MANILA, Philippines – This year’s batch of Mutya ng Pilipinas beauties proved to be a competitive group. While there were many favorites, it was Cebu’s Eva Psychee Patalinjug who won the audience’s attention. 

The show began with singer Mark Bautista serenading the 30 candidates in their designer outfits. Each candidate has her fan base but Patalinjug’s fans were especially loud. 

Patalinjug was announced as the winner of the Designer’s Competition segment.  

Round 1

In the first round of the competition, each of the 30 ladies walked onstage for the swimsuit portion. They later changed into their evening gowns from some of the country’s top designers.

It was also during the round where Patalinjug was given two more awards – Mutya ng Solaire and the Mutya Viva Discovery.  Mutya ng Pilipinas Choice Award was given to Christina De Vries. 

After the special awards, it was time to announce the top 10. Patalinjug and Cordillera beauty Gleniffer Perido were automatically given the two spots, having won many of the special awards.  The two beauties were joined by Kim Fyfe (Australia), Alexandra Faith Gomez (Zambales), Patrizia Bosco (Milan), Dorina Doerr (Tagbilaran), Christina De Vries (Toronto), Cristine Racel (Olongapo City), Pauline Edralin (Melbourne), and Ma. Jackielyn Dulay (Nueva Ecija). 

Round 2 

After the top 10 were chosen, the Question and Answer portion was the next segment. Instead of picking names of the judges from a bowl (which is often the case in many pageants), questions this year were taken from social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter.

Interestingly, many of the questions tested the candidates. Two candidates talked about world peace, which prompted host Christian Bautista to say that it was the first time he heard the answer of “world peace” in a beauty pageant he hosted.

After the Q & A, it was another round of swimsuit and last look on the ladies, wearing their ternos. Last year’s beauty queens, Angeli Dione Gomez, and Koreen Medina took their farewell walks on the stage.

The runners-up were first announced. Kim Fyfe was 2nd runner-up while Cristine Racel won as 1st runner-up.

Patrizia Bosco was given the title of Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas Communities, while Glennifer Perido took the title of Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism International. Patalinjug emerged as Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia Pacific International.

Patalinjug is another one of several Cebuana beauties to win a pageant title this year, following on the footsteps of Kris Tiffany Janson (Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2014) and Jamie Herrell (Miss Philippines Earth 2014). Angeli Dione Gomez, reigning Miss Tourism International 2013/2014 and Rizzini Alexis Gomez, who won the title of Miss Tourism International 2012/2013 are also from Cebu.

Moving forward

For the long gown competition, Christian Bautista serenaded the girls, and he was great on stage.  He was also good as a host along with Bela Padilla and Kristine Caballero Aplal, who was their backstage reporter.

Perido has huge shoes to fill in since the country won the title of the Miss Tourism International back-to-back. The question is, will she keep the winning streak going? –Rappler.com