Monday | November 12, 2012 | 4:30 PM
The stage is set for the crowning of the next Miss Casino Filipino on November 16, 2012 at the PAGCOR Grand Theater in Airport Casino Filipino, Parañaque City.
Twenty five young and beautiful Filipinas representing the different Casino Filipino branches all over the country are vying for the crown. They are Waverly Chenelle Carlos, Syril Dane Mendoza and Day Ann Manarang (Casino Filipino Angeles); Angelie Joy Golingay, Maria Aika Uy and Chinky Cantere (Casino Filipino Bacolod); Nickylyn Cardoza and Mhon Theress Menaling (Casino Filipino Cebu); Leonelyn Trocio, Christian Patria Acosta and Jennylen Bangcot (Casino Filipino Davao); Vina Openiano and Mutya Johanna Datul (Casino Filipino Heritage); Kimberly Pajares, Marie Loraine De Guzman and Mercegrace Raquel (Casino Filipino Hyatt); Dindi Joy Pajares and Alexandra Faith Garcia (Casino Filipino Olongapo); Jennica Ollero and Theresa Marie Fenger (Casino Filipino Parañaque); Reynalyn Yamanouchi and Carin Adrianne Ramos (Casino Filipino Pavilion) and; Niña Sherra Tagalog, Mica Angela Angeles and Marie Bernadette Meneses (Casino Filipino Tagaytay).
Before moving on to the Coronation Night in Manila, the 25 beauties went through grueling regional screenings last October 2012.
“I am very proud of this year’s batch of Miss Casino Filipino candidates,” said PAGCOR Assistant VP for Entertainment Bong Quintana. “We got better, smarter, taller and prettier contestants who exude not only confidence but also a heart for community service. Ito ang pinakaimportanteng katangian na hinahanap namin sa susunod na Miss Casino Filipino. Kailangan na nasa puso nya ang pagtulong sa mga nangangailangan,” he added.
According to Quintana, each candidate was required to share an advocacy or social cause closest to their hearts. “The contestant’s advocacy makes the Miss Casino Filipino distinct from other beauty pageants. As the future ambassadress of PAGCOR, the Miss Casino Filipino title holder must carry the corporation’s mission and her advocacy would manifest her commitment to be of service to others especially the underprivileged,” he explained.
Quintana said the Miss Casino Filipino winner will also have the chance to pursue her advocacy through PAGCOR. “We will help and support her cause by donating to her chosen charity. Apart from that, she will take part in promoting PAGCOR’s various Corporate Social Responsibility projects,” he added.
Catrine Rosary Ocampo, PAGCOR’s first ever Miss Casino Filipino shared how her life was changed when she earned the title last year. She narrated how she was given the chance to touch other people’s lives by becoming part of the life-changing projects of the Corporation.
“I have always dreamed of helping other people and I’ve always thought of ways on how I can make a difference. PAGCOR, through the Miss Casino Filipino search, gave me a chance to help kids from poor families who are under the care of Unang Lingap Kapwa Philippines, a charitable foundation I support,” Rosary shared.
“I was also there when PAGCOR conducted its various corporate social responsibility projects like its feeding program for malnourished public school students and the gift-giving activities for its Pamaskong Handog beneficiaries. I will be forever thankful for the opportunity to reach out to the needy,” she added.
According to Quintana, PAGCOR is offering higher prizes to the winners of this year’s search. “The Miss Casino Filipino 2012 titleholder will receive half a million pesos in cash prize. This is almost double the P300,000 we gave to last year’s title holder. She will also have a chance to choose a charitable institution that will receive a donation of P200,000,” he explained.
The Miss Casino Filipino 2012 runners-up will also receive bigger cash prizes: P400,000 (1st runner-up), P300,000 (2nd runner-up), P200,000 (3rd runner-up) and P100,000 (4th runner-up). Deserving winners and contestants will also be given a chance to work in PAGCOR and Casino Filipino.
“PAGCOR will give the Miss Casino Filipino candidates opportunities for employment. If they are interested and qualified, they can join us. We are already talking to some candidates about employment opportunities because one of the major thrusts of the contest is to provide sustainable livelihood source for deserving candidates,” Quintana cited.