By and large, the venue’s ambiance was ecstatic and rapturous while every attendee’s mood was indubitably exuberant. The unswerving jauntiness and high spirited countenance that prevailed around the four corners of Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott Hotel’s Grand Ballroom was at its pinnacle when the Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM) commemorated its 26th Coronation and Gala Night last Saturday, May 28, 2016.
Patterned after Baguio City’s world renowned flower fair, the Panagbenga festival, PAFCOM’s floral-themed merriment was met with overwhelming enthusiasm and inquisitiveness due to its atypical physical set-up and stimulating original music that permeated the air throughout the three-hour event.
But what actually caused a stir and unparalleled interest was the coronation of this year’s beauties who were all elegantly garbed in their avant garde’s finest. Ably hosted by Ed Tolosa and Lenn Almadin Thornhill, the ceremonious crowning procedure went slickly smooth sans any technical or perfunctory glitch… all encapsulated in a colorful Panagbenga-themed presentation.
First to be honored and duly recognized as the occasion’s Panagbenga Queen was community leader and philanthropic retired medical practitioner, Dr. Dolly Rivera, herself, a genuine Baguio-born. Compassionate with a munificent heart, the illustrious lady doctor fittingly deserves to be the most privileged Panagbenga Queen after having had enormously established a distinct reputation in her chosen field and highly regarded status via her dedicated involvement in various fundraising and charitable events. Dr. Rivera, together with equally service-oriented medical volunteers, is also passionately involved in her annual medical missions to different calamity-devastated areas in the Philippines.
The preliminary entrance of the seven PAFCOM beauties, exotically donned in colorful floral gowns complete with authentic tribal headdress during the most touted portion, created a rousing uproar and thunderous welcome as they performed a creatively choreographed ethnic production number.
They say “Beauty is relative” and that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”…but American poet John Keats said: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever…!” In a much broader sense, we could quantify beauty as something about not just having a pretty face…but also having a keen mind, a munificent heart, and most importantly…a beautiful soul.
The ceremonious crowning of huggable Mykaela Rae Castillo as Little Miss PAFCOM, who had initially shown agility and smartness, was one of the most applauded. An effervescently adorable young girl of seven gifted with a mature mind and ably interested in a diversity of things: drawing, singing, dancing, reading, and even sketching fashion stuff, Mykaela is the only child of Randy and Minette Castillo. Well turned-out and gutsy… no wonder, she’s a Grade 1 Honor pupil of Stanhope School. A choir member of the Bible Church International, our young beauty was escorted by her best friend, Jaden Troy “TJ” Bamba.
Statuesque and in every inch a quintessential exponent of femininity, Jessica Lyn Soriano was crowned 2016 PAFCOM Bb. Pilipinas. A young lady who is artistically and creatively inclined…she loves sculpting and pottery making, and she is a piano virtuoso in the making following her almost 9 years of attending piano school. Jessica is active in school activities and community service aside from being a member of the Sisters of Charities. A beauty queen material with a beatific face and a justified weight that is proportionately distributed in her towering frame, Jessica remains gorgeous-looking sans make-up since she’s allergic to such cosmetic or beauty enhancer. The second born to Nilo and Helen Soriano, younger brother Nikky capably ushered her on stage.
A natural-born Tagala from Bocaue, Bulacan but raised in the US, Jazmine Andes, who was crowned PAFCOM 2016 Mutya Ng Silangan, was methodically a dynamic student in the Performing Arts program while simultaneously active in the local community. As a Peer Leader, Drum Major for marching band, and related school programs, she justifiably graduated as Class Salutatorian. A daughter of Arman and Joyce Andes David, this brainy beauty is currently the Social Media Director for JCI North Jersey, Program Manager for JCI New Jersey Youth, and External Personal Relations Officer for the Filipino League At Seton Hall. Jazmine was escorted by her brother, Jason Andes.
PAFCOM 2016 Miss Liberty was 14-year old Maria Sabrina Ramos. She is well-skilled in the performing arts (having been trained and won in various dancing, acting, and singing competitions), multi-lingual (she could speak French, Tagalog, English), a potential actress and model, a creative writer, an accomplished gymnast, and lately a run-away winner during the 2015 Hollywood Showcase competition, this bundle of beauty and brains impressed her choreographer after scrupulously learning the steps of the production number a day before the show. The daughter of Benilda and Bruce Kosofsky, Sabrina had dashing Justin Shoemaker for her escort.
A stunning lass of fifteen summers from Alexandria, Virginia, Angelina Rose Javier, was crowned Miss Teen PAFCOM 2016. Already equipped with an enviable feminine pulchritude at her young age, Angelina is a freshman at Mount Vernon High School and a consistent honor student. An active member of Mount Vernon Vocal Resonance Choir and her school’s Volleyball Team, she learned Ballroom Dancing at an early age while singing becomes second nature to her. The eldest among the three children of Sherwin and Kristine Javier, Angelina is a potential ramp aspirant who, incidentally, is the granddaughter of Rose and Rolly Javier. Debonair Michael Shoemaker, a cousin, acted as her escort.
Born to parents who are both dentists, Drs. Nestor and Blandie Santiago, Miss PAFCOM 2016 Vanessa Santiago is a lovely young lady who has three full college courses neatly stashed under her dainty sleeves: a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Communications) from Miriam College; a Master’s of Science (Major in Entertainment Business) from Full Sail University; and currently, an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from ASA College. And as if a triple college education wasn’t enough, she still struggles to gain first hand experiences from being a Business Manager at Saleaflor Entertainment, a part time hair model, a Special Projects Director of Magic 89.9 & 103.5 WOW FM Radio, and had also been a Starbucks barista at the Rustan’s Coffee Corporation…and those were aside from being a volunteer worker in various community events and a singer-actress with an Acting Certification from the Star Magic Acting Workshop. Vanessa was escorted by Raymond Gayla.
From the vast verdant hills of Sariaya, Quezon hails Mrs. PAFCOM 2016 Tenette Juarez Lirio. The USA became her adoptive cradle at the tender age of 17 but it took her sometime to adjust to her new-found land. The incessant longing for home was only pacified when she met Rico Lirio who provided her with the much-needed comforting companionship…that eventually led them down the aisle. Their marital union was blessed with 2 children: Raquel and Michael. Currently a Dental Assistant at the clinic of Dr. Michael Gitlin, Tenette was formerly crowned 2014 Mrs. Philippines Kalayaan (having garnered special awards: Mrs. Congeniality, Mrs. Photogenic, and Best in Gown) and 2015 Mrs. Glambassador.
She was escorted by her ever dependable and supportive hubby, Rico.
Guests enjoyed non-stop socializing while having to enjoy dancing to the last music beat while barflies got satisfying pleasure from imbibing the ultimate drop of their wine. Overheard from among regular social event fixtures: “… such an entertaining event hard to replicate!”
PAFCOM President Ledy Almadin, together with her staff and members Helen Castillo, Gani Puertollano, Rose Javier, Lito Pernia, Lumen Castañeda, Susan Lagmay, Perla Candelaria, Atty. Victor G. Sison, Lita Roxas, and Dr. Constancia S. Uy, and not to forget Grand Marshal Gwen De Vera, left no stone unturned if only to insure the success of the event…and merely sent a sigh of relief after the ceremony exceeded her expectations.
“It was way far beyond from what we actually expected,” Almadin enthused.
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