• ROGER D. BELTRAN
Victorias City bagged its third Lin-ay sang Negros title, when its contestant, Kyla Rose Romarate, 22, bested 28 others during the grand coronation night held at the jam-packed Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, April 19.
Since the pageant’s inception in 1994, Victorias’ bets, Ma. Victoria Durana and Alyssa Louise Erika Jimenea, were able to take home the crown in 2000 and 2016, respectively.
The winning answer of Romarate to a common final question “As a Babayeng Negrosanon, what does Abanse Negrense mean to you?” was “To me, Abanse Negrense means a woman living her purpose, and I am standing here tonight as a beauty queen and as a future veterinarian. I always believe that beauty pageant is not just about women, but also for the animal industry that is seldom heard. And I’m very passionate with working with animals, our livestock raisers and our farmers.
“I truly believe that Abanse Negrense is not just for people, because kindness, love and respect should not only be limited to one species,” she added.
Aside from the coveted crown, Romarate, a third-year student at the Aklan State University taking up Veterinary Medicine, received a cash prize of P80,000, a full college scholarship for a year, P50,000 worth of Solana Studio services, P10,000 worth of Azta Salon services, and an overnight stay at Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center. She is also the official RTSIP ambassadress.
She won the special awards for Best in Evening Gown and Best in Festival Costume (City Seal category), and was awarded Miss Cali during the coronation night.
Zoe Clarisse Limson of Cauayan, named first runner-up, received P50,000 and a 75 percent college scholarship for a year; while Patricia Ysabel Galapino of Ilog, who was adjudged second runner-up, went home with P40,000 in cash and a 50 percent college scholarship for a year.
Limson was also awarded Best in Swimwear, Darling of Social Media, Miss Smart, Miss ACEN-Visayas, Miss Coca-Cola, Miss Robinsons Bacolod’s Choice, Miss Ayala Malls and Miss R.A. Construction.
Roshyn Kate Jamantoc of Talisay City, named third runner-up, received P20,000, while Gelisa Marie Nangan of Hinigaran got P15,000 as fourth runner-up.
Each winner received a sash, a bouquet and a trophy, while the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up each received P10,000 worth of Solana Studio services.
Other awardees for the night were Sawdia Shadia Soliva of Escalante City, Best in Talent and Miss Globe’s Best in Production Number; La Castellana’s Marie Louise Adolacion, Best in Festival Costume (Municipal Seal category); Ayha Jane Sucahel of Cadiz City, Miss Photogenic, Miss Pepsi Cola, and Converge Ambassadress; Camela Kyla Badillo of La Carlota City, Lin-ay sang Dunang Manggad; and Don Salvador Benedicto’s Janice Villanueva as Miss Congeniality.
Also in the Top 10 were Adolacion, Ryza Fortuna of Himamaylan City, Daniela Arroz of Kabankalan City, Urica Jane Zerrudo of Sagay City, and Arianah Dimson of Silay City.
Meanwhile, Aaron Spencer Marin won as Best in Festival Costume Designer (Municipal Seal category) for Lin-ay sang Hinigaran, John Anthony Bermudez as Best in Festival Costume Designer (City Seal category) for Himamaylan City, and Chino Christopherson as Best in Evening Gown Designer for Murcia.
Comprising the coronation night’s board of judges were Miss Globe 2015 Ann Colis, NCCA Head of Public Affairs and Information Office Rene Napenas, Miss International Queen Philippines 2023 Lars Pacheco, Lin-ay sang Negros 2004 Blanche Marie Brown-Agbayani, Mr. Chinatown 2013 Randy See, United Nations High Level Ambassador for Food Security and Nutrition Cherrie Atilano, and director and designer Cata Figueroa Jr.
The Lin-ay sang Negros 2024 grand coronation night was hosted by showbiz personalities Robi Domingo and Pau Dimaranan.
The pageant was one of the much-anticipated events of the 28th edition of the Panaad sa Negros Festival, the “festival of all festivals”, on the theme “Living the Promise”. | LSN photos
