By Dhel Sue Cabiara
With restructured segments prior to the coronation night, the 79th edition of Miss Silliman is set to introduce and highlight candidates’ advocacies through its premiere event on Aug. 20 at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium.
Previous iterations of the pageant included a press launching event that invited local and campus media to interview the candidates, the preliminary competition, and coronation night.
This year, however, particular pre-coronation events will instead be shifted to the newly-established premiere and the coronation night.
According to Miss Silliman Committee (MSC) Chairperson Josh Benjamin Lajot, the advocacy presentation was moved to the premiere which was formerly held during the preliminary competition, while the talent portion is slated during the coronation.
“This adjustment is not entirely new to Miss Silliman, since the talent segment has, in fact, been done before during coronation night in past years,” he said.
Lajot shared that they “value sustainability” by streamlining operations, reducing costs, while still giving each portion of the competition its ‘rightful spotlight.”
Moreover, the premiere event will stage a production number where the candidates will introduce themselves to banner their respective colleges, including a preliminary question and answer portion.
A pool of judges will also select and award the top three best in advocacy presentations during the event.
Moreover, the MSC launched its ticket sales and guidelines for the said event. Ticket price ranges from ₱150 to ₱200 for upper and lower house seats, respectively.
The upper house seats are exclusive for students of participating colleges, whose tickets can be purchased through their respective student councils.
Improvements from last year
This year, the MSC is handled by a supervisory council headed by SU Planning and Development Assistant Jae Ryl Moncada and Luce Auditorium manager Marie Christel Kho.
Lajot said the said council will help this year’s MSC in planning and organizing the pageant events.
Alongside these changes, the MSC chair said they aim to be “more organized” by having clearer timelines, more regular updates, and stronger teamwork between its divisions.
Last year, the committee faced public criticisms on various allegations including logistical and financial issues during its press launch and preliminary competition.
Ex-chairperson Angel Saga addressed the controversy through an official statement, vowing to provide resolutions and time for the next committee to prepare.
Meanwhile, Lajot furthered that the committee’s strategy to improve publicity and social media reach is “all about choosing the right people to work with.”
“We made sure to partner with skilled Sillimanians who can really make our vision into a reality. We are partnered with very talented Sillimanians, both current students and [alumni],” he said.
The MSC 2025 partnered with Rods Rewind for social media and graphics, Awestruck Productions for videography, and the SU Camera Club for photography.
This year’s theme is anchored on a baybayin term “padayon” and “the journey of Silliman women revisioning excellence.”
Eight candidates will vie for the coveted 79th Miss Silliman crown, hailing from the Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Senior High School, College of Engineering and Design, College of Business Administration, College of Education, College of Nursing, and Medical School.
This year’s coronation night will be held at the SU Gymnasium on Aug. 26.
