By CESAR JOLITO III
A candidate from Don Salvador Benedicto was crowned this year’s Lin-ay Sang Negros, clinching the prestigious Pearl Queen title during a jam-packed coronation night at Panaad Stadium on Friday, April 17.
Jamaicah Bantigue bested 31 other candidates in this year’s pageant, which marked its 30th edition with all 32 cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental participating for the first time.
Her victory marked a historic milestone for Don Salvador Benedicto, earning the town its first-ever Lin-ay Sang Negros crown as the province celebrated the festival’s pearl anniversary.
During the final question-and-answer portion, Bantigue highlighted her advocacy for mental health, stressing the need to strengthen services and address the limited number of facilities in the province.
As this year’s Lin-ay, Bantigue will represent Negros Occidental in the Miss World Philippines pageant.
She received P80,000 in cash, a full one-year scholarship, P200,000 in financial assistance for her advocacy, a P100,000 technical-vocational scholarship, and other prizes, including accessories, accommodations and monthly stipends.
Meanwhile, Johana Marie Oyog of Kabankalan City was named first runner-up, followed by Kimberly Kate Payumo of Talisay City as second runner-up.
Elisha Krizzle Escultura of Cauayan and Glazel Bayona of Calatrava placed third and fourth runners-up, respectively.
The four-hour coronation program featured swimwear and evening gown competitions, capped by a special serenade from actor Jericho Rosales before the announcement of winners.
The panel of judges included pageant personalities and industry leaders such as Arnold Vegafria, Asia Rose Simpson and Joy Barcoma, among others.
In his message, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson underscored the province’s continued support for the winners’ advocacies, describing the pageant as “a stage where advocacies are born and leaders are shaped.”
Lacson also emphasized that the participation of all 32 localities reflected unity and shared pride.
Countless sacrifices, quiet prayers
In a social media post released shortly after her coronation, Bantigue described her journey as one shaped by perseverance, purpose and advocacy.
She shared that her path to the crown was built on “hundreds of hours, countless sacrifices and quiet prayers,” beginning with her earlier titles as Miss Mansilingan 2024 and Diwata Sang Kali 2025.
A psychology student from the University of St. La Salle, Bantigue underscored her advocacy “You Matter,” which focuses on promoting mental health awareness and pushing for more accessible facilities in Negros Occidental.
“Twenty-four hours after being crowned, reality settled in — not as pressure, but as clarity,” she said, emphasizing that being a queen today requires leadership, innovation and the courage to challenge outdated norms.
Bantigue dedicated her historic win to her hometown, calling it a shared victory for Don Salvador Benedicto.
“This victory is ours … May this moment ignite hope, especially among our youth, that no dream is too distant, no voice too small,” she said.
Describing her message as a “love letter” to Negros, Bantigue vowed to use her platform to serve and inspire.
“A promise that this crown will not sit still … a commitment that I will use this voice to uplift, to serve and to inspire,” she added.
“Because now, the real work begins — and I am ready,” she added./CJ, WDJ