The Makati City government on Tuesday presented the 16 finalists who will compete for Ms. Makati 2018 on June 9.
The beauty pageant is one of the highlights of the city’s 348th anniversary with a theme “Makati Makisalo” aimed to promote inclusivity in the community.
In a press conference held at the St. Giles Hotel, Makati Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo presented the finalists who were handpicked from the dozens of applicants from different barangays in the city.
“The Miss Makati 2018 aims to crown the one who will best represent the women of Makati. Someone who is smart, innovative, and graceful, and embodies confidence and empowerment,” said Lagdameo.
Among those who made it to the top 16 are Alexis Micaela Simbulan (Poblacion); Cristelle Unisa Laquian (Pio del Pilar); Karla O’Hara (Pio del Pilar); Dana Ashley Mayo (Cembo); Cristine Allen Rada (Guadalupe Viejo); Maria Kathleen Agulto (Guadalupe Nuevo); CJ Viray (Poblacion); and Henna S. Santos (Post Proper Southside).
Clarice Gutierrez (East Rembo); Irina Cortez (Sta. Cruz); Millen Cueto (West Rembo); Andrea Yap Diangco (San Antonio); Fatima Thamara Loong (South Cembo); Maria Frencheska Nueva (Pinagkaisahan); Diana Rose Santos (East Rembo); and Aya Frances Cruz (Rizal) rounded out the finalists.
They were able to meet the qualifications for the search for Miss Makati 2018 as follows: Single Filipino female; 17-25 years old; lives, works or studies in Makati; at least high school graduate or is in Grade 12; at least 5’5’’ tall; conversant in both Filipino and English; and with good moral character.
Miss Makati 2018 and Miss Makati Tourism 2018 will bring home P200,000 and P150,000 cash prizes, respectively, among other rewards.
The coronation night for Miss Makati 2018 will be held at Circuit Makati on June 9, 2018.
The City of Makati is set to celebrate its 348th year with a 10-day revelry beginning on June 1.
Mayor Abigail Binay earlier urged residents to participate in this year’s celebration which aim to highlight the thrust of the city government to promote inclusive progress through increased community participation and stronger ties with development partners.
“We have chosen ‘Makati Makisalo’ for this year’s Araw ng Makati theme as it resonates with our vision of inclusivity leading towards equitable social progress and sustainable development,” said Binay.
“We want to emphasize how our unity and willingness to share responsibility for our city’s growth have carried us this far – from being dismissed as a ‘worthless swampland’ during the Spanish era into a highly progressive city which has blazed the trail in governance and public service,” she added.