Guess which celebs started in Miss Caloocan tilt

Did you know that 1970 Miss Caloocan title-holder, the former Norma Ramos, is the sister of the first (1968) Bb. Pilipinas-International winner and 1968 Miss International Top 15 semi-finalist Nini Ramos (now Licaros)? Norma (married to Rodrigo Manalo) is the mother of Bb. Pilipinas queens Kate (2002 Miss World Top 10), Bianca (2009 Universe) and Nichole Marie (2016 Miss Globe third runner-up).

The Miss Caloocan pageant is not only a rich source of national beauty queens and political personalities (e.g. ex-Cong. Mary Mitzi Cajayon) but also those with showbiz potential like Angel Locsin and Aubrey Miles.

Representing different barangays, the Miss Caloocan 2018 candidates were formally presented to the media at the Bulwagang Katipunan, New Caloocan City Hall on Feb. 1. The Q&A portion was hosted by Jobert Sucaldito.

Seated, from left, are candidates 1 to 12: Zoraya Polo, Nicole Ann Maliglig, Venus Balito, Daniela Cayanan, Julia Mae Mendoza, Jhustyn Chloe Castro, Patricia Agapito, Hyacinth Pearl Zoleta, Camille Joyce Dequina, Yllah Mae Santo Tomas, Pamela Bianca Villacorte and Andrea Abcede. Standing, from right, are candidates 13 to 25: Jeanne Antonio, Jane Nicole Minano, Kryss Tricy Rizza del Prado, Mae Kimberly de Luna, Patricia Maala, Carrie Mikaella Serrano, Stephanie Monce, Camille Bernadeth Roa, Julia Torres, Chrystel Shane Lubrico, Khate Anne Buscaino, Erica Jane Medina and Mary Jane Toribo.

Four of the candidates are already professionals, including a UAAP courtside reporter, while the remaining are either high school or college students.

They will grace the annual Chinese New Year’s countdown in Monumento (Feb. 15) and the Outstanding Citizens of Caloocan Awards Night (Feb. 16); compete in the Pre-Pageant Night (Feb. 19 at the New City Hall Grounds); and participate in the city’s feeding programs, medical and dental missions in various barangay and charitable institutions like Tahanang Mapagpala.

The Coronation Night will be staged at the new City Sports Complex in Brgy. 171, Bagumbong on Feb. 24. For the first time, it will have a live television telecast, over TV5. Director for television is Arnel Natividad and in-charge of production is Rodgil Flores and his team.

Held yearly in conjunction with Caloocan Cityhood’s celebration (declared as a city by Pres. Diosdado Macapagal on Feb. 16, 1962 under R.A. 3278), the pageant is under Mayor Oscar Malapitan with the supervision of the Cultural Affairs Tourism Office headed by Katrina Malapitan-Mendoza and in cooperation with the Caloocan Cultural and Tourism Foundation.