Melanie Lazaro Wins Miss Philippines PIDC 2018 & Gabrielle Louise Andres Crowned Little Miss Philippines

Toronto — A tradition that has long been a practice with a purpose, the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC), proudly conducted its 19th annual beauty pageant. The selection and grand coronation of the 2018 “Miss Philippines PIDC” and “Little Miss Philippines PIDC” was held on June 23, 2018 at the Isabel Bader Theatre, University of Toronto–Victoria College, Toronto, Ontario, with over 300 joyful audience in attendance.

Distinguished panel of Judges, comprised of  Hando Kang, Celine Grey, Aurora Cajucom, Patrick, Regine Seminar, Mel Galeon, Dr. Christina Lacsina Gamo and Ramon Estaris selected, MELANIE LAZARO, who deservingly was crowned Miss Philippines PIDC 2018 amongst five other beautiful contenders. Melanie also received the “Ms. Philippines Charity” & “Best in Talent” awards. Miss Philippines PIDC 2017, Elizabeth Marie Mabb, after a final walk and farewell speech of her 2017 reign, donned the royal headdress to MELANIE LAZARO, her highly elated successor.

The strong bevy of winning beauties with tiaras, trophies, sashes, cash & bouquet of flowers includes MIA MAHINAY, 1st Runner–Up who also bagged the “Ms. Philippines Heritage”, “Ms. Philippines Intellectual”, “Best in National Costume”, “Best in Beauty & Poise” and “Best in Casual Wear” awards; and IDA CATIPON, 2nd Runner–Up, also received the “Ms. Philippines Congeniality” and “Ms. Philippines Most Photogenic” awards. Other beautiful candidates were Rhonet Julian received “Ms. Philippines Tourism” title; Jhamaica Quines was awarded “Ms. Philippines On–Line Sensation” and “Ms. Philippines Popularity” titles, while Denicer Catacutan was recognized  as “Ms. Philippines Pearl of the Orient”.

Melanie Lazaro received a Round–Trip ticket to the Philippines plus a pocket money, a major award prize sponsored by Mrs. Norma Carpio, President & CEO of Imperial World, Inc. Mia Mahinay received the “Ms. Philippines Skinful Wishes”, a new category award, the prize was sponsored by Nami Tiosen, R+F Level V Executive Consultant.

Engagingly led by PIDC president Karen Pascual–Binaday, as pageant adviser, the members of the 2018 Pageant’s organizing committee was composed of overall pageant head honcho Aurora Ticzon Elefano, “Miss Philippines” chair Gene Pardo Elamparo and “Little Miss Philippines” chair Helen Pico–Lao, Ophelia Santiago, co–chair with stage/ technical directors Aris Elefano & Ronald Grey, backstage coordinators Mike Aprieto & Roy Start, photographer Floro Virtucio, choreographer Daniella Pozo, runway coordinator Stephen Navales and videographer Joel Divino. With the support and presence of the Board of Directors & COL, namely, Nene Ticzon, Al Tupe, Aimee Maravilla, Suzy Llanera, Jeff Mesina, Ben & Paulina Corpuz, Vilma Tahsin, Rose Cruz, Roger Tarca, Marlene Lucas, Myrna Palmer, Margaret Grey, Marlene Grey, and Chyrell Samson, helped ran an organized and a smooth program.

The lively and well–applauded program also showcased talented musical performers such as Elizabeth Marie Mabb, Ms. Philippines PIDC 2017; Precious Hernandez, Ms. Philippines PIDC 2017, 2nd Runner–Up; Celine Grey, Ms. Philippines PIDC 2016; Lucky Lucas; Little Miss Philippines 2010; Jainna Lacorte Lumley, Little Miss Philippines 2017; Janelle Gonzales, Little Miss Philippines 2017, 1st Runner–Up and the duet performance of Scott Dion Brown & Taylor Brown of Symphony of Nine.

Ably hosted jointly by PIDC Pageant alumni Scott Dion Brown, Celine Grey, Miss Philippines PIDC 2016, and Conida Marie Halley, Miss Philippines PIDC 2015. The 2018 PIDC pageant was certainly a fun–filled day of beauty, talent, grace, elegance, entertainment, inspiration, showmanship and fellowship.

President Karen Pascual–Binaday, in her apt message, graciously welcomed and thanked “the family and friends of the contestants for supporting this endeavour and for allowing PIDC to give all the lovely ladies a platform with which to shine and be the best they can be”.

Likewise, the Twinkle Star, GABRIELLE LOUISE ANDERS was proclaimed Little Miss Philippines PIDC 2018 together with her entourage of beautiful girls namely Chelsea Star Zgheib, 2nd Runner–Up, Shanegelica Aludud, 1st Runner–Up, and little darlings: Maesha Padilla, Catherine Rala, Danna Leigh Elloso & Monica Mae Magsilat were collectively and fairly judged by Annabelle Migalbin, Danny Orbillo, Elizabeth Marie Mabb, Ruby Ang and Nami Tiosen.

The overall results were professionally tabulated by The Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants, namely, Len Salvador, Nimfa Santo, Estrellita Ortiz, Jahleel Cruz, and Marietta Buenvinito.

Fittingly, the popular and most prestigious beauty, poise and talent show, organized by PIDC, a not–for–profit, cultural and socially responsive umbrella organization of more than 15 various Filipino–Canadian community associations in Ontario, is a major part of the annual celebration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence Day, the 20th anniversary of Mabuhay Philippines Festival, 19th anniversary of Miss Philippines PIDC and 15th anniversary of the Little Miss Philippines PIDC. A successful event and another feather on the cap for PIDC.

Coincidentally, it is also the initial year of celebrating June as the “Filipino Heritage Month”, officially proclaimed by the Toronto City Council on November 8, 2017, the historical proclamation and unanimously passed on May 17, 2018 by of the Board of Trustees, declaring June 12, as “Filipino Heritage  Day”, as well as, “Filipino Heritage Month” in the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), commencing this year and beyond.