ILOILO CITY—With the previous win of Rabiya Mateo, Iloilo is hopeful in regaining the crown of Miss Universe Philippines for 2022.
“I just hope to bring back the crown to Iloilo,” said Vanessa Ann Caro, who is representing Iloilo province.
When Mateo won Miss Universe Philippines 2020, she represented Iloilo City even though she hails from the province. Mateo grew up in Balasan, a town in northern Iloilo province.
The 25-year-old Caro is the first official candidate of Iloilo province which has 42 towns and the component city of Passi.
Caro, whose father hails from Calinog town, is confident she can repeat the win of Mateo even domestically while bringing glory to Iloilo and its people.
“It’s not only about natural resources, but we’re also a growing economy. I’d also like to highlight the strength of the people,” Caro told Manila Bulletin.
Caro has a degree in finance and accountancy from Central Philippine University (CPU) in Iloilo City. She also has a master’s degree in professional studies from The City University of New York (CUNY) in New York City, United States.
Caro advocates women empowerment as well as the preservation of the culture of the Panay Bukidnon, an indigenous peoples (IPs) group living in the mountains of Central Panay Island.
Caro’s team for her bid is led by renowned fashion designer PJ Arañador, who himself is an Ilonggo.
Caro’s team also include fashion designers Hector “Totong” Gellangarin and Jun-G Candelario; jewelry designer Regine Sarabia Espinosa, makeup artist Benjie Sevilla; and trainer Dennis Mallada.
Her bid is supported by the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. and the Iloilo provincial government.