Lesley and Rabboni
in Hablon attire by Dexter Alazas. Topnotch make-up artist Chady Pantaleon took care of their make-up and grooming. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
A NIGHT of glamour, beauty and intelligence kicked off this year’s Press Freedom Week celebration as Cebu’s print, broadcast and multimedia journalists gathered for the coronation night of Mr. and Miss Press Freedom 2016 held Saturday at The Ballroom of Summit Circle Hotel in Cebu City.
Four ladies and four gentlemen from Cebu Daily News, Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas, Sun.Star Cebu, and The Freeman held the spotlight as they sashayed on the catwalk for the much-awaited event.
Supporters, friends and colleagues filled the room with chants and cheers as soon as the candidates showed up on stage, wearing the creations of the pageant’s two official designers, Jongz Loquinario and Lemuel Rosos.
There was also a segment where candidates donned designs showcasing the Argaoanon art of hablon weaving, made by Cebu-based fashion
designer Dexter Alazas.
Cebu Daily News once again emerged victorious this year as its representatives Lesley Cara delos Santos and Rabboni Borbon won both titles, making it a back-to-back victory for Cebu’s only independent newspaper.
CDN’s Victor Anthony Silva and Vanessa Lucero were crowned Mr. and Miss Press Freedom, respectively last year. This is the third time CDN clinched both titles. Doyzkie Buenaviaje and Candeze Mongaya won the pageant in 2011.
For the question-and-answer portion, 21-year-old Lesley was asked by judge Natasha Angela Manuel, Jewel of the Philippines 2016 which gender is more superior, the men or the women?
Lesley nailed the Q&A portion when she started off by saying how both genders fall victim to a patriarchal society, where men and women try to fit in, in gender stereotyped roles.
Looking elegant in gowns and suits by Lemuel Rosos. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
“We must empower everyone else, educate our children to change gender roles and stereotypes, because how can we change the world and stop everyone from being a victim of a patriarchal society, if we could not start?,” quipped Lesley. The final question for 19-year-old CDN correspondent Rabboni came from fashion designer Pinky Magalona, who asked: “If there are no rules in your life and you can be outrageous, what would you do?”
“First of all, I love my life with rules or without rules. But if there are no rules, I would save the country by any means necessary. I will not say I will kill but I will cross any boundaries of myself,” answered.
This year’s other winners were: first runners up–The Freeman’s Michael Vencynth Braga and KBP’s Maxi Bolongaita; second runners up: Mister Sun.Star Cebu’s Philip Cerojano and SunStar Cebu’s Johanna Marie Bajenting; and third runners up: KBP’s Kazer Castanares and The Freeman’s Odessa Leyson.
The criteria for this year’s Mr. and Ms. Press Freedom pageant were 40 percent for intelligence, 30 percent for charm, 20 percent for poise, and 10 percent for audience impact.
Aside from Magalona and Manuel, the other judges were fashion photographer Matt Pinkian, Joanna Fajardo Salazar, Senior Marcomm Manager of Robinsons Galleria Cebu; and Jeffrey Dela Cruz of JG Summit Holdings Inc.
“Hugot King” Rowell Ucat more popularly known as Medyo Maldito and Sinulog Idol season 1 grand champion Jacky Chang serenaded the candidates with some of their original songs, like “Hahahasula” and “Pero Atik Ra.” Other performers were Nashy Casas and Disco Remix.
The pageant sponsors were: Summit Circle Cebu, Cebu Pacific, Robinsons Specialty Store, JG Summit/Universal Robina Corporation, Sun Cellular, Robinsons Supermarkets, Rodel Silva, Jongz Loquinario, Amano By Dexter Alazas, Lemuel Rosos and OLX Philippines.
