Philippine Independence Day Council (Ontario-Canada)
 

LEONOR ABAD-POIZNER
WINS   MRS. / MS. PHILIPPINES PIDC 2019

 
By Suzy Llanera
Scarborough-ON-Canada
April 12, 2019
 


April 6 – Scarborough: The Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) celebrated a milestone, its 10th year anniversary of Mrs. / Ms. Philippines PIDC. Karen Pascual-Binaday, PIDC's President, carried out to expand its search to include the title of Mrs. / Ms. Philippines PIDC 2019 bringing back the beauty pageant which is being held every other year.





This year's pageant theme is "a celebration of beauty and talent, and women empowerment". The pageant is a tradition of PIDC that has long been a practice with a purpose. This pageant is organized as a charity to raise funds to benefit "Gawad Kalinga" (GK Canada). Humbly, PIDC has raised $3,000.00 which was immediately awarded to GK Canada, and the cheque was presented to GK Canada's Vice- Chairman, Jose Querubin and Gisele Mirasol, GK Canada Board of Director. The selection and grand coronation night of Mrs. / Ms. Philippines PIDC 2019 was held on April 6, 2019 at Rembrandt Banquet Halls, Scarborough, Ontario with a sold-out tickets of over 300 enthusiastic guests in attendance.



Distinguished panel of Judges, comprised of  Henry Lee, Regine Alaina Semira, Mel Galeon, Mary Ann Gamboa, Vince Gutierrez, Josie De Leon, Anita Diaz, Erik Natividad and Chanele Ann Ganancial, had the most difficult task of the evening show, selected LEONOR ABAD-POIZNER , who deservingly was crowned Mrs. / Ms. Philippines PIDC 2019 amongst other seven beautiful and talented contenders. Leonor Abad-Poizner also garnered the "Popularity" and the "Best in National Costume" awards. Emma Andrada, Mrs. Philippines PIDC 2016, after her final walk and farewell message donned the royal head dress to LEONOR ABAD-POIZNER, her highly elated successor.









The strong bevy of winning beauties with tiaras, trophies, sashes, cash and bouquet of flowers included, SALLY MAANO TANINGCO, 1st Runner-Up who also received the "Charity Award", and JOSEPHINE ARTUZ, garnered the 2nd Runner-Up place.



Imelda Concepcion received the "Congeniality and "Freedom" awards, while Jan Benoza bagged the "Most Photogenic" and "Maria Clara" awards. Genoveva Asuncion-Jubilo received the "Best in Talent" and "Pearl of the Orient" awards, and finally, Amethyst Salas coveted the "Heritage" award, which coincides with the celebration of this year First-ever "Filipino Heritage Month" in June across Canada.





Agnes Miranda , Senior Executive Vice Chairman of WFG was the Presenting Sponsor; Norma Carpio , President & CEO of Imperial World, Inc./ Imperial Travel & Tours was the Gold Sponsor; and the Bronze Sponsors were Remely's , Spice Thai Cafe , FV Foods and Ready Honda . The Patron Sponsor was Modelo Cosmetic Clinic .



Engagingly led by PIDC President Karen Pascual-Binaday , as pageant adviser and backstage producer, the members of the 2019 Pageant's organizing committee was composed of overall pageant chair Gene Pardo-Elamparo , "Mrs. / Ms. Philippines PIDC 2019" first-time chair, Ophelia Santiago , co-chairs Jun Villaruz & Roy Start , "Miss Philippines PIDC 2019" chair, Aurora Ticzon Elefano, "Little Miss Philippines PIDC 2019" chair, Helen Pico-Lao , stage directors and decoration coordinators Aris Elefano & Ronnie Grey , Pageant's Special Correspondent,Suzy Llanera , choreographer, Daniela Pozo and photographer & videographer, Briggs & Ron on behalf of Joel Divino & Jun Afable . With the support and presence of the Board of Directors & COL, namely, Past Presidents Norma Carpio andMinda Neri, Pedro Carpio, Ben Corpuz, Paulina Corpuz, Al Tupe, Aimee Maravilla, Suzy Llanera, Nanding Ticzon, Marlene Grey, Melinda Manlapaz, Ramon Estaris, Ted Dayno, Clyde Pacis, Rose Cruz and the PIDC Beauties helped ran an organized and a smooth program.



