MUTIA TI LA UNION 2020: A BACK- TO- BACK FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF SUDIPEN.
By Noli A. Berioso
The municipality of Sudipen scores a back-to- back at this year’s Mutia Ti La Union 2020 grand coronation night held last March 3 at Poro Point Baywalk, San Fernando La Union.
Twenty two year-old Divina Marie Villanueva bested nineteen other hopefuls from different municipalities of La Union Province. The BS Accountancy graduate and aspiring CPA Lawyer was proclaimed this year’s winner of the search and was crowned by the outgoing queen Anne Margareth Sanglay who also represented the municipality last year. Aside from the crown, Villanueva took home a whopping P100, 000 in cash and other valuable prizes from sponsors. She will be the official ambassadress of La Union in promoting the advocacy of the pageant which deals with Agri-Tourism Campaign.
The three hour spectacular show was the best presentation in years according to thousands of people who watched the coronation night. Kapamilya star Billy Crawford and former Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 Ma. Venus Raj hosted the ceremony with Robi Domingo as anchor. Panel of judges include Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Elisa Gray, Miss Universe Philippines National Director and Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Bench endorser and actor Marco Gumabao, Commissioner Greco Belgica, international fashion designer Albert Andrada, His Excellency Igor Khovaeb, and Honorable Christpoher De Venecia. Before the show started, incumbent Governor of La Union Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III said during his brief speech that the annual beauty pageant serves as an opportunity for the women of their province to demonstrate themselves as role models of beauty and goodwill for the community. Former Governor of Ilocos Norte and incumbent senator of the state, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. was one of the special guests of the event.
Other winners of the beauty pageant are Fe Ladyma Abacco from Rosario – Mutia Ti La Union Turismo 2020, Shaira Mae Soria of Pugo – Mutia Ti la Union Agrikultura 2020. First and second runners-up were Jan Padua (Balaoan) and Roxanne Danielle Sanglay (San Fernando).
Villanueva also won several special awards including Mutia Best Fashion Model, Best in Socio-Economic Campaign and Best in Afri-Tourism Campaign.
The pageant is a presentation of Lumina Events Management with over-all concept and direction by Bernard Yabut Maybituin.