ILOILO CITY — Titleholders from completely different nationwide pageants gathered within the “Metropolis of Love” to participate within the Miss Iloilo 2024 competitors, which selected town’s delegates to numerous nationwide contests this yr.
Rabiya Mateo, the primary winner of the standalone Miss Universe Philippines competitors, returned to the Miss Iloilo stage 4 years since she grew to become town pageant’s first queen in 2020. However this time, she hosted the ceremonies that was held on the jam-packed West Visayas State College’s Cultural Heart on Jan. 13. She shared internet hosting chores with 2016 Binibining Pilipinas Grand Worldwide Nicole Cordoves.
The judging panel additionally had Cordoves’ Binibini sister and “tukayo,” 2023 Miss Worldwide third runner-up Nicole Borromeo, in addition to 2022 Miss Philippines Earth Jenny Ramp.
The Miss Iloilo 2024 pageant additionally united the 2 established pageant coaching camps within the Philippines by having “Kagandahang Flores” founder Rodgil Flores and “Aces and Queens” head Gerry Diaz as judges. Additionally within the choice committee was worldwide “pasarela” (pageant stroll) coach Ian Mendajar.
They have been tasked to decide on Iloilo Metropolis’s representatives to this yr’s version of the Miss Universe Philippines, Binibining Pilipinas, Miss Philippines Earth, Reyna ng Aliwan, and The Miss Philippines pageants.
Nationwide athlete and Southeast Asian Video games heptathlon veteran Alexie Mae Brooks from Leon acquired the Miss Iloilo crown, and her nationwide pageant task can be recognized via an announcement on the pageant’s social media pages subsequent week.
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The Miss Iloilo pageant final yr additionally held a separate occasion to announce the winner’s respective nationwide pageant task, together with her two runners-up additionally appointed to symbolize town on the nationwide stage.
This yr, 4 “Heartfelt Queens” have been additionally proclaimed, who may also obtain their respective nationwide assignments together with Brooks—Nicklyn Jutay from Tigbauan, Angel Jed Latorre from Sta. Barbara, Raniella Louise Aquila from Cabatuan, and Hamda Judicpa from San Miguel.
Pearl Angel Franco from Pototan completed as first runner-up, whereas Shaima Al Yansuri from Guimbal rounded up the winners’ circle as second runner-up.
Brooks asserted her dominance early within the competitors by taking 4 of the primary 9 particular awards bestowed. She later scored a convincing victory, and likewise finally amassed the lion’s share of particular awards.
Throughout the closing spherical of query when the High 7 delegates have been requested what they might inform the Ilongga girls of the previous, Brooks responded: “One factor that I’m happy with is ever since from the previous, we’ve at all times saved the spirit of ‘Dinagyang,’ we’ve at all times saved the spirit of ‘pagpalangga.’ And the meals that we have now that we have now that we’re chosen as a ‘inventive metropolis of gastronomy,’ it’s the purpose why, this was from our previous, that we preserved it, we ship it to what it’s proper now. And one factor that I additionally wish to say is, I would like girls to maneuver ahead, ‘abanse babae!’ That is one thing that comes from my coronary heart. I would like empowered girls to coach, to advocate girls from the previous and proper now, that girls might be a lot extra, we’re able to a lot extra, ‘abansa babae!’ My identify is Alexie Mae Camaiso Brooks, and my coronary heart will at all times beat in Iloilo Metropolis.”