IT WAS the anniversaries of three Davao provinces, Davao del Norte, Oriental, and del Sur, and thus, it was the season of pageants. The most celebrated and contested were those of the Binibining Davao Oriental 2017 and the restored Binibining Davao del Norte 2017.
Binibining Davao Oriental 2017 is from Cateel, Marra Cristy Dianne Silvosa, a graduate of BS Tourism Management from the Philippine Women's College of Davao who is taking her on the job training at the Philippine Air Lines Ticketing Office.
Her court are Hiyas sa Kayutaan (1st runner-up) from the City of Mati, Rhojelyn Abranilla Alfonso; Hiyas sa Katubigan (2nd runner-up) from Manay, Mary Lourd Gatmaitan Panuayan; Hiyas sa Lumadnong Kagikan (3rd runner-up) from Lupon, Denise Dominique Rodriguez, and; Hiyas sa Kasaysayan (4th runner-up) from Tarragona, Eula Cristine Colicot Napuli.
The other contestants and the towns they represented were: Iana Faye Marie Olea of San Isidro, Hazelain Bardos of Banaybanay, Lyka Melissa Enano of Boston, Sheen Yerkish Bantaculo of Governor Generoso, Gay Anne Sobiaco of Caraga, and Diane Lunay of Baganga.
In Davao Oriental, a pageant first-timer and graduate of Ateneo de Davao University grabbed the crown for the first Binibining Davao del Norte after the pageant took a 13-year hiatus.
Mary Joy De Castro bested 17 other hopefuls to win the crown, the P200,000 cash prize, and the chance to represent Davao del Norte in the next Binibining Pilipinas.
First runner up is Chariss Manuel, also from Tagum City. Before joining Bb. Davao del Norte, De Castro was an employee of the City Government of Tagum, assigned in the City Information Office as writer and researcher. While Manuel was an alumna of Mutya ng Tagum for two cycles.
De Castro also bagged other major awards like Best in Swimwear, Best in Playsuit and Best in Festival Attire, while Manuel notched the Best in Casual Attire award.
Panabo City’s Ed Goldilaine Flores won as second runner-up. Myrell Martinez of the Municipality of San Isidro was third runner-up while Princess Faye Fernandez from New Corella was fourth runner-up.