Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2022 Top 12 Finalists spotlight their hometowns in the Launch and Pride of Place

October 11, 2022

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  The Top 12 candidates of Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2022 showcased the beauty of their cities and provinces as they participated in the pageant’s Launch and Pride of Place segment.
  
  Hosted by Love Radio Manila’s DJ Raqi Terra and Easy Rock Manila’s DJ Nick, this makes the first leg of the competition where each candidate must present a local delicacy or product, their festival tradition, and a custom peculiar to the region where she comes from.
  

  Sophia Noreen Guillermo paid homage to the heritage that completes the identity and strengthens the Ilocano roots. She retold the stories behind the Empanada, Ilocano wine Basi, Inabel fabric, Tadek traditional dance, Ilocos Norte wind farm, and Panagdamili [pottery]. “Every town in my province is a festivity, a celebration of heritage, rituals, flavors, and greatness.” she said.

  

  Nadine Faith McCoy is a breath of fresh air as she presented Cebu City as a place of serenity. She highlighted the Sirao Garden which houses multicolored flowers and doves, Maharlicup café that serves the best combination of puto, sikwate, and budbud, and Soul Sierra retreat center. The 17-year-old can also be seen walking in the Temple of Leah with parting words, “Slow down and enjoy life in Cebu City.”
  

  

  Dana Gabrielle Tautho gave a tour of Davao’s City’s wonders from ridge to reef. With its mountain ranges known for scenic views, cold weather, and bountiful agricultural resources, its coastal waters are just as rich as it is home to Mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries. She is  proud that the Crowned Jewel of the South has never compromised its natural resources and concluded, “Life is here!”

  

  Kristell Candice Pagdagdagan is poised that Albay is “your place to be.” With great enthusiasm, she featured the majestic Mayon Volcano, pristine Jovellar Underground River, breathtaking Quitinday Green Hills Formation Reserve, and the mouth-watering pili candy and rice puto. Known as the land of the uragons [braves], she calls out, “Sararo [one], Sarabay [together], Albay, Mabuhay!” 

  

  Jeaven Iyl Musni described the Negrenses as “sweet as sugar.” After all, Negros is the Sugarbowl of the Philippines. She also underscored the Masskara Festival which remains as the defining element of her city, Bacolod and its people. The 20-year old also feasted on the famous Chicken Inasal, fresh sea-to-table seafoods in pala-pala style. “Indeed, there are many reasons to smile in the City of Smiles!” she exclaimed.

  

  Jackelaine Fleming is filled with pride with her representation of Cebu City. She started with the Sinulog Festival which is held in celebration of Señor Santo Niño and a demonstration of Sinulog dance in the process. The Spanish influence in the city is also evident as she walked around the historical landmark of Fort Santiago. Apart from this, she also emphasized the Cebuano’s love for entertainment, latest infrastructure developments including the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), best mangoes, and of course, the yummiest lechon.

  

  Martina Mikael De La Rama proved that her hometown Buenavista, Agusan Del Norte is true to its meaning “good view.” The municipality boasts of economically sustainable aqua tourism and agroforestry which make it an investor’s haven. Sporting a Manobo traditional dress in Tacub Falls, she said that the real treasure lies in the natural abundance of fishes and aqua warriors who seek to preserve endangered tortoises, the heart of their Tortosa Festival. She assures that in her home, “Beyond the good view is a good life.”

  

  Marikit Manaois shared a message of hope as she invited the viewers to re-explore her city. Stressing that the adversity only paved the way for a better Baguio, she wanders around Burnham Park, Baguio Botanical Garden, Mirador Eco Park, and Baguio Public Market where she bonded with her townspeople over Zumba, painting, and music. Loud and proud, she stated, “This is my pride. My people. My home.”

  

  Maica Martinez soaked herself in mud and covered herself in dried banana leaves in demonstration of the Taong Putik Festival — a tribute to San Juan Bautista [Saint John the Baptist]. Dubbed as the Tricycle and Onion Capital of the Philippines, the 28-year-old dropped by the “Bali of the North,” Pantabangan Dam View Deck, Milka Krem Dairy Café, and Duquilla’s Warehouse. She’s also seen making batutai, a famous beef Longganisa and indulging in Adobong salagubang [beetle]. Taking a stand with the Filipino farmers, she refers to Nueva Ecija as “probinsyang magsasaka ang bayani sa alinmang panahon.”

  

  Thañamae Cahilig claimed that “What the world has, you can find in Cebu.” Biking around the city, she took the viewers on a past-to-present journey. She stopped by the momentous Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, Plaza Independencia, San Diego’s Ancestral House, Colon Street, and Maritima Ruins. She also pointed out the unwavering Cebuano spirit as she takes a ride with a group of breast cancer survivors called Cebu Pink Paddlers Dragon Boat Team. All of these, according to her, are what make her hometown “truly a Crowned Queen City.”

  

  Nikki Shannen Ortega listed must-visit places in Davao City which includes Tag-Puan Café, Davao Coastal Road, colorful and rich Kadayawan Tribal Village, Rojas Avenue Night Market, Walk of Mercy, and serene Grassland. The 20-year-old also grabbed a bite of the popular Durian known as the “king of fruits.” Dressed in a white and gold beaded gown, she is a sight to behold as she displays the clean rivers of Davao. 

  

  Kassandra Avena noted that her hometown is a “god-fearing place strengthened by its faith in the Virgin of Peñafrancia.” She also paid visits to Saint Michael The Archangel Church and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary more popularly known as the Mother of Peace. She can also be seen eating local delicacies which she said is “served at its best spice in coconut milk.” Wearing her swimsuit, she upholds Caramoan’s prominence for its finest white sand, abundant marine life, and enchanting flora and fauna which makes it a “paradise to explore.”

  

  The winner of Pride of Place Citation shall receive ₱10,000. The decision lies in the panel of judges consisting of radio broadcaster Deo Macalma, pageant blogger Tristan Harvey Francisco, Miss Aura International 2021 Alexandra Faith Garcia, Actress Ana Abad-Santos, Tanduay Digital Brand Manager Edzel Ty, and ACS Media Agency representative Allen Yotoko. 

  The Top 12 Finalists are set to contend next in the Talent and Skills Competition on October 15, 2022. This will be streamed live on Aliwan Fiesta’s Facebook page and on all social media platforms of MBC: DZRH, Love Radio, Yes The Best, Easy Rock, Aksyon Radyo, and Radyo Natin. The shows will also be telecast on DZRH TV: Channel 18 on Cignal, Channel 129 on Skycable, Channel 3 on Cablelink and on hundreds of cable providers nationwide.

  Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2022 is presented by Unique toothpaste, White Rose Papaya whitening soap, Charm fabric conditioner, DITO Telecommunity, Birch Tree, Tanduay, Palmolive Naturals Ultra.

  Help your favorite candidate clinch the Netizen’s Choice Award by voting via https://vote.aliwanfiesta.com/ until October 29, 2022. For more details, you may also follow Aliwan Fiesta on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
  

   

  

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