BRAINY BEAUTIES. Miss San Fernando Sheena Rhea Puno (right) and Miss Macabebe Justine Michelle Balgan in a tense moment while waiting who among them is the new Mutya ning Kapampangan.
Photo by Ric Gonzales
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – An 18-year-old dean’s lister at the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) who described Pampanga as “gold” won the Mutya Ning Kapampangan 2012 pageant on Monday at the jampacked Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here.
AUF Medical Technology student Sheena Rhea Puno of Panipuan, City of San Fernando bested 21 other candidates in this year’s batch dubbed “beauty and brains” by the pageant chairperson, Board Member Olga Frances “Fritzie” David-Dizon.
David-Dizon, who was in a green evening gown, disclosed that at least five among the 22 bets are dean’s lister students, including first-runner-up Miss Macabebe Justine Michelle Balgan of the San Beda College (SBC).
“I never expected to win the major crown. Many in our group are also beautiful and intelligent. But thanks, I did it with mom as my inspiration,” said Puno whose father died when she was three-years-old.
She added that “my mother Lorena has been protective but loving all these years and she was all over my mind before I answered the last question.”
Puno, who was asked what she can do to help promote Pampanga in the last common question for the five finalists, said “Pampanga is like gold and it’s precious.”
“I will preserve the culture in order to promote it,” added Puno. She shed tears after it was announced that Balgan, granddaughter of Macabebe Mayor Annette Flores-Balgan, was the first-runner up.
The other winners are: Marie Eugenie Lourdes Abeleda of Angeles City, 2nd runner-up; Apple Rose Rodil of Guagua, 3rd runner-up; and Shanice Quizon of Magalang, 4th runner-up.
MAGNANIMOUS
Balgan, financial management sophomore at the Manila-based SBC, said “it’s okay and we, especially lola, are expecting that I just enter the semis.” She topped the text voting sponsored by Sun Cellular of the Smart Group.
“I am happy with I got,” she added.
The special awards winners are: Meily Joy Cordero of Sto. Tomas, Miss Congeniality; Abeleda, Miss Winsome Smile; Mary Ann Mungcal of Arayat, Miss Telegenic; Olive Anne Medina of Mabalacat City, Miss
Photogenic; Fatima Khokhawalla of Lubao, Darling of the Press; Apple Rose Rodil of Guagua, Best in Swimsuit and Miss Belissima; Quizon, Best in Pre-Colonial costume; Rona Villamor of Bacolor, Best in Casual Wear; Regina Rose David of San Simon, Best in Talent; and Ruffa Yumang of Apalit, Best in Long Gown.
