A tourism management student and an animation graduate received the first two special awards in this year’s Miss Bacolod MassKara pageant during the official sashing and press presentation held at SM City Bacolod on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Sophia Kaye Zaragoza, 19, a Tourism Management student at the University of St. La Salle, was named Legacy Media Awardee, while Ysabella Wuthrich, 22, an animation graduate from De La Salle–College of St. Benilde, won the Digital Media Award.
The event marked the candidates’ first public appearance as official contenders in this citywide pageant, one of the highlights of the annual MassKara Festival.
Zaragoza, a free-diver and vlogger, is advocating “Oportunidad para sa Kabataan” or more job opportunities for young people.
Wuthrich, who has worked in animation for print ads and TV commercials, is using her artistic background to promote arts as a tool for healing and inspiration.
Aside from the two awardees, the pageant also features thirteen other young Bacoleñas, each bringing their own stories and advocacies.
Kaye Luzuriaga, 22, a BS Medical Technology student at the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos, champions community health awareness; Jestine Nacionales, 24, a Business Administration graduate of the USLS, advocates for fair trade for Filipino farmers; Faith Marie Doronila, 21, from Bago City College, supports “Dagat Para Sa Lahat”;
Ashley Bernadeth De Asis, 19, a Tourism Management student at STI West Negros University, raises mental health awareness; Jeremae Pacino, 21, a Bacolod City College student, pushes for teenage pregnancy prevention; Janabea Gepana, a Tourism Management student at the USLS, promotes animal welfare awareness;
Eynna Mei Lu, 19, a Psychology student at USLS, campaigns for mental health and positivity among youth; Daniella Cheska Giltendez, also 18 and a Tourism Management student at USLS, advocates animal welfare; Mary Angelique Faye Caballero, 24, a Hospitality Management graduate of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, champions the arts as a form of self-expression;
Roshyn Kate Jamantoc, 21, a Psychology student at USLS, promotes youth empowerment; Aleysca Dionio, 22, a Business Administration graduate from USLS, supports local vendors; Chezzy Laguna, 22, a Marketing Management student at La Consolacion College, empowers family breadwinners; and, Ednalyn Garcia, 23, a Physical Education graduate of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, advocates body positivity and scoliosis awareness.
The pageant continues with the Talent Competition on Oct. 3, followed by the Festival Costume Competition on Oct. 4, Corporate Day on Oct. 8, and the Grand Coronation Night on Oct. 12 at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum.*