From an 18 year old recently graduate of senior high to a 26 year old education graduate and now a law student are two of the 18 candidates of the Ms Baguio 2023.
“I guess this will be my last I was supposed to join last year,” said Mericar Togana, who represents Asin barangay who declared that she is a woman, “phenomenally.”
“I wish I could help promote business which is one of the industries of our barangay,” said Togana, who was first runner up in the Ms. Cordillera Autonomy last year.
At 5’4”, Togana is dwarfed by the youngest participant, Janah Rhyl Lomidao, who at 18 is a recent graduate of senior high school from the University of the Cordilleras.
Lomidao, who represents another big barangay, Loakan Proper is towering at 5 feet 10 inches, and wants to dream big, and “pray bigger”.
A volleyball player, she is a taekwondo champion in the Region I Athletic Association.
A consistent honor student, Lomidao loves to participate in community activities.
The winner, which will be named on Baguio Day, of the Ms Baguio pageant could well be among the most empowered as they all sre themselves as “strong” and can express their minds.
The candidates are a mix of Baguio’s indigenous and lowland blood where some are veterans of beauty pageants not just here but in other Cordillera provinces but also in Region I.
“ I do hope to make good in my last attempt,” said the resident of Asin, whose one of its more popular sons, Virgilio Hilario, married the first Ms. Universe, Armi Kuusela of Finland. Pigeon Lobien
