OLIVIA KAYE BANG-OA – A PAGEANT DREAM GIRL

By Rolando Rafael

The representative of San Gabriel, Olivia Kaye Bang-oa who is a towering beauty is also a Registered Nurse and was surely whisked into the limelight when she brought home the Mutia ti Turismo 2013 in the recently concluded Miss La Union Beauty Pageant. The “Mutia ti La Union” Beauty Pageant (Miss La Union Beauty Pageant) is an annual search among competing La Union beauties of 20 towns. It promotes extensively the tourism industry of La Union by showcasing the different products of the municipalities, the One Town One Product concept and is highlighted during the Town Costume Presentation. There is also the Electric Float Festival and finally the pageant chooses three winners, Mutia ti La Union, Mutia ti Turismo and Mutia ti Kalikasan.  This in essence is meaning of Olivia’s title.

Miss Bang-oa could have joined the Miss San Fernando City, La Union search and may have won in that pageant eventually representing the lone component city of the province because she fulfilled the requirements of the contest, having being domiciled in the city for quite a number of years on account of her schooling and taking her second residence. But moved with love and passion to represent her hometown, she participated in San Gabriel’s pageant instead and she won the right to represent the 4^th class municipality. During the Town Costume competition, her costume highlighted the broom making industry and thus she won the Best in Ecological Costume.

At Queentessence’ we predicted she would be a front-runner and truly we were not wrong. She said in a previous interview that she was very thankful she made it as a semi-finalist but she was much more grateful when she won the Mutia ti Turismo title (Miss Tourism). She was very resplendent throughout the pageant but she was at her best during the evening gown presentation where she won the Best in Evening Gown. Consequently, her designer also was adjudged the Best Designer that night. She also won the Most Beautiful Skin special award.

As featured previously, she is a graduate with Latin Honors (Cum Laude) at La Finns Scholastica (formerly La Union College of Nursing Arts and Sciences or LUCNAS) in San Fernando City. She said, the year long reign would be spent in being an ambassadress of goodwill in the promotion of tourism, local industries, environmental awareness and health. She will encourage the youth to be part of these activities in the betterment of the community.

We are happy for Miss Bang-oa’s success in the pageant but we wish that she set also her goals in the national arena by undergoing training for the Binibining Pilipinas. With her height, beauty, charms and wit, she has what it takes to be a Bb. Pilipinas winner. So my fervent wish – Go for it Olivia Kaye! Kudos and cheers!!!

Photo Credits: Jay Orros Photography, Airwind Bautista

KIMBERLE MAE PENCHON: A BEAUTY IN ITS TRUEST SENSE

By Rolando Rafael

Kimberle Mae Penchon, the new Mutia ti La Union 2013

Miss Agoo 2012 Kimberle Mae Penchon showed what grace under pressure should be during the pageant night for Mutia ti La Union 2013 held at the San Fernando City Plaza Auditorium to clinch the title. Her being a literally buff and being drawn to the theme of the novel Amistad may have proved her to be in good stead as many pageant watchers during that night she edged out the other contenders with her calm demeanor. 

In her town costume depicting Agoo's Dinengdeng Festival

Miss Penchon is not really new to the pageant and fashion world. As a student of  Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Baguio, this young beautiful lady traces her native roots in Barlig, Mountain Province. But since she had domiciled in Barangay Nazareno, Agoo, La Union, she was able to join the Miss Agoo Beauty Pageant in 2012, hence she was crowned the winner. Since she was also a student in Baguio, she was convinced to participate in the Miss Baguio City Beauty Pageant where she reigned supreme again last September 2012.

Kim as she is fondly called noted that in the Miss Baguio City Beauty Pageant has a relaxing atmosphere. Why? It is because most of the candidates were her contemporaries’ in other pageants she had joined in. When the Mutia ti La Union 2013 was officially launched, she was again not surprised to note that most of the candidates are her friends because she had competed with them one way or another in other pageants or they are studying in Baguio City and they meet each other more ways than not. Miss Aringay was once a co-candidate in the Miss Agoo Beauty Pageant. While Miss San Juan, Rosario, Sto. Tomas and Pugo are known to her because they are based in Baguio City as students. It is therefore not difficult to establish camaraderie among the candidates.

Winning Best in Swimsuit Award

She considers the Mutia ti La Union 2013 beauty pageant as a beautiful experience not only because she won the title but because all of the candidates have proven that they can rise up to the occasion and be glad and thankful of what was given to them. In a recent guesting at a Rotarian meeting, she posted in her status in her Facebook that the Mutia ti La Union winning beauties after being grilled by the Rotarians in a round table question and answer forum are not just “in and out” beauties but also about intelligence as well.

