FERCY Lyn Almaiz, a senior student of University of St. La Salle, was crowned MassKara Queen 2017 during the coronation night held at La Proa Ballroom of L’ Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City Thursday.
Almaiz, 19, who majors in Political Science and Business, bested nine other candidates.
On behalf of MassKara Queen 2016 Valerie Escamilla, who was in Manila, the crown was turned over to the winner by 2016 MassKara Queen first runner-up Maria Angela Clarisse Estioko.
Almaiz was also awarded Best in Festival Costume and Best in Swimsuit.
Claire Therese Porras, 21, a senior Tourism Management student of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, was declared first runner-up.
Vina Marie Peña, 19, a junior Office Administration student of Bacolod City College, was named second runner-up.
Peña also won the Best in Gown and Miss Panasiatic Award.
Almaiz got the judges’ nod with her standout answer to the final question, “What is the importance of beauty pageants in today’s world?”
“Beauty pageant is still very much significant in today’s world because aside from the beauty we celebrate now, we celebrate women as advocates for their own cause,” she said.
Other candidates who received corporate and special awards were Sueko Laoso Kinjho, Miss Merzci; and Princess Joy Bitanga, Miss Photogenic.
The MassKara Queen 2017 received 50,000 in cash. The first and second runners-up were awarded P30,000, and P20,000, respectively.
The board of judges was composed of former MassKara queens Dr. Nikki Drilon and Carmela Gamboa, Rene Hinojales, Steven Fueligster, and Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag.
This year’s pageant was organized by ABS-CBN Bacolod in partnership with the Silver MassKara Festival Organization.
