By Aaron Recuenco
From boots and guns, to high high-heels and make up.
At least 26 policewomen will face the biggest challenge of their lives by vying to be this year’s Ms. Ganda Pulis.
Miss PNP #GandaPulis 2018 candidates (George Calvelo, ABS CBN News)
Chief Supt. Rhodel Sermomia, director of the Police Community Relations Group (PCRG), said the 26 police beauty candidates represent the 16 police regional police offices, five districts of Metro Manila and five National Support Units of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“This pageant is intended to promote the advocacies for women’s and children’s concerns, the Tokhang (knock and plead) recovery and wellness program and also to showcase the country’s different tourist destinations,” said Sermonia.
“It primarily seeks to provide due recognition to the roles of policewomen as builders of good relationships with the community, which is essential to ensure the success of the recovery and wellness program of the PNP in its campaign against illegal drugs and other advocacy work,” he added.
The beauty pageant appears to be tougher than her training to be a Special Force (SAF) commando, according to Police Officer 1 Chanda Angel.
Angel will represent the PNP’s elite force.
“I am proud to represent my unit,” said Angel.
She said that his fellow SAF commandos encouraged her to join in order to send a message to the public that her unit is all toughness.
This is echoed by Police Officer 1 Cris Pastores who will represent the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional police.
“I joined because I want to show to everybody that policewomen do not only possess bravery and courage but also the beauty, brain, confidence, and attitude to become a beauty queen,” she said during yesterday’s presentation of candidates.
Sermonia said the winner will represent the PNP as its goodwill ambassadress for promoting the advocacy on the PNP’s recovery and wellness program as well as other projects and programs of the PNP.
The official added that the one which will be crowned Ms Ganda Pulis 2018 will automatically reassigned to the PNP-PCRG to be able to accomplish her duties.
Other major awards to be given on April 23, the pageant’s grand coronation night, aside from the title Ms. PNP Ganda Pulis 2018, are: Ms. Maka-Diyos (God-fearing); Ms. Makabansa (patriotic); Ms. Makatao (humane); and Ms. Makalikasan (environmentalist).
Also to be given are special awards for best in advocacy, talent, swim wear, ethnic costume, evening gown as well as for Ms Photogenic and Ms Congeniality. There is also a people’s choice award.
It was recalled that the winner of last year’s beauty contest received P25,000 cash, P300,000-worth of skin care products and services, a new Glock .45 pistol.
Other candidates are PO2 Josefa Baya, of Ilocos Region; PO2 Barylle Beronilla, of Cagayan Province; PO1 Anne Jerica Buenafe, of Central Luzon; Gearlyn Paga, of CALABARZON; PO2 Ria Bero, of MIMAROPA; PO1 Gersa Napoles, of Bicol region; PO1 Elymore Caberto, of Cordillera Administratie Region; PO1 Grace Rose Barrientos, of Western Visayas; PO2 Mirva Daigan, of Central Visayas; and PO1 Joanna Borneo, of Eastern Visayas.
In Mindanao, the candidates are PO1 Madonna Gay Cajocon, of Zamboanga Peninsula; PO2 May Oro, of Northen Mindanao; Po1 Mabile Pongase, of Davao Region; PO1 Ivy Dandan, of Central Mindanao; and PO1 Rejane Custodio, of CARAGA Region.
In Mero Manila, the candidates are Po1 Iza Cabao, of Quezon City Police District; PO1 Christyl Montero, of Southern Police District; PO1 Sheena Magabilin, of Eastern Police District; Po1 Beraquiel Abigan, of Manila; and PO1 Michelle Moises, of Northern Police District.
Other candidates are PO3 Jeniffer Estrera, of Headquarters Support Service; SPO1 Cherryl Abagay, of Police Security Protection Group; PO1 Emily Carabban, of Drug Enforcement Group; and PO1 Shermina Asbi, of Maritime Group.