TELEVISION host Phoebe Fernandez was crowned Ms Press Freedom in last night’s pageant.
Fernandez, who hosts ABS-CBN’s MagTV, earlier topped the search for Miss Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas-Cebu chapter, which she represented in the annual contest.
Dressed in a black-and-red gown, she clinched the Ms Press Freedom title with a score of 91 percent. She scored high in answering the question, “How can a Cebuana promote environmental sustainability?”
She replied: “Through education. As a member of the media and a host, I must use my talent in educating the audience.”
Four candidates walked the stage in casual wear and evening gowns to the beat of Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor.”
The pageant criteria was based on brains (40 percent), beauty (30 percent) and bearing (30 percent).
The winner received P10,000 cash, a Samsung phone and a round-trip ticket to Palawan for two from Cebu Pacific Airlines.
First runner-up was The Freeman writer Darling Chrymyth Wagas (89 percent) followed by Sun.Star reporter Gwenith Jill Tatoy (84.4 percent) and Cebu Daily News correspondent Rhea Ruth Rosell (80 percent).
The panel of judges was composed of Jaja Rama, former Miss Cebu 2008 Elizabeth Sean Maynard, Dr. Raymund Bucol, fashion designer Lemuel Rosos and former Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry.
The event at Formo, Banilad Town Centre, was organized by the Cebu entertainment media group. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus