MIss Mandaue 2017 Ralphiela Lewis (fifth from left) and her court, together with Mandaue City officials led by Mayor Luigi Quisumbing (third from left)
IT ALL started with a mother’s wish of seeing her daughter all glammed up and become one of the candidates of Miss Mandaue someday.
Last Saturday night, this wish became a reality. Leonor Lewis, along with her family and friends cheered for her eldest daughter Ralphiela, who eventually cinched the 48th Miss Mandaue crown.
“I really did not expect to win. It’s (getting crowned) still sinking in right now,” she said in an interview right after the coronation night held at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.
Ralphiela, 18, is one of the youngest candidates among the 12 lovely candidates who vied for the crown. She was also named as Best in Runway and the Best in Evening Gown.
She wore the creation of Philipp Tampus, who was proclaimed Designer of the Night.
“I kind of had some clues in some things but I did not really expect to be the winner,” said the grade 12 STEM student, when asked if she had any idea that she would win.
During the Q&A portion, the top five candidates were asked the same question: “On August 2019, Mandaue City will celebrate its 50th charter anniversary.
This early, what is your golden wish for Mandaue and to Mandauehanons?
Ralphiela answered that her only wish is for Mandaue to continue to be successful and prosperous.
MOM’S WISH
During the casual interview hosted by Cebu Daily News’ editor-at-large Jude Bacalso, Ralphiela talked about how her mother encouraged her to join the pageant.
According to her, the dream “started” as they were roaming around the city, and saw the tarpaulins of the candidates being placed on the streets, during a fiesta celebration of Mandaue City.
“She would tell me that one day I should join the pageant and so I did,” said Ralphiela.
On her Facebook account, she posted about her victory a few hours after the pageant and sent a shoutout to her mother, Leonor.
“Mom, I made sure to acknowledge you during the night because you have worked just as hard as I did and for that I’m grateful especially since it’s May, the month for mothers, and with Mother’s Day just around the corner, this is my gift for you,” a part of the post read.
Just as everyone was extending their congratulations to Ralphiela, CDN found her mother Leonor at the bottom of the stage, and got the chance to interview her about her daughter’s victory.
“I am very proud and I am very happy na Miss Mandaue siya, and it was a dream come true. And the Lord really answered my prayer. I feel complete,” she told CDN, smiling from ear to ear.
Leonor said she wasn’t expecting that her daughter Ralphiela would win, as they were only hoping to get to the top 6 or top 3.
“Pero na Miss Mandaue man siya. She worked hard for this. She has been practicing her Q&A and her walk,” she said.
NEW CROWN
Before joining Miss Mandaue, the 18-year-old beauty queen was crowned Miss Campus Face 2016, a national pageant and Miss Cesafi 2016 first runner-up.
Ralphiela was crowned by her predecessor, Miss Mandaue 2016 Malka Shaver.
For the duration of her reign, she will be wearing a new crown, La Corona de Mandani, designed by Mark Anthony Tenchavez of Shandar.
The crown is a celebration of Mandaue’s progress from a quaint little town to the bustling city that it is today. It depicts the city’s landmarks including the Rizal Public Library, the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, the National Shrine of St. Joseph and the Mandaue Presidencia.
The three stars symbolize Miss Mandaue and her court as a three shining examples for all of Mandaue’s constituents.
THE COURT
Sachi Chiesa, 21, a medical and acting school graduate and Jasmine Apor, a law and policy studies major, were named first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively.
Apor also bagged the awards for Miss Photogenic, Best in Professionalism, and Miss Skycable.
Rounding up the Top 5 were 20-year-old communications graduate Princess Jayme, 22-year-old Juvel Ducay, a registered pharmacist, who also brought home the Miss Fitness award, and 20-year-old nursing student Ciairha Monsanto.
Other awardees were Lauren Sta. Ana, who was proclaimed as the Texter’s Choice Award and Miss Congeniality, Hyra Desiree Betito who won Best in Talent, Monica Tawide who got the Media’s Choice Award, and Samantha Lo who was named Best in Funwear.
Adding more star power to the event was Cebuano singer-actor and tri-athlete Matteo Guidicelli, who made everyone swoon with his performance.
The pageant was directed by Engr. Patricio Junjet Primor Jr., who took inspiration from the four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn.