PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES Twenty-six policewomen from different units of the Philippine National Police are competing for the Ms PNP Ganda Pulis 2018. Coronation night is on April 23. —JAM STA. ROSA
So who says beauty queen looks don’t go with nerves of steel?
Certainly not the Philippine National Police, whose brutal and unforgiving war on drugs has eclipsed its other programs, including its advocacy for women’s and children’s concerns.
The search for Ms PNP Ganda Pulis 2018 should shine the spotlight on the police’s softer side and showcase its other programs, said Chief Supt. Rodel Sermonia, director of the PNP Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) that on Thursday launched the pageant at Camp Crame.
“The (pageant) primarily seeks to provide due recognition to the roles of policewomen as builders of good relationships within the community, which is essential to ensure the success of the PNP’s recovery and wellness program in its campaign against illegal drugs,” Sermonia said.
“The candidate who bags the Ms PNP Ganda Pulis 2018 title will represent the PNP as its goodwill ambassador,” he added.
Special awards
Aside from the Ms PNP title, 26 policewomen assigned to different PNP units nationwide are competing for other awards to be given during the April 23 coronation night. Other titles at stake are Ms Maka-Diyos (God-fearing), Ms Makabansa (patriotic), Ms Makatao (humane), and Ms Makakalikasan (environmentalist).
Special awards for best in advocacy, talent, swimwear, ethnic costume and evening gown will be given as well. Also to be chosen are a Ms Photogenic, a Ms Congeniality, and a People’s Choice awardee.
Most candidates won in the police regional office pageants, while others were simply chosen to represent their respective units, including the Special Action Force and the Drug Enforcement Group.
Last year’s winner, PO1 Arla Ray Pacencia from the Eastern Visayas police regional office, received P25,000 cash, P300,000 worth of skin care products and services, a new Glock .45-caliber pistol, and the chance to join the Ms Republic of the Philippines 2017.
Sermonia said the titleholder would be reassigned to the PNP-PCRG to fulfill her duties and the objective of what one candidate, PO1 Christyl Montero from the Southern Police District, described as “strengthening the public advocacy of National Women’s Month, with emphasis on women’s issues that need to be addressed.”
The PNP Special Action Force’s PO1 Chanda Angel said her unit pushed her to join so that the public would not think that only warriors made up the elite police commando group.
But PO1 Cris Pastores of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao mobile group, probably said it best: “I joined because I want to show that policewomen do not only possess bravery and courage but also the beauty, brains, confidence, and the attitude to become a beauty queen.”