AFTER a three-year hiatus, Guimarasnons and tourists were able to witness again the return of a more festive and face-to-face Manggahan Festival 2023.
Formerly known as Miss Manggahan, Miss Guimaras is among the festival highlights that showcase Guimarasnon beauty and wit.
The 20-year-old Anne Janet Mandreza from the Municipality of Buenavista was crowned Miss Guimaras 2023 coronation night on Friday, May 19, at the Capitol Event Area.
She bested eight other candidates from the five municipalities of the island province and took home numerous special and corporate awards.
A Tourism Management student of Central Philippine University, she snatched the Festival Costume Online Choice Award and was awarded Best in Interview.
She knows that pageants, modeling, public speaking, and being a role model, an influencer, and a member of community organizations can make her unstoppable in inspiring others and making positive changes in the community.
She holds titles in many pageants like Miss Teen Iloilo Princess 2020, Miss Fayob Buenavista Guimaras 2020, Miss Central Philippine University Frosh Icon 2022, Miss University of San Agustin 2022 and Lin-ay sang Buenavista 2023.
Her winning answer to the question “You were crowned as Miss Guimaras 2023 and a small girl who dreams to be future Miss Guimaras approached you. What advice can you give her and why?” is “You would not expect that I was once also that little girl. And if I were to face that girl, I would say that criticisms will always be right in front of you but criticisms do not define you. As women, we must stand with dignity, pride and honor ourselves. We do not take negative advice from other people. You have to stand on your own, be that best version of yourself and be that woman who honed you to be the beauty queen of your own universe.”
Mandreza took home P50,000.00 in cash while the first and second runners-up received P30,000.00 and P20,000.00 respectively.
Kara Athena De Leon, 18, of Nueva Valencia placed first runner-up.
It was also a double win for the Municipality of Buenavista as Christine Joy Gabayoyo, 22, was proclaimed second runner-up
Darra Lorriene Sadsad and Keira Paderos, both from the Municipality of Sibunag, complete the Top 5 finalists of Miss Guimaras 2023.
The other candidates were Rhomelyn Gamarcha Gange (Jordan), Roxanne Gabaton (Nueva Valencia), A Zhen Diane L. Gayoso (San Lorenzo) and Rizza Joy Caro (Jordan).
Ms. Vanessa Tse-Wing who represented the Province of Guimaras in the recently concluded Miss Universe Philippines 2023 served as one of the panel of judges. (With a report from Guimaras Manggahan Festival Facebook)/PN
