Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta Coronation Night set on Feb. 18 at WVSU Cultural Center

The now region-wide Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta 2015 Grand Coronation Night is set on Feb. 18, 7PM at West Visayas State University Cultural Center. This year, the beauty pageant will have 19 candidates chosen from the 3 series of auditions between October to December 2014. Some of the candidates represented their respective provinces in Western Visayas. The pageant is more than just a competition of gorgeous and charming ladies, it is also a venue to showcase the relevance of women in preserving the cultural heritage through the celebration of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival on its 43^rd year as Asia’s oldest sailing sports event. The candidates were also trained and inspired to pursue significant advocacy that could help elevate social change with an important vision: embracing the past, the present and the future. They are also being taught to become ambassadress of goodwill that will treasure our cultural heritage, preserve the environment and take part in the promotion of the region as the next future investment and tourism destination. These three advocacy were manifested in the inclusion of new competition categories in the pageant such as the “Trash to Class” gown competition where trash materials are transformed into elegant wardrobes; submission of video advocacy from the candidates stating their chosen passion or goals that inspires social change; and a written examination about the Paraw Regatta Festival facts and Iloilo City’s cultural heritage. This year, the pageant launced its own original theme song with  music video performed by reigning Miss Iloilo Regatta 2014 Queen, Janica Ella Hondrade and 1^st Runner-up Ahriana Lovely Huyaban. The Talent Competition and Swimsuit competition with “Trash to Class” Gown Parade was held at SM City Iloilo Events Center on Feb. 12-13, 4PM. The Evening Gown Competition and Festival Costume Competition were simultaneously held at Robinsons Place Iloilo on Feb. 14-15, 4PM. On Feb. 17, 7AM, the candidates will have a live TV guest appearance at ABS-CBN Iloilo’s morning show “Sikat Ka Iloilo!” Two of Iloilo’s most in-demand fashion designers, Hector “Totong” Gellagrain and Carlo Simoy will showcase their colorful evening gown creations in the pageant. The pageant’s stage choreography will be directed by Romy Bugna. Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation, Inc. chairman Manuel Villa and chairman for Special Events, Tres Solis are the pageant’s executive producers.  

This year’s Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta pageant is co-organized by the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation, Inc. and the City Government of Iloilo in cooperation with the Province of Iloilo and Department of Tourism Region VI. The pageant’s co-presenters and major sponsors are Panay News, Megaworld – Iloilo Business Park, ABS-CBN Iloilo, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, Emperador de Luxe, Panay Energy Development Corp., Natasha,  Robinsons Place Iloilo, La Filipina Uygongco, SM City Iloilo, Tatoy’s Manokan and Seafoods, Virginia Foods, Casino Femme Alcohol, Coca-cola, Totong Gellagarin House of Fashion, Carlo Simoy – Fashion Designs, Bennch Transport, Breakthrough Restaurant, Global Power, Team Sales Unilever, 2Go Travel, West Visayas State University, Villa Igang Resort, Puerto del Mar Resort, Red Cross of the Philippines – Iloilo Chapter, Lynnie Denila Floral Designs, Dominic Manderico House of Fashion, Tita Navarette – City Salon & Facial Care Center, The Cocktail Cruiser, Felipe Uygongco and friends.