Bullying survivor takes Mutya ng Taguig 2017 crown

A BULLYING SURVIVOR bested 26 ladies to claim the 2017 Mutya ng Taguig crown in ceremonies held on May 21 at the SMX Convention Center in Bonifacio Global City.

Candidate No. 2 Lovely G. Lamptey, representing Barangay Central Bicutan, won loud cheers from the audience and, later on, the coveted crown after revisiting her past.

“If there is anything you wish to change in your life so far, what would it be and why?” asked Nina Ricci Alagao, Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2000, who served as one of the judges of the prestigious pageant.

“If there is one thing I want to change in my life, it would be the time when I was still a coward. When I was young I was bullied for my skin color and the way I speak,” said the dusky stunner who added that the incident affected her self-esteem.

She, however, pointed out that her father helped her realize that accepting who she really is would allow people to see the good in her. “My father was always there to pull me back up and that is why I am the resilient woman that I am today.”

From this experience Lamptey concluded that “a real Mutya should be a resilient woman who is responsible, who has a hand of compassion, a heart of love and also has a heart for her people.”

For Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Lamptey personifies the reason why the city is holding the pageant yearly.  “The crown she took home will empower her; and her story — conquering her insecurities, the experience of bullying, and competing onstage — will empower young women in Taguig.”

As Mutya ng Taguig, Lamptey will now act as a goodwill ambassador for the city.

Following Lamptey in the rankings was Christine Alen T. Rada (Brgy. Pinagsama). In third place was Micah Claudette L. Pulido (Brgy. Western Bicutan). Completing the winners were Cryss Julienne Y. Cuevas (Brgy. New Lower Bicutan) and Nathalie M. Colipano (Brgy. South Signal).

Undergoing the question-and-answer round were this year’s Top 10 candidates, determined through the combined scores during the preliminaries on May 18 and coronation night. Completing the Top 10 ladies were Rozeneth A. Tadtad (Central Signal), Esraphelle Tambong (Fort Bonifacio), Monica B. Acuno (Katuparan), Diana Ruth Evangelista Dones (Ibayo) and Olivia G. Quiambao (Napindan).

Judges for the preliminaries were film director Jose Javier Reyes, model and Binibining Pilipinas 1992 titleholder Marina Benipayo, and photographer Niccolo Cosme. Mr. Reyes returned on May 21 to join a five-member jury, which included Ms. Alagao, 2014 Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Yvethe Marie Santiago, fashion designer Eric Pineda, and actor Sid Lucero.

Special awards were also given to selected candidates which included Danna Gie T. Aguinaldo (Miss Congeniality); Lamptey (Miss Photogenic); Colipano (Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown); and Tadtad (Best Talent).

Hosting the coronation night were actor Arjo Atayde and model-beauty queen Samantha Purvor.

FILIPINO VERSION

Biktima ng bullying, wagi na Mutya ng Taguig 2017

KINORONAHAN bilang “Mutya ng Taguig 2017” ang isang bullying survivor. Nahigitan niya ang 26 na dilag na hangad din sanang masungkit ang korona at tanghalin bilang 2017 Mutya ng Taguig sa seremonyang idinaos nitong  May 21 sa SMX Convention Center sa Bonifacio Global City.

Si Candidate No. 2 Lovely G. Lamptey, kumakatawan sa Barangay Central Bicutan, ang nagwagi sa pinakamalakas ng hiyaw at palakpakan mula sa audience, at kalaunan, ay pati na ang pinakamimithing korona matapos alalahanin at ilahad ang kanyang nakaraan.

“If there is anything you wish to change in your life so far, what would it be and why?” ang tanong ni Nina Ricci Alagao, Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2000, na nagsilbing isa sa mga judges ng prestihiyosong patimpalak pangkagandahan.

“If there is one thing I want to change in my life, it would be the time when I was still a coward. When I was young I was bullied for my skin color and the way I speak,” sagot ni Miss Lamptey. Idinagdag pa nito na nakaapekto ang insidente sa kanyang pagpapahalaga sa sarili.

Binanggit rin niya na tinulungan siya ng kanyang pamilya na tanggapin kung sino siya at ipakita sa tao kung sino talaga ang totoong siya. “My father was always there to pull me back up and that is why I am the resilient woman that I am today,” saad pa ng Mutya winner.

Mula sa karanasang ito, naniniwala si Lamptey na “a real Mutya should be a resilient woman who is responsible, who has a hand of compassion, a heart of love and also has a heart for her people.”

Para naman kay Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, sinisimbolo ni Lamptey ang rason kung bakit nagdaraos ng taunang pageant ang lungsod.  “The crown she took home will empower her; and her story — conquering her insecurities, the experience of bullying, and competing onstage — will empower young women in Taguig, ” paliwanag ng alkalde.

Bilang Mutya ng Taguig, aakto na ngayon si Lamptey na goodwill ambassador para sa lungsod.

Sumunod kay Lamptey sa rankings sina Christine Alen T. Rada (Brgy. Pinagsama). Nasa third place si Micah Claudette L. Pulido (Brgy. Western Bicutan). Ang iba pang winners ay sina Cryss Julienne Y. Cuevas (Brgy. New Lower Bicutan) at Nathalie M. Colipano (Brgy. South Signal).

Natukoy sa question-and-answer round ang Top 10 candidates sa taong ito sa pinagsamang puntos sa preliminaries noong May 18 at sa mismong coronation night. Kumumpleto sa Top 10 ladies sina Rozeneth A. Tadtad (Central Signal), Esraphelle Tambong (Fort Bonifacio), Monica B. Acuno (Katuparan), Diana Ruth Evangelista Dones (Ibayo) and Olivia G. Quiambao (Napindan).

Naging judges para sa preliminaries sina film director Jose Javier Reyes, model and Binibining Pilipinas 1992 titleholder Marina Benipayo, at photographer Niccolo Cosme. Bumalik si Mr. Reyes noong May 21 at sumama sa limang hurado, na kinabilangan rin nina Ms. Alagao, 2014 Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Yvethe Marie Santiago, fashion designer Eric Pineda, at actor Sid Lucero.

Ginawaran rin ng special awards ang mga piling kandidata na kinabilangan nina Danna Gie T. Aguinaldo (Miss Congeniality); Lamptey (Miss Photogenic); Colipano (Best in Swimsuit and Best in Long Gown); at Tadtad (Best Talent).

Ang naghost sa coronation night ay sina actor Arjo Atayde at ang model-beauty queen na si Samantha Purvor. ###