UMak student crowned Miss Makati 2019

An 18-year old student of the University of Makati (UMak), Micah Beatrice Santos from Barangay West Rembo, has been crowned Miss Makati 2019, besting 23 other candidates at the Coronation Night held Friday at the Makati Coliseum. Makati Mayor Abby Binay said the newly-crowned Miss Makati 2019 impressed the judges with her striking beauty, self-confidence and intelligence, which have made her an ideal partner of the city government in promoting a “smart, sustainable and future-ready Makati”. “Miss Makati 2019 has risen above the challenges she has faced and turned these into opportunities to grow and become a stronger and better person. I am confident that she will be able to fulfil her crucial role in accelerating Makati’s transformation as a Smart City,” Mayor Abby said. The mayor said Miss Makati 2019 will serve as the city’s ambassador of goodwill while inspiring fellow young Makatizens to strive for excellence and take an active part in city-building, as defined by the 2019 pageant theme, “Creating the Future Now”. Santos is also the current titleholder of Miss UMak 2019. She stated that her advocacy is to campaign against bullying, having been a victim of bullies herself, and vowed to help fellow victims overcome adversity. Mayor Abby, accompanied by Miss Makati 2018 Karla O’Hara and Congressman Luis Campos, crowned Miss Makati 2019. Mayor Abby also congratulated the other winners, Miss Makati Tourism 2019 Kristina Cassandra Bahaj and Miss Makatizen 2019 Venice Kayla Barrameda. “Both Miss Makati Tourism 2019 and Miss Makatizen 2019 have shown that they are up to the task of helping us promote innovations that will empower and inspire the citizens of Makati,” she stated. Bahaj, 22, a resident of Barangay Sta. Cruz, said that she was motivated to join the pageant by her personal experience with taking care of a family member suffering from dementia, her own grandmother. This led to her advocacy for making Makati the first “dementia-friendly city” in the country. Barrameda, 21-year old resident of Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, who also won as Miss CEU 2016 at Centro Escolar University, is an advocate of good oral health. Her goal is to promote oral health by providing dental missions for the less privileged to give back to the city. Miss Makati 2019 took home P200,000 cash prize, a crown, a sash, a gift pack from Home of Beauty Color (HBC), and P50,000 worth of gift certificates from iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle. Miss Makati Tourism 2019, on the other hand, won a cash prize of P150,000, a crown, a sash, an HBC gift pack, and P50,000 worth of gift certificates from iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle. Miss Makatizen 2019 bagged P100,000 cash prize, a crown, a sash, an HBC gift pack, and P50,000 worth of gift certificates from iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle. Bahaj was also named “Miss Air Asia” while Barrameda won the titles “Miss iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle” and “Miss Balmain”. The title “Miss Congeniality” was won by Gianelle Anne Balaton, 22, of Barangay Valenzuela, “Miss Photogenic” went to Micah Beatriz Santos; and “Best in Long Gown” was Renee Rose Tirones, 23, of Barangay San Lorenzo. Now on its 29th year, the Miss Makati 2019 coronation night was hosted by Mikael Daez and Issa Litton. The pageant was part of the month-long celebration of the 349th Founding Anniversary of Makati with the theme, “Makati 2025: Fasttracking Progress”. The board of judges in this year’s pageant was chaired by Albert Andrada, designer; together with Sheila Romero, CEO Air Asia; Kate Pagkalinawan, CEO iSkin Aesthetic Lifestyle; George Royeca, CEO/owner of Angkas; Franco Laurel, singer and actor; Ruffa Gutierrez, actress and beauty queen; Tim Yap, host and media practitioner; and designers Anthony Ramirez and Paul Cabral. Entertainment numbers were provided by Air Dance, Nexus (Makati Dance Challenge 2018 Champions), and balladeer Michael Pangilinan. The other 21 finalists included Charlene Marie Inonog (Kasilawan); Stephanie Isabelle Aquino (Poblacion); Sophia Michaela Leanne Aguado (Pio del Pilar); Alliaa Nicole Diputado (Tejeros); Gianelle Anne Balaton (Valenzuela); Patricia Rose Pangan (San Isidro); Bianca Gabrielle Abaya (Poblacion); Lailah Guiuan (Pembo); Kaoru Aseana Pimentel (South Cembo); Jan Karen Esguerra (Bel-Air); Monica Acuno (West Rembo); Hannah Patricia Beatrice Kristiansen (Northside); Desiree Harriet Alyanna Gamboa (Guadalupe Viejo); Charlyn Joyce Barrientos (Southside); Ma. Anna Clarisse Villavicencio (San Antonio); Marie Gabrielle Brillantes (Poblacion); Princess Vinia Putulin (South Cembo); Renee Rose Tirones (San Lorenzo); Elliah Kate Nicolas (East Rembo); Jeanne Pauline Suplente (Guadalupe Viejo); and Erika Mae Salvador (Comembo). The candidates were adjudged with the following criteria: Intelligence, 40 percent; beauty, 40 percent; and personality, 20 percent.