BY SHY POLIDO
THE 70-meter stretch of Megaworld Boulevard in the city’s Mandurriao district was just as stunning on the night of Jan. 23.
No, it was not because of the playful palette of lights or because of the much warmer night, but rather the spirit that enveloped the flock of mostly Ilonggos wearing facemasks while situated ample inches away from each other.
The night wasn’t just your ordinary fashion show for the ladies from Miss Iloilo 2020 and Bijou’s nest channeled their inner warriors as they hit the night’s catwalk.
The models sashayed with aplomb clad in Tata Blas Pinuela and his team’s art. The drum beats screamed of valor as Rommel Flogen’s movements were mirrored into the power dances. Pangging Rosales and Sarah Peña of the Miss Iloilo Organization were all-out to develop the entire picture.
Panay News also had a closer look as to how this event emerged as one of Dinagyang’s best.
“I was afraid of this at first,” said event director Kevin Piamonte citing some of the supposed challenges along the way.
There’s COVID, he said. But they were “very careful and transparent with everything” they did. Safety protocols were in place, and everything had been cleared by local health authorities.
Piamonte also had doubts of everyone’s endurance in hitting that long of a runway. Then there’s the weather that seemed like a tease the other day. But yes, everything turned out just great.
“We were really blessed by Senior Sto. Niño,” he said.
Piamonte also shared his highest hopes of coming back with next year’s Miss Iloilo if health situation permits./PN
