CADLAN, PILI, Camarines Sur - A lively, colorful, and energetic pageant, the much-awaited Ms. Kaogma ‘07 Beauty Search nearly missed its date with history when a sudden downpour delayed the anticipated event by several minutes Wednesday night, May 23, 2007 at the floodlit Kaogma stage.

        After much suspense, the huge crowd was eventually treated to an eye feast as 20 pre-screened and pre-judged candidates paraded their beautiful faces and well-toned bodies before a distinguished panel of judges chaired by Mr. Eric Pe Benito, an ABS-CBN creative consultant to VP Charo Santos-Concio.

        Other members of the Board of Judges were Ms. Margarita Araneta Fores, a well-known chef and restaurateur, Ms. Gwendolyn Cu, an interior designer and creative director of Avenue Square, Dr. Mary Jane Guazon-Uy, a dermatologist and skin and body specialist, Ms. Aleta Naz General, former Miss Naga City ‘77, Ms. Sol Guysayko, boutique owner and noted entrepreneur, Mr. Russell Sinfuego, events planner and creative director, and Bianca Salonga, features editor of Mega magazine and granddaughter of nationalist senator, Jovito Salonga.

        Newly re-elected Governor LRay Villafuerte, his beauteous wife, Lara, with Vice Gov. Sal Fortuno, along with their entourage arrived just in time as the pageant was starting and were duly acknowledged by Patrick Monroe who was accomplished as host for the night.

        Out of the 20, the top ten were already chosen in a pre-pageant judging a day before the pageant proper where a different set of judges met with each candidate up close and personal. After the standard Q & A portion, the magic five were finally selected and ranked.

        When the winners were announced, 18-year old BS Tourism student Janine Arianne Leal easily bagged the coveted crown as the new Ms. Kaogma. The Mariner’s Polytechnic Colleges Foundation 5’5 tall coed was also awarded as Best in Evening Gown while 16-year old Linda Bucklund of Iriga City with her doll-like features was named Ms. Camarines Sur. Ma. Venus Raj, the 18-year old Indian mestiza and proverbial crowd favorite, settled for the title as Ms. Kaogma Tourism with 17-year old statuesque 5’10 1/2 Fil-Am beauty, Tabetha Frick, adjudged as First Runner-Up and leggy Ms. Honeylyn Maninang, 17 years old and an International Hospitality Management student from the University of Northeastern Philippines rounded up the winning circle as Second Runner-Up. Tall and dusky Ms. Raj, exuding an exotic allure is an Arts and Letters major at Bicol University. She was also chosen as Best in Swimsuit while Ms. Frick, although a high school graduate, was very articulate despite her youth. She dreams of becoming a magazine writer in a high-end magazine someday. Ma. Kristela Marquez, a 21-year old former flight stewardess was voted as Ms. Congeniality and Shara Jane Cervantes, 18 years old, was chosen as Ms. Photogenic.

        Earlier in the evening, the 20 finalists were serenaded by hunky actor and matinee idol Piolo Pascual with three Pilipino love songs to the shrieking delight of the adoring fans and admiring audience.

        All special awards were given a sash, bouquet, trophy, and P3,000.00 cash each. Ms. Kaogma, like the rest of the title holders each got a sash, crown, bouquet, trophy and P100,000.00 cash, P50,000.00 cash for Ms. Camarines Sur, P40,000.00 cash for Ms. Kaogma Tourism, P30,000.00 cash for the First Runner-Up, and P20,000.00 cash for the Second Runner-Up winner.

        Criteria for judging were Beauty of Face at 40%, Beauty of Figure at 30%, and Poise & Personality at 15%, and Intelligence at 15% for a total of 100%.

        Prior to turning over their crowns, last year’s winners, Ivy Tan of Naga City, Ms. Camarines Sur ‘06 and Amanda Powell of Albay, Ms. Kaogma ‘06 both did their traditional farewell walks.

        Outgoing and re-elected provincial board members served as awards presenters that evening.

        Ms. Kaogma Beauty Pageant is a major event of the Kaogma Festival in celebration of the 428th foundation anniversary of the province of Camarines Sur. JMTSantelices