14 to vie for Miss Teen Pusong Pinoy tiara

Fourteen teenagers will be vying for this year’s Miss Teen Pusong Pinoy crown with the coronation set on Feb. 20 at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort.

Pageant director Ernie Molina said they decided to limit the number to 14 due to time constraints and also it is the date of Valentine’s Day, with February also being Love Month.

“There were a lot more who wanted to join but we limited the number of the official candidates to 14 because it’s hard to organize a pageant with a huge number [of contestants]. We are also tight on schedule, time is short,” added Molina, who is also the show’s choreographer.

Molina said that the candidates are also undergoing personality development training so they could have the confidence when they face the audience come pageant night.

“We had our orientation last week and I’m impressed since all the candidates were energetic and excited. The training that they’ve been doing is also for their own good and we’re grooming them so they could be confident once they are on stage,” said Molina.

“The moment they stepped on the stage for the opening number the panel of judges will be judging them based on how they project themselves. If they show exuberance, grace, and poise. That would be part of the judging process.”

Molina said that they had already started with the rehearsals, every Tuesdays and Thursdays, and he was surprised to learn that all the candidates have always been punctual and that’s why the flow of the show is almost done.

“I’m strict when it comes to time. I see to it that I’m always early in meetings since I strictly follow a schedule. They are all punctual and come to the rehearsals ahead of me, I’m really impressed with their attitude,” said Molina.

“We’re almost done with our rehearsals. We’ve been practicing how they stand, walk, project and talk. Even up to the question and answer portion, we are training them, so they could have the confidence once they face the judges.”

He added that these training could help the 14 candidates if ever they decided to join the Miss Teen CNMI or the Miss Marianas beauty pageants. “They already have an advantage since they already experienced how a beauty pageant goes.”

The criteria for judging will be based on personality, talent, formal wear, and question and answer portion. The candidates ill be judged right from the opening number like the way they dance and move on stage.

Cash prizes will be given away with the second runner-up winning $300, the first runner-up getting $500, while the Miss Teen Pusong Pinoy will go home with $800. Special awards will also have cash prizes namely, Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic, Spirit Award, Best in Talent and Evening Gown or Formal Wear, Star of the Night, and Miss Charity.

Molina explained that the Spirit awardee must show enthusiasm and energy, the Star of the Night is the one who excelled and stood out in the opening number, and the Miss Charity is the candidate who had helped the organizers in raising funds.

Angela Barbo, Mary Angela Cabrera, Clarice Mhae T. Canarejo, Catherine Kate Castro, Janelle S. Lavetoria, Queen Anne Lopez, Mazie Anne A. Manalang, Adonna Matutino, Rhine Jaydel Russell, Mary Lenor Sablan, Chloe Salvosa, Michaella Serrano, Mikamaika Serrano, and Erica Tubera are the 14 candidates.