The 2023 “Gandang Pinay” candidates.
Kriselle Drilon is the first “Gandang Pinay” winner.
The top five contestants of “Gandang Pinay.”
The “Gandang Pinay” candidates with the Bayani Association officers and members.
The “Gandang Pinay” candidates with the pageant judges.
(Bayani Association) — On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, the Bayani Association, held the first-ever “Gandang Pinay” beauty pageant at Saipan World Resort. The venue was jampacked with friends, family members, and supporters of the 13 candidates vying for the title. Tickets were sold out.
During their four months of preparation, the candidates went through a vigorous rehearsal, attended boot camp training and activities at PIC, conducted a beach cleanup and participated in public events while bonding among themselves.
The Top 5 Major Awards
Gandang Pinay grand winner, Kriselle Bryana Mitzy Drilon, 16, was also named Miss Charity and Miss Close-up Smile.
1st runner-up Angela Marie Maratas, 16, was Miss Charity runner-up, Best in Catwalk, and Best in Filipiniana Costume.
2nd runner-up from Tinian Fyema Janelle Pelaez, 18, received the Bayani Award.
3rd runner-up Jane Nicole Mozunder, 16, was Ms. Q & A, and the Designer’s Choice awardee.
4th runner-up Bernice Shane Sabino, 16, was Miss Photogenic and Best in Talent for performing the Broadway song, “I dreamed a dream.”
The candidates’ special awardees are Miss Friendship and Best in Gown Alianna Layne Sublemente, Star of the Night Kath Soriano, Miss Personality Sophia Michelle Cornelio, Miss Exquisite Stephanie Dela Cruz, Miss Telegenic Elizah Mae Canlas, People’s Choice Steffanie Nicole Hann Marquez, Top Model Trisha Jindra Rivera, and Miss Charm Angelica May Aquino.
The Bayani Association would like to express its gratitude to the pageant’s major sponsors: House of Beautiful Creation by Bench Legaspi, TSL Foundation, and IT&E. Thank you also to Saipan Ice & Water Company, Sapphire Enterprises, Barny’s Pizza, PHI Pharmacy, JC Marketing, Savory, Hardt Eye Clinic, Five Star Builders, Dante Abucai, Irene Santiago & friends, National Office Supply, Pacific Quick Print, Marianas Deal, Blue Haus, New Paradise Flower Shop, The Hybrid Shop, SM, Island Touch by Philip and Marianas High School.
The pageant judges were designer Bench Legaspi, Miss Northern Marianas Earth 2020 Maria Lael Terlaje, educator Rosalyn Ajoste, Miss Northern Marianas Water 2020 Zoe Stephanson, and Miss Marianas 2021 Savannah Delos Santos.
Ester Sablan, Malou Lambat and Paul Legaspi served as tabulators.
The pageant featured variety of intermission numbers including a Polynesian dance performed by Te Ivi Maori, a song number from one of the judges, Zoe Stephanson, SMADS, a performance of the Bayani Association Drag Queen 2022 Shine Vizcarra, and Brent Michael Espeneda who serenaded the candidates.
The candidates were assisted by two escorts Milbert Barcelo and John Dumagan during the evening gown competition.
“We are so grateful to our 13 lovely candidates. We want them to enjoy the pageant, and develop camaraderie, knowing that they can help our five beneficiaries with financial assistance and five wheelchairs. They are pediatric cancer patients at the National Children’s Hospital in the Philippines,” Bayani Association President Annamae Adaza said.
“We also donated five wheelchairs to the hemodialysis center at CHCC before the pageant,” said Adaza who was also the pageant’s mistress of ceremonies.
Pageant director par excellence Ernie Molina conceptualized, directed and choreographed the show.
The Bayani Association would also like to extend their gratitude to the parents of the candidates who worked hard in selling the charity tickets. Thank you, too, to all sponsors, donors, and volunteers who supported the pageant.
