After almost four decades, a new Miss Republic of the Philippines has been chosen. Fermira Dianne Ramos bested 34 other candidates at the grand coronation at Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque on Wednesday night.
Ramos, a 25-year-old, native of Zambales, was crowned by Joy Conde, the Miss RP titlist in 1976 and the country’s representative in the Miss World pageant, before the pageant bid goodbye.
As Miss Republic of the Philippines 2015, Ramos won a four-year scholarship grant, one-year management contract and P100,000 in cash. Ramos, who competed in Miss Bikini Philippines 2011 and Miss Philippines Earth 2012, also won three special awards during the finals – Best in Terno, Miss Megadata Corp. USA, and Miss Via Mare. She will begin her reign by going to different Filipino Communities abroad to promote the Philippines’ major tourists destinations.
Milan Overseas Filipino community representative Beatrice Valente was named Miss Republic of the Philippines-International 2015. Valente, who competed in Miss Earth 2014 representing Italy, was named Miss Congeniality and will also join Ramos in promoting tourism abroad. Joselle Mariano of Cavite was named Miss Luzon. (First runner-up) and also took home five special awards including Best in Swimsuit, Miss Talent, Miss Pleasant Touch, Miss Astoria and Miss Halcyon.
Sheila Marie Reyes of Valenzuela took the title as Miss Visayas (Second Runner up) and was named Miss Photogenic and Miss Fisher Mall, while Kristie Rose Cequeňa of Sta. Rosa, Laguna went home with the Miss Mindanao crown (Third Runner up).
Miss RP Organization CEO Lynette Padolina revived the original local franchise for the Miss World pageant, which was first staged in 1969 with Feliza Miro winning and before the Mutya ng Pilipinas quest took over in 1977. The Miss RP winner will not be competing in any international pageant but will tour extensively to help promote Philippine tourism, heritage, culture, and her chosen platform or advocacy.
The new RP pageant is patterned after the Miss America scholarship pageant organization. The Miss RP 2015 pageant will be shown on Nov. 21 onGMA News TV.