EIGHTEEN lovely ladies are vying for the Miss Iloilo 2023 crown tonight, 7 p.m., at the Iloilo Convention Center.
The pageant will also be streamed live on Facebook (Miss Iloilo, Iloilo Dinagyang, Jerry Treñas Page, and Iloilo City Government).
“The pageant is going to be something to look forward to… We promise it is going to be big. It is not going to be your usual pageant. Production-wise, it is going to be way up there,” said pageant director Kevin Pison Piamonte.
Winners will have the chance to represent Iloilo City in three of the biggest national pageants: Miss Universe-Philippines, Miss World-Philippines and Binibining Pilipinas.
After the coronation, the judges will deliberate who among Miss Iloilo 2023, the first runner-up and second runner-up will represent Iloilo City in the said three national pageants.
The decision will be known during the sashing ceremony the following day, Jan. 19, to be held at Festive Walk Mall in Mandurriao district.
First staged in 2020, Miss Iloilo replaced the Miss Dinagyang beauty pageant that, for many years, chose the city’s ambassadress of goodwill.
Municipality/District: La Paz
School: Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U)
“Beauty is confidence, using it with a purpose makes it better.”
Municipality/District: Igbaras
School: Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U)
“We must strive for improvements rather than perfection in this life.”
Municipality/District: Tigbauan
School: West Visayas State University
“I joined because I have a purpose and someone believed in me.”
Municipality/District: Molo
School: Iloilo Doctors’ College
“Be a ray of sushine to everyone who struggles to accept their flaws.”
Municipality/District: Calinog
School: St. Robert’s International College
“Imbibing the wisdom of the indigenous peoples of Panay.”
Municipality/District: Mandurriao
School: University of San Agustin
“I won’t let the darkness eat my whole being. I will go out and embrace the sunlight.”
Municipality/District: Cabatuan
School: Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U)
“Smiles of power, acts of grace, inflamed to inspire. I am a true Ilongga.”
Municipality/District: Jaro
School: Central Philippine University
“To use the platform [Miss Iloilo] to pursue my advocacy.”
Municipality/District: Balasan
School: Iloilo Doctors’ College
“We are the woman we have decided to be; we are virtuous and visionary.”
Municipality/District: Mandurriao
School: Central Philippine University
“In a world of irregularity, be yourself and accept it wholeheartedly.”
Municipality/District: San Dionisio
School: Riverside College Inc.
“I am the product of my imperfections, my mistakes and my experiences.”
Municipality/District: Mandurriao
School: John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University
“It takes courage and strength to be natural and authentic.”
Municipality/District: Dumangas
School: University of the Philippines Visayas
“Amplify the call for marine conservation and uplift the fisherfolk.”
Municipality/District: Pavia
School: Iloilo National High School
“Be a woman who exudes beauty & radiates positivity”
Municipality/District: Miag-ao
School: Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U)
“I am a go-getter on what I want and doing good to people for no reason.”
Municipality/District: Barotac Nuevo
School: John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University
“Seeing beauty despite my flaws and burning passion in my eyes.”
Municipality/District: Jaro
School: National University-Manila
“I take challenges as lessons to mold me to become the woman I am today.”
Municipality/District: Santa Barbara
School: Emilio Aguinaldo College of Dasmariñas, Cavite
“I started a small charity work to help homeless senior citizens in my community.”
The first Miss Iloilo was Rabiya Mateo who subsequently joined and won the Miss Universe-Philippines 2020 title. She represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant in the United States and finished as a semifinalist./PN