A confetti rains on while the new Mutia is being crowned 

With her winning most of the pageants she joins in, she is indeed a beauty in its truest sense.

Photo Credits: Airwind Zone, Facebook pics of Kimbeau Penchon, Matet Madrid-Ancheta

MISS AGOO CROWNED AS THE NEW MUTIA TI LA UNION 2013

A Back to Back Win 

It is another win for Agoo, La Union as their representative won the title of Mutia ti La Union 2013. In a glittering night of pageantry, Kimberly Mae Penchon repeated Aiyana Mickiewicz’ feat last year. Miss San Gabriel, Olivia Kaye Bang-oa was crowned Mutia ti Turismo while Miss Bacnotan, Rolyn Mae Pajarillo of Bacnotan was crowned Mutia ti Kalikasan. First runner-up is Miss Bauang, Mabel Verceles while second runner-up was Miss San Fernando City Kashmir Hernaez.

The Top 10 was completed by candidates from Aringay, San Juan, Tubao, Rosario and Balaoan. Queentessence almost correctly predicted the Top 10 as it placed Miss Bauang in the alternate choice in place of Miss Santol. Miss Tubao was however not in our list instead we placed Miss Sto. Tomas. That is 9 out 10 choices going to the semifinalist circle. We correctly predicted 4 candidates to the winning column. However, Miss Bauang was not in our radar column in the winners’ circle but she made it as First Runner-Up.

The final question given to the Top 5 was, “If we learn from our mistakes, then why we are afraid of committing mistakes?” Such a tricky question that will make the local pageant world talk about it for quite sometime.

The affair was attended to by Rommel Padilla, Jon Avila, Shamcey Supsup, Andrew Wolf and Chiz Escudero to name a few. Denise Laurel and Christian Bautista provided entertainment during the pageant.  It was hosted by Paolo Bediones and Shamcey Supsup.

The pageant is the culmination of a series of activities in celebration of the 163^rd Foundation Anniversary of the Province of La Union. 

Photo Credits: I-Biz, Halo-Halo Iloko, FB accounts of Kimberly Penchon, Olivia Kaye Bang-oa and Rolyne Mae Pajarillo.

QUEENTESSENCE CHOICES FOR MUTIA TI LA UNION 2103

On the second of March, Mutia ti La Union 2013 will be staged and three titles will be at stake: Mutia ti La Union 2013, Mutia ti Turismo 2013 and Mutia ti Kalikasan 2013. Of course there will be a first runner-up and a second runner up. The official headshots were out and the annual town costume and electric parade had been staged last February 27. 

Here are Queentessence’ Top 10 choices for this 2013.

Alternate choices for the Top 10

My Top 5: Agoo, Bacnotan, Balaoan, San Fernando City and San Gabriel

My dark horses: Rosario San Juan and  Santol

Photo Courtesy: La Union Information and Tourism Office

MEET MISS ROSARIO, LA UNION

“I took up Medical Technology because this course will help me vividly see diseases which are invisible but invulnerable.  I know some people would rather regard it as somewhat difficult or irrelevant in the modern world today but it is a very good course to pursue a medical career. I’d rather help heal people than spread rumors about them.”

CHRISTINE JOY FABROS PICARDAL, of Rosario, La Union has once participated in this annual pageant last 2011 representing the town of Agoo. She made it as one of the semi-finalist that year. She however, accepts the fact that this edition of the pageant is more competitive because she is faced with much more formidable candidates. When asked how her experience in the previous pageant will affect her, she said that it will help her a lot knowing how what she lacked and what should be her performance now. She said she accepts criticisms and let other people criticize or complement her for who she is and who she will be. She looks at the competition as a challenge to improve and not to back down and accept defeat even without trying to.

She loves to describe herself as “ATE” in an acronym. “Ate” in the Filipino language refers to an older sister who is able to take care of the younger siblings or even the older people who extremely need assistance and care.  She is ALTRUISTIC, a selfless individual to people who are in need. She is TRUTHFUL, a true daughter to her family and she is EFFORTFUL as student, a daughter, a Rosarinian and a loving sister to everyone.

Christine looks up to her father as her role model. She says that her father came from a poor family but he taught her how to feel the abundance of life despite their poverty. His father is very material in building up their fervor in reaching up for their dreams and she says, she is not what she is now without the strict but kind upbringing that her father did.

