Philippine Independence Day Council (Toronto)

Conida Marie Halley Wins Miss Philippines PIDC 2015 Title

By:  Tony A. San Juan ,OCT.
Toronto-Canada
July 6, 2015



Being the audience darling, Conida Marie Halley was awarded a tiara, sash, cash award and returned airfare by Korean Air to the Philippines as well as doubly honoured  with 3 distinctions, the "Miss Photogenic", "Miss Maria Clara" and "Miss Intellectual" titles. Other winners  recognized with tiara , sash and cash prizes were: Marina Saleeb, 1st Runner-up and Janelle Apresto, 2nd Runner-up. Marina also received the "Miss Charity " & "Miss Online Sensation" trophies while Janelle was named "Miss Popularity". 

The strong bevy of winning beauties with trophies and sashes, includes :1) Maygen Hinchliffe who was accorded with 4 awards, as "Best in National Attire", "Poise and Beauty", "Spirit" and "Casual Wear", 2) Joie Ann Merana, garnered "Miss Freedom" and "Best in Talent", 3) Lara Denise Capistrano, won "Miss Congeniality", 4) Georelle Mendoza, as "Miss Heritage",  5) Lovely Valentine Valenzuela, the "Miss Pearl of the Orient " winner; and 6) Leah Villanueva, named "Miss Tourism".

The popular and prestigious beauty and talent  event, organized and  sponsored by the 16- year old Philippine Independence Day Council ( PIDC), is a major  part of the annual celebration of the 117th Araw ng Kalayaan anniversary of the Philippines in Toronto, Canada. PIDC is an umbrella organization of more than 15  Filipino Canadian community associations in Ontario.

Engagingly led by Norma Carpio, PIDC president, the members of the pageant's organizing committee is composed of overall pageant chair Gene Pardo-Elamparo, "Miss Philippines" chief Aurora Ticzon Elefano and "Little Miss Philippines" head Helen Pico-Lao.  Karen Pascual-Binaday served as floor manager, Aris Elefano as stage manager,  Karen Amador- Lopez and Daniela Pozo acted as choreographers and as well,  Click Frame Creative, photographers.

Other event coordinators & staff include: Luz Aguila , Peter Eli-Gonzales,  Karen Liguidliguid, Melanie Marasigan, Lester Millado. Among the PIDC officers and volunteers who provided assistance and guidance were: Mel Alphonso, Randy Bucao, Verth Bugtong, Rose Calvo, Pedro Carpio, Ben & Paulina Corpuz, Ding Cruz, Rose Cruz, Aris Elefano, Mercy Lagumbay, Jess & Susan SJ Llanera, Cesar Manebo, Aimee Maravilla, Minda Neri, Alma & Jesse Pacetes, Cheryll Samson- Ronquillo, Roy Start, Vilma Tahsin, Tom Tan, Roger Tarca, Nanding & Nene Ticzon, Al Tupe, Jun Villaruz and Zeny Zagala. 

Tasked to pick this year's winners were notable GTA personalities: George Dela Rosa of Luminus Financial, Lauren Fernandez of Socialite Beauty Bar, dental practitioner Dr. Christina L. Gamo, Sa-Kyeom Kang of Korean Air, Agnes Miranda of World Financial Group, Rafael Nebres of Action Honda, Rafael Policarpio of LBC Mundial Cargo Corporation, and Rose Ty of Coldwell Banker Elite. Members of the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants who tabulated the results include: Imelda Bautista, Renz Gonzales, JP Lunaria, MaryAnn Mallari,  and Estrellita Ortiz, 

The lively and well-applauded 4-hour program also showcased talented musical  performers such as former Little Misses Elle Delizo (2008), Britney Waito(2013), Hailey Chyrel Malanum (2012) and Raina Resplandor ( Miss Philippines PIDC 2014).

Ably hosted jointly by actor- model Scott Dion Brown, Ms. Philippines PIDC 2012 2nd runner-up Janice Hernane and PIDC Miss Philippines 2014 contestant Bettina Carlos, the evening's show was attended by over 500 guests and fans and held at the Korean Cultural Centre in North York on June 20, 2015. 

PIDC president Norma Carpio in her apt message graciously welcomed and thanked those present as well as the major sponsors, donors, media partners,guests, judges, parents, volunteers and the entire PIDC family for their continued support and co-operation, declaring the pageant a very memorable milestone in the community. She also extended an invitation to the upcoming  2015 Mabuhay Invitational  Cup Basketball Tourney on July 31 & August 1-2- at Downsview Hoopdome , the  Mabuhay Philippines Festival on August 29-30 at the David Pecaut Square, Toronto, and other scheduled  PIDC events. ( T.San Juan).