Lin-ay Kang Igbaras 2017: A Showcase of Beauty and Heritage

Lin-ay Kang Igbaras 2017 winners: Lin-ay Kang Igbaras 2017 - Mariel Egida, Miss Napulak 2017 - Lora Joyce Eria, Miss Nadsadjan 2017 - Desiree Jane Tubaon, 1st Runner up - Rhea Mae Fabillar, 2nd Runner up - Ma. Isabelle Enarsao together with the Municipal Mayor of Igbaras Vicente E. Escorpion Jr.

A town blessed with nature’s bounty and timeless cultural treasures, the Municipality of Igbaras in the Province of Iloilo has always be showcasing everything that’s beautiful and astonishing, a destination where passion and great dreams overflows that reaches out to the hearts of its people. The Municipality of Igbaras is approximately 35-45 minutes drive away from Iloilo City. The town is known for its beautiful Mount Napulak eco-tourism site and Tangyan Festival held annually every second week of May.

Aside from its rich culture and gorgeous scenery of nature, the town is also the home of the most beautiful people, particularly beauty queens whose heart and soul advocates cultural preservation, goodwill and inspiration. Annually, the town held its prestigious Lin-ay Kang Igbaras, a beauty pageant that envision in elevating the town’s prettiest ladies into multifaceted beauty queens with a purpose. The pageant is a great flatform for young women in Igbaras to hone their potential, showcase their God-given talents, share with minds towards social-civic responsibility and anchor their presence to the progress of their hometown. Every year, the pageant evolves and creates promising opportunities for these young ladies to interweave their aspirations with the cultural identity of Igbaras.

The 12 charming candidates in their colorful Festival Costumes

This year, 12 charming and captivating ladies that represented different tribes of Tangyan Festival competed to win the most coveted cultural title and crown for Lin-ay Kang Igbaras on May 16. The pageant opened with a grandiose and colourful Festival Costume parade of candidates representing different facets of the town’s rich culture. It was followed by a classy Casual Wear parade wherein the candidates introduced themselves.

The gorgeous ladies in their stylish Hablon Wear Parade

The candidates showed their curvaceous bodies and style in their Playsuit Competition

 

Elegance and charm were exuded by the 12 candidates in their Evening Gown Parade

The Hablon Wear portion was one of the best highlights of the event because it passionately unveils one of the oldest industries in the Province of Iloilo, especially in the town of Igbaras where Hablon weaving culture is very much alive. Then, the ladies showed their sexy curves and charm in the Playsuit Competition. Finally, the Gown Competition highlighted the candidates’ elegance. To deeply emphasize their love for their culture, the Interview Portion allowed the ladies to answer and speak in their local dialect (Kinaray-a) that showcased in-depth perspective on cultural and social issues.

Lin-ay Kang Igbaras 2017 Queens together with the rest of the candidates

Here are the results for the Special Awards, Minor Awards and Major Awards of Lin-ay Kang Igbaras 2017:

Miss Congeniality- Mary Ann Enfermano

 Miss Photogenic- Rhea Mae Fabillar

Best in Production Number - Lora Joyce Eria

Best in Festival Costume - Lora Joyce Eria

Best in Casual Wear - Mariel Egida

Best in Swimwear - Mariel Egida

Best in Hablon Wear - Mariel Egida

Best in Gown - Mariel Egida

Best in Talent - Mariel Egida

Best in Interview - Mariel Egida

Lin-ay Kang Igbaras 2017 - Mariel Egida

Miss Napulak 2017 - Lora Joyce Eria

Miss Nadsadjan 2017 - Desiree Jane Tubaon

1st Runner up - Rhea Mae Fabillar

2nd Runner up - Ma. Isabelle Enarsao

Miss Popularity - Trisha Margaret Magtuba

Visiting the gorgeous town of Igbaras in the Province of Iloilo will give you a glimpse of beautiful sites and culture. But its people, especially the charming maidens of the town that serve as its cultural ambassadress of goodwill, carry the timeless beauty of their hometown through their passion and dreams. Lin-ay Kang Igbaras is another inspiring pageantry that never fails to personify a town’s eternal dream of beauty, heritage and progress.

To get to the town, one can take a jeepney at the Don Benito Q. Acap Sr. Southern Iloilo Perimeter Boundary Terminal in Barangay Mohon, Oton, Iloilo. Metered taxis are also available at the terminal. For more information, please contact Engr. Wilfredo “Boy” Delgado-Municipal Tourism Officer at (033) local 104- 5184022 or at 09209643404.

