Eighteen-year-old Nicole Sobria won the Miss Makati 2017 crown, besting 11 other candidates in the pageant’s coronation night held on Friday evening at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La Manila Hotel.
Makati Mayor Abby Binay led the crowning ceremony and congratulated the five-foot seven inches tall Sobria, who stood out among the candidates with her statuesque beauty, wit and intelligence.
“The City of Makati proudly presents the new Miss Makati who embodies the qualities of an empowered woman, one who can greatly inspire other women to pursue their dreams with confidence, courage and perseverance,” Mayor Abby said.
The newly crowned Miss Makati 2017 will serve as an ambassador of goodwill, representing the country’s financial capital in its various pursuits and advocacies. These include the promotion of Makati as the premier investment and tourism destination in the country, and youth and women empowerment.
The mayor exhorted Miss Makati to “carry the torch of our city’s culture, people and lifestyle to instill pride in the heart of every Makatizen.”
Sobria is from Brgy. Tejeros and a second-year student at the De La Salle University taking up Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She was born on July 3, 1998.
Another candidate, Ms. Heidi Santos of Brgy. Southside, was named Ms. Makati Tourism 2017. She also won the Miss Makati Social Media Award that earned her P20,000 worth of gift packs.
Miss Makati 2017 took home P150,000 as major cash prize, an iPhone 7, overnight stay for four at Las Ventanas Tagaytay, overnight stay for two at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Holiday Inn & Suites, and Discovery Primea, personality development course at John Robert Powers, various gift items and gift certificates worth thousands, among others.
Miss Makati Tourism won an P80,000-cash prize, an iPhone 7, personality development course at John Robert Powers, gift items and gift certificates.
The Miss Makati 2017 pageant, now on its 27th year, was one of the highlights of the citywide celebration of the 347th foundation day of Makati. It was hosted by Ding Mercado.
The board of judges in this year’s pageant was chaired by Cory Quirino, TV Host and beauty pageant titleholder; with members Cesar Campos, chairman and CEO of Cenel Development Corp.; Dindo Fernando, vice president of External Affairs, Ayala Land Inc.; Boysie Villavicencio, artist and painter; and beauty queen maker and fashion designer Renee Salud.
Entertainment numbers were provided by Leo Tavarro Valdez, Abby Asistio, and RJ Dela Fuente.
Other candidates who made it to the top 12 of this year’s Miss Makati search were Rachelle Hijazi (Pitogo), Francine Nicole Villava (Carmona), Deanne Claribel Lejano (South Cembo), Sherrie Beatriz dela Cruz (Poblacion), Joan Cel Cuizon (Carmona), Alexandra Que (Guadalupe Viejo), Jane Usison (Bangkal), Ma. Krizel Pido (Pembo), Alyanna Gamboa (Guadalupe Viejo), and Juliecar Faith Amian (Guadalupe Nuevo).
All the candidates received make-up and hairdo services, three-day stay at Makati Shangri-La, official Miss Makati uniforms and all attires worn on Coronation Night, shoes from Mr. Danny Velasco, Ever Bilena cosmetics, Black Pearl cosmetics, and official luggage from SM-Makati.
The Executive Committee of this year’s search was composed of Mayor Abby as Honorary Chairperson, Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo as Chairperson, Councilor Armand Padilla as Vice-Chairperson, with Lingling Cervantes, Dindo Fernando and Romulo Salgado, Jr. as members.