Members of the Bohol media, online influencers, bloggers each got precious time engaging 16 witty young ladies vying for the prestige, honor and privilege to be the quintessential Boholana to crowned Miss Bohol 2016.

At the press presentation and first public appearance of the 16 beauty queens in their own rights, at the grand Be Resort in Panglao, June 25, organizers Junior Chamber Incorporated said the beauty contest for Miss Bohol is more of searching for the epitome of a modern Boholana.

Presented to the media were Ritzi Lague (Lila), Ashley Nicole Collamat (Jagna), Quir Nicole Maghuyop (Loboc),  Pearl Dianne Bungabong (Alburquerque), Queenie Mae Bacquial (Sevilla), Judy Ann Cimafranca (Dauis), Tanya Bianca Scheurrs (Garcia Hernandez), April Matiz Marie Mahier (Carlos P. Garcia).

Also competing for the title are Lovely Sheena Empuesto (Talibon), Olive Jean Zoilo (Tubigon), Karen Jane Ilagan (Duero), Glyssa Perez (Danao), Catherine Tabaniag (Panglao), Ricka Theresa Geangan (Balilihan), Queenebeth Barcelona (Tagbilaran City) and Bretziel Laurel (Loon).

The search is supposed to gain support for Bohol’s 47 towns, but organizers agree that this year, the transition period and the recent elections may have prevented towns from sending in representatives, thus the shortage of candidates.

Defending the noticeable lack of towering heights most stand-out beauty queens possess, even host Raul Gatal candidly admitted Boholanas are not so blessed with the height for beauty queens.

He added that the Miss Bohol search may not be selecting a representative to a national search, so height is not a requirement.

Over the years, the Boholana has also evolved and yet has kept a distinct identity, that to be able to pick one who will bring the voice of the modern woman, organizers said they have to reinvent the search to keep up with the times.

The women, who profess to be catalysts for positive change would match wits, beauty, grace and poise in friendly and healthy competition of brains, wit and beauty, earn the historic title as the 90^th Bohol beauty queen.

The 16 are the official candidates vying for the most prestigious Miss Bohol 2016, said former Miss Bohol beauty queen Quennie Melody Fulliante during the press presentation.

Since 1926 when there was a call for nationwide representation of candidates to vie for the first Miss Philippines crown, Bohol’s response was to pick a queen to represent the province.

That time, a Jagna lass: Asuncion Gaviola won the first Miss Bohol title, and she was the first Boholana to represent Bohol in the national search, narrated candidates presentation host Raul Gatal.

“This year therefore, whoever is crowned would be crowned on the 90^th year as the 90^th Miss Bohol,” he added. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)