Freelance model Hillarie Danielle Parungao to represent PH in Miss World pageant

A 24-year-old lass from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya will be representing the Philippines at the Miss World pageant on December 19 in China.   Hillarie Danielle Parungao, a nursing graduate and freelance model, was crowned Miss World Philippines 2015 last Sunday, November 1 at Solaire Resort and Casino.

Last year, Hillarie was the country’s representative at the Miss Asia Pacific World pageant where she won third place. This year, aside from winning the Miss World Philippines crown, she also dominated the pageant by winning nine special awards—Best in Sports Challenge, Best in Fashion Runway, Best in Swimsuit, Best in Long Gown, Miss Zen Institute, Miss Technomarine, Miss Solaire, Miss Figlia and Miss Phoenix.

Other winners of the special awards were Avonlea Paula Paraiso and Vianca Louise Marcelo and Mia Allyson (who also won as 2nd Princess) all tied for Best in Talent, Jannie Loudette Alipo-on tied with Emma Mary Tiglao (who bagged 4th Princess and co-winner Miss Photogenic and Miss Philippine Airlines), and Christelle Anjali Abello for Miss Friendship.

Completing Hillarie’s court are 1st Princess Marita Cassandra Naidas (who also won Miss Bench), 2nd Princess Mia Allyson Howell (also Miss Fila), 3rd Princess Vanessa Wright (Miss Jazzy France) and 4th Princess Emma Mary Tiglao.

Hillarie succeeded Miss World Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigmann, who represented the country in the London pageant last year.

***

We are truly saddened about the passing of Nolyn Cabahug, who was known as the leading “Tenor of the Philippines.”  He died last November 2, after battling renal failure for six years.

In 2009, Cabahug was diagnosed with end stage renal failure but survived after going through dialysis and a kidney transplant. 

Born in Iloilo City on March 19, 1956, Cabahug was a Voice Major at the University of the Philippines.  As a soloist and tenor of the UP Concert Chorus, he received numerous awards from international competitions in Germany, Netherlands and Australia.  He was also hailed as Aliw Awards’ Best Classical Performer in 2003 and 2005, as well as the National Press Club’s Opera Singer of the Year in 1990.

Cabahug is best remembered for his performances as Crisostomo Ibarra during the restaging of Noli Me Tangere in 1987 and as Alfredo Belmonte in the Filipino adaptation of La Traviata in 1990.