MANILA, Philippines—Three new queens were crowned in the newest national beauty pageant in the Philippines, Hiyas ng Pilipinas, in its maiden edition staged at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City on March 27.
Dean Dianne Balogal, the reigning Miss Baguio Tourism, captured the top title Miss Tourism World Philippines after besting 34 other aspirants from all over the country. She will represent the Philippines in the 2022 Miss Tourism World pageant in England.
Also crowned were Miss Elite Philippines Azriel Coloma from Tacloban City and Miss Tourism Queen International Philippines Pheobe Godinez from Lapu-Lapu City.
Godinez will compete in the Miss Tourism Queen International pageant in Malaysia, while Coloma will participate in the Miss Elite competition in Egypt next year.
The Philippines already has a representative for the second edition of the Miss Elite pageant this year — Shannon Tampon, who was appointed last year in anticipation of a December 2021 staging of the global tilt.
Balogal was earlier voted by members of the media as “Darling of the Press.” She also received the “Lyka Queen” title along with Godinez and semifinalist Megan Campbell. Coloma, meanwhile, took the lion’s share of special awards—Miss Dynamic Power, Face of Hiyas ng Pilipinas, Bragais Choice, and Miss Sellebratey.
Settling for the first runner-up spot was Ripples Media Ambassador Evangeline Fuentes of Pangasinan, while Best in Evening Gown Ma. Guizzelle de Leon from Quezon Province was proclaimed second runner-up.
Hiyas ng Turismo Pilipinas Foundation launched the Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant last year, the first national pageant in the Philippines to be based in Cebu. Former Binibining Pilipinas and Mutya ng Pilipinas titleholder Eva Patalinjug is the pageant’s national director.
The foundation held physical and virtual screenings for applicants from all over the country, before trimming the roster to 35 official delegates.
Aside from representing the Philippines in international competitions, the winners are also expected to take part in activities that uphold the organization’s three core values—beauty, culture, and humanity.
The pageant is also set to donate part of the coronation night’s proceeds to the charity organizations Missionaries of the Poor, Little Lambs, and Asilo de la Milagrosa.