By Nanette Guadalquiver/Philippine News Agency
BACOLOD CITY — Nineteen-year-old Roxanne Toleco of Talisay City won the coveted Lin-ay sang Negros 2019 title, besting 25 other candidates during the pageant night held at the Panaad Park and Stadium here Friday.
Asked during the final round why her city should be the next top destination in Negros Occidental, the crowd favorite said Talisay is not just a destination, but a home to its people, who are progressive and resilient.
Toleco, a freshman psychology major at the University of St. La Salle, is the 25th winner of the local beauty search held since 1994 as one of the highlights of the annual Panaad sa Negros Festival.
She is the second candidate from Talisay City to be crowned, after national pageant winner Vickie Marie Rushton, who won the title 10 years ago.
“I’m so thankful that God has given me a chance to become Lin-ay sang Negros. I will possibly join a national pageant, if given the chance,” Toleco said in a post-pageant interview.
The new queen said Rushton, who wished her luck before the finals night, is her inspiration in her pageant journey.
Toleco, whose advocacy will focus on education, received a cash prize of PHP60,000 and a full college scholarship from the provincial government.
For winning the crown, she was automatically named Miss Millennial and Australian Skills Institute Ambassador. She also won the special awards for Best in Evening Gown, Miss Photogenic and Miss Organik na Negros 2019.
Jarizz Borcelas of Sagay City, named first runner-up, received PHP40,000, while Leila Jules Sarino of Hinobaan, who was adjudged second runner-up, went home with PHP20,000.
Borcelas was also awarded Best in Swimwear, People’s Choice, and Miss GMA Kapuso while Sarino was chosen Best in Talent.
Lin-ay sang San Carlos Ma. Rita Sol Requieron and Lin-ay sang Pontevedra Chaira Victoria Juarez also made it to the Top 5.
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