'Wanders', fireworks end 16th Panaad festival
BACOLOD CITY -- The week-long Panaad sa Negros Festival, on its 16th year, ended last Saturday.
The closing ceremony was capped by “Wanders”, the world-renowned, dance and acrobatic extravaganza, La Castellana’s Bayles de Luces and a fireworks display that lasted for about 15 minutes.
Governor Isidro Zayco and Vice-Governor Emilio Yulo III were present during the closing ceremony.
Zayco thanked everyone who made the affair very successful with again another year of abundance and prosperity for Negros Occidental.
Friday night when the most prestigious beauty pageant known as Lin-ay sang Negros was held. The pride of Talisay City, Vickie Marie Milagrosa Rushton was crowned as 2009 Lin-ay sang Negros. She is the daughter of British designing engineer, Eric Rushton.
The 16-year-old lady was crowd favorite even before she was given the beaded crown and scepter.
First runner-up was Himamaylan’s Ciara Mae Pirote, while Rajevie Ravindrakumar of Escalante City was adjudged second runner-up.
The 2009 Lin-ay sang Negros took home P100,000 in cash, and a one-year full academic scholarship, among others, while Pirote and Ravindrakumar won P60,000 and P30,000 in cash, respectively.
Rushton was also chosen as Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Watsons, Miss Circulan and Miss Globe.
Among the judges of the spectacular event were 2008 Bb. Pilipinas Universe Jennifer Barrientos, 2004 Lin-ay sang Negros Blanch Marie Brown, model Lemuel Pelayo, talent manager Pedro Litonjua, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and Department of Tourism consultant, Nilo Agustin.