Stage is set for the Golden Mutya
To mark its 50th anniversary, the people behind the Mutya ng Pilipinas search will proclaim four winners (from a field of 50 aspirants) on Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Mall Of Asia (MOA) Arena who will be wearing new crowns designed by Jeweler Hoseki — for Mutya Asia Pacific International and Mutya Tourism International, 10-carat crowns worth no less than P5M studded with sapphires and sea pearls; and for Mutya Global Beauty Queen and Mutya Tourism Queen of the Year International, smaller crowns by artist Dominic Rubio featuring his artwork.
“The Mutya search aims to empower women,” said Hemilyn Escudero-Tamayo, a former Mutya title-holder who is on her second year as president of Mutya ng Pilipinas, Inc. (MPI). “We will continue to strive in upholding, boosting and strengthening our Mutyas that we have built through the years.”
“This year is a transition year as we move from analog to digital so we can reach more people,” said Frederick Yuson, MPI chairman.
Mutya has proven to be a rich source of showbiz stars, among them Aurora Sevilla (1984), Mutya Laxa (1990), Daisy Reyes (1995), Marilou Bendigo (1981), Tetchie Agbayani (1979) Yehlen Catral (1978), Bong Dimayacyac (1983), Alice Crisostomo (1970), Emma Yuhico (1977), Rio Diaz (1977), Marilou Sadiua (1983), Rosemarie de Vera (1980), Michelle Aldana (1993), Star Querubin and Maricel Morales.
Here’s a misty-eyed look at the maiden pageant staged on Dec. 7, 1968, at the Araneta Coliseum where 13 beauties vied for the crown and title, namely: Pilar Agcaoili, Fortune Aleta, Arlene Aquino, Maria Theresa de la Concepcion, Jane de Joya, Carmina Gutierrez, Mary Grace Iñigo, Marie Antoinette Martinez, Lolita Planas, Marthie Rodriguez, Maria Norma Sayno, Maria Luz Villanueva and Susan Yang.
The winner was Jane de Joya and her runnersup were Villanueva, fourth; Iñigo, third; Agcaoili, second; and Aleta, first. De Joya’s prizes included P3,000 cash prize, a trip to Hong Kong, Santiago de Manila wardrobe, a Polaroid camera, a P50,000 worth of accident insurance from Malayan Insurance Company and a time deposit from Manila Banking Corporation. — With a report from Celso de Guzman Caparas (E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www. philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)