“It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart.” (Unknown)

Indeed, the search for Tagbilaran's fairest – a combination of beauty, intelligence and wit, talent and bearing - has evolved as the years passed, starting with Miss Tagbilaran, then, metamorphosing into Tagbilaran's Five Prettiest, Miss Teen Tagbilaran, Mutya sa Tagbilaran and Miss Young Tagbilaran, even stretching through the times of former City Mayors Venancio Pahang Inting, Rolando Gatal Butalid, Jose Ma. Fama Rocha, Jose Valles Torralba and now, the incumbent Dan Neri Lim. The City Government of Tagbilaran, Leo Club of Tagbilaran, Chocolate Hills Lady Jaycees and Pastillas Jaycees may have taken turns in organizing the event; nonetheless, the glamour, the prestige and the excitement that goes with it have not waned.

Apparently, thorough research and scrutiny has yet to be made to gather the names of the earlier winners, since the official documentation started only in 1986, which put on record Zosita Caliao Clarin as Miss Tagbilaran. In July of that same year (1986), Eliza Pusta Laway, Gemma Marina Reyes Manding, Ma. Josefina Mabilog Manigque, Helena Monton and Leah Vita Castaño were proclaimed Tagbilaran's Five Prettiest. Consequently, the Miss Tagbilaran title was revived in 1987 with Fiel Angeli Espejo Araoarao winning the crown. Geraldee Vallejo Campbell's shining moment came in 1988 when she was proclaimed Miss Teen Tagbilaran. She was succeeded by Winnie Moreno Lim in 1989, the time when “Mutya sa Tagbilaran” officially started its long reign. Other beauty queens followed: Ma. Victoria Gaviola Labado (1990), Joanna Cheryl Matuod Evardone (1991), Suzy Agoncillo Tabuno (1992), Sophia Lorraine Maniwang Alvarez (1993), Vanessa Joyce Matuod Evardone (1994), Mary Fragelle Felisilda Tejano (1996), Socorro D' Marie Tallo Inting (1997), Jesyl Bongosia del Rosario (1998), Marimi Caballo Marapao (1999), Mutya Amor Telmo Zamora (2000), Jacklyn Joy Pilayre Yam (2001), Costie Jephilin Bojo Besas (2002), Rhoda Lee Logroño Ligan (2003), until Lorraine Marie Mapute Evasco (2004). The year 2005 focused the spotlights on Richell Pacaldo Angalot, Anna Karenina Fuentes Cimagala, April Lynn C. Recio, Katherine Margaret M. Tejano and Barbie Ann B. Vanta sharing the honor of being among the five Miss Young Tagbilaran titleholders. As the local beauty pageant history had it, 20 long years after, the Miss Tagbilaran title was resurrected in 2006, personified by Margo Adelaiz Clarin Manigque. Then, other younger beauties surfaced - Mary Lovely Ligones (2007) and Ruby Crisannie Mejos (2008).

Meshellane Real Jade Cajels (Budz and Bags) , Odessa Mae Castano (Poblacion 3), Michelle Ann Edano (Image Marketing), Mary Paulaine Magallanes (Cogon), Mary Ann Piquero (Grand Luis Lodge), Daisy Jean Quilicot (CVSCAFT), Loraine Recio (Mansasa), Charlene Ruiz (Dao), Jane de la Serna (Fern-C), Manami Liezel Sobrabas (Dampas), Jenny Tatoy (Ubujan), and Mary Grace Torres (JJ's Dimsum and Seafoods) are the ladies to watch in this year's pageant and coronation night slated April 29, 8:00 in the evening at the Bohol Cultural Center. Last Friday, they met Vice-Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso and the other members of the 10th Sangguniang Panlungsod at the Sandugo Session Hall before going to the office of City Mayor Dan Neri Lim. Yesterday, the candidates showed their whistle-bait figures during the swimwear competition at Miravilla Resort. Formal presentation to the public and talent showcase of the 12 hopefuls will happen on April 22, 7:00 in the evening, at the Tagbilaran City Hall grounds. The pageant is sponsored by the City Government of Tagbilaran through the City Tourism Office. Composing the pageant committee are City Deputy Mayor Mario Uy, Anne Michelle Porticos, David Maulas, Rey Alagon, Darrell Espinosa and Kim Nablo. .by: jefilorewinantclacoe