Ikapito Nga Adlaw: Peter Nery's Hard-biting, Passionate Revolutionary Ilonggo Short Film

I said your film will revolutionize Ilonggo filmmaking not only visually (sort of) but through concept and controversy. Ilonggos love to shy away from controversy as if they had enough of it or at least it shows they’re a bit hesitant to break away from social norms. Indie filmmaking in the region tends to be playing safe for a while now. And knowing this talented writer-filmmaker, he’s a sucker for controversy, and yes, some amount of fame.

Palanca Hall of Famer and multi-awarded Ilonggo writer Peter Solis Nery cemented a name in the region’s filmmaking industry with his first full-length movie “Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa” where he appointed me as Managing Producer in 2012. The film was one of the official entries of Sineng Pambansa 2012, the first instalment of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) pet project that boosted regional cinema. “Bakunawa” was Nery’s greatest work so far. If he were a music artist, it’s his “greatest hit.” The project drained us creatively since it was shot for merely 6 days but allowed us to rediscover our strength, our passion and shaped our vision as artists. His film crew were Hollywood-based indie filmmaking group Hopeboat Productions and opened a lot of opportunities for us in the field of multimedia arts. The film reached the shores of Greece as part of the Thessaloniki Film Festival 2012, where our film was screened by European movie buffs and enthusiasts.

This year, his guts and creative instinct was reawakened, massively big time! Though shorter than his last ambitious film, “Ikapito Nga Adlaw” (7^th Day) is far more monstrous in both creative and concept since it sums up what most Ilonggo filmmakers are hesitant to tackle – SEX and more! As a friend, I know how brave and bold Nery when it comes to envelope-pushing vision, especially in the concept where he is more passionate, fluid and (over) confident, haha. He gained notoriety back in his newspaper columnist days in Iloilo (The News Today, Guardian and Panay News). This time, he sinks his fangs beyond his writings and print persona into a more visual bravura.

"Ikapito nga Adlaw" is a short film entry submitted for the fourth edition of Cinekasimanwa: The Western Visayas Film Festival from December 1 – 21, 2016. The film is not more than 15 minutes but created a noise for tackling sex, blood and poetry. The script itself is as short as you can imagine but he is able to transcend a message deeper and sincerely through the different facets of love. It touches the concept of God resting in the seventh day and allowed humanity to express love in various erotic forms. An 18-year-old guy falling in love for a woman in her 50s. Imagine a guy-to-guy sexual hook-up and end-up dying for each other ... Romeo and Juliet theme? An innocent girl experience gang rape that pushes her childhood lover in committing suicide. Then, there’s breaking the norm: nudity done in poetic passion, I guess so (hehe). It’s wonderful how the film delivered different voices, messages and dilemmas with a short repeated script but long enough to define forever,  a glimpse of infinity and dramatic bravura.

When Nery allowed me to see his film during our meeting prior the film festival submission (we exchanged favour by allowing him to watch my non-competing film where he has a cameo role), one thing strucked a thought in my mind: it’s a moving, fluid poetry expressed by an artist who saw love as a bare-naked definition of being human.

My impression never changed even after he shared, re-shared and made my mini-film review of his film in the social media – it is thematically and visually revolutionary, brave and bold, passionate and artistic. Even though his actors are first-time performers and hand-picked from his hometown in Dumangas, Iloilo, Nery is adamant to push his style, push the envelope further even in its raw form to make his cinematic vision work. I have to be honest that it’s beyond perfect since I’m a “little bit” of a filmmaker myself, but I think his poetic “mida’s touch” transcended and manifested in this film. Shorter in terms of cinematic time but cleverly-biting and creative in many ways. So, after watching his film, I actually told him this: Your film is not perfect but it’s perfectly moving and poetically expressive. It’s the literary monster “you” transforming into a cinematic experience.  Can I call this: IKAWpito ka Adlaw? I think this is so “Peter-Solis-Nery style” talking and rampaging in the form of a film, just kidding.

“Ikapito Nga Adlaw” is one of the competing films in this year’s Cinekasimanwa 4: The Western Visayas Film Festival screening tomorrow, December 8, 3:30PM and 5:30PM at Cinemateque - Iloilo together with ABS-CBN restored Filipino film icons “Karnal” and “Virgin People.” Another screening will be set on December 14 at SM Cinema 1, 8PM.  Ticket price is Php 120. If you’re a lover of films in the most daring ways, never miss this one. Hopefully, it’s the first of its kind Ilonggo film, making waves in Western Visayas regional film community. Go watch the film!

