Twelve outstanding beauties coming from different regions of the country were named finalists in the second edition of Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2021 during a virtual press presentation held on Monday.
The winner of Aliwan Queen must be a symbol of Filipino beauty and culture in the modern world and an epitome of the Filipino's resiliency and fighting spirit in the war against the COVID-19 pandemic.
From 47 original aspirants to the 23 semi-finalists, making the final cut were Krishia Mae Abad of Tarlac City, Coleen Beatrix Alcarde of Iloilo City, Shealtiel Kyze Cahilig of Malay, Aklan, Sharmaine dela Cruz of Zamboanga City, Shanyl Kayle Hofer of Minglanilla, Cebu, Jayvee Lyn Lorejo of Mawal, Davao De Oro, Vjie Matias of San Manuel, Isabela, Jeramie Mingo of Iligan City, Cherry May Regalado of Kalibo, Aklan, Chynna Kaye Verosil of Pangasinan, Krysti Ann Villarias of Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, and Keith Arboleda of Echague, Isabela, who moved on to the semi-finals as the next in rank after Dean Dianne Balogal of Baguio City withdrew.
The twelve finalists will compete in a series of preliminary events starting with the Launch & Pride of Place on Sept. 11, Talent & Skills Competition (Sept. 18), Queens for a Cause (Sept. 25), and Evening Gown Competition & Q&A (Oct. 2). The virtual Awarding and Coronation Night is set on Oct. 9, with the reigning queen Jannarie Zarzoso of Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte crowning the new winner.
The Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen was launched in 2020 by the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), headed by its president Ruperto Nicdao, Jr., as an off-shoot of the Reyna ng Aliwan contest and for the purpose of keeping alive the pandemic-postponed Aliwan Fiesta, dubbed as the Philippines’ grandest fiesta, a highly anticipated annual grand event that gathers the country’s different top cultural festivals to compete in dance parade and float competitions.