Juvel Mangubat Ducay and Kylah Kristianne Yve Sanchez
CEBU got not just one but two crowns at the Mr. and Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines 2018 pageant held at Resorts World Manila in Pasay on May 12, Saturday.
Juvel Mangubat Ducay, who represented Bantayan Island, was named Miss Hannah’s Ecotourism Philippines 2018.
Kylah Kristianne Yve Sanchez of Liloan town was hailed Miss Hannah’s Tourism Ambassador 2018.
In an interview with Cebu Daily News, Ducay said winning the title was overwhelming.
“Until now, I am still very humbled and blessed and it hasn’t sunk in yet that I have been crowned Miss Hannah’s Ecotoursm Philippines 2017,” she said.
She said it was a dream come true to represent Bantayan Island in a national pageant.
Ducay, who also won the Miss Photogenic and People’s Choice awards, received P50,000 cash prize.
She said she wants to continue her advocacy of preserving and protecting marine ecotourism in the country.
This was the same advocacy she pushed when she was still a Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) chairperson in barangay Patao, Bantayan.
She is set to represent the country in an international pageant soon but the details have yet to be discussed.
Mr. and Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines 2018 is Ducay’s first national pageant.
Her previous titles include Miss Gaisano Grand 2015 and Binibining Compostela 2016.
Ducay is 23 years old and a registered Pharmacist who graduated Cum Laude at University of San Carlos (USC) in 2016.
Crowned Mr. Hannah’s Ecotourism Philippines 2018 was Christopher Joshua Ibañez of Tagaytay City.
Tourism ambassador
Aside from Ducay, another beauty queen from Cebu went home with a crown. Kylah Kristianne Yve Sanchez, who represented the town of Liloan, was hailed Miss Hannah’s Tourism Ambassador 2018.
For her counterpart, Gerome Bongco of Quezon City was named as Mr. Hannah’s Tourism Ambassador 2018.
Sanchez, who also received the Miss Simply G special award, won P35,000 cash prize.
“I am very honored,” she told CDN.
Sanchez, 18, is a senior high school student at University of Cebu (UC).
No longer a newbie in the pageant world, she has already earned several titles including Miss Grand Chinatown 2018, Panagtagbo Festival Queen 2018 in Mandaue City, Miss UC Basic Education 2017, Miss Surfing Lanuza-Surigao 2017, Miss Yati Liloan 2017, Miss Tabogon Ecotourism 2017, and Miss Kalunasan 2017.
Meanwhile, George Reylor de Lumen of Marikina City and Nicole Miñano of Caloocan City were named Mr. and Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines 2018, respectively.
According to Mr. and Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines’ Facebook page, Miñano also received special special awards, including Best Body Fit and Best Festival Costume. He also won the Formal Wear Competition.
There were 20 female candidates and 20 male candidates in the pageant.
Aside from Ducay and Sanchez, Cebu had two bets for the male category, namely Kyle Sabinay of Talisay City and Vann Ramos of Cebu City.
According to pageant’s official page, Mr. and Miss Hannah’s World Tourism Philippines 2018 has ecotourism advocacies recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organizations (UNTWO) and International Eco-Tourism Society (IETS).
Based on pageant coach Norman Tinio’s post, the judges during the pageant were Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Thailand Earth 2017 Paweensuda Drouin, Peachy Veneracion, Hemilyn Escudero-Tamayo, Ricci Rivero, and Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco Jr.
Presented by Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center, the pageant was hosted by Miss Universe 2017 Rachel Peters and Kapamilya host Robi Domingo.