Chelsea Fernandez, the beauty queen representing Sangyaw Festival, seized half of the special awards in the 2018 Reyna ng Aliwan pageant night.
Hailing from Tacloban City, the happiest city of the Philippines, Fernandez was all smiles when she was chosen as the Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, and Miss White Rose.
Other recipients of the special awards include Dentistry major Shaila Mae Rebortera, representing the Sinulog Festival of Cebu, who seized the Miss Unique Smile award.
This year’s youngest candidate 17-year old Ella Mariz Andrei Cayabyab, representing the Boling-Boling Festival of Quezon, took home the Miss Photogenic after an excellent performance during the swimsuit shoot and the official photo shoot.
Meanwhile, Novie Shane Leonerio, representing the Tuna Festival of General Santos City, was chosen by her fellow Festival Queens as the recipient of Miss Friendship.
All winners of the special awards also received a sash, a bouquet of flowers, and a Php 5,000 cash prize for each recognition.
The awards were given after the candidates for the 2018 Reyna ng Aliwan paraded in their Festival costumes, swimwear, and long gown in front of the audience and the four judges.
The panel of judges are composed of fashion designer Edgar Madamba, Tanduay Distillers Inc. junior brand manager Jamie Marie Cipriano, DZRH assistant station manager Deo Macalma, ACS marketing manager Mailene Supetran, and actor Rommel Montano.
The beauty queens also answered questions, specifically crafted based on their background, their festivals, and their home towns.
Singers Mark Carpio and TJ Monterde also serenaded the audience and the beauty queens during the pageant proper.
On the evening of April 28, one of these 20 Festival Queens will be crowned 2018 Reyna ng Aliwan and will succeed reigning queen Marla Alforque of the Sinulog Festival, who was also present during the pageant night.
In the same night, the winner of the Best in Festival costume will also be announced.