Everyone has a quest and Christine’s pageant quest is Mutia ti La Union 2013. She cannot say that she had acquired an edge about the other candidates for being one participant before. She cannot say that she is going to win the crown but she can say to everyone that she is better now than before.

We wish Christine the best of everything in her pursuit of the Mutia ti La Union 2013 title. Cheers!!!

A TRIVIA ON MISS LA UNION 2013

What's in a Name?
by Rolando Q. Mallari, MD

The Mutia ti La Union 2013 has been officially launched. We had presented the candidates for everyone to gauge who will probably be the winning girl on the 2^nd of March 2013. But when we are reading the names and their biography that we have searched, something came along and here is what we got.

There are 4 candidates with JOY in their names. Mabel Joy Verceles of Bauang, Blessie Joy Abellada of Burgos, Christine Joy Picardal of Rosario and Joy Marie T. Perez of Tubao. Joy means happiness and it is common name being given to females. Although it can also be given to males. It is of Old French and Latin origin. It is used in the Middle Ages and is made popular during the 17^th century. It is apparently becoming more popular now as it is seen 20% among the names of the candidates of the pageant.

There are 3  candidates with MARIE in their names; Sheila Marie Ramos of Caba, LA Union, Ella Marie Calpito of Pugo and Joy Marie Perez of Tubao. Marie is the Czech, French and German form of Mary. It is also a variant of Maria for Danish, English, Icelandic and Swedish. It is a name derived from Mary and Maria. Maria, Mary or Marie is still the most popular name even in today’s present world. Marie is ranked as number 4 in the most popular name in Belgium, ranked number 9 in Austria and ranked number 23 in Norway. It is however less popular in the United States as it ranked number 598.

There are 2  candidates with MAE in their names; Kimberle Mae Penchon of Agoo and Rolyne Mae Pajarillo of Bacnotan. The name Mae is a derived from the 5^th month of the year May. The meaning of the term in Hebrew is bitter. In the Polynesian language it is called “welcome!” It is of English and French in etymology. It also means “pearl” in ancient Greek but generally it is short for the name Mary. Mae in Japanese means bright.

There are 2 candidates with KAYE in their names, Justine Kaye Picardal of Aringay, La Union and Olivia Kaye Bang-oa of San Gabriel, La Union. Kaye means pure in Greek. It also means happy. In the US Census, it ranks number 4057 out of 88978 listed names.  

There are 2 with the name ANN as derivative name; Analyn J. Jose of Bagulin and Beverly Ann Moster of Balaoan. Ann, in the same way as Anne, is Hebrew derived. It means, God favored me. The English form is Hannah, while the Russian form is Anya and the European form is Anne. It has 96 other variant forms.

There are 2 candidates with last names of PICARDAL; Justine Kaye Picardal of Aringay and Christine Joy Picardal. Picardal is said to be Hebrew in origin and it means “from the ash tree.”

THE "MUTIA TI LA UNION 2013" BEAUTYWATCH (SERIES 4 OF 4)

Bagulin, Naguilian, Pugo, Sto. Tomas and Tubao

By Jetset Alejandro

I have the faintest data on some of the following candidates as they have not responded to my emails or have answered the interview questions we have submitted for them to answer. But for the sake of completeness, we would like to give you this preview of who they are.

BAGULIN’s representative is ANALYN JOSE. Based on her picture, she is a pretty young lady probably of around 19 years of summer. Analyn possesses a pair of smiling and sparkling eyes that brighten her face. Will Analyn make it to the winning circle of this year’s edition of Mutia ti La Union?

NAGUILIAN’s REXHELLE PENALOSA is another sweet looking girl of around 16 years of age. Based on the slightest data I got from her Facebook, she had participated in some school pageants and she had corresponding awards. Naguilian did not have a pageant in 2012 and thus has appointed Rexhelle to represent the town. Naguilian has had very competitive candidates in the annual pageant and thus I would not be surprised if Rexhelle will figure well in this years’ edition.

PUGO is represented by a beauteous nursing graduate from the University of the Cordilleras ELLA MARIE CALPITO. Based on our research, Ella has furtherance of her nursing capabilities on fields like Autopsy DNA Analysis and Nursing Anesthesia. Will this nurse carry the torch for her town this 2^nd of March? We wish her the best of luck.

The representative of the municipality of STO. TOMAS this year is ERICA FIRME. Sto. Tomas has been crowned the Mutia last 2011. Then in last years’ pageant, their representative failed to make it to the winning column but later on crowned as Pangasinan’s prettiest owing to the fact that she studies there. On the other hand, Erica exudes a very charming personality. Also a nurse by profession, will Erica carry the torch of her municipality’s quest for the crown this year?

