Preliminary Competition of Mister & Miss San Jose City Celebrates Filipino Heritage and Modern Style

The stage at Pag-asa Sports Complex illuminated with vibrant colors as the Mister & Miss San Jose City Preliminary Competition kicked off in grand style last Saturday, April 13.

The evening commenced with a mesmerizing parade of Filipiniana outfits, each candidate exuding confidence and poise as they showcased the beauty of traditional but modernized Filipino attire.

Following the opening number, the spotlight shifted to a mini-fashion show, featuring the male candidates in Saudi Arabia-based San Josenio designer Jace Ramos Domingo's modern barongs, a collection dubbed as "Celebración de Libertad."

Further cementing his stature as one of Nueva Ecija's most talented young designers, Mathew Alcantara dressed the female candidates and presented his latest Filipiniana collection "Colors and Bloom", a fusion of tradition and modern elegance, with fabrics of different colors interpreted in pleats and architectural manipulation.

It was the first time a fashion show was featured in the Mister and Miss San Jose City pageant.

The candidates then set the stage on fire when they revealed their toned physiques in the swimwear round, always the most energetic and exciting part in a pageant.

In another highlight of the evening, the male candidates vied for distinction in the Smart Casual Wear and the female candidates in Glam Casual Wear, with Alexies Dela Cruz (Sto. Nino 1st) and Erinn Lance Dela Cruz (F.E. Marcos) winning the respective awards. Both also won the Fashion Shoot challenge.

Some event partners also presented eponymous corporate awards to their chosen candidates.

The Preliminary Competition was hosted by previous year's winners Miss San Jose City Mariya Jeffy Felimon, Miss San Jose City 1st Runner-up Mhica Dela Cruz, Mister San Jose City 1st Runner-up Daeniel John Felismino, and Mister San Jose City 2nd Runner-up Ivan Aikon Ignacio.

The Voice Teens Semi-Finalist Benedict Paulo Vinluan and girl dance group The Girlfriends delivered performances in the show.

The Mister and Miss San Jose City pageant is one of the biggest events of San Jose City's annual Pagibang Damara Festival.

Stay tuned for more updates as the grand coronation on April 19, 7:30 PM at Pag-asa Sports Complex comes to a close.

Complete list of preliminary awards and winners:
Best in Smart Casual - Alexies Dela Cruz
Best in Glam Casual - Erinn Lance Dela Cruz
Mister Best in Fashion Shoot - Alexies Dela Cruz
Miss Best in Fashion Shoot - Erinn Lance Dela Cruz
Mister Youth Role Model (presented by CGCI Alumni Assocation) - Alexies Dela Cruz
Miss Youth Role Model (presented by CGCI Alumni Association) - Honey Grace Capili (Sto. Tomas)
Mister Staycation Hotel - Jairus Macadangdang (F.E. Marcos)
Miss Staycation Hotel - Erinn Lance Dela Cruz
Mister Lake Isabel - Jerome Biendima (Abar 2nd)
Miss Lake Isabel - Princess Caroline Huertas (Sto. Tomas)
Mister Dominique's by Le Felize Victoria - Alexies Dela Cruz
Miss Dominique's by Le Felize Victoria - Princess Caroline Huertas
Mister Celentine's Fashion Boutique - Jairus Macadangdang
Miss Celentine's Fashion Boutique - Micaela Dela Cruz (Villa Joson)
Mister Celentine's Awardees - Jerome Biendima and Alexies Dela Cruz
Miss Celentine's Awardees - Erinn Lance Dela Cruz and Vanessa Mae Nariz (Sto. Niño 3rd)