20 women compete for Jewel of the Philippines 2017
Teachers, a financial analyst, engineer, university beauties, models, and a grand daughter of a former Philippine president were among the 20 official candidates who will compete in the 2017 Jewel of the Philippines beauty contest.
This year's candidates are Jennifer Daguro, member of Isinai ethnic tribe of Nueva Ecija; Maria Gianna Margarita Llanes, grand daughter of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; Czarina Totanes, Centro Escolar University student; Andrea Delgado, medicine student; Kristine Somera, graduate of UP-Baguio; Michelle Carcido, business managament graduate; Archelle Joy Medrano, dance choreographer; Kristine Einna Lister, software engineer; Sarah Jireh Asido, teacher; Mary Rose Cajayon, interior decorator; Mary Grace Tautuan, financial adviser; Cyrhill Querejero, student; Kayla Fajardo, student; Gina Faye Belmonte, teacher; Rhejeam Julienne Duran, hotel manager; Karen Grace Atienza, teacher; Ana Rose Tee, student; Kimberly Joy Asetre, student; Geraldine Dorepes, HR officer; and Trixia Anne Flores, student.
Jewel of the Philippines founder and chairman John dela Vega said that the beauty contest is being re-branded this year into a pageant that advocates the promotion of Philippine culture and the arts through education,.
The 20 official candidates were presented during presentation held at a hotel in Quezon City recently. The winners will compete in pageants abroad namely Miss United Continents, Miss Tourism World, Miss ASEAN, and Miss Globe International.
Dubbed the only "cultural pageant" in the country, the contestants shared the Filipino traits, tradition, art form and cultural identity they proudly promote and wish to continue promoting through the Jewel of the Philippines pageant platform.
"Its going to be a busy fun-filled 17 days for these advocates of Philippine culture and arts," said dela Vega.
Apart from courtesy visits to sponsors and charity events, the candidates will undergo a series of training and workshop on speech and communication, social and business etiquette.
At the end of the press presentation, the winners of the Darling of the Press were announced, although the special award has no bearing on other aspects of the beauty contest.
Michelle Medrado was named Darling of the Press. First runner-up honors went to Sarah Jireh Asido and Andrea Delgado, 2nd runner-up.
The grand coronation of Jewel of the Philippines 2017 will be held at the UP GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center on Katipunan Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City on Oct. 7. - ROBERT REQUINTINA
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