17th staging of Miss Lapu-Lapu tonight

CEBU, Philippines — A brand-new staging of Miss Lapu-Lapu City will unfold tonight at the Hoops Dome with 16 candidates vying for the crown.

 This is a year of firsts for the 17th staging of Miss Lapu-Lapu City as the pageant chairmanship was transferred from recently retired Department of Education city supervisor Dr. Rodolfo C. Berame who manned the event for 16 years, into the hands of Dr. Ronald Ferrer.

 For one, the coronation night will be held at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City for the first time instead of the city auditorium. The candidates have also attended a number of pre-pageant activities like a feeding and charity program at Coahagan islet and have visited Olango island.

During the press presentation of the candidates at the Mactan Islas Hotel and Casino, only nine out of 16 candidates were present since the others had school or work responsibilities they couldn’t leave for the day.

Among the ladies vying for the title is Daniela Malinao, Yukka Kusanagi, Princess Kusanagi, Krystyl Jan Lyka Babon, Jozel A. Bunsit, Jennifer Cabanag, Louella P. Silawan, Betty Ompad Davis, Guiann Tancino, Samantha Faye M. Yapit, Eve Margarit Amistad, Eivie Cabalhug, Charmaine Mae Mejares, Harrah Cruto, Xyrell Gacuma and Madeleine Siewert.

“We are looking for someone not only endowed with the beauty, but someone who is also aware of the social issues in the city, and the tourist attractions that provide livelihood to Oponganons. This is also a modern way of providing entertainment,” said Dr. Marcelita Dignos, overall chairman of the 2017 Lapu-Lapu City Fiesta Executive Committee.

 The ladies joined the pageant to promote the Historic Resort City, help their fellow Oponganons, and build their confidence in the process. Aside from the pre-pageant activities, the candidates also attended an orientation about Lapu-Lapu City from the city’s Department of Tourism wherein they learned about the city and what lies in it.

 The search for this year’s Miss Lapu-Lapu City entails finding the one woman who can best embody beauty and intelligence, someone who can uphold the responsibility and awareness that the Miss Lapu-Lapu City title demands. It also seeks for a beauty who chronicles the rich and unmatched heritage of the Historic Resort City.

 Likewise, it is the Miss Lapu-Lapu City’s mission to create a name for the Oponganon in the global arena. Indeed, whosoever wins the crown, the title, and the job definitely has a year’s worth of work cut out for her.