The candidate of John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBLCF) bested nine other candidates for the 2016 MassKara Queen crown during the pageant and coronation at the SMX Convention Center in SM City Bacolod Saturday [Oct.15].

Valerie Escamilla was crowned MassKara Queen 2016 by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, First Lady Elsa Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Rep. Greg Gasataya.

The 20-year-old newly crowned beauty queen is a graduating student of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management major in Cruise Ship Services.

First runner-up was Maria Angela Clarisse Estioko, a Physical Therapy student of Riverside College. She was also awarded Miss Photogenic, Miss Olay, Miss Teleperformance, and Darling of the Press.

Ancella Denise Anne Pastias of STI-West Negros University was second runner-up. She also bagged the Best in Swimsuit, Best in Long Gown, and Icon of Jojo Vito Design awards.

Erika Joille Patayon of the Negros Occidental High School was third runner-up. She was also chosen Miss Talent and Social Media Princess.

Fourth runner-up was Pink Erica Eirene Genolos of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-Talisay. She also received the Best in Cocktail Dress, Miss Merczi, and Miss Smart Bro awards.

Other candidates who did not make it to the Top 5 but received corporate awards were: Janine Pearl Casilao of VMA Global College who won Negros Bloggers’ Choice, Queen of Supercat and Designer’s Choice awards; Jessa Jane Cochico of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos— Miss Skin Solutions; and Lyka Legaspi of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-Alijis who was voted Miss Congeniality.

Other candidates were Qliczyll Claire Castino of Bacolod City College, and Marie Frances Araneta of La Consolacion College –Bacolod.

The Search for MassKara Queen 2016 was organized by the Association of Colleges and Universities of Negros Occidental (ACUNO), headed by its president, Dr. Ma. Mercedes Joson, in partnership with the Silver MassKara Festival Organization, this year’s festival organizer.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who addressed the audience, said, “I would like to highlight the fact that this is the first time that our candidates are representing the various colleges and universities… We do not just want to highlight the beauties in Bacolod but also the brains in Bacolod.”

Leonardia himself was director of the MassKara Queen pageant. It was first called Miss Bacolod, and during its second year when Leonardia was its director, it was he who renamed it MassKara Queen.

Also attending the pageant night were Councilors Em Ang, Ana Marie Palermo, Wilson Gamboa Jr., and Bartolome Orola; City Administrator John Orola.

Also gracing the show were Vancouver (Canada) MassKara Queen 2016 Elizabeth Olilang Oppong and newly crowned Mutya ng Palengke 2016 Adelaila Tamayo Gavito.*

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