The first Miss Iloilo winners were recently crowned at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center in Iloilo City.
Rabiya Occena Mateo of Iloilo City was named Miss Iloilo-Universe; while another Iloilo City native, Ann Rozal Dedel Palmares, took Miss Iloilo-World; and Karen Laurrie Bano Mendoza of Concepcion won Miss Iloilo-Binibini.
“I want to show the world that I am a queen today because of my province and, with that being said, I want to prove to everyone that I am a true Ilongga with a heartfelt beauty,” Mateo, who is set to be the province’s screening candidate for Miss Universe Philippines 2020, said during the question and answer segment.
In addition, she also won “Best in Talent.”
ABS-CBN actor Robi Domingo hosted the event, which featured Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee and Binibining Pilipinas 2018 first runner-up Vickie Marie Rushton among the panel of judges.
The Miss Iloilo pageant replaced the Miss Dinagyang pageant. (Photos by Ian Paul Cordero)/WDJ