Barangay Cutcut’s Genica Mae Cruz was crowned in the 32nd Mutya Ning Angeles (MNA) 2023 in a grandest and glittering final showdown during the live grand coronation night held at the Grand Palazzo Royale, Angeles City on November 30.
Both titles were personally awarded by Mayor Carmelo Pogi Lazatin Jr., 1st District Congressman Carmelo Jon Lazatin II and Beautederm founder and president Rei Tan.
The MNA is a priority project of Mayor Lazatin and co-presented by Beautéderm Corporation and grand winner Genica Mae received ₱1,150,000 in cash, ₱350,000 worth of BD products and free year of skin care service at Beautehaus and will be automatically named brand ambassador.
She bested 18 other aspirants to inherit the crown from her predecessor Mutya Ning Angeles Joanne Thornley – Barangay Balibago who won last year’s pageant.
The final walk of Thornley as the reigning grand winner of the 2022 pageant must have been a memorable and emotional moment. Following her MNA 2022 victory, she is set to participate in the provincewide Mutya Ning Kapampangan (MNK) 2023 this December.
The other queens alongside with her also received cash prizes. Frankie Samantha Hicban-Sta. Teresita bet was hailed 1st runner-up and received ₱200,000; Glezette Garcia-San Jose, 2nd runner-up, ₱150,000; Ehjewon Apuya-Anunas 3rd runner-up, ₱100,000; and Angelica Casandra Santos-Agapito Del Rosario, 4th runner-up, ₱50,000.
Several other queens also received corporate/special awards and cash prizes. The winners of the other titles are: Genica Mae Cruz, Cutcut-Best in Talent, ₱50,000, Miss Photogenic, ₱20,000 and Miss Fiesta Communities, ₱20,000; Glezette Garcia, San Jose-Miss JDN Realty, ₱50,000 and Best In Long Gown, ₱15,000; Glennice Turla, Ninoy Aquino-Best in Swimsuit, ₱25,000 and Best In Transformation, ₱20,000; Frankie Samantha Hicban, Sta. Teresita-Miss Photogenic, ₱25,000 and Miss Hausland, ₱20,000; and Cathleen Joy Aquino, Capaya-Miss Friendship ₱10,000.
The MNA Grand Coronation Chairman of the Board of Judges is Ms. Universe 2014 MJ Lastimosa—an actress, host, and influencer.
Also among the panel of judges who rated the contestants side-by-side with Lastimosa were LIPAD CEO Noel Manankil; San Juan City Councilor / Actor Ervic Vijandre; and Herminia Pamintuan, wife of former Angeles City mayor now Clark Development Corp. chairman Ed Pamintuan.
Mayor Lazatin Jr. said in his speech, “The hardwork and sacrifice of everyone involved in all of these activities culminates in tonight’s most important event – the coronation. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude to the individuals who have made this four-month long pageant a resounding success. We have said many times that our goal is to make this the “grandest and most prestigious” Mutya Ning Angeles pageant yet – and I think I speak for everyone when I say that you have thoroughly succeeded. To our candidates, you are indeed all winners, because you have endured four grueling months of activities, all while maintaining your usual poise, confidence and grace. There will only be one winner, but youre all winners, all you can hold your heads high knowing that you have showcased the beauty, intelligence, and talent of the Angelena to the best of your ability.”
On her part, Beautederm founder and president Tan said, “We will have more major projects, presently we have 84 branches and there will be more branches to open here and abroad. Although I wasn’t born in Angeles City, I have considered myself an Angelena because I love this city and I’ve been doing my business in Angeles for a span of 20 years already, we treat our employees as family by providing scholarships for their children aside from the program we extend to indigent but deserving Angeleno students. Congratulations to all our candidates, always stay genuine.”
The grand coronation night was hosted by DJ ElJay and Beautederm ambassador / actor EA Guzman. Moreover, actor and Beautederm ambassador Sam Milby serenaded the Top Ten Finalists in their long gowns and wowed the audience with ballad hits and disembarked the stage for selfies. While the AUF performing arts rendered dance intermissions.
MNA Working Committee Chairpersons Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel also congratulated the new MNA 2023 crowned winners and expressed gratitude to all the homegrown designers, and sponsors after an absence of two years amid the pandemic.
Angeles City Tourism Officer-in-Charge Anneleen Antonio-Sugui is also among the leading heads of the working committee including ACEDIPO Head Irish Bonus-Llego, ACTO Consultant Cecille Flores-Sanchez, Marlon Tuazon, Rosette Ramos-Biag, Gerome Esguerra, Frederick Policarpio, Poklong Guina, and Marna Dagumboy-Del Rosario. The support staff are Gender and Development Officer Mina Cabiles; Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary and Information Communication Technology Division Chief Michael Lising; City Nutrition Office Head Jermaine Jam Aguila; Angeles City Traffic Development Office head Kiko Pangilinan; Angeles City Police Office; City Information Office; Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office led by Master Chief Rudy Simeon; and Lazatin’s Senior Staff.
Lazatin further thanked the sponsors for assisting the pageant in its success.
He also underscored the assistance of the MNA co-presenter Beautéderm as well as all the sponsors and patrons. Serving as the sponsors of MNA 2023 are Best Western Hotels and Resorts, Angeles University Foundation, Prime City Resort Hotel, Giada’s Group of Companies, G Café, SM City Clark, JDN Realty Group, San Miguel Corporation, and Grand Palazzo Royale.
Also the sponsors and patrons of MNA 2023 meanwhile are Fil Choice Meat Products RMM Cold Storage and Meatshop, Doeidep, Rockwell Nepo, Metro Clark Waste, and Lalamove, Converge, Fiesta Communities, Hauslands, and Bharz Kitchen, BK Food and Refreshment, and Smile Makeover Aesthetic, La Hermoza Royal, Chef Ries’ Delish Cheese Dough, respectively.
