Statuesque Ilene de Vera, a 5-foot-9 part-time model in Cebu and a student of mass communication at the University of the Philippines-Cebu, was voted Darling of the Press during the press presentation of the 30 candidates for the 49th Mutya ng Pilipinas search at Hotel 101 in Pasay City.
At stake are the titles of Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International 2017, Mutya ng Pilipinas –Tourism International 2017 and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Overseas Communities 2017 who will compete in Miss Asia Pacific International, Miss Tourism International and Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International.
The 30 candidates will have a hectic schedule of preliminary activities leading to the Grand Coronation Night on Aug. 4 at Newport Performing Arts Theater and telecast at 10 a.m. on ABS CBN, Aug. 6.
The preliminaries include the Swimsuit competition at Hannah’s Beach Resort in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte; Designers’ competition-Regional Costume at The Plaza, Resorts World Manila; and Long Gown competition at Alta D’Tagaytay in Tagaytay City.
Founded in 1968, the Mutya ng Pilipinas quest, under its new president, Hemilyn Escudero, promotes “Beauty Tourism” within the greater Asia Pacific with the direct participation of several overseas Filipino communities, and is inspired by its guiding thrust to assist in promoting Tourism, Social Responsibility, Fashion and Beauty pageantry.
The rest of the 30 candidates are Kristine Eiriele Nolasco – Bulacan, Chrystal Rosehelly Alday – Camarines Sur, Pamela Bianca Villacorte – Cavite, Arianne Deseree Viardo – Pampanga, Shaina Micaella Bello – Caloocan City, Alyssa Joreen Reyes – Lemery, Batangas, Charlene Fontanilla – Valenzuela City, Nichole Kristel Losloso – Southern Luzon, Sandrianne Esquilona – Tarlac, Claire Yvonne Aznar – Davao, Angela Carla Sandigan – Pateros, Maxine Xanti Manalis – Central Luzon, Stephanie Joy Pendon – Antipolo City, Darlene May Reyes –Singapore, Bertmari Bergmannsdottr – Iceland, Suzanne Perez – California, Rica Sey – Australia, Nicole Marie Deguilmo -United Kingdom and Savannah Mari Gankiewicz–Hawaii.
Photos: Edmund Chua