Forty days after the press presentation where the Darling of the Press was selected but not named, this year’s Ms. Baguio, after missing a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be known tonight at the Baguio Convention Center.
The road to the title comes after the 6PM presentation of the 20 candidates vying for the crown in the most unusual selection ever where face mask and shield were required and a very few could get to watch who the winner is live due to the restrictions.
After an unusual surge when the pageantry started due to the Delta variant of the virus, less fanfare is expected when the opening number, the swimsuit and long gown presentations are done, their number is halved leading to the five finalists who will vie for the crown, said Chai Aquino of the organizing committee.
The winner will of course be named Miss Baguio 2021 and her court will be composed of the Miss Baguio Tourism, the Miss Flower Queen and the first and second runners-up.
The candidates include Dean Dianne Balogal, Marikit Manaois, Ghenesis Latugat, Irene de Guzman, Aerianne Mencio, Elisha Faith Udarbe, Heavenly Lawingan, Xiannia Luassane Trinidad, Pamela Suyom, Genele Khate Caoile, Trisha Joyce Dacanay and Mariane Lura.
Also in the running is Chaseyrelle Know-well Sison, Janine Rose Carpio, Jona M. dela Cruz, Vhincee Pangilinan, Ma. Dawn Rozeal Castillo, Angelika Sapin, Maiko Ibarde and Cassandra Gresh.
The down-scaled pageant in virtual format under the Baguio Tourism and Special Events Office with the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation – Baguio and Baguio Weddings and Suppliers Organization as supporting partners impose safety protocols during the staging of the month long activity.
Among these are: mandatory antigen tests for all candidates and production crew every two weeks, temperature check and registration for every assembly or activity; restricted access for handlers, companions and the public in exclusive areas, assemblies and activities; and, no public viewing in all activities, major activities will be livestreamed online.
The Miss Baguio primer state that this year’s theme is is #breatheNATURE #breatheBAGUIO, “as we endeavor to prepare ourselves for the better normal, it is necessary to re-emphasize to our youth the importance of taking care of our environment and the city’s natural assets.”
It was supposed to be staged last September 30 but was postponed due to the September Covid-19 surge and the venue was used for the filing of the candidacy of those seeking elective positions for the May 9, 2022 elections from October 1-8.
The candidates were also subjected to regular swabbing and in the case of Gresh, a recent graduate of medical school, failed to attend the press presentation because she was subjected to quarantine when the event was staged at the Lafaayette Hotel.
