Mrs. Visminda 2000 candidates presented

Five wives and mothers are vying to become Mrs. Visminda 2000, the first queen in the new millennium to be crowned by the Filipino organization comprising of CNMI residents and workers whose roots come from the southern Philippine regions of Visayas and Mindanao.

Organizers said this year’s pageant will help raise funds to provide relief to their countrymen who are suffering from the Mindanao crisis brought about by armed conflict launched by Islamic fundamentalists.

The Mrs. Visminda 2000 candidates said they are happy to contribute to efforts to ease the burden on some of the families in Mindanao, vowing to support the pageant by aggressively selling tickets.

This year’s aspirants include Vilma L. Sutterfield, Ednalyn Buenaflor Reyes, Dhez Javier, Mayette Arii and Rebecca Echevaria. Except for Rebecca, the four were presented to the media during a cocktail held at Hyatt’s Giovannis last Wednesday evening.

Boy Ching, Visminda president, said that aside from its worthy cause, the organization also hopes to develop the individual personality of each candidate.

Although the winner of the title will be the one who has sold the most number of tickets, the coronation night will highlight the talent and personality of the five candidates, according to pageant’s organizer Eydie Uy.
The ticket costs $5 each. The raffle drawing, to be held during the coronation ball tentatively set for early September at the Diamond Hotel, will give away prizes to lucky ticket buyers, such as roundtrip to Manila with $250 pocket money, plus cash prizes at $500, $300 and $200.

Vilma, a 23-year old newly married from Southern Leyte, said she would use her charm and her smile to encourage people to buy tickets.

Ednalyn, who is a mother of a nine year old boy from Surigao del Sur working as an assistant manager on Saipan, said her sponsor, Joey dela Cerna will help her convince people to support her. “Besides, I have to really try my best to sell tickets because this is for the people in Mindanao,” she said.

Dhez, who works as an accountant and has a three-year old boy, said the aside from selling t-shirts to her friends, she will now begin selling tickets as well. Hailing from Bantayan Island in Cebu, she has been tagged “queen of the road” by her friends because she visits staff housing to get them buy her shirts.

Mayette, from Bacolod City with three children, is counting on her sponsor, Cristy Javier, as well as her kumares and kumpares for support.

Candidates will receive trophy and prizes during the coronation where they will also compete for other titles like Best in Evening Gown, Casual Wear, Talent as well as Miss Talent, Photogenic and Telegenic.

Reigning Mrs. Visminda, Luz Ortiz, will relinquish her crown during the event that organizers promised to be one of the best ever they have put up. (Benhur C. Saladores)