Davantes won Marol han Catbalogan title

By RAY P. GASPAY
August 6, 2005

CATBALOGAN, Samar  -  Charming and brilliant lady from Barangay 4 of this town was named Marol han Catbalogan, in a search for beauty and brain held at the open-air Catbalogan municipal plaza in the evening of August 4, 2005. Outperforming 7 other semi-finalists in almost all categories, 15 years old Camille Anne Yboa Davantes emerge as a sure winner when she won other four minor awards and five special awards.

A daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Ariel Davantes and a high school student from Samar National School, the charming Davantes aside from winning the crown with a cash prize of P25,000.00, a trophy plus a sash and bouquet also won in the minor awards for Best in Acting (for Talent), Best in Swimsuit, Best in Filipina Terno and Best in Casual Wear.  She was also chosen as Face of the Night, Miss Congeniality, Miss Eloquence, Miss Globe Texters Choice and Darling of the Press in the special awards.

From the official 10 candidates, the search was trimmed down to 8 semi-finalists after the Pre-pageant and Talent night held on August 2, 2004 at the municipal plaza.  Candidate nos. 7 and 8 were unlucky to be included. During the pageant night, 3 finalists were chosen from among the 8 semi-finalist for the selection of Marol han Catbalogan (Miss Catbalogan 2005), Amihan (1st runner-up) and Habagat (2nd runner-up) titles.

The first runner-up was Joyce June L. Viojan of Barangay Guindapunan who received a cash prize of P10,000.00, a trophy plus a sash and bouquet. She also won the Best in Singing (for Talent) in the minor awards and Miss Photogenic in the special awards.

The second runner-up was Joemelina A. Delantar of Barangay Canlapwas who received a cash prize of P8,000.00, a trophy plus a sash and bouquet. She also won the Best in Dancing (for Talent) and Best in Gown in the minor awards.

Ma. Merlit Tamor Rapiz of Barangay Rama in Sierra Islands was chosen Miss SMART Texters choice which entitled her to receive a brand new cellphone kit from Smart Communications, while the Miss Pepsi Diet award was given to Ma. Carina Rosita O. Angel of Barangay Muñoz.

Last year Miss Catbalogan title holder Ma. Cyndi Therese H. Meniano wasn’t able to come in the pageant night for her farewell walk production part.

The 6-member board of judges was chaired by Vice-mayor Manuel Van Torrevillas of Catbalogan, Samar. Other members were Norberto P. Lumbre, tourism operations officer of DOT region 8; Ms. Gene Lim, manager of Globe Telecom in Calbayog City; Roy Nebreja, manager of Smart Communications in Tacloban City; Frankie Brosas, area sales supervisor of Pepsi Cola; and Ms. Ruby Luz L. Tan, manager of Rolet Hotel in Catbalogan, Samar.

The pageant night was hosted by renowned TV-host and journalist Chito dela Torre and co-hosted by Kenneth Lim of the office of the mayor and was also covered for television by Decobeam Cable TV Services, Inc.

Miss Davantes will represent the municipality of Catbalogan for the Mutya han Samar 2005 Pageant on August 9, 2005 in connection with the Samar Day Celebration.