Meet Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2025

Bvhlgryl Chelsea Palen Barinan, a winsome 20 year old BS Industrial Engineering student from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City was crowned Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2025 after besting a field of 15 candidates who represented the city’s 15 barangays. 

The 5’6”tall beauty from Booy was a heavy favorite going into the final Q & A after topping the evening gown competition & the closed- door panel interview. 

Aside from winning Best in Evening Gown & Best in Interview, she was also named Miss Bohol Tropics and Miss 911 Ambassador.

The last two girls onstage react 

An interesting sidebit to her triumph is sharing the Mutya sa Tagbilaran legacy with her mom, Maria Gina Palen who also represented Booy and placed as 1st RU in the 2001 edition of Mutya sa Tagbilaran. Earlier, during the closed- door panel interview, she was asked what would make her win, she replied “prayers, my strong faith and authenticity”.

The queen's mom was Mutya 2001 1st RU 

This year, the girls’advocacy projects were included in the criteria so that the pageant would serve as a platform to raise awareness on the causes that they believe in. 

This year’s Mutya winner came up with “Beyond the Books of Empowering Working Students” , an advocacy project that she can identify with. As a working student, it was a challenge to juggle her time between work, school and family. 

This early, she’s already planning to coordinate closely with City Mayor Jane Yap in organizing career development workshops for working students and with support from local businesses, schools and the LGU.

MAGIC FIVE: L-R: 3rd RU Ubujan, 1st RU Cogon, Mutya 2025 Booy, 2nd RU Dampas & 4th RU San Isidro

THE RUNNERS UP Rounding out the final five were: 

1st RU Miss Cogon Nikoline Grace Jensen who was also named Miss Sagility and Miss DITO Telecommunity. 

2nd RU Miss Dampas Cindy Lay Ling Ling also won the Best in Swimsuit and the Best Advocacy Video awards. 

3rd RU was Miss Ubujan Grichene Marri Roslinda 

4th RU was Miss San Isidro Crimson Morris who also received the Miss Oro China & Miss Shellane sponsor awards

The other special award winner were:

Miss Tiptip Trixie Nichole Nobong who won the Miss Globe & Miss Talent awards, 

Miss Mansasa Gerlie Rangas who was named Miss IBEX and voted by fellow candidates as Miss Congeniality. 

Miss Poblacion 1 Kayla Maria Oomen was picked as Miss Converge and selected as Miss Photogenic by official glamshot photographer Chris Ramasola. 

Miss Bool Dianne Kaye Astacaan was Miss People’s Choice

Miss Dao Richel Mae Galvadores was Best in Production Number and also wore the gown that won for Aileen Sendrijas Pasagad the Best Gown Designer award.

THE PANEL OF JUDGES.

An eclectic group of newsmakers, movers & shakers composed the panel of judges that included 2023 Miss Universe 1st RU Antonia Porsild, reigning Miss Earth 2024 Jessica Lane, Best Model Philippines Aaron Davis, 

social media influencer Small Laude, world- class designer Cary Santiago, sports enthusiast Milka Romero, stage design guru Ronald King, Global Ports President & CEO Shiela Romero, TV/ movie actress Jane de Leon & Patrick Tolentino.   

with Antonia Porsild
2023 Miss Universe 1st RU 

Mutya sa Tagbilaran, the glamorous highlight of the annual Saulog sa Tagbilaran has cemented its staus as one of the country’s premier beauty competitions with the successful staging of its 2025 edition highlighted by its spectacular production values, fast- paced program flow, celebrity guests & performers and deserving winners.

Kat Velarde with the candidates

It was a fitting finale for a year- long quest that began with the scouting of girls to compete in the barangay level. From their initial foray into pageantry, they gradually transformed from gawky & reluctant girls to self- assured, empowered ladies through their series of activities, workshops, appearances, lending their voice and presence to activities and causes that they believe in. 

 

After Mayor Yap announced that the girls’advocacy projects will carry more weight in the judging criteria starting this year, the pageant has now elevated itself as an excellent platform for meaningful engagement. 

By becoming spokespersons & becoming fundraisers for a chosen advocacy project, future Mutya sa Tagbilaran winners can be assured of meaningful & relevant year- long reigns where they would use their crown to promote & support their advocacies. 

Love Lopez bids farewell to 
her year as Mutya 2024

This year’s pageant night was a successful collaboration with the barangays & city officials, stakeholders, corporate sponsors and the community. 

