In focus: Binibining-- Balamban

CEBU, Philippines — Blessed is a Binibining Balamban 2016 title-holder and has joined other pageants, but she’s never set foot on a stage as grand as the first ever Binibining Cebu.

Currently pursuing a degree in Communication at the University of San Jose Recoletos, Blessed is honored and thrilled to bring the spotlight to her town.

“As Binibining Balamban 2016, it is my responsibility and goal to make my municipality proud and I believe that through this pageant, I can contribute in boosting the tourism in Balamban,” Blessed declares.

Some kids only get to thread a needle in home economics, but Blessed likes to spend her time in crochet and photography. It began when her aunt came home from the States, bringing needles and yarns that intrigued Blessed. From then on, she started making scarves and even made a beanie for another aunt who was battling cancer. It’s something that Blessed enjoys doing, and was happy to have had the chance to support her aunt in that way.

As for her degree in Communication, Blessed was inspired that her father works as a sports editor at Superbalita Cebu.

“I would use my degree to spread authentic news to the public, hoping to gain back their trust in media, especially that fake news is rampant nowadays,” Blessed says.

“It is really hard to stop fake news from spreading – may it be from influential people or not. It causes confusion. The best thing we can do is to not share unverified posts. We should all be very careful with the information we get online. We should always look for other reliable sources for verification.”

Should she win the crown, thus rendering a cash prize for Balamban, she would suggest a facility upgrade.

“I think Balamban is doing very well in terms of spending our funds properly. But if I were to call the shots, I think I would like to focus on upgrading the facilities in Balamban Central School to help equip the students more in studying.”

Blessed calls on Cebuanos and tourists to rediscover Cebu, starting with her beloved hometown.

“Aside from being the shipbuilding capital in the Philippines, Balamban also has Cambuhawe, our Olympic-sized, chlorine free spring pool. Mount Manunggal, a location to one the most significant events not only in Balamban but Philippine history, is where our late President Ramon Magsaysay died on a plane crash. If you wish to relax, unwind and be one with nature, you can visit an eco-resort in Gaas, where nature’s beauty is beyond compare. And who would forget our Balamban liempo? The tastiest pork belly ever! Although there are a lot of Balamban liempo branches in the city, nothing beats the authentic taste of liempo in Balamban.” (FREEMAN)