Miss Kagay-an 2012 Coronation Night – the long wait was finally over, Greanne Trisha T. Mendoza won the title of this years’ Miss Kagay-an. 

People filled the air with excitement as judges convey who’ll earn the top spot in the most prestigious beauty search in Cagayan de Oro. Eleven gorgeous women competed with each other until only five remained victorious.

The top five candidates include:

• Candidate # 3 – Elaine P. Ghan
• Candidate # 8 – Emie Lou E. Yamba
• Candidate # 1 – Lovely Jane B. Estampa
• Candidate # 11 – Greanne Trisha T. Mendoza
• Candidate # 7 – Leslie P. Ghan

In the end, Candidate # 11 – Greanne Trisha T. Mendoza championed the competition. The final decision made all of them victorious – giving everyone a special award from different sponsors:

• #1 Lovely Jane B. Estampa – “Miss Tourism”
• #8 Emie Lou E. Yamba – “1st Runner-up”
• #7 Leslie P. Ghan – “2nd Runner-up”
• # 3 Elaine P.Ghan – “3rd Runner-up”

Special Awards:

• “Miss Nature Spring” – Candidate # 4 Laurice O. Inosa
• “Miss Pink Spa” – Candidate # 2 Sidney Taboclaon
• “Miss Le Rouge” – Candidate # 2 Sidney Taboclaon
• “Miss Ever Bilena” – Candidate # 7 Leslie Ghan
• “Miss Primavera” – Candidate # 11 Greanne Trisha T. Mendoza
• “Miss Avon” – Candidate # 4  Laurice Inosa
• “Miss Kapuso” – Candidate #3 Elaine Ghan
• “Miss Gardens of Malasag” – Candidate #8 Emie Lou Yamba
• “Miss Goldilocks – Candidate #11 Greanne Trisha Mendoza
• “Miss Natasha” – Candidate #6 Juriel Valledor
• “Belo Beauty of the Evening” –  Candidate # 3 Elaine Ghan
• “Best in Long Gown” –  Candidate# 2 Sidney Taboclaon
• “Globe Texter’s Choice” –  Candidate# #11 Greanne Trisha Mendoza
• “Miss Friendship” –  Candidate # 3 Elaine Ghan
• “Darling of the Press” –  Candidate #11 Greanne Trisha Mendoza
• “Miss Samsung” –  Candidate # 11 Greanne Trisha Mendoza
• “Miss Photogenic” –  Candidate #3 Elaine Ghan
• “Best in Mags Casual Wear” –  Candidate# 2 Sidney Taboclaon
• “Miss Avon” –  Candidate #4 Laurice Inosa
• “Best in Talent” – Candidate #9 Roxinne Monterde
• “Best in Swimsuit” – Candidate #4 Laurice Inosa

Furthermore, few of the most influential personalities in the city such as Mayor Vicente Emano, Benjo Benaldo, and Ian Acenas came to witness the event. GMA star Will Devaughn, and model Diana Menezes joined the coronation night.

In addition, such event wouldn’t be possible without the help and cooperation of these major sponsors: Globe Telecoms, Mallberry Suites, Lim Ket Kai Centre, The Department of Tourism, Belo Medical Group, Hotel Koresco, Cagayan de Oro Tourism Board, and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

Congratulations Alvin Marc Magpulong of Bugo – Barangay Gwapo of 2012

The Search for Barangay Gwapo 2012 was put to an end as Barangay Gwapo of Bugo; Alvin Mark Magpulong grabbed the top spot on the Finale Night held at Capitol University Gymnasium.

The crowd soared as the candidates electrified the whole site with an energetic performance from

• Barangay Gwapo # 1 France Luperte (Consolacion)
• Barangay Gwapo # 2 Don Kim Julio Quimbo  (Nazareth)
• Barangay Gwapo # 3 Alvin Marc Magpulong (Bugo)
• Barangay Gwapo # 4 Kim Michael Paasa Jr. (Barangay 13)
• Barangay Gwapo # 5 Karl Rembrant Mueco (Barangay 29)
• Barangay Gwapo # 6 Mike Abejo (Macabalan)
• Barangay Gwapo # 7 Noel Vincent Orejudos (Bulua)
• Barangay Gwapo # 8  Alexander Dan Linaac (Gusa)
• Barangay Gwapo # 9 Jestoni Lopez (Macasandig)
• Barangay Gwapo # 10 Richard Caspillo (Puntod)

The event was even powered up by the fresh DJ’s of MOR, Sweet Maricar, Totoy Buguy and Bernie Bitok-Bitok and Mag TV Nah’s finest Maxene Monasterio. The participants danced to the mix and beat of MOR’s music engineers and DJ’s led by Boy Negro.

