ALL HAIL THE NEW QUEEN! Queen Mabalacat City 2022 Anne Klein Castro of Barangay Bundagul pose for posterity together with her court First Princess Leann Manjares of Barangay Tabun and Second Princess Ivy Fausto of Barangay San Francisco during the pageant’s live Grand Coronation Night held on March 6, 2022, at the Xevera Open Grounds.
MABALACAT CITY – A lass from Barangay Bundagul has been hailed as the new Queen Mabalacat City (QMC) during the pageant’s live Grand Coronation Night held on March 6, 2022, at the Xevera Open Grounds.
Anne Klein Castro, 17 years old, bested 11 other candidates vying for the city’s most coveted title and crown. She has proven that she is a cut above the rest in this battle of beauty, wit, and substance after successfully surpassing a week of preliminary competitions leading her to the crowning finale.
“Her crowning marks the pageant’s sought-after comeback after a year of hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Incumbent City Councilor and Queen Mabalacat City Chairperson Krizzanel “Win-Win” Garbo.
“As we culminate the Fiestang Caragan with the grand coronation of Queen Mabalacat, the world is witnessing the resiliency, talent, wisdom, and beauty of the people of Mabalacat. Gone are the stagnant days of our beloved city,” added the young Garbo who also sits as the Fiestang Caragan 2022 Chairperson.
Castro aced the question and answer portion by sending a message of hope to the world. “I believe, this time of pandemic is the most tragic moment that has happened in our life. We felt the agony of our people, our health has been in danger, and many people died. And one message that I could give to the world is to be more grateful. Grateful in all the things that we have. Contented in all the things that we have and having full of gratitude in our hearts. In that way, we can make this pandemic an endemic,” so expressed the new reigning queen.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Gerald Aquino addressed the pageant contestants during the coronation night. The lawyer-legislator said, “I know that you’ve worked hard for the competition both physically and mentally. Whatever the result would be, I’m pretty sure that your journey for representing your barangay has led you to join Queen Mabalacat City”.
For his part, Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo also congratulate all the candidates and the whole creative team of Queen Mabalacat City beauty pageant. “Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito ay lumikha muli ng kasaysayan ang ating siyudad. Ito ay pagpapatunay na kaya nating lagpasan ang anumang pagsubok na ibibigay sa atin ng panahon,” the city mayor said.
Aside from winning the title, Castro also clinched the Miss Body Beautiful award and all major recognitions such as the Best in Swimwear, Casual Wear, and Long Gown round.
To culminate the event, she was joined by her court QMC2022 First Princess Leann Manjares of Barangay Tabun and Second Princess Ivy Fausto of Barangay San Francisco for a photo op together with Mayor Garbo, Vice Mayor Aquino, Councilor Win-Win and the rest of the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, city government officials, and the festival working committee.
Castro is expected to represent Mabalacat City in the upcoming Mutya ning Kapampangan 2022, which is annually held every December in line with the Pampanga Day celebrations.