TUBAO sent their lovely maiden, JOY MARIE T. PEREZ. Joy possesses a beautiful smile that highlights her simple and somewhat meek nature. Will this tyro prevail in the sea of veteran girls? 

MEET THE JEWEL OF LUNA

“I love myself for being so simple because I live within my means. I don't even care about what others think of me. I don't live according to the expectations of others and does not worry about ulterior or further motives. I am not afraid to be myself, because I trust everything to God.”

Michell R. De Guzman is Luna’s precious jewel and will represent the town in the Mutia ti La Union 2013. I underscored the name jewel because it is the title of the pageant. Jewel means a precious stone. Whatever that stone is, Luna is famous for its small stones that is sought for local and even international use. Hence, their most beautiful maiden is also referred as their jewel – their most precious daughter.

Michell is a Nursing Graduate of the Polytechnic University of La Union. She hopes to pass the Nursing Licensure Examinations as scheduled this year. She enthusiastically said that she took up nursing because the job offers better remuneration abroad and that her goal is to be able to go abroad so that her  family will have a better economic foundation as well as she would have a firmer financial security for the future.

Michele according to her is a simple person and thus she coined an acronym to describe herself: SIMPLE - Sincere, Indulgent, Modest, Peaceful and polite, Loyal and Loving, and Enthusiastic. Since she is a simple person, her family, friends and love ones complete her life. It may take probably an earth-shaking phenomenon before she will be able to change into a more sophisticated and highly convivial personality.

However, although she considers herself as a simple person, she does not turn her back at stiff competition. She considers herself evolving from a life of hard knocks. She therefore considers this contest as part of the nitty-gritty and challenging part of life. Despite of the overpowering credentials of the candidates who are “rampadoras, beauconistas and fashionistas,” she is not afraid to stand tall beside them because she believes this is totally a new contest and that they all start from scratch again and they will be evaluated again in another’s point of view by a new set of judges. She once had proven that she can win sterlingly just as she won in the Jewel of Luna, then she can prove to everyone again that she has the capabilities to be crowned a winner again.

This simple lady would be very a grateful person if she was given the chance to win in the pageant and be a role model to every young citizen not only of La Union but also in the country. We wish her luck and good fortune in her quest to be the next Mutia ti La Union 2013. Kudos!

THE "MUTIA TI LA UNION 2013" BEAUTY WATCH (Series 3 of 4)

Bacnotan, Burgos, San Gabriel, Santol and Sudipen

by Jetset Alejandro

BACNOTAN’s candidate is Rolyne Mae Pajarillo, a 21-year old Technological Education enthusiast at the Don Mariano Marcos State University. As geared from their school website, she is a very active student and is involved in a lot of student activities, be it academics or extra-curricular activities. Rolyne was a runner-up of Miss Bacnotan 2011 who represented their town in the Miss La Union 2012 beauty pageant. Since their town did not hold a pageant for the year 2012, by virtue of being next in line, she was appointed to represent her town in this year’s 2013 edition of the Mutia ti La Union.  Will this be the break for Bacnotan to be in the limelight? Let us hope and see how Miss Bacnotan perform in the final pageant for the Mutia. 

BURGOS’ candidate is Blessie Joy Abellada. She is a 20-year old student at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University. She possesses a very charming face and with a very radiant smile. Blessie is also an active student in school and that she part of her school’s cultural unit. They get to perform dances in different occasions and sometimes, it takes her to different parts of the region to be part of the cultural presentation of their school in competitions.

SAN GABRIEL’S representative is Olivia Kaye Bang-oa. Olivia who is turning 22 is a Nursing graduate who hopes to be part of our nursing force abroad  She is tall by any Filipina standard and with her height and intelligence is said to a be cinch for the 10 semi-final slots in this year’s Mutia. She has become one of the favorites but Bea as her friends call her downplays her chances as she feels everyone is up to their toes and that every contestant is showing a competitive spirit and form for the contest. She however, says she will do all her best to live up to everyone’s expectations. 

SANTOL’S delegate to this year’s Mutia is Ferbee Ramirez. Ferbee may not be the initial representative of Santol to the pageant but Santol’s winner Glenna Ray Ann Shermyn is not able to participate because of her hectic schedule that conflicts with the schedule of the contest. Ferbee was then appointed to represent the town as she was next in rank in last year’s Mutya ng Santol. But one cannot just discount how formidable Ferbee can be. She was extraordinary in her other pageant stints. But she is not just a beauty! She is also intelligent and bright. She graduated valedictorian in high school and is a dean’s lister at the Saint Louis College in Carlatan, San Fernando City. Will Ferbee outperform Santol’s representative last year who was second in rank in the finals? 