Check out the film's official social media page: https://www.facebook.com/PeterSolisNery/?fref=ts

Angela Yagaya carries Culture and Passion with an Ilonggo Designer's Art

Angela Yagaya wearing the gown designed by Hector "Totong" Gellangarin during the Designer's Gown Competition of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 at Robinson's Las Pinas

Vibrant hues, spectacular artistry and cultural pride merged together in the latest evening gown creation of Hector "Totong" Gellangarin considered as Iloilo's cultural fashion czar. His design was worn and parade onstage by Angela Yagaya, Mutya ng Pilipinas - Western Visayas in this year's Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 Designer's Gown Competition at Robinson's Las Pinas on July 26. 

Angela confidently glittered and showcased her stunning beauty and grace wearing the Gellagarin's gown reflecting the culture of Iloilo - the world-famous Hablon textile combined with colorful gems and accessories, giving a breathtaking spark onstage. The gown itself is a passionate work of art by Gellangarin, who in most of his works, showcases consistency in cultural promotion by incorporating the classic Hablon with contemporary design. This time, it is a Philippine Terno harmoniously recreating a classic yet stylish and contemporary design. Angela is a rare beauty of sincerity and undeniable charm as she carries with her the elegant gown during the competition.

"I wanted to showcase not just myself and personality as candidate wearing the gown designed by one of my most important mentors, Sir Totong, but I want to share the culture of Panay because it is made of Hablon," says Angela after the gown parade and during a phone interview.

"There's a collective passion in everything that I design, and with this gown intended for Angela, I want to share the timeless colors of Panay through Hablon and crafted a style that is truly Filipino in concept but classy in perspective," says Gellangarin at his shop at Arsenal Street in Iloilo City's Calle Real strip. He has been designing clothes for almost two decades and is still passionate with his craft.

"I wear not only the design of one my best mentors, but I think I carry his heart and art with me through this beautiful gown," enthused Angela who consistently remain grateful to Gellangarin for his tireless support. Angela is competing for Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 with so much dedication. She believes her fluid personality and sincerity will be her ticket to achieve her dreams. The pageant will come its grand finale on the evening of July 30 at Resorts World Manila. 

Any competition, either a beauty pageant, a talent search or just a journey to find our place under the sun is inspired by passion. There is no greater passion that doing what we love to do. In the case of Gellangarin, a talented Ilonggo fashion designer who remains tireless in supporting Angela, an aspiring beauty queen from Sibalom, Antique,  finding her luck in national pageants like Mutya ng Pilipinas, the sweetest meaning of "winning" and "success" comes from the heart - by believing that when you do your "very best," it sharpens you more as a person with essential worth and inspiration to others. 

Don't forget to support Angela Yagaya for Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 but liking and sharing her photo in the pageant's official page below: 

Angela Yagaya's Inspiring Journey in Mutya ng Pilpinas

Mutya ng Pilipinas - Western Visayas, Angela Yagaya posed with the winners of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2015 while travelling for the pre-pageant activities at Sheridan Resort in Palawan.

For Angela Yagaya, representing Region VI in Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 national pageant and being crowned as Mutya ng Pilipinas - Western Visayas, is an inspiring experience for this 19-year-old lady from Sibalom, Antique. She believes that her experience in the pageant will shape her perspective in life to focus on the advocacy and social responsibility as woman of substance.

Traversing Palawan's world-famous Underground River

"I enjoy the camaraderie that we have with the other candidates and the production staff. They were accommodating and even allowed us to rediscover our strength in the competition. Part of that strength is imparting our passion, time and involvement to life-changing activities," Angela said during a phone interview. A student leader by heart in her school at the University of Antique, Angela believes that her time in Mutya ng Pilipinas is the extension of her journey and learning. More than the concept of glamour and female beauty, she always look deeper on the charitable side and the significant social advocacy of the pageant. For her, Mutya ng Pilipinas is a proper pageant that redefines the Filipina women's true advocacy - by using beauty as a bridge and extension of passionate pursuits.

Enjoying her leisure time at Sheridan Resort in Palawan

Official unveiling of the 30 official candidates of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016

The heart of the pageant - the candidates imparting their passion with kids and other significant charitable activities

"I want to keep the best memories I experienced in the pageant because it will forever stay in my mind and the things that I've learned. Apart from doing my best in the competition, there are more important things to treasure like friendship, advocacy and empowerment," she enthuses. She expect to embrace her purpose as a woman and a Filipina who takes pride of her culture and promote the country's tourism industry by being part of this prestigious pageant.

