Balbalan crowns its new Queen

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The municipality of Balbalan in Kalinga has crowned its new queen.

Miss Balbalan 2023, Christine Wylan Wacdisan, bestowed the crown upon her successor on March 15 at the KDCM Sports Center, Poblacion. The event is among the highlights of this year’s Manchatchatong Festival.

The 22-year-old Guia Jill Anniban Garrino of Balbalan Proper has proven that she is cut above the 13 other candidates vying for the town’s most coveted title. After braving weeks of preliminary competitions from the sashing ceremony on March 1 to the pre-pageant on March 8, up to the finale, she remained on top.

In the battle of beauty, substance, and wit, she was named Miss Congeniality, Darling of the Crowd, and was conferred the Heritage Icon Award. Standing 5’4", Miss Balbalan 2024 is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management at Cagayan State University.

Garrino aced the question and answer portion by underscoring her advocacy towards sustainable tourism development.

The question

“If you’re given a chance to be crowned this night, how would your greatest strength make you an effective title holder?”

The queen said she would weaponize her greatest strength which is perseverance in pursuing her advocacy for sustainable tourism development to avoid the exploitation of our culture and the natural resources that we have.

“Not only [will I pursue] my advocacy, but I will pursue all the advocacy that my fellow candidates have like mental awareness and everything. And I will show to the whole Cordillera, the nation rather, the brilliance of being an iBalbalan,” she added.

Other winners

Shira Mae Alit Acosta of Ababa-an emerged as Miss Balbalan Tourism 2024, while Christine Joy Cino Bagwingan of Poswoy clinched Miss Balbalan Environment 2024.

Acosta likewise garnered Best in Talent and Best in Evening Gown, and Bagwingan got Miss Dynamic and Miss Close-Up Smile.

Meanwhile, Ernie Rosemarie Tebag Bucalen of Buaya, who settled as first runner-up, bagged Miss Online Sensation, Beauteous Face Award, Queen of the Ramp, Best in Creative Attire, and Best Pageant Beshies.

Girlie Balais Balangui of Maling finished her campaign as second runner-up and was proclaimed as Beauty Ambassadress and Miss Photogenic.

No candidates went home empty-handed as contingents bagged special awards, to include Zarrah Mhae Balangui Luce of Talalang for Miss Youthful Glow, Best in Production Number, Cover Girl Award, Best in Swimsuit Attire, and Miss Flawless; Hazel Kaye Bugnalen Dagohoy of Balbalasang for Best in Caving Attire, Pepay’s Choice Award, and Luba-ay’s Choice Award; and Janine Alunday Pamilagas of Tawang for Miss Glamorous Award.

Further, Jeanrie Baluyan Bumidang from Mabaca took home the Spirit of Pageantry Award and Cosmic Confidence Award; Sheidel Cao-wil Awing from Dao-angan was hailed as Most Adventurous and Best Pageant Beshies; and Shienne Alunday Duguiawe from Balantoy was recognized as Denim Queen and Miss Gorgeous.

Aveena Jashlyn Apayao Codod of Pantikian was named Miss Body Beautiful and Fashion Icon; Alfa Bea Duggom of Poblacion was recognized as Miss Stellar Elegance and Miss Family’s Award; and Keana Mae Sagamang Sta. Ines of Gawaan got the Choreographer’s Choice Award and the Miss Elegance Award.