1991 Mutya sa Tagbilaran Memories

The 1991 edition of Mutya sa Tagbilaran Pageant would rate as one of my favorites for two reasons;  First, it was a thrilling down- the- wire race for the crown between favorites Joanna Cheryl Matuod Evardone and Haidee Casiguran Ingking and secondly, it was where an unknown beauty with the unforgettable name of  Liwliwah Bolotaolo was discovered.

   Chewee & Haidee

FIRST ENCOUNTER The Chewee & Haidee pageant rivalry provided one of the most exciting chapters in Bohol pageantry back in the 90's. Both girls were pretty academic achievers & campus personalities from Bohol National High School who were more or less, evenly matched  in three pageant outings. Ms. Evardone & Ms. Ingking had previously competed in the 1989 Campus Girl Search won by Bohol Wisdom School’s bet Tiffany Yap. 

In that first encounter, Haidee was 3^rd Runner Up & Best in Evening Gown while Chewee was 4^th Runner Up and Best in Casual Wear. 

  L-R: 4th RU, 2nd RU,  Mutya 1991 Chewee, 1st RU, 3rd RU

ROUND TWO Fast forward to the 1991 Mutya sa Tagbilaran Pageant Night. Up to the dying seconds of the pageant when only the two girls were left standing & holding hands on centerstage, no one, save for the emcees, judges & tabulators, had any idea on whose pretty head the crown of Mutya 1991 would end up on. It was that close. In the end, it was Chewee who got crowned as the queen and earned the right to represent the city in the 1991 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant. Haidee settled for 1^st Runner Up. 

OTHER RUNNERS UP Second Runner Up was Liwah Bolotaolo who also won as Best in Evening Gown for her classy and elegant style & overall presentation. 3^rd RU was Margaret Alturas and also adjudged Best in Swimsuit. 4^th RU was Jocelyn Almiranez.

 Haidee & Liwah

SWEET VICTORY FOR LIWAH Liwah, a pageant newbie with no prior pageant experience was a late entrant. The other girls with special mention to Amy Bonje helped Liwah with her catwalk and posing techniques. 

The UP Los Banos student took everything seriously and before the night ended, she surprised everyone including herself when she placed in the Top Five and topped the gown competition. 

Later that year, she even qualified as a finalist in the national Faces modeling search.

 2nd RU Liwah, 1995 Miss Bohol Noemi 1st RU Shiela

Four years later, Liwah competed in the very competitive 1995 Miss Bohol Sandugo Pageant where she emerged 2^nd RU. 

Presently, Liwah crisscrosses the blue skies as an international flight attendant and has been promoted as Cabin Senior  with Etihad Airways.Chewee is in the US while Haidee is in Singapore. 

 Liwah as Senior Cabin Crew with Etihad Airways 

THERE IS LIFE AFTER PAGEANTRY Indeed, there is life after pageantry. Joining pageants are just stepping stones to whatever fields you foray on later in life. May these ladies be an inspiration for the present crop of beauties who are interested in joining beauty pageants.

Thank you ladies for the wonderful memories!