A disbelieving 17 year old Bianca Gaviola of Pob 2 burst into tears after being named Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2017 in a glittering fast- paced three  hour coronation night held at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium on April 28. Aside from the crown and the honor  to represent the city of Tagbilaran in the forthcoming Miss Bohol 2017 Pageant, Ms. Gaviola also clinched four of the 15 specials awards and corporate titles that were also handed out. She swept both swimsuit and evening gown competitions and was also named Miss Photogenic and Miss Bohol Tropics.

She is currently a grade 11 senior high school student taking up DIA(Design and Industrial Arts) in the University of Bohol. Drawing and painting are her hobbies. The Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2017 upholds her motto in life: “It’s better to give than to receive.”   The crowned beauty queen is the daughter of  Rommel Gaviola and Zenaida Olaso.

Prior to the final round of interviews where she expounded on the role of technology and the role of God in one’s life, she revealed her eloquence and a maturity beyond her years during her casual chitchat with the pageant emcees when she elucidated on the importance of optimism and how one should downplay pessimism or being negative.

Rounding out the final five were 1st RU Mary Elaine Cimafranca of Pob. 1, 2nd RU Alana Mary Magne Ligue of Ubujan, 3rd RU Mary Hayden Villegas of Booy and 4th RU Sandra Jele of Manga.

The other recipients of the eight special awards and seven corporate titles that were handed out during the pageant were # 9 Mary Elaine Cimafranca who got three awards, namely: Miss Viewers Choice Award, Ms. Renaissance Spa and Best in Casual Interview, # 12 Darling Jaymecca Perges of Mansasa is Miss Smart Communications and Miss South Palms Resort,  # 14 Kathleen Claire Tupos of Poblacion 3 is Best in Production Number and Miss CIGNA,  # 2 Mary Hayden Villegas of Booy is Miss Congeniality, # 10 Rizza Xenia Cabaluna of Cabawan is Miss Talent, # 11 Alana Mary Magne Ligue of Ubujan is Miss Globe and # 15 Mercy May Salingay  of Dao is Miss Cebu Gems Ambassadress.

Adding more star wattage to the glamorous highlight of Tagbilaran City’s Saulog Festival was the presence of famous and accomplished personalities in the judging panel that included sports reporter & former junior tennis champ Dyan Castillejo, Misters of the Philippines 2016 Andrea Biondo, Bohol First Lady Pureza Chatto, Male model Marx Topacio, Philanthropist and honorary diplomat Fernando “Ding” Borja, soccer star player James Younghusband, reigning Miss Earth 2016 Kathryn Espin and top fashion designer Francis Libiran. KF Cebu top honcho & pageant mentor Jonas Borces co- chaired the panel of judges with Miss Universe- Philippines 2016 Maria Maxine Mika Medina.

Eventologist & celebrity endorser Tim Yap and TV/ movie personality Karylle Padilla hosted the pageant which boasted of one of the most elaborate set designs for a pageant outside Metro Manila.

A visibly- elated Ms. Jane Censoria Yap, Tagbilaran City First Lady and Mutya 2017 Project Chair expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the resounding success of Mutya sa Tagbilaran 2017. With Ms. Yap at the helm and with the all- out support  of Mayor Baba Yap and the city, the pageant has been given a total make over and in just four years, Mutya sa Tagbilaran has regained its luster & prestige and is one of the most highly- anticipated highlights of the annual Tagbilaran City Saulog celebration.

The revitalized Mutya search that was revived in 2014 after Mayor Baba Yap was elected as city mayor has produced three outstanding winners. 2014 Geraldine Topsnik who was also Miss Bohol 2014 2nd RU and went on to become 1st RU in a national beauty search, 2015 Eda Cimafranca was also Miss Bohol 2015 and 2016 Queenebeth Barcelona is Miss Bohol 2016 1stRU. With her captivating beauty, mesmerizing wit and winsome charm, this year’s newly- crowned Mutya Bianca Gaviola is expected to continue the winning streak of the Tagbilaranon beauty and to be actively involved in promoting the different advocacy projects of the city. (Raul Gatal)