Kefaiah Al-zair was crowned Ms Cebu 2023 Wednesday night, Jan. 11. | Photo from Cebu City PIO
CEBU CITY, Philippines — “Cebu City is the home of endless possibilities.”
This was the response of Miss Cebu 2023 Kefaiah Al-zair to the question, “What is the single important tourism asset of Cebu City and how do you think it should be used to promote the city to potential tourists?,” that won her the crown in this year’s Miss Cebu pageant held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on Wednesday evening, January 11, 2023.
Al-zair, 19, is a nursing student at Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) who hails from the municipality of Sibonga in southern Cebu.
“Not only do we have modern infrastructures, but we can also offer serene highlands and building relationships. It is the people. The people are the highlight of Cebu because it is the foundation of the tourism aspect that we have here in Cebu, imbued with gratification and harmony. This is who we are as a Cebuano. This is the foundation of Cebu — the Cebuanos,” Al-zair said.
As Miss Cebu 2023, Al-zair will be the face and ambassadress of Cebu and will play a vital role in promoting and growing Cebu’s tourism industry.
Al-zair wowed the crowd earlier into the coronation night program after she bagged several special awards including Best in Evening Gown, Best in Hinablon, Miss Pagcor Charity, and Miss Oro Galleria. She bested 11 other lovely candidates.
READ: Miss Cebu 2023 Up Close: Kefaiah Al-zair
| Photo courtesy of Cebu City PIO
Securing the first runner-up spot is candidate no. 12 from Talamban, Cebu City, Patricia Dueñas. She was also named Miss Standout Beauty by Myra-e in this year’s beauty tilt.
In her winning answer, Dueñas highlighted how Cebuanos are the most important asset to Cebu’s tourism industry.
“I believe the single most important tourism asset that Cebu has are its people. The people of Cebu are strong. They are hospitable. They are generous, and they have strong faith. And whatever challenges may arise, [the] people of Cebu are resilient and I will tell people from all over the world to come to Cebu City because Cebuanos here are welcoming and strong,” Dueñas.
Dueñas is a licensed medical technologist who is now studying at the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) to become a medical doctor.
Completing Alzair’s court are Corinthia Empe, second runner-up; Chynna Julienne Dorado, third runner-up; and Niña Danielle Illustrisimo, fourth runner-up. Dorado was also named Most Photogenic.
Laica Pauline Uy, candidate no. 4 from Lahug in Cebu City, also bagged the special awards Fashion Forward Filipina, for her finesse in carrying her modern Balintawak dress during the opening number of Miss Cebu 2023, and Most Confident.
Shari Stacey Bacalso of Cebu City, meanwhile, was voted by her co-candidates as Miss Friendship.
This year’s Miss Cebu paraded the creations of locally and internationally renowned designers in their evening gowns, modern Balintawak, and hinablon attires.
The pageant judges included Didier Belmonte, general manager of Crimson Resort in Mactan; Marites Allen, Philippines’ Feng Shui queen; celebrity doctor Vicki Belo; international fashion designer Michael Leyva; and Miss Earth 2019 Neyles Pimentel of Puerto Rico who served as the chairman of the board of judges.
The Miss Cebu pageant is part of the festivities of Sinulog Festival which is currently in its 43rd year run.
READ: Miss Cebu Org holds sashing ceremony to introduce Top 12 finalists