MISS CEBU 2016. Miss Cebu 2016 Gabriele Raine Baljak (center) and her court wave to the crowd after her coronation. Her court includes: (from left) Felina Joyce Lim, 4th runner-up; Shaila Mae Reborter, 2nd runner-up; Tracy Maureen Perez, 1st runner-up and Merl Gayo, 3rd runner-up. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
TV HOST and DJ Gabriele Raine Baljak was crowned Miss Cebu 2016 last night and will be the face of Cebu’s new brand “Cebu, Where the Heart Sings.”
A first-timer in beauty pageants, the Croatian-Cebuana was an early crowd favorite, winning the Best in Evening Gown and the ABS-CBN Kapamliya Star of the Night award.
Baljak spoke confidently and gave the most fluid answer in the question-answer segment where all finalists were asked how they would convince Miss Universe Columbia to visit Cebu.
“As a proud Cebuana, I would tell her to visit Cebu, as this is where the heart sings. Cebuanos have genuine passion—we love to share, and we care about our people. Miss Colombia is gorgeous and confident, but for me, she had too much confidence and sometimes that goes the other way. Coming here to Cebu, she will learn to enjoy simple things in life, because Cebuanos are happy no matter what, and that’s what makes Cebu, truly, where the heart sings,” she said.
Baljak was born in Australia, and has Filipino, Croatian, Chinese and Spanish blood.
She studied in International School in Talamban, Cebu City.
Her mother, Merce Abellana, a former model and pageant winner, is Cebuana.
“I grew up with a variety of cultures, but it is in Cebu that I found my true home. It is this love for Cebu that I want to show to people,” said Baljak after the results were announced.
“I really was not expecting to win the crown on my first go. I did my best, I stuck to what I believed in, and I’m glad that being myself made me Miss Cebu 2016,” Baljak said, still basking in the post-pageant rush.
For her advocacy, Baljak said she wants to focus on helping disadvantaged children get an education and see the world for its beauty.
“Children are really the future, and we have to help them realize their capabilities and that no matter where life puts you, you can always make something out of it,” she said.
Joining Baljak in her court are 1st runner-up Tracy Maureen Perez, 2nd runner-up Shaila Mae Rebortera, 3rd runner-up Merl Gayo, and 4th runner-up Felina Joyce Lim, who won Miss Friendship and Miss Photogenic.
Designer Jun Escario was awarded as the Best Evening Gown Designer. He dressed candidate no. 10, Bea Clarisse Raboy, in a two-toned floor-length number.
The new Miss Cebu exuded confidence in her wide smile, her ramp walk, and poise.
“Gabriele’s answers are very raw and meaningful. Her gait comes naturally and not forced, and she is basically just the whole package,” said Christian Espiritu, fashion designer and chairman of the board of judges.
Other judges were actor and events director Rowell Santiago, Robinsons Land Corp. president Frederick Go, model-fashion photographer Joanne Bitangcol, and stage designer Gino Gonzales.
The program started with a festive dance number with the 12 candidates dressed in resort wear made of woven cloth or “hablon” from Argao town designed by Rey Villegas, Hadji Godinez, Peewee Senining and Roni Yu.
Candidates later modeled stylized barong ensembles by Cebuano designers Brian Aloquin, Yvonne Quisumbing, Valerie Alvez, and Edwin Ao.
The much-awaited evening gown segment featured designs by Ditas Rodriguez, Marichu Tan, Albert Arriba, Ren Manabat, Philip Tampus, Wendell Quisido, Arcy Gayatin, OJ Hofer, Dino Lloren, Jun Escario, Harley Ruedas and William Manahan, as inspired by photos of old Cebu streets and scenes.