Tubod, Lanao del Norte – A capacity crowd of more than 5 thousand people filled the cavernous MCC gymnasium last July 2 to witness the coronation of this year’s Ms. Lanao del Norte.

After the dust settled, Ms. Zeny Alcantara from the municipality of Maigo emerged as the 2010 Ms. Lanao del NOrte.

Ms. Alcantara also won Best in Swimwear, Best in Malong Landap gown, Ms. Congeniality, Ms. Dunkin Donuts and Ms. Nature’s Spring.

“I’m still in Cloud 9, it still hasn’t sunk in yet that I won this prestigious pageant”, Ms. Alcantara expressed.

Joining Ms. Lanao del Norte’s royal court are Aubry Ann Maquiling of Kapatagan (1st Runner-up, Doreene Mae Lugatiman of Tubod (2nd Runner-up), Lourenz Grace Remetillo of Kolambugan (3rd Runner-up) and Decemie Castillon of Matungao (4th Runner-up).

Other winners of the special awards are Ms. Maquiling (Best in Festival Costume and People’s Choice Award), Ms. Mardie Capuno of Salvador (Ms. Photogenic), Ms. Angie Lou Pates of Baroy (Best in Jungle Attire) and Ms. Stephany Rose Abella of Bacolod (Darling of the Press).

The pageant was one of the most anticipated highlight for Tourism Day which is celebrated every second day of July during the week-long festivities of Araw ng Lanao del Norte.

“We are very thankful to the mayors who responded to our invitation of fielding a candidate to this annual pageant considering that it was still a month after election”, Provincial Tourism Head Minda Regis said.

The candidates were formally presented to the public during the Environment Day celebration at Mighty Cave Park, Tagoloan, this province. Donning their jungle-inspired costumes, the candidates also gamely posed for the photographers of the competition.

Members of the tri-media from Iligan, Ozamis and Lanao del Norte were also present to interview the candidates as they choose the Darling of the Press.

“The bounty of nature that is evident here in Tagoloan is a perfect complement to the beauty of our candidates. Truly, we are indeed the Land of Beauty and Bounty”, Gov. Khalid Dimaporo declared.

As this year’s winner, Ms. Alcantara will not only be an ambassadress for the province she will also host the video documentary of the 51st Araw ng Lanao del Norte which will be produced by the Provincial Government thru its Information Office. VNL/PIO-LDN