Lyssa Diaz
A 27-YEAR old make-up artist and blogger bagged the My Pretty Mama Philippines 2018 title.
A resident of barangay Apas, Cebu City, Lyssa Diaz succeeded My Pretty Mama Philippines 2017 Cheerzyl Amante David and bested 10 other candidates during the coronation night held at The Stage, Elizabeth Mall last Saturday.
During the final question and answer portion, the top six candidates, including Diaz, Jeanelyn Genabe, Anna Saycon, Leni Gaspan, Grace Montejo, and Fleur Sumalpong were asked one question.
The question was: “As the next queen of My Pretty Mama Philippines, what would you contribute to the organization?”
Diaz answered, “As the next queen of My Pretty Mama Philippines, what I can contribute to the organization is that first and foremost, I believe that the crown comes with a great responsibility.
And that is the responsibility of the organization which is to award mothers for all the hardwork, sacrifices, and efforts they did for their family.
I will do that and at the same time I will promote an advocacy which is to help other mothers and empower them.”
Aside from the crown, Diaz won P50,000 cash. She also received special awards including Best in Gown, Best in Production, and Alberto’s Choice.
First timer
Diaz said she did not expect to win as she was not feeling well during the pageant.
“I have a fever. Kaya pa ba kaha ni nako no? I prayed to God nga Iya kong i-guide for today,” she said.
But the 27-year-old mother prove that feeling unwell is not a hindrance to winning the title.
Diaz said that since My Pretty Mama Philippines 2018 is her first pageant, she had to learn how to walk with heels and undergo question and answer trainings.
Asked why she joined the pageant, she said she likes the organization’s advocacy which is to empower mothers. The pageant is open to women aged 24 to 45 years old.
Diaz, who has a four-year-old son named Shin, said she also wants to encourage other mothers to pursue their career choices and goals in life.
After winning the title, Diaz wants to help raise awareness on the issue of depression not just among mothers but for everyone who is going through the same problem.
“It’s not that I have personally experienced depression. Well, I experienced sadness in my life but most of the time I was able to cope. But I have lost two friends because of it and I felt so guilty that I was not able to help them during those times,” she explained in an interview.
The court
Montejo was named first runner-up while Sumalpong finished second-runner up.
Both received P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.
Montejo said Diaz deserves the title.
“We all deserve to be the winner tonight. For me I am blessed nga first runner-up ko,” said the 24-year-old mother, who also won Best in Warrior Queen Costume and Lovely Skin Choice.
In selecting the top six, the judges based their choices on the following criteria: Talent (20 percent), People’s Choice (15 percent), Producrion Number (5 percent), Warrior Queen Costume (15 percent), Preliminary Question (10 percent), Audience Impact (5 percent), and Modern Filipina Gown (30 percent).
To determine the top 3, the winners were judged based on the following criteria: audience impact (10 percent), eloquence and confidence (30 percent), content and relevance (30 percent), posture (20 percent), and final walk (10 percent).
Judges during the pageant were Ceferina Cababan, Sharon Abella, Vanessa Balbuena, Amil Opigal, Em-em Hann, Loveli June Minoza, Joana Tandan, Jee Candelasa, and Joseph Musca.
The winners
My Pretty Mama Philippines 2018 or Mrs. Charity: Candidate No. 10 Lyssa Diaz
1st runner-up or Mrs. Hope: Candidate No. 11 Grace Montejo
2nd runner-up or Mrs. Peace: Candidate No. 3 Fleur Sumalpong
Special awards
Best in Warrior Queen Costume: Candidate No. 11 Grace Montejo
Best in Talent: Candidate No. 5 Jeanelyn Genabe
Best in Gown: Candidate No. 10 Lyssa Diaz
Best in Production: Candidate No. 10 Lyssa Diaz
Best in Runway: Candidate No. 2 Leni Gaspan
Best in Advocacy: Candidate No. 4 Dolores Alarin
Mrs. Congeniality: Candidate No. 8 Catherine Saldua
Lovely Skin Choice: Candidate No. 11 Grace Montejo
Mrs. Photogenic: Candidate No. 5 Jeanelyn Genabe
Alberto’s Choice: Candidate No. 10 Lyssa Diaz
Texter’s Choice: Candidate No. 5 Jeanelyn Genabe
Best in Acting: Candidate No. 6 Nadia Cagay
People’s Choice: Candidate No. 2 Leni Gaspan
2018 Netizens’ Choice Award: Candidate No. 4 Dolores Alarin