Pageant veterans dominate 2023 Hiyas ng Pilipinas contest in Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The 2023 Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant, the second edition of the national search, has proclaimed three new queens who will carry the country’s colors in different international competitions, all of them seasoned contestants

Fatima Kate Bisan from Sarangani claimed the top title Hiyas ng Pilipinas-Tourism World in ceremonies held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on Nov. 11.

She will try to exceed the first runner-up finish posted for the Philippines by Justine Felizarta last year in the Miss Tourism World pageant. The global organization will announce details of the next competition soon.

The new queen also took home P1.5 million, an iPhone 14 Promax 1TB, and P500,000 worth of jewelry from Gold Crafts. She is on a quest to score another Miss Tourism World victory for the Philippines 21 years after Michelle Reyes became the first Filipino woman to win the crown.

The Hiyas ng Pilipinas-Continental World crown went to Juvyel Anne Saluta from Manila, making her the country’s representative in the 2024 Miss Continental World pageant in Thailand in September next year. She won P1 million.

The third title, Hiyas ng Pilipinas-Omninational, went to Jackelaine Adarayan Fleming from Talisay City, Cebu. She will represent the Philippines in the Miss Omninational pageant in Indonesia in July 2024. She took home P500,000.

All three winners are alumnae of the Miss FIT (Face, Intelligence, Tone) Philippines pageant. Bisan and Saluta were runners-up in the 2021 and 2022 editions, respectively, while Fleming is the currently reigning titleholder.

Tarah Avenir Limjap from Koronadal City was first runner-up, while Vanessa Baraquio from Pangasinan was second runner up. Forty-three delegates from all over the country took part in this year’s competition.

The three queens and two runners-up have also each won an all-expenses-paid trip to Hong Kong.

The Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant had a changing of the guards this year after its acquisition by Cebu-based entrepreneur Mike Sordilla, who is now the organization’s chairman. Lawyer Eva Patalinjug, former Binibining Pilipinas Grand International and Mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia Pacific International, retained her post as national director.

Patalinjug’s fellow Bb. Pilipinas sisters also came to support her in this year’s pageant. MJ Lastimosa, who finished in the Top 10 of the 2014 Miss Universe pageant, shared hosting chores with 2018 Miss International first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo, while 2019 Bb. Pilipinas queens Emma Tiglao and Leren Bautista joined the judging panel with 2022 Bb. Pilipinas Globe Chelsea Fernandez.

Cebu-based beauty queen Steffi Aberasturi, who finished as second runner-up in the 2021 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, was also one of the judges in the competition.

Adding luster to the already glittering event were Kapamilya heartthrob Kyle Echarri, a Cebuano himself, and GMA Sparkle artist Larkin Castor. Italian-Canadian actor and model Nico Locco also hosted the event.