ILOILO City – Twenty-two candidates vied for the crown but only one succeeded.
The 19-year-old Gheneza Marie Mueller sashayed her way to being this year’s Miss Paraw Regatta Cultural Queen after almost three months of pageant activities that concluded in a glittery coronation night at Robinsons Place Iloilo City from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. yesterday.
Mueller is a 4th-year Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology student at Southland College in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
A resident of Barangay 4, Kabankalan City, Mueller was the first to wear the “Magpanakayon” crown which was designed by Ilongga jeweler Regine Sarabia Espinosa.
Aside from the crown, she received a cash prize worth P50,000, a trophy, a sash, and a bouquet.
In the final interview, the Top 5 candidates were asked one question: “If you were to go sailing after the pageant, where will you go, what will you bring and who will you bring with you?”
Mueller answered she wants to go to her father’s hometown in Germany.
“I will bring my mother and my heels. It took me a very long time to learn to walk on heels,” she said.
Mueller added that she chose Germany because the people there “embrace diversity and inclusivity” like Ilonggos.
Meanwhile, Jenieva Basultin of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo was declared Miss Paraw Regatta Eco-Tourism, receiving a cash prize of P35,000, a crown and a sash.
Mariam Lara Asraf Abd El Hamid of Capiz was crowned Miss Paraw Regatta Heritage. She received a P25,000 cash prize, a crown and a sash.
Elmarie Dewara of Altavas, Aklan and Jhoanna Marie Mullick of Badiangan, Iloilo were declared 1st and 2nd cultural princesses, respectively.
There were originally 24 official candidates in the beauty competition but two of them did not make it to the coronation due to health reasons.
The two candidates made a special appearance during the program.
The following are the other awards and their winners:
Corporate Awards
* Nature’s Trail Camp Ambassadress – Antonette Fajardo
* Jannah Glycel Beach House Ambassadress – Jhoanna Marie Mullick
* The Mansion Ambassadress – Trisha Louise Sianson
* Best in Swimsuit Photoshoot – Trisha Louise Sianson
* Iloilo Paraw Beach Ambassadress – Ma. Eloisa Murquia
* Best in Evening Gown Photoshoot – Jenieva Basultin
* Pixmodo Studio Darling / Best in Headshot Photoshoot – Ma. Eloisa Murquia
Special Awards
* Miss Congeniality – Antonette Fajardo
* Darling of the Production Staff – Diana Dawn Einosas
* Best in Advocacy Video – Trisha Louise Sianson
* Best in Talent – Trisha Louise Sianson
* Best in Swimsuit – Diana Dawn Einosas
* Miss Body Beautiful – Elmarie Dewara
* Best in Cultural Creative Swimsuit – Trisha Louise Sianson
* Supermodel Award – Jenieva Basultin
* Best in Casual Wear – Elmarie Dewara
*Best in Preliminary Interview – Gheneza Marie Mueller
*Best in Evening Gown – Antonette Fajardo
*Best in Festival Costume Performance – Trisha Louise Sianson
*Best in Festival Costume – Jenieva Basultin/PN
