These ladies are gorgeous and witty and one of them may be crowned the 2006 Lin-ay Sang Negros next week. But no matter how far they will reach or how famous they may become, one thing will still remain in their hearts…sports.

Ms. Bacolod Jan Nicole Puentevella, the 2003 MassKara Queen, said she loves playing volleyball, working out, and competing in adventure races.

Ms. Murcia Rachel Velasco is a member of the Negros secondary girls' volleyball squad that brought home the crown in the Western Visayas Regional Athletics Association Meet in Roxas City, Capiz last month, while Ms. Talisay Merianne Espacio is into basketball.

Aside from sports, the three candidates said they also like singing.

Puentevella said she joined Lin-ay Sang Negros because she wants to make Bacolod City proud of her. She is a third year college student at the Riverside College working for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Velasco, the reigning Lin-ay Sang Murcia, said that in case she wins the Lin-ay crown, she could represent Negros Occidental through her sport by being a good teammate and a role model to her fellow competitors. "I should also trust myself and be a good Christian to represent the province well," she added.

Velasco, who took up her elementary education at University of St. La Salle-Integrated School, is a fresh high school graduate of St. Scholastica's Academy. She is the daughter of Nicasio and Nida Velasco.

Espacio said she joined Lin-ay Sang Negros to develop self-confidence and to win the title to give pride to Talisay. Her dream is to become a linguist.

Espacio, daughter of Jose and Leah Espacio, said she agreed to participate in the pageant for experience because she has not joined any beauty contest before. She is a fourth year college student at the Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital and College.

Twenty-four candidates will vie for the Lin-ay Sang Negros 2006 crown on April 29 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City. A pre-pageant night will also be held on April 27.*CIT

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