Tubod, Lanao del Norte – 17 candidates representing different municipalities of the province were screened by the pageant’s organizing committee at the provincial capitol building here last May 31, 2010.

“By joining this pageant, I hope to give honor to my municipality and at the same time expose myself to this unique challenge”, said 17-year-old Cristine Baclayon of Linamon.

Members of the screening committee included Joselito Quibranza (Provincial Administrator), Atty. Jonathan Puno (Provincial Legal Officer) and Ms. Minda Regis (Provincial Tourism Officer).

“We are happy with this year’s batch of candidates. They embody the true essence of the empowered young Filipina of today”, Ms. Regis announced.    

Due to the recent election, 2 towns have expressed their non-participation in the beauty tilt because of organizational changes being implemented by the local chief executives - these are the towns of Lala and Poona Piagapo.

“We need to screen these candidates to ensure that they really are from Lanao del Norte and that they can handle the pressures of this pageant”, Quibranza explained.

The highly anticipated beauty pageant will highlight the Tourism day on July 2 as part of this year’s week-long celebration of the Araw ng Lanao del Norte come July 4.

Among the activities identified for Tourism day are the Showdown of Festivals, Sagayan Festival, Photo and Painting Contests and the Coronation Night of Ms. Lanao del Norte 2010.

Organizers of the pageant have included actor Derek Ramsay and popular TV host Ryan Agoncillo in its short-list of possible pageant host.

During the Environment day celebration on June 29, the candidates will be formally presented to members of the media in the scheduled press conference at Mighty Cave Park, Tagoloan, this province. VNL/PIO-LDN