Visayan Association of Australia Inc.

Mrs Visayas Coronation Charity Ball shows why Mothers are Special

By Richard J Ford – PRO-VAA Inc.
Sydney-NSW-Australia
August 17, 2017



This year’s Mrs Visayas Coronation Charity Ball was held at the Marconi Club in Bossley Park on the 22^nd July 2017. This event saw six ladies compete for the title of Mrs Visayas Australia 2017 and Mrs Charity Queen Australia 2017.

The event is held every year to raise funds for the VisMin TEA Program (Visayas Mindanao Tertiary Education Assistance), a scholarship Program that helps primarily the poor but deserving students to complete their tertiary education, this program operates in partnership with two universities, namely, the Visayas State University (VSU) and the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU). In addition, is the SARDO’s Program, which helps Students AT Risk of Dropping Out of school to continue their studies. It involves a feeding program as well as the distribution of school supplies and lunch vouchers to those families in dire financial hardship and family problems.

This time round has seen some very elegant and charming ladies eager to help contribute by raising the much-needed funds towards a fund-raising project that will provide a benefit for their fellow Kababayans who are struggling financially and deprived of the ability to provide a basic need for education which, “a mother’s instinct of love in helping the underprivileged children” knows can be achievable. With around 200 plus guests, the evening was a great success for the Visayan Association who expressed their thanks for their support towards the Charitable Event.

The candidates for this year were, Jenina Cotelo (1) from Cebu City, Flor Fitzpatrick (2) from Ronda, Cebu, next Isabelita Badel (3) from the small island of Pilar, Camotes, Cebu, Lee Meekan (4) from Ilocas Region, but grew up in Mindanao, also Junelyn Goodwin (5) from Surigao del Sur and finally Annie Marquez (6) who hails from Palompon, Leyte. The entertainment was provided by Sidney Perez, Cleo Diana, Sharleng Gonzales, Lillian de los Reyes, and Rollie Limun. The Emcees for the night were the incomparable pair Gez Perez and Sidney Perez who keep the guests enlightened but also entertained.

The evening was made entertaining by the Candidates themselves as they all vied for the coveted title of Mrs Visayas 2017. As the President of VAA Inc. Jhun Salazar, said later. “it was an evening that was filled with beauty and splendour.” President Salazar thanked everyone for their support especially Charles Chan from Flagcom who was also the choreographer for the beauty pageant.

The judges for the beauty pageant were Evelyn Zaragosa, Hanna Perez and Carol North-Samardzic. As Sidney Perez said, “all the Candidates are all winners.” The results of the competition were as follows:

Mrs Pearl of the Orient – No.5 Junelyn Goodwin

Mrs Charity Princess 2017 – No.3 Isabelita Badel

Mrs Visayas-Australia 2017 Runner-up, also Mrs Athletic and Mrs Most Photographic - No.1 Jenina Cotelo

Best in Evening Gown, Best in Filipiniana, Best in Talent, and Mrs Congeniality - No.6 Annie Marquez, who not only won those four (4) titles but she has also won the coveted titles of   not only the Mrs Visayas-Australia 2017 but also the Mrs Charity Queen 2017, what a great effort. 

Congratulations on the efforts by all the Candidates on the night and all the families and friends who made it all possible.