THE Hiyas ng Pilipinas organization crowned a new batch of queens, with Marela Glospeah Juaman from Koronadal City clinching the coveted Hiyas ng Pilipinas 2024 title.
Juaman, who graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Psychology and is now taking her Masters in Clinical Psychology at De La Salle University-Manila, bested 44 other beauty queens at the pageant’s grand coronation night held at SM City North Edsa Skydome on Sunday, October 13.
She succeeded Sarangani Province’s Fatima Kate Bisan, who has yet to compete in the Miss Tourism World pageant. The competition was supposed to be held last year, but it was postponed.
With this triumph, Juaman will be the Philippines’ representative at the next Miss Tourism World competition. She also took home one million worth of prizes, including a P300,000 cash prize.
In the final question-and-answer portion, the Top 5 finalists were asked the same question about one important lesson they have learned from their Hiyas ng Pilipinas 2024 journey, aside from sisterhood.
Juaman’s winning answer was: “Aside from sisterhood, one of the most important things that I’ve learned here in Hiyas ng Pilipinas is to live one day at a time. A lot of the girls experienced nerve-wracking emotions and behaviors, and we were all anxious for this grand day. But when we learn to be grateful, we learn how to live one step at a time, one day at a time.”
“We value every moment that we all have here, and this is what Hiyas ng Pilipinas is trying to teach us, not only as a candidate but in our lives as well, because the future Hiyas ng Pilipinas is a queen who makes sure to create memories with her sisterhood that time will never erase,” she added.
Mental health advocate
Juaman also won the “Best in Advocacy Video” and the “Best in Journey to the Crown Challenge.”
A mental health advocate, Juaman noted in her three-minute advocacy video how mental health issues affect all walks of life, which is why she said it is “a must to prepare ourselves with resources that help us buffer the impact of grief, sadness, or hopelessness.”
While she has initiated mental health programs and workshops, Juaman rallied support for her advocacy to reach six million Filipinos dealing with mental health problems.
“You don’t need to be a mental health professional to help save a life. Sometimes, you just need to be a friend,” she stressed.
Other winners
The Hiyas ng Pilipinas 2024 named two more queens who will represent the Philippines in international beauty competitions.
Makati’s Ysabel Macuja was crowned first runner-up and Miss Elite Philippines 2024. She was crowned by Juvyel Anne Saluta, the first-ever Filipina to win the Miss Elite title in Egypt in September. Macuja also won the “Best in Swimsuit” award.
Meanwhile, Rona Lopez from Pangasinan Province was named second runner-up and Miss Continental World Philippines 2024.
Manila’s Jasmine Paguio was proclaimed third runner-up and won the “Best in Gown” award. Josiela Lagrimas from Laoang, Northern Samar was named fourth runner-up.
About Hiyas ng Pilipinas 2024
The Hiyas ng Pilipinas pageant is held annually, featuring beauty queens from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao who showcase “beauty in all aspects of humanity,” according to its website.
The competition’s 2024 edition was hosted by actor Kaloy Tingcungco and Miss Supranational 2023 first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx.
Actor Kristoffer Martin also made an appearance at the coronation night as a guest performer, serenading pageant fans with his rendition of “Closer You and I” and “Palagi.”