As the ladies sashayed on stage with elan & grace and cheered on by their supporters and families, it was also a manifestation of our innate love for the true, the good and the beautiful. For that one magical night, we showed our guests and the rest of the world that we truly are one when it comes to appreciating beauty from inside and out. 

City Mayor Jane Yap

Congratulations once again to City Mayor Jane Yap, Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2025 Chairperson, pageant director Alexis Joseph Cadeliña, Head of the Tagbilaran City Events, Culture, and Arts Office & to the pageant creative director Dr. Chris John Rener Torralba, City General Services Officer and the rest of the committee members for a job well done. 

  

Queenebeth Barcelona is Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016

It was her destiny to be crowned the queen who will reign over Tagbilaran for the next 12 months. In fact, she was even named after Queen Elizabeth and that is what she is right now. 

Candidate # 10 Miss Manga Queenebeth Barcelona was royalty personified & the epitome of an elegant & regal queen when she was crowned the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 at the conclusion of a fast- paced two hour pageant held at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium, April 24. 

Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 is Queenebeth Barcelona 

The winning form of Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 

Named 1st RU  was  #13Taloto Jasmine  S. Jaeckel, 2^nd RU #5 Bool Maygan Joyce A. Besa, 3rd RU #7 Cogon Natalie Belle O. McGaw, 4^th RU   #15 Ubujan Erika Sofia N. Karcher.

 L-R: 3^rd RU Cogon, 1^st RU Taloto, Winner Ms Manga, 2^nd RU Bool 4^th RU Ubujan

The five ladies were named as finalists after topping the swimsuits, evening gowns, interviews & talent competitions. 

 Mutya 2016 with Mayor Baba Yap, First Lady Jane Yap & Mutya 2015 winner

Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 Complete Results:

FINAL RESULTS	WINNERS
Mutya 2016	#10 Manga Queenbeth I. Barcelona
1st RU	#13 Taloto Jasmine  S. Jaeckel
2nd RU	#5   Bool Maygan Joyce A. Besa
3rd RU	#7   Cogon Natalie Belle O. McGaw
4th RU	#15  Ubujan Erika Sofia N. Karcher

1^ST Set of Awards:

AWARD	WINNER
Best in Prodn Number	# 15 Ubujan
Miss Congeniality	# 3 Dampas
Miss Photogenic	# 7 Cogon
Miss Smart	# 15 Ubujan
Miss Globe	# 15 Ubujan
Miss SAVE n EARN	# 7 Cogon
Miss Cloud Phone	#10 Manga
Miss Renaissance Spa	#15 Ubujan
Miss Bohol Tropics	#4 Dao
Miss Talent	#5 Bool

2^ND Set of Awards:

AWARD	WINNER
Best in Swimsuit	# 15 Ubujan
Best in Interview	# 15 Ubujan
Darling of the Crowd	# 15 Ubujan
Darling of the Press	# 13 Taloto
Best in Gown	# 7 Cogon

PANEL OF JUDGES 

Members of the panel of judges chaired by designer Cary Santiago were  Bb Pilipinas Intl 2015 Janicel Lubina, Bb Pilipinas- Supranational 2015 Rogelie Catacutan, Bb Pilipinas Universe 2009 Bianca Manalo, celebrity stylist Liz Uy, stars Sarah Lahbati, Diana Meneses, Mr. Philippines Intl 2015 Reniel Villareal, Aces & Queens founder & beauty queen mentor Jonas Gaffud, Bohol First Lady Pureza Chatto, top mane & make up maven Jonas Borces, basketball great Asi Taulava,  

Providing entertainment were ABS CBN PBB 2nd Placer Tommy Esguerra & the Shirley Cruz- Halili School of Ballet.

Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 was hosted by eventologist Tim Yap & Miss Earth 2008 Karla Ginteroy Henry.

 PAGEANT EMCEES: Tim Yap & Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry

Congratulations to City Mayor Bab Yap for the successful staging of the glamorous highlight of the Saulog sa Tagbilaran 2016. The lion's share of course goes to First Lady Jane Yap, Mutya sa Tagbilaran Project Chair who showed how meticulous atention to details, hands- on chairmasnship & genuine desire to give Tagbilaranons a most memorable event result in a dazzling & entertaining show that is proudly Tagbilaran- made.

Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 has in fact just set the bar for beauty competitions in Bohol. Aside from the topnotch production values, artistic merit, fast- pacing & the star- studded cast, the entertainment value was superb including the suspense and excitement that were building up as the pageant got nearer and nearer its conclusion. 

A more detailed report is coming up! 