Meanwhile, the following awards were given to the deserving Barangay Gwapo contestants mainly:

• Mr Congeniality awarded to contestant # 10, Richard Caspillo of Brngy. Puntod
• Best in Club Wear, Contestant # 8 Alexander Dan Linaac of Gusa
• Gwapong Photogenic awarded to Contestant # 1, France Luperte of Consolacion
• Best in Physique given to Contestant # 2, Don Kim Julio Quimbo of Nazareth
• Best in Street Wear as well as Best in Formal Wear awarded to Karl Rembrant Meuco, Contestant # 5 from Brgy 29

The contestants were also given a chance to talk about the Barangay Gwapo experience and what have they done to make it far from the tight competition. In addition, Contestant # 10 of Puntod made us burst out in laughter with some of their bloopers. In the end, only few made it to the final five, which includes contestant # 5, # 8, # 2, # 3, and # 1. All of them were given the same final question with headphones to prevent them from hearing the others’ answer.

The audiences were amazed how well the contestants answered the final test especially with contestant # 29 who answered the question in English boldly. After all the answers were revealed, the Barangay Gwapo of 2011, Ahmad Shali and his fellow winners performed a spicy dance number and waved goodbye to the Barangay Gwapo Crown. It was a glorious moment as Ahmad Shali performed a passage ritual to pass the glory and honor to the next hopeful Barangay Gwapo.

The awaited moment came, the juries have already casted their votes and the following hopeful Barangay Gwapos have been revealed!

• # 1 France Luperte (Consolacion) – 4th Runner-up
• # 2 Don Kim Julio Quimbo  (Nazareth) – 3rd Runner-up
• # 8 Alexander Dan Linaac (Gusa) – 2nd Runner-up
• # 5 Karl Rembrant Mueco (Barangay 29) – 1st Runner-up

And the Barangay Gwapo of 2012 is no other than, Barangay Gwapo # 3 Alvin Marc Magpulong of Barnagay Bugo. The crowd cheered and the voices of supporters filled the whole gymnasium.

And guess what’s next? You got it, picture time. Everyone was on a craze posing beside his or her favorite Barangay Gwapo contestant. Congratulations to our new Barangay Gwapo and Advance Happy Fiesta Cagayan de Oro!

As the Kumbira 2012 show nears it’s end, CDOKAY took time to interview the President of COHARA, Ms. Joanna L. Yu. She enlightened us as to the preparation that was involved in this year’s Kumbira competition. Here are some of the questions Ms Yu was able to answer for us:

  1. What kind of preparation was involved in this year’s Kumbira?

COHARA starts preparing for the Kumbira as early as the year starts. Because of the Sendong tragedy that hit the city last December, preparation for this year was a little delayed.  There are a lot of aspects of the show that have to be addressed such as notifying the government, sponsors, looking for and booking judges, advertising the event, gathering personnel to support the event, dividing the COHARA board into committees and allocating tasks.

Then is the task of sending out invitations to schools that will be joining the completion. We also have to really sift through and determine who qualifies. We also have to contact companies who are interested in showcasing their products. It’s a tremendous task!

2. Where does COHARA get all the volunteers to help out with Kumbira?

Well, we tap all our resources-schools, hotels, the local government and send out invitations to volunteer for the event. We also tap our member’s as early as possible so we are able to collect enough volunteers for the event.

3. What are some new aspects of this year’s Kumbira event?

This year’s Kumbira focuses a lot on live competitions. In previous years, we were more about exhibits and shows but we decided to change that this year. We wanted to make it as educational as possible so this time, the real skill of the competitors will be properly judged this way.

Creative Cake Decoration LIVE

On The Spot Bedsetting Competition

Cup Cake Decorating LIVE

Flair Bartending Tandem LIVE

Another new aspect of this year’s Kumbira is the Interactive booths. For example, we have the coffee booth where anyone can watch educational videos on coffee making and decorating. We also have the cake decorating, knife cutting demos where some of our judges gave some demos and allowed anyone in the audience to try cutting or decorating.

Coffee Making Interactive Booth

Then we also have the Silent Auction where we decided to branch out and feature some art as well. At this auction, people can get paintings for a very low price.

The food gallery is another new thing this year. Last year, people saying there should be a place to eat since it is a Culinary Event so we incorporated that this time. There are small stalls on the side with chairs where people can also

4. What are some things we can expect next year? 

Well, we have had an overwhelming turnout this year and to be able to accommodate everyone, we’ve already had to divide some of the competitions into two batches. For example, the Chef Wars was divided into two batches so they can use the same utensils and we can accommodate everyone. The Bartending completion was also done on two days instead of one.

Next year, we will probably have to conduct elimination rounds so we can still use the same venue.  This way, only those who qualify for the final rounds will be featured in Kumbira.

5. Lastly and on a more personal note, which of the displays or competitions this year would you say is your favorite?

I’m very impressed with the Artistic bread showpiece Student category. Previously, this completion was only open for professionals but this year we decided to open it to students as well and the results are very impressive.

Artistic Bread Showpiece Student Category

Kumbira has indeed grown from simply focusing on cooking to branching out into bread, pastries, desserts, housekeeping and other categories in the industry. COHARA has put forth extensive effort to make it a success.

CDOKAY would like to thank Ms. Yu for taking time to talk to us. We look forward to what’s in store for the next year’s Kumbira event and wish COHARA all the best their preparations. We will be sure to cover the entire event again next year!