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.  

THE "MUTIA TI LA UNION 2013" BEAUTY WATCH (Series 2 of 4)

Caba, Luna, Rosario, San Fernando City and San Juan

By Jetset Alejandro

CABA’S Ella Avena Ramos is a student at the University of Cordilleras and is a very competitive candidate among local and regional pageants. She is a known habitué in bikini competitions and as such she has that body to flaunt during the swimsuit competition. She was simply overpowering in their school competition at the College of Technology Olympics at DMMSU-MLUC. She was a hit among pageant watchers in the San Benito Sur and San Simon East Bikini Opens and she competed head on collision with other beauties in an invitational beauty pageant in Baroro, Bacnotan, La Union. Her utmost personal characteristics are being hardworking and independent. Added to those characteristics, she considers herself pretty and smart enough. It is no wonder that when it was the time to compete for the title of her hometown she was ready to show her killer moves and the aura of a winner emanated from her from the start of the pageant till she was crowned Miss Caba 2012. Here’s wishing her good luck to the Mutia ti La Union 2013. 

LUNA’s JEWEL is Michell R. De Guzman. And from some personal accounts of those who have watched the pageant, she stomped the pageant with her commanding presence and answer to the final question. She would therefore typify the adage that what separates the chaff from the grains is wisdom. And she exudes that wisdom coming from the young. With her innate charms and chic presentation Michell will surely slug it out with the other hopefuls for the Mutia ti La Union 2013 crown. 

ROSARIO’s bet for this year is CHRISTINE JOY PICARDAL who had been Agoo’s representative in 2011. She was semifinalist in that edition and she hopes to comeback with a bang! Christine is a medical technology student at St. Louis University and is in her senior year. She is also turned into a volleyball coach for their team on account of her outstanding capability as a player and tactician. If by any standards, she is said to be crossover candidate like Miss Aringay, Bauang and Agoo. Will her star shine brightest this time? Will she make it to a Top 5 position? Well, here’s wishing her the best of luck.

SAN FERNANDO CITY’s representative KASHMIR HERNAEZ is a student of Lorma Colleges is a multi-awarded beauty pageant participant. She has joined Miss Magic 2009, Miss Virginia Tobacco 2009, La Union Surfing Bodies 2011 and Baggak ti Begnas 2011 for which she had been a major winner if not the title holder. It is no surprise therefore that she won the title of Miss San Fernando City 2012 over the other contenders. With a very famed history in beauty pageants, I will not doubt if she will be one of the front-runners in this La Union pageant edition.

SAN JUAN’s KRYSTEL MENGOTE is a student of the University of the Cordilleras taking up BS Tourism Management. She is a known homebody. But mind you, she is of fun and high spirit because when she gets to be with people she shows how bubbly her personality is. She loves listening to music and on occasion she watches mostly American TV series in the boobtube. She speaks fondly of the triumph Miss USA Olivia Culpo as the new Miss Universe because not so tall girls are given the chance to shine and be crowned as winners in the beauty pageant arena.

MEET MISS SAN JUAN, LA UNION

“My biggest role model is King David. The time when Israel needed a king to replace King Saul the people expected a tall, handsome and strong king but God chose David, a small young boy who was talented and wise. I see myself as a small young girl, equally talented and having a teachable heart that can make me victorious as long as I believe that God would help me.”

Krystel Mengote, San Juan, La Union’s representative to the “Mutia ti La Union 2013” always felt that people of shorter stature are always at the other receiving end most specially in beauty pageants where the taller ones lord it over in the runway and even in the awards. During the Miss San Juan 2012 Beauty Pageant, she thought it was all the same expectations again but she won the crown and got the opportunity to represent her town in this years’ La Union search. Her hopes have been amplified lately because Miss USA who is known for her short stature but very beautiful and enigmatic face won the title of Miss Universe 2012. Hope springs eternal for this young lady as she spoke of her chances in winning the crown. She said is not going to be jarred from the veterans in the competition because she does not only possess a pretty and smiling face but she is full of immense talent. Height or no height, she will give her best to represent San Juan, La Union which is known to have the a Miss Young International, second runner-up in the person of Cita Avecilla (Miss Young Philippines, 1970).

Photo Courtesy: airwindzone.wordpress.com

This young lady hopes to become a flight attendant after graduation from College as she dreams to explore different parts of the world. When asked if she is given the chance to become a governor of La Union for one day, what kind of executive order will she make to mark that her stay in the position? She answered: “ I will make an executive order that for one whole day, everybody in the whole community of La Union would clean, plant trees and make peace with everybody so that our province would retain its distinction as the "Cleanest, Greenest and Safest" province in Region 1 and hopefully, be the best in the entire country.”