Photo Credits: Gerald James Cabal, Ric Obedencio

Mutya sa Tagbilaran Celebrates Its Pearl Anniversary

MUTYA CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF BEAUTY & FRIENDSHIP Mutya sa Tagbilaran marks a milestone when it celebrates its Pearl Anniversary this year, The annual  search for the city’s fairest is one of the most anticipated highlights of Tagbilaran’s fiesta celebration not only for the sleek and stylized staging of the pageant where all 15 of the city’s barangays are represented by a bumper crop of beauties but also for the celebrities and newsmakers who fly in from Manila as members of the judging panel.

 2015 Mutya winners: L-R: 1^st RU Dampas, Winner Pob 1, 2^nd RU Pob II
Photo Credits: Ghen Lumayag Photography

STERLING SET OF WINNERS THROUGH THE YEARS. Mutya sa Tagbilaran has produced quite a number of accomplished ladies who parlayed their pageant victories & participation into successful and thriving careers, businesses and professions. Pageant diehards remember how everyone became excited when academically accomplished girls who were Class Valedictorians or Salutatorians, Dean’s Listers and campus leaders signed up as candidates.

Among the Mutya sa Tagbilaran alumnae are scores of nurses, physical therapists and medical doctors, a Supreme Court lawyer and a court judge, flight attendants who have been crisscrossing the domestic route & the international skies, teachers, professors, sales & marketing executives and even a law enforcer.

Six of these ladies eventually became Miss Bohol titleholders Winnie Lim 1989, Bambi Evardone 1994, Talie Inting 1997, Josely Ferniz 1998, Daisy Jean Quilicot 2009 and Eda Cimafranca , the reigning Miss Bohol 2015.

Sadly this year, we would never have that opportunity to know the girls a little better since access to detailed info about them has been quite difficult. It’s been three weeks since the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 candidates were officially presented to the media and except for those in the know, the rest of us mortals would never have the chance to know who and what are behind those glamorous & perfectly coiffed faces.  I myself, as a pageant enthusiast and chronicler want to showcase the girls as accomplished ladies to prove to critics and detractors that the girls are not just beautiful faces. I also want to defend the pageant from being labeled as an annual sleazefest and meat parade.

L-R: Tiptip, Pob II, Dampas, Dao & Bool

We simply can’t size up someone with limited information such as vital statistics, birthday and names of parents. We need to have access to the girls’ educational background, co- curricular & extra- curricular activities, campus & community involvement, scholastic awards and leadership experience.

 L-R: Mansasa, Cogon, Pob III, Booy & Manga

You might ask why we do we need to present this information? Very simple actually. Because we don’t want to perpetuate the mistaken belief that only the ditzy & supercilious ones join beauty pageants.

 L-R:  San Isidro, Cabawan, Taloto, Pob 1 & Ubujan

This blog is hopeful that such request be made accessible to the media before the pageant reaches its grand finale less than two weeks from now

For the meantime, I will indulge requests for photos of the girls that zero in on their pulchritude and poise.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR MUTYA SA TAGBILARAN 2016:

Talent Night: April 15, Bohol Cultural Center, 8:00 pm

Pageant Night: April 24, Bohol Wisdom Gym, 8:00 pm

Part 5 Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016: Up Close & Personal

Inspired by the final question during Miss Universe 2015 which Pia Wurtzbach answered with confidence and conviction, Your Roving Eye also asked the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 candidates why they should be the next titleholder.

Photo Credits: Chris Ramasola

Here is the fifth & final part of a five- part series:

Why should you be the next Mutya Sa Tagbilaran?

I deserve to be the next Mutya Sa Tagbilaran because I am like a walking Tagbilaranon, I am hospitable, kind and friendly. It is a fulfilling dream to my barangay and to myself because it will be the first time that Barangay Taloto will win Mutya sa Tagbilaran and it will be my pleasure.

Jasmine “Jazzy” S. Jaeckel

19 yrs. Old

Why should you be the next Mutya Sa Tagbilaran?

I deserve to be crowned as Mutya sa Tagbilaran because I have the confidence and convincing aura of beauty that can influence and persuade the people to become responsive and helpful to the needy as I perform my duty as an Ambassador of goodwill.

Jonalyn “Jona” S. Melleza

20 yrs. Old

Why should you be the next Mutya Sa Tagbilaran?

