KALILANGAN: Queen of Mindanao Festivals

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Febraury 26, 2010 the first Queen of Mindanao Festivals Pageant was done at Robinsons Place Gensan. This is a pageant not only of beauty queens but also the festival she represents.

I was one of the judges for this unique and colorful pageant together with Chattee Lara, Ria Jose, Dulce Lada, Romarie Cunanan, Johnny Abad and Avel Manansala.

Like i said this was no ordinary pageant. Beauty queen title holders from different festivals all over southern Mindanao are buying for this very first "Queen of Mindanao."

This was participated by Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Saranggani, South Cotabato and General Santos. The pageant started with the festival attires. Each queen wore customs that best described the festivals they represent. A very colorful, rich in culture and lively attires. This caught the attention not only of the renowned designer Johnny Abad but also us, the judges and crowed who witnessed the event. Even though we live in Mindanao not all of us have the luxury of time and money to visit these festivals.

The festival director, Orman Manansala is the genius behind this unique event. A really great way to present a festival with in a festival. It is an eye opening event for me. It was like i went to (7) seven different festivals but only in one venue. It was perfectly coordinated and directed by Dino Veloso.

The atrium of Robinsons Place Gensan roared with the drum rolls of different kinds of drums and gongs when it was time to present different dance numbers for each festivals. Each queens performed a dance number.

Then it was time for the formal gown my most awaited portion. A back and white gown designed by Johnny Abad brought out the beauties of the queens.

They were serenaded by Gensan's Pop idol, Jun Jimenez.

A simple yet very informative question and answer was done. Each queens described and explained the respective festivals they represent.

And before i forget Noynoy Aquino dropped by together with Ruffy Biazon and Guingona.

This event also was televised through live streaming a genius work of Lyle Santos and Avel Manansala. Generals all over the world witnessed the event.

This was the first Queen of Mindanao Pageant and I hope this will be the beginning of a new era of festival and beauty pageant.

Crowned 2nd runner-up is Christina Bona Juanico of Sarmiento’s Buklod Festival.

Bagging the 1st runner-up is Petal Cagape of Tampakan representing Tamfaken Lum-a-lay Festival.

In the end the beauty of Gensan's Tuna Festival Queen, Madonna Galang stand out. And she was declared the first Queen of Mindanao Festivals.

(beauty queen judges hahahaha)

(Me, sir DINO and Romarie)

(Davao and Gensan Bloggers, Lakan at Lakambini finalist with MADONNA GALANG 1st Queen of Mindanao)

(wacky shoot!!!)

ALL PHOTOS courtesy of BRIAN DAN CONGSON