BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – In a dazzling fusion of athleticism, intellect and elegance, track star Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, a 22-year-old marvel from Leon, Iloilo, claimed the Miss Iloilo 2024 crown, showcasing the multifaceted brilliance of today’s Ilongga.
At the grand coronation held at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center on Saturday night, the Filipino-American standout of the National University athletics team bested 14 other Ilongga beauties, breaking stereotypes and redefining the essence of a modern Filipina.
As this year’s title holder, Ilongga “warrior” Brooks – a member of the national athletics team and Southeast Asian Games heptathlon veteran – also holds the prestigious title of Miss SM City Iloilo.
SM City Iloilo, the biggest corporate partner of the city government in celebrating the annual Dinagyang Festival, is the epicenter of festivities and at the forefront of this cultural extravaganza.
Brooks dazzled in every aspect of the competition, clinching the Best in Designers’ Fashion Show, Best in Cultural Costume, Best in Swimsuit awards – plus eight other special awards.
Her journey now takes her beyond Iloilo, as she sets out to represent the City of Love in a major national pageant.
Joining Brooks in the winners’ circle were Pearl Angel R. Franco of Ajuy, Iloilo as the 1st runner-up, and Shaima R. Al Yansuri of Guimbal, Iloilo as the 2nd runner-up.
The annual beauty pageant also recognized “Ilongga heartfelt beauties” Nicklyn T. Jutay of Tigbauan, Iloilo; Angel Jed Z. Latorre of Santa Barbara, Iloilo; Raniella Louise A. Aguila of Cabatuan, Iloilo; and Hamda A. Judicpa of San Miguel, Iloilo. Angel Jed Z. Latorre was recognized with the Best in Evening Gown award for her stunning performance.
‘ABANSE BABAE!’
The newly crowned Miss Iloilo 2024 left no crumbs when she answered with grace the final question: “As an Ilongga with heartfelt beauty, what message would you send to the Ilonggas from the past?”
She said: “As an Ilongga with a heartfelt beauty, I think one thing that I’m proud of is ever since from the past we’ve always kept the spirit of Dinagyang, we always kept the spirit of pagpalangga, and the food that we have, we are selected as the creative city in gastronomy. It is the reason why this is from our past that we preserve it and we deliver it from right now. And one thing I want to say is, I want women to move forward. Abanse babae! This is something that comes from my heart. I want to empower women. I want to educate and advocate for women from the past and right now. Women could be so much more, we are capable of so much more. Abanse Babae! My name is Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, and my heart will always beat in Iloilo City!”
After the announcement of the winners, Brooks paid tribute to the empowered woman who raised her, Lola Basing, the “queen of her heart.”
Brooks’ hard work and perseverance were the traits imprinted by her grandmother as they trudged through humble beginnings.
ATHLETICS POWERHOUSE
In 2013, the Ilongga athletics prodigy was scouted by coach Emanuel Pacardo during the 2nd Congressional District Sports Association Meet in Leon town. He saw in her a “gem” in Iloilo athletics.
She then landed at Iloilo National High School to pursue her sports career where, together with legendary Ilonggo mentor Noel Diel, she set a regional record in high jump and eventually became a long jump “queen” in the Palarong Pambansa.
Brooks was later recruited and became a scholar at National University in Manila, while accepting modeling jobs as a sideline.
Miss Iloilo has again been an inspiring celebration of talent, beauty, and the vibrant spirit of the Ilonggo community, showcasing the exceptional qualities of its contestants and reaffirming the importance of empowering women./PN
