Tagbilaran Finds Its Muse

Mutya ng Tagbilaran 2071 Bianca Gaviola of Poblacion Dos with runners-up—first runner-up Mary Elaine Cimafranca of Poblacion Uno, second runner-up Alana Mary Magne Ligue of Ubujan, third runner-up Mary Hayden Villegas of Booy and fourth runner-up Sandra Jele of Manga—and fellow candidates

Seventeen-year-old student Bianca Gaviola, who is taking up industrial arts at the University of Bohol and representing the barangay of Poblacion Dos, was hailed Mutya ng Tagbilaran 2017, during a much-anticipated coronation night at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on April 28, 2017.

The Mutya ng Tagbilaran was one of the highlights of the Saulog Tagbilaran Festival, which ran for several days and featured numerous events, culminating on May 1, the feast day of the capital of Bohol’s patron saint, Joseph the Worker.

Beauty pageants have been an important component of Philippine fiestas, the Filipinos being fond of beauty contests. Thus, the Mutya ng Tagbilaran was well-attended. It staging clearly had been well-prepared for—the stage a sophisticated set-up with large video walls, the program quick-paced, and the judges and guest performers known personalities.

The night’s hosts were television personalitiesTim Yap and Karylle. The board of judges was stellar—Ttelevision host and athlete Dyan Castillejo; Mister Universal Ambassador Philippines 2016 Andrea Biondo; Pureza Chatto, wife of Bohol governor Edgardo Chatto; model Marx Topacio; philanthropist and diplomat Fernando “Ding” Borja; athlete James Younghusband; Miss Earth 2016 Kathryn Espin from Ecuador; fashion designer Francis Libiran; Cebuano pageant mentor Jonas Borces; and Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2016 Maxine Medina. Reality star Tanner Mata was a guest performer.

Mutya ng Tagbilaran was personally overseen by Jane Censoria Yap, wife of Tagbilaran mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap, and thus enjoyed the city government’s full support.

Fifteen candidates, each representing their barangay, competed at the Mutya ng Tagbilaran—Mary Antonette E. Visarra of Bool, Mary Hayden B. Villegas of Booy, Jean Kathleen Gran of Dampas, Gaviola of Poblacion Dos, Mel Rose Oliverio of Taloto, Jessa Polo  of San Isidro, Klea Kathrina Uy of Cogon, Sandra Jele of Manga, Mary Elaine C. Cimafranca of Poblacion Uno, Rizza Xenia Cabaluna of Cabawan, Alana Marymagne Ligue of Ubujan, Darling Jaymecca Perges of Mansasa, Maria Dissa Mae Abucejo of Titptip, Kathlene Claire Tupos of Poblacion Tres, and Mercy May Salingay of Dao.

Cimafranca was judged first runner-up, while Ligue second runner-up, Villegas third runner-up and Jele fourth runner-up.

Gaviola will represent the city in the Miss Bohol 2017 pageant and will grace many of Tagbilaran’s affairs.

Mutya ng Tagbilaran candidates in a production number

Mutya ng Tagbilaran 2071 Bianca Gaviola with Tim Yap, Karylle, Tagbilaran mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap and wife Jane Censoria Yap, and Bohol governor Edgardo Chatto and wife Pureza Chatto

Mutya ng Tagbilaran 2016 Queenebeth Barcelona taking her farewell walk

Mutya ng Tagbilaran winners graced the Saulog Tagbilaran street dance parade