The 20 official candidates of the Miss Manila 2023 beauty pageant

Twenty lovely Manileñas will compete for the title of Miss Manila at the Metropolitan Theater on June 23, at 7 p.m.

This year's official candidates are: Jean Maxene Asay (Intramuros), Sheryl Ann Azucena (Ugbo Tondo), Bea Cecilio (Otis Pandacan), Shane Clamor (Zamora Pandacan), Hannah Therese Cruz (Sampaloc), Anna Carres de Mesa (Sta. Mesa), Leah Lei Gerosanib (Don Bosco Tondo), Charlyn Anne Icban (Blumentritt), Princess Keith Venus Lagata (Balut Tondo), Gabrielle Lantzer (Malate), Allaine Nuez (Punta, Sta. Ana), Angela Okol (Paco), Karen Nicole Piccio (Pureza Sta. Mesa), Rethy Rosa (Maceda Sampaloc), Charmaine Salazar (Padre Faura), Juvyel Anne Saluta (Pandacan), Francine Tajanlangit (Roxas Boulevard), Julie Tarrayo (Sta. Cruz), Rycca Timog (Tayuman), and Ma. Theresa Villamor (Baseco Port Area).

They were presented to the members of the press during a special presentation held at the Rizal Park Hotel last June 3.

At the end of the presentation, Okol was named Darling of the Press, as chosen by members of the pageant and entertainment press.

More than 50 beautiful women were screened to be part of this year’s edition, but only 20 candidates officially received their sashes from Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, and Charlie Dungo, Director of Tourism Culture and Arts of Manila at the Bulwagang Villegas located in historic Manila City Hall last May 15.

The battle for the prestigious title is not an easy path for the delegates since they will undergo various pre-pageant activities such as masterclasses in Pasarela under Rodgil Flores, founder of pageant camp Kagandahang Flores, makeup with celebrity make-up artist Lala Flores, and a masterclass in question and answer.

The grand coronation of the prestigious pageant will be hosted by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, with a special performance from Power Diva and proud Manileña, Angeline Quinto who sang the Miss Manila theme song. Rapper Kritiko and Filipino violinist Jo Bry Cimafranca will also perform during the pageant.

Miss Manila is presented by the City of Manila, Department of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts of Manila, Kreativden Entertainment, and co-presented by the Philippine Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and San Miguel Corporation.

Minor sponsors are SM, Arca, and partnerships with Jag, EW Villa Medica Manila, Metrophoto, Metropolitan Theater, and the Rizal Park Hotel.

“Miss Manila: Woman of Worth is a project of the City of Manila to look for a Manileña that embodies the values of empowerment and leadership to deliver meaningful contributions to her life and to her fellow Manilans.”

After five long years, the Miss Manila beauty pageant returns as part of the culminating event of the Araw ng Maynila celebration.

Angela Okol of Paco, Manila wins Darling of the Press. Also in photo is Charlie Dungo, Director of Tourism Culture and Arts of Manila

“What is it like to be Miss Manila? Dapat po ang Miss Manila should be true to herself. She has to love herself first before she can love others.

“She should embody the traits of the true Manilenya. And she should be a strong advocate for all of the rights of all women. Yan po ang traits ng isang tunay na Manilenya.

“In other words, dapat po ang isang Manilenya ay may wow factor. Woman of worth. Siya po ay isang true leader, isang nurturer and a changemaker,” said Mayor Honey.

The mayor also took pride in the rich history of the local government of Manila when it comes to pageantry, saying that the city was the first venue for a pageant in the country in 1908.

“Ito po ay ginanap sa Luneta. And the very first Miss Carnival was from Iloilo. She is Pura Villanueva Kalaw. She’s also an activist, a writer. She also worked for suffrage which gave women the chance to vote.

“After so many years, the third Manila Carnival Queen hailed from Manila who happens to be the daughter of Pura Villanueva Kalaw, Maria Kalaw Katigbak. She was born in Sampaloc. Siya po ang nag-iisang babaeng senador noong panahon na yun.

“It just goes to show that pageantry is not all about beauty. It’s more of kung ano talaga ang worth ng isang babae. Kapag sila ay naging Carnival Queen, sila ay kilala na bilang Miss Manila. In 1998, sinimulan na ang Miss Manila pageant dito sa aming lungsod during the time of former Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.

“Then it ran for a couple of years. It was relaunched by former Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada in 2014. Because of the pandemic, walang naganap na Miss Manila. So here we are re-launching the Miss Manila 2023,” Mayor Honey also recalled.

Miss Manila is a project of the City of Manila to look for a Manileña that embodies the values of empowerment and leadership to deliver meaningful contributions to her life and to her fellow Manilans.

Asked if there were many women of worth in Manila, Lacuna said: “Sa Manila po hindi mahirap hanapin ang woman of worth. Hindi naman po sa pagbubuhat ng bangko, sa panahon po ngayon, malaki na po ang pagtingin ng mga Manilenyo sa mga babae. Isa pong patunay nito ang nang nahalal ang isang babaeng mayor ng City of Manila.”

(In Manila, it’s not hard to find a woman of worth. Nowadays, the people of Manila have a high regard for women. One proof of this is when a woman was elected mayor of the city of Manila.)

In May 2022, Mayor Honey made history after she was proclaimed the first woman mayor of Manila.