Miss Paraw Regatta 2016 Elevates Trinity Advocacy: Culture, Ecology and Beauty

The 25 Official Candidate of Miss Paraw Regatta 2016

Reigning Miss Paraw Regatta Festival Queen 2015 and Miss Philippines Earth Eco-Tourism Jona Sweett from the Province of Aklan

Miss Paraw Regatta - Earth Iloilo Province and reigning Miss Filipinas Heritage - Culture 2015 Roxanne Divinagracia from the Province of Iloilo

Miss Paraw Regatta - Aliwan 2015, Top 10 Aliwan Festival Queen and Top 10  Miss Bikini Philippines 2015 Angela Yagaya from the Province of Antique

Elevating the vision of beauty pageants in Western Visayas, Miss Paraw Regatta 2016 continue its quest to search for the most beautiful ladies in the region with heartfelt passion for cultural heritage, ecological preservation and character by heart. Now on its 44th year, Miss Paraw Regatta 2016 anchors its advocacy of "embracing the past, the present and the future" with the Paraw Regatta Festival as the oldest sailing sports event in Southeast Asia. This year, the festival will focus the heart of the celebration based in the legend of the 10 Bornean Datus from the Srivijayan empire (Borneo) who arrived in Panay Island, made a pack with the native Aetas in exchange for the lowlands called the "Barter of Panay" and established the seeds of a great civilization in the Visayas before the Spanish colonization. The pageant will capture the essence of revisiting the past, glorify our long lost cultural heritage and embody the beauty of West Visayan maidens as epitome of beauty, character and heart. Miss Paraw Regatta has beautifully evolved into a beauty pageant with visionary concept and emerged as the grandest and most prestigious competition to find the perfect cultural ambassadress in the region. In 2015, Miss Paraw Regatta winners claimed an exceptional achievement by producing three beauty queens who made an impact in various national pageants in a one year such as Jona Sweett (Miss Philippines Earth Eco-Tourism 2015), Jay Roxanne Divinagracia (Miss Filipinas Heritage - Culture 2015) and Angela Yagaya (Top 10 Aliwan Festival Queen, Top 10 Miss Bikini Philippines).

 Likewise, the three Paraw queens recorded and performed the three versions of the pageant's official theme song entitled "Sail to the Stars" (Samba, Bosa Nova and Pop Dance) and will soon release three music videos which will be produced, written and directed by RSLPhoenix Music in co-production with Justin Perlas, Supremacy Records, Kuris-AMX Multimedia, Jehu Rampola and BlueAntz Studio. The music of Miss Paraw Regatta symbolizes the trinity of time and legacy - the past, the present and future, as well as culture, ecology and beauty. Another unique vision of Miss Paraw Regatta 2016 was holding different pageant screenings in various provinces in the region and later chosen 25 official candidates representing the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique and Guimaras. The pageant officially released individual video clips introducing the 25 candidates in the official youtube and facebook pages with 17 active webpage blogs online.

 The pre-pageant competitions started on February 9, 10 and 11, 4PM for the "Trash to Class" Gown Competition, Swimsuit Competition and Evening Gown at Robinsons Place Iloilo, respectively. The Talent Competition will be held on February 12, 2PM at SM City Iloilo Events Center. On Saturday, February 13, the candidates will have recreation break and video shoot at Damires Hills Inland Resort at Janiuay, Iloilo throughout the day. On Sunday, February 14, 8am - 11am, the candidates will have a Fellowship Breakfast followed by One-on-one interview with the judges at Tatoy's Manokan in Villa. By 6pm, the candidates will showcase a Swimsuit Parade for the grand opening of Paraw Regatta Festival at Iloilo River Espalanade in Diversion Road. On February 15, from 6am to 3pm, the candidates will have a courtesy call to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Department of Tourism Regional Director Atty. Helen Catalbas, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, and Iloilo Paraw Regatta Chairman Dr. Raymond Sebastian, a special tour at John B. Lacson Colleges Maritime University, and sponsors visit. The new pre-pageant competition, the Cultural Costume Competition (Malay-Bornean inspired attires) is schedule to take place at SM City Iloilo on February 16, 4pm. The next day, February 17, 4pm, the candidates will have a fashion show featuring the designs of Ilonggo fashion designer Carlo Simoy at SM City Iloilo. The Miss Paraw Regatta 2016 Grand Coronation Night will be held at West Visayas State University Cultural Center on February 19, 6pm.

Miss Paraw Regatta 2016 is organized by the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation, Inc. with executive producer Salvador "Tres" Solis, pageant director Bombette Marin, official designer Carlo Simoy, official photographer Felipe Uygongco, creative and artistic consultant Edwin Duero, scriptwriter, PR and blog editor Ronelo Ladiao, official videographer Jehu Rampola, BlueAntz Studio and Creative Box.  Special thanks to Miss Paraw Regatta 2016 presenters and sponsors such as Iloilo City Government, Province of Iloilo, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, Department of Tourism Regional Office, Panay News, Megaworld – Iloilo Business Park, Emperador Distillers, Trans-Asia, Damires Hills Tierra Verde, Don Felipe Uygongco, RSLPhoenix Music, Nic-Nic Manderico and Carlo Simoy Bridal House.