Almost 40 years ago, Maria Isabel Lopez was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1982. A University of the Philippines fine arts student, she represented Cagayan de Oro City, the capital of Misamis Oriental. A sex symbol after her reign, she remains the most controversial Binibini there ever was. Over the years, I have mistakenly claimed that some Misses Philippines hail from my hometown of CDO: Mary Ann Carmen Philips Corrales (1957), Rosario “Charina” Rosello Zaragoza (1968), Maria Caroline de Vera Mendoza (1981), Elizabeth Garcia Berroya (1992), and Karen Loren Medrano Agustin (2002). Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, meanwhile, proudly represented the city in her three attempts at snatching the national crown before winning Miss Universe 2015.
To date, Lilia Eloisa Marfori Andanar (now Yu), Binibining Pilipinas International 1989, is the only local titlist who won a national crown.
“It’s an adventure I undertook on my own almost three years after I won as Miss Cagayan de Oro City. Many of our candidates in recent years enjoy the advantages of having an entourage of supporters, and I’m happy they go on to the national pageant scene with a strong community of mentors who can guide them,” the broadcast journalist adds. “Even to this very day it still seems surreal how I had the privilege of carrying the title of Bb. Pilipinas International for one whole year. It took a lot of chutzpah to decide to join on my own that summer of 1989. I am grateful to my 17-year-old self for making that brave and fantastic decision.”
With the tremendous support of Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano, four ladies are following in Lia’s footsteps in different ongoing pageants.
“To our Misamis Oriental and CDO reps to national pageants this year, the best of luck and wishes for a most enjoyable pageant journey,” says Lia. “Wear your hometown sash with honor and wave that banner with pride knowing that, as I felt over three decades ago, your kababayans will be excitedly cheering for you.”
The four beautiful Misamisnons are determined, tenacious and strong-willed. And because our kababayans had this conceit that they were “immortals” amid the Covid-19 scare, I had to ask each girl: How will you help educate our kababayans to take the pandemic seriously?
Binibining Pilipinas Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental Cinderella Faye E. Obeñita, 25
A masscomm magna cum laude grad at Liceo de Cagayan University, Cindy works as a provincial tourism operations officer II. She was Miss Camiguin Tourism 2015 and Miss Cagayan de Oro 2019.
“The rising number of cases should convince us that Covid-19 is a painful reality, that it took lives and livelihood, that it is here to stay for as long as we do not fully cooperate with efforts to curb the disease. This breaks my heart as much as it should every Kagay-anon. No one is immortal in the face of a deadly virus. To some, it canceled their future, killed their dreams or their reason to live.”
Miss Universe Philippines aspirant Chella Grace M. Falconer, 21
She is a fourth-year business administration student at Lourdes College. Chella was Mutya ng Pilipinas 2017 Top 10 Finalist, Binibining Medina 2018, Miss Kuyamis 2019, Miss Millennial Philippines 2019 Top 10 Finalist, and Miss Bikini Philippines 2020 1st Runner-up “In this pandemic, we are forced to see that the most essential part of life is to save our families. I will continue to impart awareness that Covid is real and has already taken many lives. This is the time to reflect and be selfless.”
Miss World Philippines Misamis Oriental Dannah Joy R. Tempra, 19
A fresh senior high-school graduate, Dannah was Miss Jasaan 2019 and the reigning Miss Kuyamis 2021.
“The pandemic has disrupted our daily routine and rendered us powerless against an unseen enemy. The best way to encourage people’s cooperation in stemming the transmission of the virus is a constant appeal for them to practice good hygiene, observe social distancing, and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.”
Miss Earth Philippines Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental Katheryn Tan Guipetacio, 20
An accountancy student at Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan), Katheryn manages the Furrevercats and Co. Pet Supplies Shop. She organizes stray feeding programs. Kat was Miss Xavier University Intramurals 2018, Miss Lapasan 2019, and the current Miss Kuyamis 2021 first runner-up.
“The 5Rs of environmentalism can be seen in our place. Rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle, and respect. The union of culture, nature and adventure is found in Sugbongcogon. The global plastic problem in oceans hasn’t been solved. And as an environmental advocate, I have realized the real problem is people. We need to learn to stop using single-use plastics, every second matters. Our consumption is our choice, and we have to rethink now.”