19 teens duke it out in talent competition

It was a night of glamour, creativity and talent at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center last Saturday when 19 young women vying for the Miss Marianas Teen crown showcased their talents during the pre-pageant Talent’s Night.

Though the winner of the Best in Talent award was not announced that night, the candidates were already winners in the eyes of their families and friends who packed the venue that night.

Some of the candidates sang, others did island dances, while a few others chose the unconventional route.

Among those who gave standout performances was candidate Darcie Duenas, who wowed the audience with her culinary skills. Duenas cooked on stage one of her favorite dishes: the pork, vegetable and shrimp tempura. The judges and the crowd had a good laugh, as Duenas impressed them with her ala-Food Network demonstration.

Nicollete Lopez gave Hollywood star Christina Aguilera some competition as she belted her heart out with her own version of Mulan’s Reflection. Vanerrie Deleon Guerrero strutted her way on stage, doing a military exercise to the tune of former pop trio Destiny’s Child’s Soldier.

The judges and the audience were asked to step out of the hall to witness candidate Ashley Pangelinan’s fireball dance. Candidate Naomi Sablan also impressed the crowd with her poetry reading through rap, which she dedicated to her grandfather who recently passed away.

Heather Calderwood’s talent in filmmaking was also a crowd pleaser when she herself was the actress in an environmental short film called Sister about a sea turtle meeting her human sister.

Judges for the pageant included award winning musical scorer and composer Les Wolf, NMC Board of Regent chair Kimberly King-Hinds, PC Outlet’s Peter Pareda, Anne Marie Roy, and Deedee Rayphand.

The 19 teenagers will vie for the first ever Miss Marianas Teen Beauty Pageant this Friday.

Stellar Marianas officers said the organization is excited about the pageant because this is the first time that a huge number of candidates answered the call to join the contest.

The candidates for this pageant are Michelle Borja Avila, Lenore Quitugua Cabrera, Heather S. Calderwood, Vanerrie Y. Deleon Guerrero, Darcie B. Duenas, Hee Ae Lee, Rosree Ann C. Leon Guerrero, Nicollette Lopez, Jomanda Lynn C. Manglona, Dina Marie M. Palacios, Ashley Reiko N. Pangelinan, Vivian D. Reyes, Leangie Lynn DLG. Sablan, Naomi C. Sablan, Kathrene Rose T. Taylor, Myana T. Welch, Angelee Cruz, Mary Ruth Lazaro, and Ritalynn Manglona. All are first timers.

The winner will represent the islands in the upcoming Miss Teen International to be held in Chicago, Illinois, in July. More than 50 teenagers from all over the world will convene for the pageant.

Jenny White-Aguon, herself a former beauty queen, will be accompanying this year’s winner to Chicago.

Prizes at stake for the Miss Marianas Teen are uniquely tailored to fit the character of a teenager. Besides cash, trophy, crown, and bouquets, the winner will get a whole range of prizes, from cellular phones, to cosmetic products, and one-year free movie passes to Hollywood Theaters, among many others.

The pageant will be held this Friday, March 24, at the Saipan World Resort Amphitheater. This year’s pageant will be directed and choreographed by Melia Johnson, the newest addition to the Stellar Marianas family.