CDN, Freeman win big in pageant

A business reporter and a lifestyle photographer were crowned Miss and Mr. Press Freedom at  Harolds Hotel last night, part of a week-long  celebration by   Cebu’s mainstream media.

Grace Melanie Lacamiento, a petite Freeman  reporter, won over  three other contestants with a score of  91 percent.

Edd Buenaviaje, lifestyle photographer of Cebu Daily News, netted 86.6 percent to best  his lone rival.

This year the  annual contest was hosted by former Miss Earth Karla Henry and had contestants being asked questions sent in by journalists in  Manila.

Clad in an off-shoulder beige gown with glitters,  Lacamiento was asked about her stand on the Freedom of Information Act, a query sent  by ABS-CBN showbiz reporter and ANC host Ginger Conejero.

Lacamiento said the  FOI was  “very beneficial” for journalists.  “There is a need for us to express our opinion,    she said.

Buenavieje was posed this query  by ABS-CBN anchor Karen Davila: “If you were asked by the President for advice on how to solve the problem in the West Philippine Sea, what would you suggest?”

“Diplomatic negotiation. We can talk, and promote peace at the same time,” Buenavieje replied.

A separate couch interview by co-host Jude Bacalso drew out details of the kind of fieldwork done by the candidates, who also  posed  on stage in casual wear,  evening gowns and men’s formal attire as their media colleagues cheered in the hotel’s Highlight’s Bar.

Pageant criteria  gave the biggest weight or 50 percent to intelligence,  before beauty (30 percent), and poise and projection (20 percent).

Mr. and Miss Press Freedom   received P10,000 cash, a Samsung phone  from SunCellular and  a round-trip ticket for two to Boracay from Cebu Pacific Airlines with other gifts from TOPSHOP and JG Summit.

First runner-up was Cebu Daily News correspondent Carmel Lois Matus  followed by  TV5 junior correspondent Katreena Bisnar  who represented the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas-Cebu chapter (KBP) and Sun.Star sports reporter Cheska Geli.

The panel of judges was composed of Bee Urgello, Queen of Cebu 2011; Mark Shandar, accessory and shoe designer; Ann Marie Tan, GMA Cebu station manager; Rachel Niñal, Harolds Hotel marketing and communications officer and Vikki Sambilay of Sun Cellular.

The night’s entertainment was provided by GMA-7’s  singing trio  La Diva.   Sana ay Ikaw na Nga TV series stars Mikael Daez and Andrea Torres also showed up to greet the media.

A roundtrip ticket to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia raffled off by Cebu Pacific was won by a guest from Cebu Catholic Television Network.

The event, which included cocktails hosted by Harolds Hotel, was organized by the E-group or Cebu entertainment media group with direction by the Wicked Sisters events and socials company.

The pageant is  part of  the celebration of Cebu  Press Freedom Week, which officially kicks off this morning with a  parade by  print and broadcast outlets from Cebu Business Park to SM City Cebu for the opening program..  Reporter Rhea Ruth V. Rosell