Manila City Mayor Sheilah “Honey” Lacuña-Pangan has announced the revival of Miss Manila. The pageant, to be hosted by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, will have its coronation night on June 24 at the Metropolitan Theater, coinciding with the city’s foundation day.
The announcement was made by Mayor Honey during a press conference held at the Mayor’s Office in Manila City Hall on Tuesday. The event was attended by Vice Mayor John Marvin Cruz Nieto, popularly known by his stage name Yul Servo, Kate Valenzuela, CEO of KreativDen (producer of the pageant), Dorothy Laxamana, VP for sales and marketing for Miss Manila 2023, and Charlie Dungo, of the Department of Tourism, Culture and the Arts of Manila.
“Pageantry started in the City of Manila in 1908 with Manila Carnival. It was held in Luneta. The winner was Purificacion ‘Pura’ Villanueva Kalaw. She’s from Iloilo. She’s an activist and a writer. She worked for the bill of suffrage, giving all women the chance to vote. After so many years, the third Carnival Queen, hailed from Manila, happens to be the daughter of Pura – Maria Kalaw Katigbak. She was born in Sampaloc and then became a senator. She was the only female senator during her time,” Mayor Honey said during her opening remarks.
“It just goes to show that pageantry is not just all about beauty, it’s also about the worth of women,” she went on.
Last held in 2018, Miss Manila is looking for 25 candidates who will compete for the title. A project of the City of Manila to look for a Manileña that embodies the values of empowerment and leadership to deliver a meaningful contribution to her life and to her fellow Manilans.
The pageant is open to all single females, between 18 and 30 years old, and must be a resident of the city. She must have a good moral character and can either be a student or an employed professional.
“Miss Manila should be true to herself, she has to love herself first before she can love others. She should embody the traits of a true Manileña. And she should be a strong advocate of women’s rights. In other words, she should have a ‘wow’ factor – woman of worth. She should be a true leader, a nurturer, and a changemaker,” Mayor Honey underscored.
Talking to Manila Standard Entertainment the City Mayor said that after winning the title, Miss Manila will be the ambassador of the city and will work closely with her office for their numerous projects.
“Her biggest responsibility as the winner is to showcase what Manila has to offer as a city. She will help promote and boost the tourism of the city, including the economy. She will participate in our programs connected with women,” she said.
“I have started a program for solo parents. We will launch that this year. Around 90 percent of solo parents in the city are women and this program aims to give equal opportunity to them. Miss Manila winner will have a big participation in this project,” Mayor Honey added.
Application is open until April 30, visit www.missmanila.ph.
