"Miss Paraguay" is new Queen of Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - A 30-year-old BPO team manager was crowned the new Queen of Cebu-Universe, in a three-hour pageant spectacle held Friday night at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug.

Miss Paraguay Vanity Salinanga dashed the dreams of 20 other candidates, including early favorites Misses Philippines and Ukraine by snatching the major title among five other titles given that evening.

During the sit-down Q&A with pageant host Jude Bacalso, Vanity expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the non-discriminatory culture towards LGBTs (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders) within the industry that has employed her for the last eight years. Working for contact center company Aegis, the former Miss Gay Mandaue 2010 said she values the equal opportunities regardless of gender in her workplace. “Thank God for the BPO industry, because I can go to work with my long nails, I can wear what I want, and I don’t have to be in a man’s suit.”

But her workplace’s openness doesn’t reflect the condition that her fellow LGBTs in the country go through, which is why she is deadset on migrating to Canada “because they have a level playing field.”

In an interview right after her win, Vanity said she will finish her one-year reign, after which she’s off to find greener pastures in the North American promise land. “Gay rights are protected under Canada’s laws, plus their health care is free for everyone. So it’s a win-win for me. Not to mention there are more opportunities there for people like me.”

The Business Administration graduate from the University of San Carlos won P25,000 cash and numerous sponsor packages. She was also declared Best in National Festival Costume, Best in Costume and Best in Evening Gown. Her Philippine terno designer Dino Lloren also won Best Designer for Evening Gown (he got the same award last year).

Originally from Baclayon, Bohol, Vanity has been a resident of Cebu since her college days. She describes herself as an animal lover (has four dogs and a Persian cat) and a passionate traveler, but above else, values friendship and family.

“I love to challenge myself with new things and hopefully learn from them,” added the beauty queen.

Vanity revealed that she tried out for Queen of Cebu twice but failed to make the cut in both instances. She tried again this year, and now look where her persistence got her. “Third time’s my charm,” she quipped.

“I’ve always admired the empowerment that this pageant gives to transgendered women, not to mention the prestige it brings and the honor it gives. I would like to personally be part of this worthy cause.”

Vanity credited the victory to “my confidence and my drive. I really wanted this badly.”

“It’s crazy!” she gushed. “I did not expect this because Miss Philippines was such a strong contender, and so were the rest of the ladies. I am very thankful.”

Of whether the win of Philippine transgender Kevin Balot as Miss International Queen 2012 in Thailand last November 2 inspires her to try her luck in the same prestigious tilt, she replied, “I’m not closing my doors, but not at this point.”

The other winners were Miss Croatia as Queen-International (also named Miss Congeniality), Miss Portugal as Queen-World, Miss Croatia as Queen-International, Miss Kazakhstan as Queen-Earth (Miss Facebook Darling Award and Miss Ralph’s Wine and Spirit) and Miss Honduras as Queen-Tourism.

For the first time in Queen’s four years, no runners-up were named. Instead, everyone in the top five was honored with an individual title and crown.

Miss Ukraine bagged the Miss Photogenic and Miss Confident Smile awards; "It" Figure and Best in Swimsuit went to Miss Philippines, while Best in Funwear was Miss Vietnam.

Miss Vietnam’s fun wear designer Peewee Senining also won Best Designer for Fun Wear, his third straight win for the same award.

Miss Ivory Coast was Miss Talent, with Misses Philippines and Bulgaria winning first runner-up and second runner-up respectively. 

Other top ten placers were Misses Philippines, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Costa Rica and Chile.

The judges panel, chaired by Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, included Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner-up Venus Raj, pageant co-chair Tessa Prieto Valdez, Marguerite Lhuillier, Mark MacMahon, Michael Carandang, Ferdie Salvador, Alice Galang Eduardo, Marissa “Small” Laude and Tim Yap.  

Fiesta extravaganza

Queen of Cebu 2012 highlighted the colourful pageantry that is the Cebuano fiesta, featuring five major and award-winning festivals of the province to usher in the following segments: The National Festival Costume, Swimsuit, Fun Wear, Evening Gown and Couch Interviews.

The event fittingly opened with the “Mother of all Festivals” which is the world-renowned Sinulog Festival of Cebu City performed by Lumad Basakanon. Other showcased festivals were the Palawod Festival of Bantayan Island, Dagitab Festival of Naga City, Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City and Rosquillos Festival of the Municipality of Lilo-an.

Awaited guest performer Regine Velasquez broke the momentum of the highly-charged Q&A when off-stage people signalled to have the singer perform first before the next batch of Top 10 couch interviews. Who does intermission numbers in the middle of the crucial Q&A?

But the audience didn’t seem to mind, as they showed obvious pleasure in listening to the Songbird belt out three songs live, taking off her stilettos mid song so she can jump around freely, and engage the crowd in fluent Cebuano.

Cebuana belters Anna Fegi and Maria Donna also performed for the jam-packed crowd. (FREEMAN)