Miss Scuba Philippines 2014 Amanda Arbitrario (center) from Panglao, Bohol. Flanking her are (left) Princess Jayme, 2nd runner-up and Reygin Juen Brion, 1st runner-up, both from Cebu City. (CDN PHOTO/Francis Xavier Solis)
It was a first-rate presentation of Pinay pulchritude—fast-paced with never a dragging moment (despite the two-minute spotlight ontalent by each of the 12 finalists from all over the country), entertaining and educational. Yes, after a quick welcome by hosts Jonathan Cimafranca and Miss Mandaue 2010 Nicole Tuazon, we proceeded right into the casual wear competition with the candidates donning Islands Souvenirs.
At the end of a two-hour show directed by Junjet Primor which also highlighted the beauty of our underwater world, 19-year-old Information Technology student Amanda Arbitrario representing Panglao, Bohol emerged as winner of the national finals of Miss Scuba Philippines 2014 held last week at the Pacific Cebu Resorts in Suba-basbas, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.
Miss Scuba Philippines 2014 Amanda Arbitrario (CDN PHOTO/Francis Xavier Solis)
Arbitrario won P150,000 cash plus the chance to represent the country to the Miss Scuba International in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on Nov. 28. She also was adjudged Best in Swimsuit.
(Incidentally, last May, Arbitrario was Miss Caloocan in the Miss Philippines-Earth 2014 pageant that was won by Cebu’s very own Jamie Herrell.)
The panel of judges, which included Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, businessman Manny H. Osmeña, Lapu-Lapu City tourism officer Hembler Mendoza, fashion blogger La Carmina, Miss Scuba International head honcho Felipe Michael Alexander Cruz, and sáv Hospitality Unlimited’s CEO/founder Edwin Chuang also chose Cebu City’s bet Reygin Juen Brion as first runner-up (also Best in Evening Gown) and Mandaue City’s Princess Jayme as second runner-up.
The ecology-driven search aims to celebrate the inner beauty and courage of today’s modern women advocating marine conservation and safe diving practices.
(CDN PHOTO/Francis Xavier Solis)
The pageant’s official swimwear is designed by Very Mary of Mary Ty.
Last year’s Miss Scuba Philippines first runner-up Christine Paula Love Bernarsor (herself a Miss Mandaue runner-up in 2010) turned over the crown to this year’s winner.