16 girls vie for NAITAS Face of Tourism 2017

It's still is more fun in the Philippines despite the bad publicity the country is getting from critics.

This according to Roanne Refrea, over-all chairman of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies of the Philippines (NAITAS) Face of Tourism 2017 Pageant.

"There will always be two sides of the coin - there will always be negative and positive. As for me, I will look at the brighter side of it;"

"The fact that you were able to promote the slogan of the Department of Tourism which is 'It's More Fun in the Philippines,' a lot of people and guests have already captured the idea;"

Asked how the Filipinos could promote our country in spite of the negative impressions, Refrea said: "Siguro we will start with the people kasi our people are hospitable. Our candidates were really good at doing it on social media. Going to different places is a very effective way promoting our country, making sure that the guests are safe here;"

"The fact that they will become the ambassadress of NAITAS Face of Tourism, it will help a lot because they will be the voice of the Philippines," Refrea added.

Refrea, Miss Tourism Philippines 2015, was referring to the 16 candidates of the NAITAS Face of Tourism 2017 candidates who were formally introduced to the press and other VIP guests at the ICON Hotel on Timog Avenue in Quezon City last March 25.

This year's official candidates are Sarah Hilado, 20, of Lipa City; Arriane Sandy Buenaflor, 18, Bacoor City; Jenny Rose Llorin, 22, Tayabas City; Giayzelle Ramos, 18, Rosario, Batangas; Sarah Margarette Joson, 23, Manila; Fey Jesus dela Pena, 19, Bulacan; Hazel Ann Reyes, 20, Valenzuela City; Charmaine, 18, Quezon City; Mewish de Castro, 19, Oriental Mindoro; Alyssa Joren Reyes, 18, Lemery, Batangas; Coralyn Resurreccion, 20, Sariaya, Quezon; Christine Marie Corrado, 21, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Kristine dela Pena, 25, Candelaria, Quezon; Kaula Fajardo, 20, Agoncillo, Batangas; and Sarah Mae San Jose, 23, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

The girls were chosen from among the more than 50 candidates nationwide who went through a series of preliminary screenings held at Hotel 101 in Pasay City, said Roanne Refrea, whose mom Annie is a member of the NAITAS-Calabarzon chapter.

A hectic yet fun-filled activities await the official candidates of the pageant that include a two-day and two-night stay at the Crown Jewel of the North, Hannah's Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, where the girls can enjoy world-class resort service and amenities, a national costume competition, and on-site visit at NAITAS Trade and Travel Show at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The grand coronation of NAITAS Face of Tourism 2017 pageant will be held at the SMX Convention Center on April 9. She will represent the Philippines in the Miss City Tourism contest in China in September. Aside from the titleholder, there will be two runners-up in the same contest.

The NAITAS Face of Tourism 2017 pageant is presented by NAITAS in cooperation with La Unica Events Management, co-presented by HANNA's Beach Resort and Convention Center, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotion Board Philippines, ICON Timog Hotel, the official residence; and Hotel 101, preliminary screening venue. - ROBERT REQUINTINA

images by Noli Berioso of OPMB Worldwide