederm products.
First runner-up went to Ms. Ivy Rose Libaton of Compostela, who also won both the Best in Festival Costume and Ms. Congeniality award. Second runner-up was Ms. Elaine Michelle Mascariñas of Monkayo. They also brought home P25,000 and P20,000 cash prizes and trophies, respectively.
Other special awards went to the following: Ms. Kimberly Bermejo of Montevista for Ms. Kutis Beautederm and Ms. Erika Jean Lumen of Nabunturan for Ms. Photogenic.
Other lovely candidates include Ms. Nina Jane Labastida of Pantukan, Ms. Cherry Cris Pitugo of Laak, Ms. Mariel Leon of New Bataan, Ms. Mariz Joy Ellaga of Mawab and Ms. Richelle Peligrino of Maragusan.
Topping the night's already grand production is guest artist Richard Poon, a multi-platinum recording artist who is considered today's Jose Mari Chan, who serenaded the candidates.
“The occasion tonight is not just another beauty pageant…whoever is chosen will represent Compostela Valley. It will no longer be your municipality but the whole of our province that will be promoted for its beauty and wonder,” BM Gentugaya said. (Fe F. Maestre/IDS Comval)