The 18 lovely candidates of Aliwan Fiesta 2023

Eighteen lovely girls representing the colorful festivals of their respective regions are vying for the prestigious Reyna ng Aliwan 2023 finals which will be held later in Pasay City later tonight (July 14). The pageant is staging a comeback after being absent during the pandemic, mounting only a digital edition.

According to the organizer, Manila Broadcasting Company, the search for the Festival Queen proudly exhibits the "multifaceted aspects of Filipino culture and tourism, providing  a platform for young Filipinas to showcase not only their physical beauty but also their intellectual prowess."

The 18 candidates from all over the country who have been endorsed by their local government units are the following:

1. Erika Maie Sawma  for Antipolo's  Maytime Festival. She is 22 years old and is a Dean’s Lister at Miriam College, she heads the Circadian Rhythm and is a dancer for Company of One.  She is also into painting, modelling, and hiking.

2. Deniece Allen Ayonof Baguio City for the Panagbenga Festival.  Deng is 20 years old and a student at the University of the Cordilleras. She likes cooking, hiking and ballet.

3. Doreen Pagcu Ahuja for the Dayang Dayang festival of Pasay City.  She is only 17 years old and a senior high school student. She is into calligraphy and likes playing the ukelele.

4. Kiara Liane Wellington of Talisay Cebu is the reigning Sinulog festival queen.  She is 21 years old and a student at the University of San Jose Recoletos. Her hobbies are painting and arnis.

5. Nina Athena Ariza for the Sangyaw festival of Tacloban City. She is 22 years old and a senior high school graduate. She likes reading and engaging in charitable causes. Tintin has been tasked to promote Tacloban’s eco-tourism initiatives.

6. Mariela Bianca Acob for the Tan-ok ni Ilokano festival of Ilocos Norte.  She  is 22 years old and a graduate of the University of Northern Philippines. She is currently a teacher of English as a Second Language.

7. Melanie Grace Gillamac for the Palawod festival of Bantayan Island, Cebu.  She is 22 years old and a biology major at Velez College. She plays badminton, volleyball, and table tennis, and is a commercial and runway model.

8. Mary Ann de la Cruz of Guiguinto, Bulacan, representing the Halamanan festival. She is 20 years old and a tourism major of STI Balagtas. She loves singing, dancing, and playing badminton.

9. Raisa Kabugatanrepresents Taguig City's Taga Giik festival. She is 19 years old and a Tourism Management student of STI. She loves cycling and is on the student council of their school organization.

10. Kisha Honey Panis of Tacloban City represents  the Pintados festival of Leyte. She is 19 years old and is into agricultural farming and loves taking care of animals.  Kisha is also a brand ambassador for a beauty studio in her hometown.

11. Ashley Misaki Francisco  is a resident of Taytay, Rizal and represents the Hamaka Festival. She is 17 years old and is a multi-awarded cosplayer since she was in grade school. Her pastime are gaming, dancing, and modelling.

12. Kristine Billy Tabaday representing the Ayat Festival of the province of La Union. She is 24 years old and is presently working as a marketing representative for a bank, She is also an ambassador for the Philippine National Red Cross La Union chapter.

13. Natalya Margaret Lindsay for the Tagultol Fishing Festival of Atimonan, Quezon.  She is 23 years old and  has reigned as Quezon Province’s Bb Niyogyugan since 2019.  She counts singing, sewing, and crochet among her hobbies, and is a member of the Atimonan Vocal Ensemble.

14. Shane Pia representing the Himaya-an festival of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental. She is 25 years old and is working as a sales associate for a bank. She likes travelling and creative writing.

15. Polyanna Martina Manalo represents the Anihan sa Ambling Festival of Magdalena, Laguna.  She is 22 years old, a psychology major and is also a student council member. She loves watching K-dramas and anime films.

16. Ghenesa Marie Mueller for the Udyakan festival of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.  Nesa is 24 years old and is an accounting technology graduate of Southland College. She is into reading and photography.

17. Patricia Marie Mendiola for the Pasayahan festival of Lucena City.   Pat is 21 years old and is a member of the Junior Marketing Association. She loves watching movies on Netflix and is into badminton and dancesport.

18. Jazminum Marciano is the face of the Kangga festival of Mogpog, Marinduque.   Jaja is 19 years old and is urrently a Computer Engineering major. Her hobby is dancing.

This year's Reyna ng Aliwan will receive P150,000 in cash while the 1st runner-up is entitled to P75,000. Three 2nd runners-up will get P10,000 each. There will also be three special awards for Best in Festival Costume, Best in Evening Gown and Best in Swimsuit.

All the winners will be announced during the awarding ceremonies scheduled on July 15.