ILOILO CITY - The reigning 2006 Lin-ay sang Negros was crowned Miss Western Visayas Tourism while the newly-crowned MassKara Queen was second runner-up during the pageant held Friday in Iloilo City.

Jan Nicole Puentevella dominated 10 other candidates in Region VI and bagged special awards - Best in Talent, Darling of the Press, Miss Popularity, and Best Public Speaker.

Puentevella, 20, was MassKara Queen 2003 and is a nursing student of the Riverside College - Bacolod. She is the daughter of Art and Elizabeth Puentevella.

The Miss Western Visayas Tourism pageant held at the Western Visayas State University Cultural Center was the highlight of the week-long WV Tourism Assembly held in Iloilo City.

First runner-up was Lady Lyn Riva of Aklan, second runner-up was 2006 MassKara Queen Angelique Robles, third runner-up was Ariane Argañosa of Capiz, and fourth was Myrianne Bagaforo of Antique. Riva was chosen Best in Festival Costume, Miss Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Close-up, Best in Gown, and Outstanding in Evening Gown.

Robles was chosen Miss Ponds, while Argañosa was chosen Miss Negros Navigation.

Bagaforo was chosen Miss Board Walk and Miss Sunsilk.

Miss Dinagyang Jane Barrios was chosen Miss Friendship and Miss Kabayan.

Other contenders were Sherlene May Lauron of Guimaras, Rizzley Anne Gruedzinski of Iloilo City, Kyute Estrellas of Pavia, Charmaine Gail Nuñez of Passi City and Ma. Ledi Hani Loot of Lambunao.

Meanwhile, the MassKara Festival of Bacolod City was chosen among the best top five festivals during the Parade of Festivals that was participated in by 17 contenders Saturday in Iloilo. Bacolod was represented by Barangay Alijis which won the championship during the MassKara streetdance competition - open category last Oct. 22.

Other winners were the Pahinis Festival (Lauan, Antique), Tinu-om Festival (Cabatuan), Kahilwayan Festival (Sta. Barbara), and Pintados de Passi Festival (Passi).

Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab said Bacolod City will most likely be the next host of the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly since the first event in Iloilo was a success.

Provincial Tourism Officer Jennylind Cordero and Bacolod Tourism Officer Imogene Kana-an said the city and the province are ready since there are enough hotels to accommodate the participants.

Others present were assistant city tourism officer Butch Gerasmo, and Councilors Homer Bais and Thaddy Sayson and Barangay Captain Pepito Malapitan of Brgy. Alijis.*CGS

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