ILOILO City – Winners of the Miss Iloilo 2023 will have the chance to represent Iloilo City in three of the biggest national pageants – Miss Universe-Philippines, Miss World-Philippines and Binibining Pilipinas.
According to Miss Iloilo 2023 pageant director, Prof. Kevin Piamonte, this will be known during the sashing ceremony to be held at the Festive Walk Mall in Mandurriao district on Jan. 19, a day after the Miss Iloilo 2023 coronation night on Jan. 18.
Piamonte explained that after the pageant and coronation night on Jan. 18, the judges will take their time to deliberate who among the Miss Iloilo 2023, first runner-up and second runner-up will represent Iloilo City in the said three national pageants that select the country’s representative in the international competition.
Piamonte added that there will be no crowning for the three national pageant titles on Jan. 18. Miss Iloilo will be the only title to be given during the Miss Iloilo coronation night, as well as the first and second runners up.
The pageant director earlier said the upcoming beauty search for Iloilo City’s next ambassadresses of goodwill would be full of surprises.
“Just watch out. It is going to be unique and different entirely. The first pageant of its kind,” said Piamonte, who is also an acclaimed theater and movie director.
The venue is the humongous Iloilo Convention Center.
Miss Iloilo is one of the major events of the Dinagyang Festival that the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) and the city government are organizing with the support of various stakeholders, including SM City Iloilo.
First staged in 2020, Miss Iloilo replaced the Miss Dinagyang beauty pageant.
Meanwhile, for the first time in the history of the Dinagyang-related beauty pageant, 18 Ilongga beauties are competing.
Several preliminary events celebrating Ilongga beauty and talent will drum up the pageant toward the coronation night.
Kicking off the preliminary activities was the press presentation of the 18 candidates at the poolside of the Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo in Manduriao district on Nov. 5.
The 22-year-old Chloei Darl Gabales captured the hearts of the Iloilo media and was chosen the “Darling of the Press.”
The 17 other contestants were Mary Desiree D. Rendoque, Kristine Joy P. Flores, Nicklyn T. Jutay, Cristine Aimee P. Bello, K Dilme Amanda P. Perera, Princess F. Russell, Raniele Shaine S. Saulog, Maria Angela Andrade, Christine Joy D. Bretaña, Jeraldine B. Quimson, Chrisselle Rose P. Lambatig, Shyla Pearl Ranjan, Ma. Delza B. Anduque, Ma. Cristina Isabel Tallador, Angelica Vinson, Tracy Lois Bedua, and Christine Joyce Fabellore.
On Dec. 11, the candidates were at SM City Iloilo for the “Miss Iloilo 2023: Anyag Iloilo Fashion Show” at the mall’s main event center.
The show also featured Iloilo City’s iconic and historical landmarks.
On Jan. 14, 2023, the contestants will return to SM City Iloilo for the “Miss Iloilo 2023: Festival Costume Parade”./PN