On the evening of July 30, the coronation night of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 will be held in Resorts World Manila, and the winners will be crowned. We wish her the best luck as her passion becomes a worthwhile journey to remember.

Angela Yagaya’s Inspiring Passion

Angela in the Miss Bikini Philippines 2015 official candidates photo

Angela receiving Miss Friendship award at Miss Bikini Philippines 2015

Angela in one of their pre-pageant events at Miss Bikini Philippines 2015

Angela during the Reyna ng Aliwan 2015

Angela together the other festival queens in Reyna ng Aliwan 2015

Angela (center) during her crowning in the Mutya ng Pilipinas - Western Visayas 2016 at ABL Sports Complex in Kalibo, Aklan.

A charming beauty made it in the official candidates of this year's Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 -19-year-old Angela Yagaya. Hailing from the town of Sibalom, Antique, Angela considers herself as a unique candidate because of her dark skin complexion. Angela is born from a black American father and Filipina mother. As a conservative and soft-spoken lady, she's proud of her strong spiritual values instilled to her by her family. Angela stands 5’10 with a vital statistics of 34-24-34.

According to her, aside from physical appeal, a beauty pageant contestant should have a sensible mind and able to discuss topics related to government, good parliament practices, environmental issues, cultural and tourism promotion. Presently, she's a graduating student of Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management at the University of Antique. Someday, she dreams of becoming a tourism officer of their province. Angela is a beauty queen during her high school days in Pangpang National High School and Miss University of Antique 2014. She graduated Salutatorian in high school and a consistent Dean's Lister in college.

In 2015, she was crowned as Ms. Iloilo Paraw Regatta – Aliwan and represented the Paraw Regatta Festival in Reyna ng Aliwan 2015. She also competed for the Ms. Bikini Philippines 2015 where she landed in the Top 10 and bagged the Ms. Friendship award. Angela’s artistic passion in music was discovered and honed when she recorded a rap part in the pageant theme song of Ms. Paraw Regatta this year. In the succeeding months, Angela contributed her passion for songwriting and recorded rap verses in two other pageant theme songs in Iloilo – Pintados de Pasi of Passi City and Bb. Pandayan of the Municipality of Badiangan. Last June 18, she was crowned as Mutya ng Pilipinas – Western Visayas in Kalibo, Aklan besting 9 other candidates. She is now representing Western Visayas in the national pageant of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016.

Revealing Angela's passion for music, here are the theme song music videos of Miss Paraw Regatta (Pop Dance Version), Bb. Pintados de Pasi of Passi City and Bb. Pandayan of the Municipality of Badiangan, Iloilo:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4SXIr_t-VQ&w=560&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOhW1idPS3o&w=560&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJRPUDiDGck&w=560&h=315]

Angela Yagaya wins Mutya Best in Long Gown 1st Runner-up

EVENING GOWN COMPETITION WINNERS: 2nd RUNNER UP - Candidate #1 Mutya ng Melbourne, Lynette Bradford (far left), 1st RUNNER UP - Candidate #18 Mutya ng Western Visayas, Angela Yagaya (far right), BEST IN LONG GOWN - Candidate #26 Mutya ng CALABARZON, Justine Mae San Jose (middle). Award presenters by Ms. Leren Bautista, Ms. Jacqueline Tan, and Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr.

Considered as a great feat for 19-year-old Angela Yagaya, the reigning Mutya ng Pilipinas - Western Visayas competing in the national pageant of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 by winning the Best in Long Gown First Runner-up sash during the pre-pageant awarding at Hannah's Resort in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte on July 23, she's thankful that her effort paid of. Angela captivated the judges with her grace and charm wearing the stunning gown created by designer Dave Lee Aguirre Reyes.

"It was unexpected for my part when I was included in the Top 3 Best in Long Gown," says Angela. Her motivation to give her best in the competition coupled with her faith in God and believing that being part of the competition is already an opportunity for her to share her passion, is more than enough for this humble yet beautiful candidate from the Province of Antique.

"I've learned to give my best in every competition and pageant that I've joined in the past because I believe that being sincere and gracious will showcase my true strength as a woman of substance," she added. Coming from a humble beginning and inspired by her advocacy to share her passion to become a role model to her fellow youth, Angela's optimism will greatly shape her purpose and destiny. She wanted to showcase diversity of beauty in the pageant this year.

