MJ Lastimosa's Sentimental Journey Home

It was a sentimental journey home for newly- crowned Bb Pilipinas- Universe Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa

Thousands of North Cotabateños came to welcome home Lastimosa, also known as “MJ,” who hails from Sibsib area in nearby Tulunan town in the 3rd district of the province.

 North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza gives 2014 Binibining Pilipinas MJ Lastimosa a tight hug during the latter’s homecoming  

Our country’s bet in the 2014 Miss Universe Pageant flew in to North Cotabato by chopper and was readily greeted by thousands of her kabayayans who were waiting for almost three hours at the North Cotabato provincial capitol in Amas, Kidapawan City.

A welcome fit for a queen

Lastimosa was greeted by North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza who admitted feeling like a stage mother for MJ whom her administration supported from day one.

Lastimosa thanked her fellow Cotabatenos for their support especially during the pageant night at the Araneta Coliseum last March 30 where several supporters in red were cheering for her.

In a brief press conference, Lastimosa promised the Cotabateños that she will do her best to bring home the crown of Miss Universe 2014.

Gov. Mendoza on the other hand urged all her constituents to pray for MJ as she vowed to keep on giving her administration’s all-out support to Lastimosa who is now representing not just North Cotabato but the entire country as well.

The welcome honor for Lastimosa, who will represent the country in the 2014 Miss Universe pageant, was organized by the office of North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza.

Some 10,000 people from Tulunan and other parts of the province gathered at the provincial capitol grounds in Amas District here to greet Lastimosa.

Her homecoming coincided with the “Sayaw Kutawato 2014,” a provincial ethno-modern group dance contest at the provincial gymnasium also inside the capitol compound.

More than a dozen groups from North Cotabato’s different towns joined in the dance contest, which is part of the activities meant to highlight the forthcoming September 1, 2014 centennial anniversary of the province.

Mendoza told reporters the positive impact of Lastimosa’s win to the local eco-tourism climate is now being felt. MJ single- handedly put the province in the limelight when she bagged the country’s most coveted national beauty title

North Cotabato boasts of eco-tourism sites, among them the wildlife sanctuary Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak at more than 12 thousand feet above sea level.

Lastimosa, in an impromptu message, said she is thankful to the Mendoza administration for supporting her participation to the 2014 Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

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