By JAY PATAO
Photos by Edmund Chua & Joselito Caleon
ON Friday October 30, the 32 official contestants of the new Miss Republic of the Philippines Pageant will be formally presented to members of media at the Astoria Plaza Hotel in Pasig City.
The contestants, representing cities, municipalities and provinces throughout the archipelago, as well as Filipino communities abroad, will be vying for two coveted titles: Miss Republic of the Philippines 2015 and Miss Republic of the Philippines-International 2015.
Re-branded with a new thrust towards education and tourism, the Miss Republic of the Philippines Pageant will award full college scholarships to the winners with options for a master’s degree if the winner happens to be a college graduate already.
The old Miss RP pageants chose the Philippine delegates to the Miss World Pageant with Josephine “Joy” Conde as the last titleholder (Miss RP 1976-77) at the finals held at the Folk Arts Theater in 1976.
Joy fondly recalled her reign as Miss RP 76-77 when she was crowned by no less than Miss World 1975 Wilnelia Merced of Puerto Rico and actress Amalia Fuentes who was one of the judges.
Joy went on to compete at the Miss World Pageant in London, UK but was forced to withdraw from the competition 8 hours before the final night after receiving instructions from the Department of Foreign Affairs. The withdrawal, along with 8 other countries, was in protest of South Africa’s apartheid practice of sending two delegates – one white and one black.
Joy also noted the differences in beauty pageants then and now, advising this year’s contestants to be true to themselves in front of the judges and the public, when she graced the unveiling of the new gold crowns and regalia that will adorn the heads of the winners.
The event happened last October 20 at the Roma Salon of Manila Hotel with Miss Republic of the Philippines Organization president Lynette Padolina welcoming the guests and members of media.
Symbolizing the rich cultural heritage, artistry and magnificent creativity and craftsmanship of Filipinos, the new crowns and regalia were designed by award-winning jeweler and recently-proclaimed Asia’s Best Creative Designer of the Year Mila Imson of KitSilver Jewelries, and made by Rolando Cabalona, a deaf craftsman from Meycauayan, Bulacan.
The two ceremonial crowns have a base made of brass dipped in 24-karat gold and adorned by sapphires, lapis lazuli, rubies and pearls – all a jewel representation of the Philippine flag’s colors. The crowns took almost six months to create and have an estimated face value of half a million pesos.
The new crowns reflect the once-flourishing gold jewelry industry of Meycauayan, Bulacan that is, sadly, dying because of rampant cases of burglary, threatening both life and property. Many jewelers have since moved to other safer locations.
The new crowns will adorn the heads of the Miss Republic of the Philippines 2015 and Miss Republic of the Philippines – International 2015 winners at the grand finals to be held at The Theatre of Solaire on November 4. Then they will be displayed at the National Museum for posterity and appreciation until the coronation of the next queens.
Also included in the unveiling were the working crowns of the Miss Republic of the Philippines winners which will be used in their official travels and personal appearances, as well as gold-plated necklaces and runner-up tiaras.
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