Veterinary medicine student Kyla Rose Romarate of Victorias City is the new Lin-ay sang Negros, besting 28 other candidates during the coronation night at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Friday, April 19.
Romarate, a third year veterinary medicine student at Aklan State University, was crowned the new queen in a three-hour pageant at the jam-packed stadium after hurdling the swimwear, evening gown, and question and answer segments.
This is the third time a contestant from Victorias City has won a Lin-ay sang Negros crown.
Romarate, in an interview, said that with her crown she will continue her advocacy and passion to help animals in need through her “Sidlak Animal Welfare Group”.
The “pageant is not a one man team so the crown is not only mine but also for every Victoriahanon supporter”, she said.
When asked what “Abanse Negrense” means to her, she said it is a woman living her purpose.
“To me Abanse Negrense means a woman living her purpose. And I am standing here tonight as a beauty queen and as a future veterinarian. Because I always believe that beauty pageants are not only about women but also for the animal industry that is seldom heard”, she said.
“And I am very passionate about working with animals, our livestock raisers, and our farmers. Because I truly believe that Abanse Negrense is not just for people, because kindness, love, and respect should not only be limited to one species”, she added.
Aside from the crown, she took home a P80,000 cash prize and 100 percent scholarship grant from the Negros Occidental provincial government.
She was also hailed as the Best in Evening Gown.
Meanwhile, Zoe Clarisse Limson of Cauayan was 1st runner-up and took home eight corporate and minor awards, including Best in Swimwear and the People’s Choice award.
Ilog’s bet Patricia Ysabel Galapino was 2nd runner-up, Roshyn Kate Jamantic of Talisay City was 3rd runner-up, and Hinigaran’s Gelisa Marie Nangan was 4th runner-up.
Also in the top 10 were Ryza Fortuna of Himamaylan City, Urica Jane Zerrudo of Sagay City, Daniela Arroz of Kabankalan City, Marie Louise Adolacion of La Castellana, and Arianah Dimson of Silay City.*