To promote the values, local tourism, cultures, and industries of Marikina City, Mayor Marcy Teodoro partnered with the Marikina Sapatos Jaycees, Inc. to organize the “Binibining Marikina 2024” pageant in December this year.
Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro (center), JCI-Marikina Sapatos President Juan Sonny Belleza III (right), and JCI-Senate National Secretary General Maria Elena Dayrit (left) ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for organizing this year’s "Binibining Marikina 2024" on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at the City Hall (Photos from Marikina LGU)
On Nov. 20, Teodoro signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Junior Chamber International (JCI)-Marikina Sapatos President Juan Sonny Belleza III and JCI-Senate National General Secretary Maria Elena Dayrit for organizing the pageant.
The local government said that the Binibining Marikina 2024 aims to search for a Marikina resident who can best represent the intrinsic values of a Marikiña and help uphold its image as an exceptional "probinsyudad" through projects that promote sustainability.
During the signing, the mayor said that the purpose of the pageant is not only limited to highlighting the beauty and elegance of Marikina residents, saying that pageants in this day and age are no longer just a beauty contest.
“Hindi naman ibig sabihin na ‘pag sinabi nating Binibining Marikina ay sino 'yung maganda, sino 'yung mas maganda (It doesn’t necessarily mean that when we say ‘Binibining Marikina,’ it’s about who is beautiful or who is more beautiful). It’s not something physical,” the mayor said.
He emphasized that the event seeks to boost the city’s tourism and showcase the culture and heritage of the city by enjoining various stakeholders, from its renowned shoemakers and leather goods manufacturers to multiple local couturiers and beauty specialists, to participate and share their expertise in this endeavor.
“Sana yung iba’t-ibang industries natin sa Marikina ay makapag-participate sila lalo na ang ating shoe industry, pati na rin 'yung mga local couturiers natin baka pwede ma-involve natin. Saka marami din tayong mga hair and make-up professionals (I hope various industries in Marikina, especially our shoe industry, can participate, along with our local couturiers who might be involved. Also, we have many talented hair and make-up professionals that can also participate),” he said.
“Dapat tingin ko hindi lang tourism, dapat pati trade and industry kasama rin dito. Pati na 'yung mga restaurant owners. Tapos 'yung isang ipu-push ko sana 'yung local tours so we could promote 'yung mga areas of development natin dito (I think it shouldn’t just focus on tourism; trade and industry should also be included, as well as restaurant owners. One thing I’d like to push for is local tours to promote our areas of development here),” Teodoro added.
Under the MOU, the city government will provide the venues and additional manpower in order to successfully stage the event. It will also be in charge of promoting the event to the public through various mass media platforms.
It shall also organize multiple events where candidates should be invited, as well as promote, guide, and develop the winners through exposure to different projects and events of the LGU.
Moreover, the LGU shall arrange a city tour for the candidates to know and understand the history of Marikina, culture and traditions, tourist destinations, and different priority developmental projects of the city.
On the other hand, JCI-Marikina Sapatos will lead the program implementation, decide on the branding elements of the event, provide posters, collateral materials, and other marketing materials, organize pocket events leading to the Talent Night and Grand Coronation, and seek sponsorship or additional funding for the pageant.
Meanwhile, Dayrit will lead the technical working group and organizing committee in terms of conceptualization and strategy, tap beauty camps that may field their trainees as candidates subject to eligibility requirements, and assist in the fitness and beauty workshops of the candidates, among others.
Dayrit also shared that they have planned a series of events leading up to the grand coronation night of the Binibining Marikina 2024 on December 16.
The events include a talent and fashion show where candidates will display their skills and talents and showcase the shoes, bags, and dresses made by skilled craftsmen and artists of Marikina.
“Sana maging maganda talaga at papanoorin, pupuntahan ng hindi lang taga kundi Marikina pati rin ng mga taga ibang lugar (I hope it turns out well and becomes something worth watching and visiting, not just for the people of Marikina but also for those from other places),” Teodoro stated.