Search for Miss Bicolandia 2017 is on

By Armie B. Gunay NAGA CITY --- The search is now officially on for Miss Bicolandia 2017 whose pageant and coronation night will be held on September 6 at the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum. City Councilor Jose “Sonny” Rañola who once again heads this year’s Miss Bicolandia search and beauty pageant assured a smooth conduct of the event as they did last year. He also reiterated that they are going to be strict with the implementation of the Miss Bicolandia guidelines, particularly those that concern talent scouts, so as to prevent any friction or misunderstanding between them and the pageant council. The council already met with the talent scouts last July 18 to finalize the rules and guidelines to be followed by both parties. The applicant-candidate for Miss Bicolandia 2017 must be: • At least 17 years of age but not more than 25 years old. • At least 5’4” in height • Single, of good moral character and has never been a mother • A Filipino citizen, a Bicolana by birth; and a resident of the Bicol Region for at least three (3) consecutive years • At least 4th Year High School graduate • Able to communicate in any Bikol dialect • Of good health The screening of candidates will be conducted on August 27, 2017. The council is mulling to hold the screening at the soon-to-be-completed Robinson’s Mall Atrium, pending approval by the mall’s management. Rañola reiterated that last year’s runner-ups and those titleholders in any national or international beauty pageants are automatically disqualified. They can, however, join after the lapse of one year, that is, after their reign have expired. Serving as judges for the screening of candidates will be personalities coming locally from Bicol. However, for the Coronation Night, the pageant council will be inviting distinguished personalities coming from the different parts of the country as members of the Board of Judges, so as to avoid any issue of favoritism, familiarity or affiliation. Twenty (20) official candidates will be pre-selected for the competition. Candidates will be competing in the question and answer portion, production number, swimsuit and evening gown. Rañola encouraged the candidates to speak the language they are accustomed with during the question and answer portion. Speaking the English language, however, will not in any way affect the substance or quality of the candidates’ answer. “We do not have any rule that the language should be English,” explained Rañola. The Search Committee is also hopeful that there will be candidates from Masbate and Catanduanes this year. The candidate to be crowned as Ms. Bicolandia 2017 will be receiving P200,000.00 cash, sash, and a trip for two (2) to Hongkong and Singapore. Other title holders and the talent scouts of the winning candidates will also be receiving their respective cash prizes, as well as the prize for the best designer of the evening gown. The Miss Bicolandia Beauty Pageant hopes to project the beauty and brain of the Bicolana and showcase the same in various national and international competitions.