• ROGER D. BELTRAN
Victorias City’s bet, Kyla Rose Romarate, 22, was crowned Lin-ay sang Negros 2024, besting 28 other candidates during the pageant night held at the jam-packed Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City Friday, April 19.
The winning answer of Romarate to the common final question “As a Babayeng Negrosanon, what does Abanse Negrense mean to you?” was “To me, Abanse Negrense means a woman living her purpose, and I am standing here tonight as a beauty queen and as a future veterinarian. I always believe that beauty pageant is not just about women, but also for the animal industry that is seldom heard. And I’m very passionate with working with animals, our livestock raisers and our farmers.”
“I truly believe that Abanse Negrense is not just for people, because kindness, love and respect should not only be limited to one species,” she added.
Aside from the coveted crown, Romarate, a third year student at the Aklan State University taking up Veterinary Medicine, received a cash prize of P80,000, a full college scholarship for a year, P50,000 worth of Solana Studio Services, P10,000 worth of Azta Salon Services, official RTSIP ambassadress, and an overnight stay at Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center.
She also won the special awards for Best in Evening Gown and Best in Festival Costume (City Seal category). She was also awarded Miss Cali during the coronation night.
This is the third time for Victorias City to win the title since the pageant’s inception in 1994. Ma. Victoria Durana and Alyssa Louise Erika Jimenea were crowned in 2000 and 2016, respectively.
Zoe Clarisse Limson of Cauayan, named first runner-up, received P50,000 and a 75 percent college scholarship for a year, while Patricia Ysabel Galapino of Ilog, who was adjudged second runner-up, went home with P40,000 and a 50 percent college scholarship for a year.
Limson was also awarded Best in Swimwear, Darling of Social Media, Miss Smart, Miss ACEN-Visayas, Miss Coca-Cola, Miss Robinsons Bacolod’s Choice, Miss Ayala Malls and Miss R.A. Construction.
Roshyn Kate Jamantoc of Talisay City, declared third runner-up, received P20,000, while Gelisa Marie Nangan of Hinigaran, who was named fourth runner-up, received P15,000.
Each winner received a sash, a bouquet and a trophy, while the first, second, third and fourth runners-up each received a P10,000 worth of Solana Studio Services.
Other awardees of the night were Sawdia Shadia Soliva of Escalante City, Best in Talent and Miss Globe’s Best in Production Number; La Castellana’s Marie Louise Adolacion was Best in Festival Costume (Municipal Seal category); Ayha Jane Sucahel of Cadiz City was Miss Photogenic, Miss Pepsi Cola and Converge Ambassadress; Camela Kyla Badillo of La Carlota City was Lin-ay sang Dunang Manggad; and Don Salvador Benedicto’s Janice Villanueva was Miss Congeniality.
Rounding up the top 10 were Adolacion, Ryza Fortuna of Himamaylan City, Daniela Arroz of Kabankalan City, Urica Jane Zerrudo of Sagay City, and Arianah Dimson of Silay City.
Meanwhile, Aaron Spencer Marin won as Best in Festival Costume Designer (Municipal Seal category) for Lin-ay sang Hinigaran, John Anthony Bermudez as Best in Festival Costume Designer (City Seal category) for Himamaylan City and Chino Christopherson as Best in Evening Gown Designer for Murcia.
On April 12, Romarate of Victorias and Limson of Cauayan were chosen as Muse of Media, city and municipality categories, respectively, at the press presentation in Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center, while the corporate awardees on April 16 were Sucahel of Cadiz – Miss Solana, Miss Vasoh, Miss EGY Aesthetic Medical Spa, Miss Emerald Thai, Miss Metro Inn, Miss Medifix, and Miss Petron Elite; Galapino of Ilog – Miss La Jefa, Miss USmile and Miss Esthetica Beauty Lounge; Limson of Cauayan – Miss Mangan Restaurant, Azta Ambassador, Miss Flower Studio, Miss Travelton and Miss Brazaville; Lestly Paclauna of Binalbagan – Miss Cabalen Restaurant; Villanueva of DSB – Miss Roy’s Hotel and Convention Center; Adolacion of La Castellana – JBLCF Choice Award; Zerrudo of Sagay City – The Inns Choice; and Romarate of Victorias City – Miss Merzci, Miss Esthetica Beauty Lounge, Miss DBP and Miss Fiesta Gas.
Other candidates were Elli Rose Elola of Bacolod City, Stephanie Kyle Salimbot of Bago City, LJ Delima of Calatrava, Queencyl Kaye Tiwanac of Candoni, Uriel Minaves of Hinoba-an, Hannah Fornis of Isabela, Leanne Florentino of Moises Padilla, Deanne Yvette Guinanao of Murcia, Crizwin Claire Española of Pontevedra, Rio Calonia of San Carlos City, Carlyn Claire Silva of San Enrique, Ed Marie Aguilar of Sipalay City, and Girlie Ann Gadiano of Toboso.
Comprising the coronation night’s board of judges were Miss Globe 2015 Ann Colis, NCCA Head of Public Affairs and Information Office Rene Napenas, Miss International Queen Philippines 2023 Lars Pacheco, Lin-ay sang Negros 2004 Blanche Marie Brown-Agbayani, Mr. Chinatown 2013 Randy See, United Nations High Level Ambassador for Food Security and Nutrition Cherrie Atilano, and director and designer Cata Figueroa Jr.
The Lin-ay sang Negros 2024 grand coronation night was hosted by TV personality Robi Domingo and Pau Dimaranan.
The activity was one of the highly anticipated events of the 28th edition of the Panaad sa Negros Festival, the “festival of all festivals” with the theme “Living the Promise.”*
