LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – The Limgas na Pangasinan beauty pageant is not just a quest for the loveliest young women but a search for the modern, gracious Urduja who will embody the distinct trademark of Pangasinense women.
The Limgas has evolved since its first staging in 1973, but in 2023, it saw a dramatic turn to become Pangasinan’s “mother of all beauty pageants”, when Pangasinan First Lady Maan Tuazon-Guico took over as chair.
Mrs. Guico has said the Limgas is in search of the “totality of the fairest maiden” who can live up to the crown and who can carry the province’s name in the national arena or even in the international scene.
Part of the pageant’s transformation is the strong support of the provincial government, led by Gov. Ramon Guico III and help from the Aces and Queens, a beauty camp that provides training and coaching to pageant candidates.
Mrs. Guico reiterated that the provincial government will not only support the ladies financially but it will help them every step of the way by acquiring necessary training and equipped to compete in national pageants or even internationally.
This year, 21 hopefuls vie for the much-coveted crown on Friday, April 25.
“I am incredibly proud not just of the glitz and glamour but because it gives us a chance to celebrate the ‘ganda at galing’ (beauty and talent) of every Pangasinense. Our Limgas candidates…21 queens, 21 dreams…represent our future. Strong, beautiful and vibrant,” Mrs. Guico said during the pre-pageant night.
Pageant History
The pageant (Limgas na Dayat or Maiden of Sea) was launched in 1973. It was then renamed Limgas na Pangasinan to include all local government units of the province.
The pageant should have at least 52 queens to date, except in 1986 Limgas when it was suspended due to transition period during the EDSA revolution and the Covid-19 years of 2020, 2021 and 2022.
In 2023, a new and grand version of the pageant was introduced under Governor Guico’s leadership who partnered with his wife, a statuesque beauty advocate.
Limgas, the Transformed Version
In the 2023 pre-pageant, Mrs. Guico pointed out that aside from being a platform for women empowerment, the pageant is also a promising opportunity for the ladies to showcase the distinct culture and heritage of being a Pangasinense.
Mrs. Guico added that the pageant will also create a positive effect in terms of local economy as it will provide income for creatives or homegrown talents who will be involved in the project. These include the designers, make-up artists, photographers, among others.
Then the province collaborated with the Miss World Philippines Organization that eventually led to two Limgas winners competing in the Miss World Philippines and Miss Grand Philippines.
Winners of the past two years included 2023 winner Nikki Buenafe, who competed in the Miss World Philippines last year and was crowned Miss Multinational Philippines.
Other Limgas title holders who went on to win in the national arena are: Limgas na Pangasinan-Grand 2023 Rona Lalaine Lopez who was selected as one of the frontrunners in Miss Grand Philippines that year and 2nd runner-up Hiyas ng Pilipinas 2024; Limgas na Pangasinan-Mutya 2023 Stacey De Ocampo who was crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas Visayas 2024.
“It is my fervent wish that Pangasinan will continue to produce more beauty queens of international stature in the future,” the First Lady said.
This year’s search will crown a Limgas na Pangasinan – World, Limgas na Pangasinan-Grand, Limgas na Pangasinan – Mutya, and first and second runner-ups.
The official candidates are: Reign Joy C. Lim (Bayambang); Kayzee Chasta P. Brillo (Umingan); Leinahtan L. Sarmiento (San Carlos City); Kyla S. De Leon (Basista); Xyza Nicole S. Aguilar (Mangaldan); Louise Anne A. Vergara (San Manuel); Cheska T. Donato (Bugallon); Grace Jineah C, Lumague (Pozorrubio); Clarisse C. Borbe (Alcala); Liannah Jermayne L. Mangosong (Asingan); Felicity C. Mamplata (Lingayen); Krysha R. Villanues (Binalonan); Marianne Jinnah F. Nandin (Balungao); Chelsea Mae M. Oranza (Malasiqui); Alannis Sophia Melarne F. Hiidge (Sual); Ma Julianne Vernice F. Nandin (Rosales); Venus B. Sawaysaway (Dasol); Freda V. Rosario (Labrador); Angelica Joy B. Flores (Sta. Barbara); Claire Arwen V. Cacal (Calasiao); Rosemarie O. Ernang. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
