UP Grad Crowned Miss Cebu 2015

(Public Information Office) – Another product from the University of the Philippines Cebu emerged victorious in the Miss Cebu pageant.

Wynonah Van Joy Buot, 20, bested other eleven candidates as she was crowned Miss Cebu 2015 during the Coronation Night last Wednesday January 14 at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Cebu City Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

Buot, a Mass Communication graduate and the Miss UP Cebu 2012 title holder was the crowd favorite throughout the pageant. She impressed the audience especially the judges during the final question and answer portion.

“If I were to take Pope Francis for dinner in Cebu, I would bring with me the students of Cebu because our students are the hope of the future and our Pope Francis is the hope of our country,” Wynonah underscored, adding that we can then talk about how we can strengthen, unify, and share love and respect, so that we can encourage our citizens to take part and make a change here in our society.

The top 5 candidates were asked the same question one-by-one while other finalists wore headsets with loud music. The final question which was crafted by the board of judges goes, “If you could host Pope Francis to dinner, who would be your Cebuano guests and why?”

Buot’s answer was the only different as the other finalists answered they will bring with them the street children and the children of Cebu. Meanwhile, her court included Ms. Ma. Genefe B. Navilon as 1st runner-up, Ms. Aivy Mae R. Castro as 2nd runner-up; Ms. Lucena Rose M. Magdadaro as 3rd runner-up; and Ms. Domenic L. Reynes as 4th runner-up.

The UP’s pride who is an advocate of student welfare and the environment also gathered all the special awards during the Coronation Night such as Miss Photogenic, Miss Friendship, Kapamilya Star of the Night, and Best in Evening Gown. She also bagged the Best in Fun Wear and the Miss Ayala Fiesta Island during the pre-pageant night held at Ayala Terraces last January 10 Saturday.

Aside from their sashes, plaques and bouquets, the top 5 winners all won a free trip abroad and various gift certificates. While the fourth to second runners-up went home with P30,000.00 each as cash prizes, the first runner-up got P40,000.00 and the Ms. Cebu title holder received P60,000.00.

As Miss Cebu 2015, Buot who is currently a sales and marketing associate at LOHAS Skin +Slimming House of Beauty will be representing Cebu City in the different local and international affairs. She will also work with the Cebu City Tourism Commission for its new tourism campaign dubbed as “Lakbay Lingaw”.

Looking back, the Miss Cebu 2014 was also from UP Cebu. Political Science major Cheriemel Diane Muego bagged the coveted title and later used to be the Cebu City Mayor’s Chief of Staff and now the Assistant Protocol Officer.

Meanwhile, bearing the theme, “Revving up Cebu,” the Miss Cebu this year celebrates its 31st year as a beauty-and-brain pageant that continues to present to the world the true beauty of a Cebuana and a search for the spokesperson of the city.

The Cebu City Government led by Mayor Michael L Rama in collaboration with the Cebu City Tourism Commission and Cebu City Tourism Foundation Inc., alongside with this year’s various sponsors and supporters were behind the great success of the Miss Cebu 2015.

Furthermore, the Miss Cebu pageant is one of the highlights of the Sinulog celebration. The Coronation Night was also telecast live on Studio 23 and streamed on www.cebucitytourism.org. (By: Greggy Jiggs P. Senados, PIO Staff)