To be the next Mutya sa Tagbilaran takes a lot of responsibility. Yet, I am ready to take that challenge. I should be your next Mutya sa Tagbilaran because I embody the virtues of a Tagbilaranon – friendly, resilient & productive individual. And as an active youth, I can be a great source of inspiration as a role model because I have the pure heart and desire to serve.

Erika Sofia “ Erika / Riks“ N. Karcher

18 yrs. Old

Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016

Sunday, April 24, 2016, 8:00 pm

Celebrating 30 years of beauty, glamour & friendship, Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 is one of the highlights of Saulog sa Tagbilaran 2016 in the run- up to the city fiesta celebration of Tagbilaran in honor of St. Joseph the Worker, the city's patron saint

 Beauties from Taloto, Pob III & Ubujan

Part 3 Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016: Up Close & Personal

Inspired by the final question during Miss Universe 2015 which Pia Wurtzbach answered with confidence and conviction, Your Roving Eye also asked the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 candidates why they should be the next titleholder 

 PHOTO CREDITS: 

Chris Ramasola

This is the third of a five- part series:

Why should you be Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016?

 I deserve to be the next Mutya sa Tagbilaran because I know I am a responsible and helpful person. I would love to be an inspiration to other people. I would like to respond immediately and find ways to solve problems in our city and do the best that I can to help other people in a wider range as a role model of Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016.

Natalie Belle “Nat” O. McGaw

20  years old

Why should you be Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016?

Simply because I have put my best foot forward in this competition, inspired with the Almighty God, my family and to all my supporters who have been with me since I began the journey towards the crown.

Believing that a beauty queen is a role model and a spokesperson, I want to use the crown and the title to bring a voice in the campaign against drugs and to be able to set an example of being an ideal citizen who reaches out and makes a difference by being involved in community matters. 

Melody “Mel” T. Sanchez

18 yrs. Old

  Why should you be the next Mutya sa Tagbilaran?

I should win Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 because it’s my dream and I’m fulfilling it with all my effort and confidence. This is not just for myself but for everybody because I want to inspire other people and be a role model to everyone.

Lastly, I want to give pride to my place and I’m capable to be a Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016, I’ll fulfill my dreams and goal together with all the people who inspire me.

Perlie “Perl” L. Jeverola

17 years old

WATCH MUTYA SA TAGBILARAN 2016

Sunday, April 24, 2016, 8:00 pm

Celebrating 30 years of beauty, glamour & friendship, Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 is one of the highlights of Saulog sa Tagbilaran 2016 in the run- up to the city fiesta celebration of Tagbilaran in honor of St. Joseph the Worker, the city's patron saint.

R-L: Cogon, Poblacion III & Booy

Part 2 Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016: Up Close & Personal

Inspired by the final question during Miss Universe 2015 which Pia Wurtzbach answered with confidence and conviction, Your Roving Eye also asked the Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 candidates why they should be the next titleholder.

 PHOTO CREDITS: 

Chris Ramasola 

This is the second of a five- part series:

 Why should you be Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016?

I should be the next Mutya sa Tagbilaran because I’m not only showcasing the beauty that God has given to me, I am more than willing to use it for the betterment of Tagbilaran City through using my convincing aura of beauty & my creative and  efficient idea to influence people to be responsive of the different social problems. By which, I’m the best reflection of a person that is best to represent Tagbilaran City.

Christine Joy “Dimples” T. Ancog

21 years old

Why should you be Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016?

It takes more than what it needs to be Miss Tagbilaran 2016. It’s not just being beautiful on the outside but it’s also being aware of what is happening in the world and in my community. It also means being involved and being able to reach out, making a stand and being heard.

Most importantly, it’s having the attitude and heart in helping the less fortunate people. I believe that I deserve to be Miss Tagbilaran 2016 because it is my honor to do my responsibilities by spreading love and peace to all sides of the world.

Maygan Joyce “Maygan” A. Besa

20 years old

Why should you be Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016?

I deserve to be Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 because I am passionately driven in making a difference in the City of Tagbilaran especially in the lives of the youth. I am determined to help in the termination of drug use and abuse since this is one of the major problems not only in my barangay  but also  in the entire province of Bohol. I believe that in my own way, I can greatly influence in making the city more progressive.

Ma. Monica “Marnie” D. Gomez

17 years old

 WATCH MUTYA SA TAGBILARAN 2016

Sunday, April 24, 2016, 8:00 pm

Celebrating 30 years of beauty, glamour & friendship, Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2016 is one of the highlights of Saulog sa Tagbilaran 2016 in the run- up to the city fiesta celebration of Tagbilaran in honor of St. Joseph the Worker, the city's patron saint