How Cebuanas fared at Mutya 2019

CEBU, Philippines — Team Cebu put up a good fight at the Mutya Pilipinas 2019 finals held Sunday evening, August 18, at the Mall of Asia Arena, but it just wasn’t the night for Karla Claudine Lasquite, Maria Angelica Pantaliano and Mariah Gelina Lequin.

Of the three, Lasquite, a 25-year-old full-time model from Cebu City, reached the Top 12, where she and the other finalists were asked about the best qualities of their hometowns and how they can promote these nationally and internationally. This is the 51-year-old pageant’s first staging following its rebranding, where they promised to not only keep up with the times but to also celebrate the “hometown girl.”

“I believe my hometown posseses three things: good governance, quality education and we, Cebuanos,” Lasquite told host, Cebuano actor Matteo Guidicelli during her turn at the Q&A. “I believe our governament always gives us the excellent service that we deserve; education for us to be equipped in the future; and we Cebuanos, despite all the struggles and challenges, we remain as one.”

Mutya is Lasquite’s national pageant comeback after her Miss Bikini Philippines stint back in 2014.

Pantaliano of Mandaue City and Lequin of Bogo City, both 20 years old, finished in the Top 20 among 40 candidates. Just like her regional performance, Pantaliano, a Marketing Management fresh graduate from the University of San Carlos, took home awards, this time, as Miss Mestiza and Miss Sheridan.

It turned out to be Mindanao’s night, with Davao City beauty Klyza Castro succeeding Sharifa Akeel for the top crown of Mutya Pilipinas Asia Pacific International. Tyra Goldman, from Nevada, was crowned Mutya Pilipinas Miss Tourism International; while California’s Louise Janica Arroyo An won Mutya Pilipinas Overseas Communties.

Winning the newest title, Mutya Pilipinas World Top Model 2019, is April Short of Zamboanga City, while Pampanga’s Cyrille Payumo (Best in Evening Gown) and Maxinne Nicole Rangel (Best in Swimsuit and People’s Choice) of Padre Garcia, Batangas complete the court as first and second runners-up, respectively.

Other awardees are Lady Justerinnie Santos for Miss Photogenic, Maricres Castro for Miss Friendship and Irish Silades for Best in Talent.

Up next for Cebuano pageant fans to closely follow: the Miss World Philippines 2019 stints of Mutya title-holder Ilene Astrid de Vera and Binibining Cebu Charity 2018 Tracy Maureen Perez.