MANILA, Philippines — Batangas has proclaimed the province’s bets in various national pageants for men and women. Five queens and one king were hailed at the inaugural staging of the Mister and Miss Batangas culminated in ceremonies held at the Claro M. Recto Event Center in Lipa City in Batangas on Dec. 10.
Karen Joyce Olfano was crowned Miss Batangas Universe and will be sent to the Miss Universe Philippines pageant next year, while Miss Batangas World Liana Rose Barrido will carry the province in the Miss World Philippines pageant. Miss Batangas International Paola Allison Araño will participate in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
The runners-up in the female division were likewise given titles. Miss Batangas Earth Jeica Dimatatac is expected to take part in the Miss Philippines Earth. Another runner-up, Samantha Feranil, received the Miss Batangas Tourism title.
In the male category, Jay Tom Bughao topped the competition and captured the Mister Batangas title. His runners-up were Jobert Macayanan and Mark Limuel Melo.
Pageant head Arnold Mercado told the Inquirer that the top male winners will represent Batangas in the Misters of Filipinas and Mister International Philippines pageants.
He earlier said that it has been his dream to see a Batangueña bring home an international title, that is why he thought of mounting a pageant that will gather the most competitive contenders in the province who will someday carry the Philippines’ sash in the global arena.
Mercado was one of the pillars of the Aces and Queens pageant camp that produced Megan Young, the Philippines’ first Miss World titleholder, 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, and 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa.
Some of the members of the 2022 Mister and Miss Batangas pageant’s panel of judges are Mercado’s former wards—2011 Miss Universe third runner-up and now Miss Universe Philippines National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee, 2018 Miss International First Runner-up Ahtisa Manalo, and 2021 Miss World Top 12 finalist Tracy Maureen Perez.