That’s a tall order for everyone but not with this young lady who has only a big heart for service to her community and province.

THE "MUTIA TI LA UNION" BEAUTY WATCH (Series 1 of 4)

Agoo, Aringay, Balaoan, Bangar and Bauang
by: Jetset Alejandro

I always anticipate the Miss La Union Beauty Pageant dubbed as Mutia Ti La Union (Mutya ng La Union) because of its colorful pageantry -from the parade of the town costumes, to the carefully selected and designed evening gowns and to the swimsuit competition. In the final stretch, you will beautiful candidates selected to the Top 5 and are able to espouse their thoughts about issues that affect our everyday lives. The wittiest amongst the 5 becomes the title holder. After the affair, each town reassesses their performance and aim to perform better in the next year.

This year, we have 20 candidates from the different towns. We are featuring the first 5 candidates in the alphabetical order. As the pageant activities unfold, we will be able to bring more information about the candidates and how they are doing at the pageant. For this first part of the series, we will present to you the candidates of Agoo, Aringay, Balaoan, Bangar and Bauang.

AGOO’s candidate is Kimberle Mae Penchon, a 20-year old lass studying at the School of International Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Baguio and is now in her senior year taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management. She is a fashion and commercial model based in Baguio City. Kimberle is a veteran of beauty pageants. In 2011, she was first runner-up in the Miss HRAB 2011 pageant where she competed with different schools in Baguio who are offering Hotel and Restaurant Management.  Aside from being Miss Agoo, she also competed in Baguio City and was crowned as Miss Baguio 2012.  With Kimberle’s credentials at the regional pageant level, will she repeat another win for the Municipality of Agoo?

ARINGAY’S candidate is Justine Kaye Picardal. She is a candidate who had been on the local fashion scene. She is also a local cross-over beauty candidate, a nomenclature for candidates who join the big 4 pageants in the national pageant scene – i.e. Binibining Pilipinas, Miss Philippines-Earth, Miss World Philippines and Mutya ng Pilipinas. Justine was seen to join and compete at the Miss San Fernando City Beauty Search in February 2012. She was not lucky enough. She then, displayed her wares at the Miss Agoo Beauty Pageant last May 2012 and was able to get the 4^th runner-up award. Last December 12, 2012, she capped her perseverance with the Miss Aringay crown. Will she be able to display her finest this March 2, 2013 to give Aringay the 3^rd Mutia ti La Union crown when she has Kimberle Penchon of Agoo and Kashmir Hernaez of San Fernando City to contend with during the pageant? Let us see how she will be able to transform herself and be at par with these two ladies whom she had previously competed with.

 BALAOAN’S candidate is 20 years old Beverly Ann Lucero Moster who eclipsed everyone in her local pageant because of her extraordinary talent and her wit and demeanor. With her refreshing outlook to life, Beverly comes out as a bright and shining person. Her smile catches you the most as her eyes glisten with those smiles. Being a relatively neophyte in the beauty pageant ring, will she be able to hold her candle among the pageant veterans whose lives seem to have been hitched to the pageant arena? Well, with the pageant searches being on the lookout for refreshing and revitalizing beauties, Beverly will surely be at par with the veteran pack in this year’s pageant.

BANGAR’S EVELYN SIBAYAN – considers herself as a simple girl in a normal world. She says life is full of trials and yet she has everything to thank for because there is always her family that gives her whole support whatever life has to offer – be it good or bad. We could see with what she has said that, she has the shades of the Venus Raj drama and charisma. Evelyn, Lyn to many is like a chameleon. She is a simple girl but changes into a different persona when she transforms onstage like any fashion model. Will this charisma be able to catapult her to the front-runner status for Mutia ti La Union? Bangar’s Mutya ng Abel will do her best and perform to the best of her capabilities come pageant night. 

BAUANG’s representative is Mabel Joy Verceles. She is another crossover beauty having competed in the Miss San Fernando City 2012 in March 2012 and then joined other bevy of beauties in the pageant dubbed as Miss Bauang International 2012. Mabel’s very serene countenance made her edge out other candidates in the Miss Bauang Beauty Pageant. Mabel is no novice in beauty pageants. She had been a first runner-up in the Pamulinawen Festival in Laoag, Ilocos Norte where she competed head-on with Mutia ti La Union 2012, Alyanna Camille Mickiewicz.  With her refreshing and vibrant personality, Mabel Joy will surely not be far behind in her quest for the Mutia ti La Union 2013.  

There you are, the first 5 candidates of the Mutia ti La Union Beauty Pageant. Stay tuned for the next 5 candidates.