SUDIPEN’s JENNIFER LEAL is a candidate on a comeback trail. Jennifer was designated by their town to be their representative in 2011. She however, joined the pageant of Miss Sudipen 2012 and she handily won the title and thus will represent her town again this March 2, 2013. Will Jennifer be successful this time? Well, with her beautiful face, experience and a competitive spirit, it will not be a surprise to see her making the Top 10. 

MUTIA NG LA UNION 2013 OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED

CANDIDATES FOR MUTIA TI LA UNION 2013 UNVEILED
By: Joanna C. Guerrero, PITO-LU

As part of the celebration of the Province of La Union’s 163rd Foundation Anniversary with the theme “Panagkaykaysa, Urnos ken Talna, Mangtaginayon iti Progreso ti Amin” (“Unity, Peace and Order Sustain Progress for All”) on March 2, 2013, the 19 municipalities and 1 city of the province of La Union sent their respective representatives for the Search for Mutia ti La Union 2013, during the first coordination meeting at the La Union Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union on January 25, 2013.

The Chairman of the 163 rd Foundation Anniversary Steering Committee, Mr. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega headed the Mutya ti La Union Committee in assessing each candidate’s commitment in this undertaking.

All the 20 candidates were endorsed by their mayors, most of whom are title-holders in their municipalities. They are Kimberle Mae Penchon of Agoo, Justin Kaye Picardal of Aringay, Rolyne Mae Pajarillo of Bacnotan, Analyn J. Jose of Bagulin, Beverly Ann Moster of Balaoan, Evelyn R. Sibayan of Bangar, Mabel Joy Verceles of Bauang, Blessie Joy C. Abellada of Burgos, Shiela Marie Ramos of Caba, Michell R. De Guzman of Luna, Rexhelle N. Peñalosa of Naguilian, Ella Marie B. Calpito of Pugo, Christine Joy F. Picardal of Rosario, Kashmir Marjorie S. Hernaez of the City of San Fernando, Olivia Kaye Bang-oa of San Gabriel, Krystel Paolyn B. Mengote of San Juan, Ferbee Ramirez of Santol, Erica B. Firme of Sto. Tomas, Jennifer Leal of Sudipen and Joy Marie T. Perez of Tubao.

For them to qualify in this prestigious pageant, the ladies must meet at least one out of the four qualifications that will prove their association witn the province. They should either be born in the province of La Union, a permanent resident of the municipality or the province, a temporary resident of the municipality or province as a student or employee or either of their parents is born in La Union or permanently resides in La Union. The candidates should also be 15-21 years old, single and must not be a major title holder of any beauty pageant in the national, regional or provincial wide competitions.

The ladies will undergo series of rehearsals, photoshoots, courtesy calls, personality building programs and other activities in the next days. The Search and Coronation of Mutia ti La Union 2013 will be on March 2, 2013 at San Fernando City Plaza.

MEET MISS SAN GABRIEL, LA UNION

“My mother is my biggest role model it is because being a single parent was not really easy and raising us - her daughters in a brood of 3 was definitely a tough responsibility. And surpassing all the trials that we had in years made me realize that my mom was really one of a kind and by that i wanted to be just like her someday when i'll be having my own family.”

San Gabriel’s Representative Olivia Kaye Bang-oa, to the “Mutia ti La Union 2013” beauty pageant looks like a Latina. She is even said by some to be a dead-ringer of a former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera. This young lady is creating so much buzz not only because of her immense height but also her endearing beauty and acumen.  I took a peep of her posted application form for the contest and it says that she is a Nursing graduate at the La Union College of Nursing Arts and Sciences (LUCNAS) with Latin Honors (Cum Laude). She seemed poise to be the front-runner in this years’ pageant.

This young lady is HOT. Honest, Optimistic and Trustworthy. She believes that one must have integrity and probity. In essence to be such one must approach it with sincerity and candor.  She is also optimistic. She says that despite the difficulties that we meet in our everyday life, we should always be hopeful and confident of the future. There is always a solution to a problem and therefore we must not lose hope. And lastly, she said is trustworthy. A secret will always be kept as a secret by her. She is always a reliable person.

When asked if she is given the chance to change a part of history, she said that she will choose nothing because our nation would not be as strong and as determined as what we are today without those problems that we have encountered. And based on her belief, God will not make anything happen without a very good outcome.