Real battle begins for Mr. and Ms. South Town Centre finalists

CEBU, Philippines - During the semifinal competition last week, eight pairs of equally talented and brainy students were selected to advance to the grand finals of the maiden edition of Mister and Miss South Town Centre interschool beauty pageant.

Pre-final activities such as personality development workshop, sponsor visit, media presentation, and fashion show, among others, will keep the finalists busy, according to head organizer Grace Labunog, who at the same time, is the mall operations manager of South Town Centre. These activities are expected to unleash every candidate’s potential, which is necessary for a healthy competition. The pageant is said to be the battle of every school’s best representative.

The eight pairs of finalists include Gerome Josef Diaz (University of San Carlos-Talamban) and Amanda Basnillo (University of Southern Philippines-Lahug), Rob Juliane Gascon (Our Lady of the Pillar Academy-Sibonga) and Kiona Strobants (Royal Oaks International School- Mandaue), Odelio Duja (Cebu Instirtute of Technology-University) and Jean Ivy Fuentes (Cebu Eastern College), and Nhel Albon (University of Cebu-METC) and Rachelle Anne Tingal (University of San Jose-Recoletos-Balamban).

Also in the list are James Clyde Balatayo (San Isidro Parish School-Talamban) and Pearl Jean Pepito (Informatics College-Consolacion), Samrulla Nazir (South Western University) and Althea Mae Uy (Abellana National School), Jonritch Bejasa (University of Cebu-Main) and Jewel Alexei Image (University of Cebu-Main), and Jaron Jose Acha (Cebu Eastern College) and Kathyrene Kaye Rollins (University of San Jose-Recoletos-Basak).

The finalists will also undergo workshops that will help them attain optimum self-development, one of the preparations to becoming South Town Centre’s official ambassadors. The new title holders, apart from being the mall’s endorsers, will receive P10,000 plus the amount equivalent to 50 percent of their tuition fees for the second semester, which will be paid directly to their respective schools.

Supporters, every time they shop at South Town Centre, may also vote for their favorite candidates to be the ultimate shoppers’ choice awardee. Mechanics of the contest are available on the South Town Centre Facebook page.

The pageant’s final competition (with Razzure Nathan Zal directing the show) is slated on November 26 at the mall’s activity area. (FREEMAN)