Twenty-four finalists for the Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2013 have been chosen.
They will compete in the grand pageant night on January 11, 2013, according to festival organizer Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi).
The finalists were selected from 40 contestants for the 3rd edition of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan beauty pageant scheduled to take place in Gov. Augusto B. Legaspi Sports and Cultural Center here.
Out of 21 aspirants, the 12 beautiful Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan finalists selected are Riza Lucing (New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan, 18), Lailani Sualog (Poblacion, Malay, Aklan, 18), Rosalie Arcenio (Camanci Norte, Numancia, Aklan, 16), Sherame Jardeleza (Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan, 19), Ma. Theressa Vanessa Dela Cruz (Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan, 23) and Merrie Joy Montalbo (Dongon West, Numancia, Aklan, 17).
Other finalists are Jane Escalona (Bulwang, Numancia, Aklan, 21), Evelyn Teston (Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan, 17), Harchelyn Joy Agudon (Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan, 18), Ivy Charresse Vega (Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan, 16), Karla Jane Gallardes (Poblacion, Balete, Aklan, 22) and Janine Marie Pedrosa (Calimbajan, Makato, Aklan, 21).
The 12 Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan finalists, out of 19 aspirants, are David Matthew Bunganay (Camanci, Batan, Aklan, 16), Edross Taay (Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan, 19), Clyde Vincent Briones (Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan, 21), Charrls Cris Dagohoy (New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan, 20), Joseph Ibadlit (Laguinbanua West, Numancia, Aklan, 21) and Satinder Pal Ghai (Ibajay, Aklan, 19).
Other finalists are Jasper Cahilig (Balusbos, Malay, Aklan, 16), Ryan Jay Rampola (Polo, Banga, Aklan, 19), Riedgbelle Jhecz Maglaqui (Tinigao, Kalibo, Aklan, 19), Jan Vic Basia (Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan, 17), Aaron Jay Fernandez (Feliciano, Balete, Aklan, 20) and Jy Lee Kevin Tang (Dumga, Makato, Aklan, 20).
Kasafi chairman Albert Menez said preliminary competitions will be held in Boracay Garden Resort on December 15 for the Swimsuit and Swimwear and on December 21 in Kalibo Pastrana Park for the candidates’ talent performance.
The finale competition and the crowning of Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan will take on January 11, 2013.
The Winners
KALIBO, Aklan - Rosalie ‘Lheng’ Castaneda Arcenio reigned over 11 other Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2013 candidates to claim the crown of the Ati-Atihan pageant of Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi) and the municipality of Kalibo on January 11.
The 17-year old business administration student from Camanci Norte, Numancia, Aklan also won three minor awards for Best in Swimsuit, Best in Illumina Attire and the Best in Long Gown.
Arcenio, born in Quezon City and raised in Aklan, was also chosen as Miss Airphil Express and Miss Kapuso of GMA Network for the corporate awards.
The other Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan winners were 21-year old Jane Escalona of Numancia, Aklan who came in second and 18-year old Lailani Sualog of Malay, Aklan, placed third.
Edross Taay, 19, of Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan won the coveted title of Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan this year.
The first runner-up is 17-year old Jan Vic Basia of Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan and the second runner-up is 16-year old David Matthew Bunganay of Batan, Aklan.
Basia bagged the special award for Mr. Maribert Inland Resort and the minor award for Best in Formal Attire while Bunganay was given the Best in Talent minor award.
Other winners of the special and corporate awards are:
Miss Globe Texters Choice – Sherame Jardeleza
Mr. Globe Texter Choice – Clyde Vincent Briones
Mr. Kapuso – Clyde Vincent Briones
Mr. Photogenic – Christian Chinn Alvarez
Miss Photogenic – Harchelyn Joy Agudon
Miss Maribert Inland Resort – Kizza dela Cruz
Mr. Blackwater – David Matthew Bunganay
Miss Ever Belena – Harchelyn Joy Agudon
Miss Careline – Everlyn Teston
For the minor awards, Best in Interview and Best in Talent were given to Karla Jane Gallardes of Balete, Aklan; Best in Illumina Attire for Lakan finalist Jasper Cahilig of Malay, Aklan and the Best in Swimwear was given to Satinder Phal Gai of Ibajay, Aklan.
The panel of 11 judges included Julia Haresco, GMA celebrity Mark Herras, businessmen Leopoldo Tirol and Cedric Sazon, Manila Travel and Tours owner/manager Anne Lukban, Ginoong Bicolandia winners Emman Adigue and Jerome Ibarra, international fashion designers Barge Ramos and PJ Aranador, ramp model Kenneth John Suyao, Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa general manager Amet Oberoi.
The grand finale began with the 24 contestants introducing themselves one-by-one wearing the ‘Illumina’ collections of upcoming fashion designer of Iloilo Alfie Desamparado before a jampacked crowd at the Gov. Augusto B. Legaspi Sports and Cultural Center on Friday evening.
The Mutya aspirants also showcased the Beachwear ‘Sunset’ collections of Alfie Desamparado and the evening gowns exclusively designed by international lifestyle designer PJ Aranador for the Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan candidates.
The evening gowns are made from the hand loom raffia of Aklan specially woven for the Ati-Atihan beauty pageant by Aklan weaver Millie Rentillo.
The gowns are inspired by the tropical seawater “Flora and Fauna of Boracay.” The silhouettes also reflect the Filipino “baro” and “saya” topped with “serpentine” skirts.
The “raffia” is turned into modern wraps, underembellished, the pieces reflect the purity of Aklan material in raffia, in highlight with chiffon, georgette and illusion tulle.
Lakan candidates also presented the Barong Tagalogs of international designer Barge Ramos.
Barong Tagalogs are evolving into a contemporary wear of the new generation of Filipinos. This defining piece of clothing of Filipinos has come a long way. For decades, Ramos, has mastered the art and craft of designing of one of the soul and culture of the Filipinos, the Baro ng Tagalog.
The performers were the Kasafi Dance Company for a theatrical dance interpretation entitled ‘Freedom’, GMA Kapuso stars Mark Herras sung the Bruno Mars “Just the Way You Are” and Aljur Abrenica serenaded the Mutya candidates after the on-stage interview portion.
Final walk of the 2012 Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan winners - second runner-up Mutya ag Lakanit Kalibo Ati-Atihan Daisy Batch and Elvin Tiel, first runner-up Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan Liezl Dumaguin, Ivy Rose Vidal and Shem Regalado, Mutya and Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan grand winners.
Also present during the three-hour pageant hosted by Gaynor Alejaga-Calizo and GMA Kapuso TV 6 iloilo personality Jason Gregorio, were Kalibo mayor William Lachica, Kalibo vice mayor Madeline Regalado, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, Ibajay town mayor Ma. Lourdes Miraflores, Ang Kasangga Partylist Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Jr. and Dado Tan, GMA assistant program manager for regional TV.
The Ati-Atihan beauty pageant is one of the most anticipated activities of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival, where physique gentlemen and beautiful ladies showcase their fitness, charm, talent and beauty.
The annual search is a prestigious competition organized by your Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi), a private-sector led foundation chaired by Albert Menez, tasked to manage the activities of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival in partnership with the local government of Kalibo.