"I've enjoyed every activity we did in Mutya because it contributes to my collective experiences in life. I think it helps me elevate my confidence, meet people and shaped me as someone who knows how to appreciate life's simple blessings. Being a part of this prestigious pageant is a blessing to God that I would surely treasure," Angela enthused during a phone interview. She loves the company of other candidates who instantly got close to her bubbly personality.

"We're like sisters sharing our life's experience and the whole production feels like a family. I felt at home and very much welcome in Mutya," says Angela. For her, the most important part of this journey and endeavor is treasuring her time in the competition and establishing a bond with the other candidates.

On the evening of July 30, the coronation night of Mutya ng Pilipinas will be held in Resorts World Manila, and we will find out who will be this year's winners. Angela believes in her heart that whatever the result may be, it will be shape her into a better person, empowering her dreams to keep sharing her passion and touch lives as a beauty pageant contestant. After all, a woman's true crowning glory is her trails of compassion and legacy.

Let's support Western Visayas' candidate, Angela Yagaya in the coronation night of Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016.

Career, Competitive Jobs Closer to Home

One Global Center is currently the operation site of multinational companies Transcom Asia and WNS

One Global Center as seen from the back of its parking area

Reed Elsevier, an international BPO company currently hold their operation and office at the second and third floors of Richmonde Tower

A total of 10 BPO buildings envisioned to rise and more than 30,000 jobs will be created in the next 10 years. Iloilo Business Park's Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) District is considered as the biggest IT Park in Western Visayas. The multi-integrated commercial complex in the old Iloilo airport in Mandurriao, Iloilo City is developed by Megaworld Corporation, the country's leading township developer and BPO office landlord considered Iloilo City as the bustling metropolis where quality graduates and professionals are produced every year that can strongly support the fast-elevating call center industry in the country. With the existence of many schools and universities in Iloilo City, Ilonggos are highly-competitive when it comes to BPO career and call center jobs.

US-based BPO company StarTek presently hold their office and operation at Two Global Center 

Opened in 2014, the first BPO building that started to operate in Iloilo Business Park is Two Global Center. It is the current office and operation site of US-based BPO company StarTek. It is a well-known company that provides better pay and benefits to their call center employees. One Global Center building opened a few months after. BPO company Transcom Asia hold their operation in this prestigious building. In 2015, BPO Company WNS started to operate at One Global Center and shared the building with Transcom Asia. Another international BPO Company, Reed Elsevier started to operate and hold their regional office at the third and second floor of Richmonde Tower. With the significant existence of multinational companies and call centers in the township, more and more Ilonggos were able to have quality jobs and career expansion within the city. Opportunities are widen and call center professionals from other provinces of Western Visayas came to Iloilo City to find their success here.

Artist's perspective of One Techno Place

Current construction update of the four-storey One Techno Place, a new BPO building expected to open before the end of the year 

Three Techno Place is slated for opening this 2016. Current construction update. 

For call center workers, leisure and lifestyle are just a few steps away in the township with the existence of a soon-to-open lifestyle shopping mall, a long-stretching 1.1 kilometer shop-and-dine strip, a fully functional convention center, two international hotels, future residential towers and a vibrant Central Business District (CDB). The stress-free and serene ambiance of the township will also inspire call center workers since it is a traffic-free and less-crowded metropolis compare to major financial centers and mega cities in Luzon. Working and chasing your passion in Iloilo Business Park is easy and you're at the center of everything. 

This year, two more state-of-the-art BPO buildings will open and cater to incoming call center companies ready to employ hundreds of professionals namely One Techno Place and Three Techno Place. They are located right across the Iloilo Convention Center. These four-storey BPO buildings are in the last phase of construction and before the end of 2016, they are expected to open.

As Iloilo City continues to lift up its reputation as a livable city, a bustling metropolis and investment destination, the strong existence of Iloilo Business Park's BPO District is fueling the passion of Ilonggos to be proud of their city where promising careers and opportunities are shaping up exceptionally. The BPO District magnetizes more multinational companies, investors and visitors to consider Iloilo City as the next location for their visionary business ventures. It creates a sense of security, pride and optimism to the Ilonggos that their city is place where people find lifetime career, leisure and lifestyle, and establishes visible change and progress. 

So, on your next job hunting trip and search for better career opportunities, look no further, find your place at Iloilo Business Park's BPO District. This is where your dreams turn into reality closer to your home.