The lively and well-applauded program showcased a pool of talented performers, such as Melanie Lazaro , Miss Philippines PIDC 2018, Elizabeth Marie Mabb , Miss Philippines PIDC 2017, stole the show, Gabby Anders , reigning Little Miss Philippines 2018, Chelsea Star Cortez-Zgheib,  Emma Andrada, Madelyn Duyo, PIDC Titas, Nicolas, Manlapaz, andScott Dion Brown. Lastly, Danny Almodal Orbillo serenaded the elated seven contestants, with his rendition of the popular Tagalog song "Ikaw", the highlight of the program.

Exclusively, the Pageant Coach and Mentor of this year's beauty pageant was the one and only, our very own Miss Bea Rose Santiago , Miss International 2013. The four-hour evening show was ably hosted jointly by PIDC Pageant alumni, Scott Dion Brown , a lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter for the rock band Symphony of Nine and currently the host of "The Sit Down Radio Show with Scott Dion Brown" and Miss Bea Rose Santiago , PIDC's jewel. In addition, the stage was exquisitely decorated with panels of mirrors put up by Aris Elefano & volunteers,  with a touch of handmade colourful spring flowers, made by the Chair herself, Ophelia Santiago , which certainly added an oasis of beauty and elegance. It was indeed a very successful event and a night to remember - another feather on the cap for PIDC.



The overall results were professionally tabulated led by members of AFCA, the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants, namely, Len Salvador, Estie Ortiz, Maria Antonio, and Jahleel Cruz.



Fittingly, the most prestigious pageant is organized by PIDC, a not-for-profit, cultural and socially responsive umbrella organization of more than 15 various Filipino-Canadian community associations in Ontario, is a major part of the annual celebration of the 121st year anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence Day, the 21st anniversary of the Mabuhay Philippines Festival, 20th year anniversary of Miss Philippines PIDC, 16th anniversary of the Little Miss Philippines PIDC and the Initial Year of the "Filipino Heritage Month" in June to be celebrated across Canada, "from coast to coast to coast", a Federal Motion (M155) unanimously passed in the House of Commons on October 30, 2018.





The PIDC Pageant Delegates will be attending their First Official events on June 1st at the PIDC's "Salu-Salo sa Earl Bales Community Picnic" and the celebration of the "Filipino Heritage Month" at Earl Bales Park on Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario. They will also be participating on the same day in support of the Filipino National Heritage Canada at Albert Campbell Square, Scarborough, Ontario. {ssjl}

PIDC 2019 Upcoming Events:

May 24-26: Mabuhay Cup (MCup) Basketball Tournament, Durham                                    College, 2800 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario

June 1: Annual Salu-Salo sa Earl Bales Community Pot Luck Picnic &                        Celebration of "Filipino Heritage Month", Earl                                Bales Park, 4169 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario

June 12: Philippine Independence Day Flag Raising, Toronto City                               Hall, Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West

July 6: Miss & Little Miss Philippines PIDC Pageant, Sandra Faire &                                   Ivan Fecan Theatre, York University, 4700 Keele St.

August 23-25: Mabuhay Philippines Festival,Nathan Phillips Square

August 25:  Santacruzan & Street Parade of Associations

REGISTRATION : Miss Philippines & Little Miss Philippines PIDC 2019 is scheduled on Sunday, April 14 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm

PLACE: GOTTA DANCE STUDIO, 3581 Dundas St. W Toronto, ON

Email: /  / 

For further info, please visit our website: www.pidctoronto.com Facebook & Twitter page under Philippine Independence Day Council