Philippine Independence Day Council of Toronto

ELIZABETH MARIE MABB Wins Miss Philippines PIDC Title at the PIDC 2017 BEAUTY PAGEANT

By Tony A. San Juan
Photos: Bong Molano
Toronto-Canada
June 23, 2017



Toronto-June 3, 2017: True to its long held tradition and purposeful practice, the quintessential Philippine Independence Day Council - PIDC, proudly and remarkably conducted its 17th annual beauty pageant . The selection and coronation of the "2017 Miss Philippines PIDC" and "Little Miss Philippines PIDC" winners was held on June 3, 2017 at the Isabel Bader Theatre, University of Toronto-Victoria College, Toronto with over 300 people in joyous attendance. 


Deservingly chosen, Elizabeth Marie Mabb was crowned Miss Philippines PIDC 2017  amongst seven  other beautiful contenders. Miss Philippines PIDC 2016 Celine Grey  after a final walk and farewell speech of her 2016  reign, donned the royal headdress  to Elizabeth Marie Mabb, her highly elated successor. Likewise, Jainna A. Lacorte -Lumley was proclaimed Little Miss Philippines PIDC 2017 together with her entourage of beautiful youngsters namely:Janelle Gonzales, 1st Runner Up, Cherryl Faith Navales, 2nd Runner Up, and Julianne Chatman, Sophia Posada  & Arielle Ali.

Being the darling of the judges and the crowd, Elizabeth Marie Mabb was awarded a tiara, sash, cash award and trophy. The strong bevy of winning beauties with tiaras, trophies, sashes and cash includes Jewel Valdez, Ist Runner Up and Precious Hernandes, 2nd Runner Up. Other winners  recognized with sash and trophies  were Angela Alcantara, Deniella Alexis, Savanna Lee, and Samantha Viloria .

The popular and prestigious beauty- and- talent  event, organized and  sponsored by the  Philippine Independence Day Council ( PIDC), is a major part of the annual celebration of the 119th Araw ng Kalayaan anniversary of the Philippines in Toronto, Canada.  PIDC is a 19- year old non- profit, cultural and socially- responsive umbrella organization of more than 15  various  Filipino Canadian community associations in Ontario.

Engagingly led by PIDC president Norma Carpio as pageant adviser, the members of the 2017 Pageant's organizing committee is composed of overall pageant head honcho Aurora Elefano, "Miss Philippines" chair Gene Pardo - Elamparo and "Little Miss Philippines" head Helen Pico-Lao with  program director Karen Pascual-Binaday , pageant coordinators Ophelia Santiago & Myrna Palmer, stage directors Aris Elefano & Ronnie Grey, website coordinator Randy Bucao, photographer Bong Molano, choreographer Daniella Puzo and videographer Joel Divino.

Among the PIDC officers and volunteers who provided assistance and guidance were:  Verth Bugtong, Ben Corpuz, Rose Cruz , Susan SJ Llanera, Aimee Maravilla, Minda Neri,  Cheryll Samson- Ronquillo, Roy Start,Vilma Tahsin, Tom Tan, Roger Tarca, Nanding Ticzon, Filomena Ticzon, Al Tupe and Jun Villaruz . 

 Tasked in picking up this year's winners were notable GTHA personalities. The judges for Miss Philippines 2017 were: Tony Chung, Anita Diaz, Conida Marie Halley, Marlene Lucas, Lovely Luna, Agnes Mendoza, & Rochelle Que while those who selected for Little Miss Philippines 2017 were:  Emma Andrada, Chanele Ann Ganancial, Celine Grey, Agnes Miranda and Jaquelyn Tayag. Members of the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants who tabulated the results include: Estrellita Cortez, Mercy Gonzales and Nimfa Santos


The lively and well-applauded  3-hour  program also showcased talented musical  performers such as Cheryl Malanum of Mini Pop Kids and Little Miss Philippines 2012; Lucky Lucas; Little Miss Philippines 2010; Melanie Lazaro; Little Miss Philippines 2011; Bianca Manlapaz , Little Miss Philippines 2016 and Celine Grey, Miss Philippines PIDC 2016. Ably hosted jointly by PIDC Pageant alumni Scott Dion Brown, Janice Hernane (Miss Philippines PIDC 2013, 2^nd Runner Up) and Conida Marie Halley (Miss Philippines PIDC 2015). The 2017 PIDC pageant  was certainly a fun-filled day of  beauty, talent, inspiration , entertainment, showmanship and fellowship..

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  2017 Mabuhay Invitational  Cup Basketball Tourney on July 21-23 at the Downsview Hoopdome  and other summer culminating PIDC events like : the Mabuhay Philippines Festival Gala & Fashion Show on August 24 and the Mabuhay Philippines Festival and Parade on August 26- 27 at Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall, Toronto. Cone One ! Come All! ( Tony A. San Juan).