by Allianah Junnice Bolotaulo and Stefan Saldon | November 11, 2022
Sillimanians Jemuel Arnaiz and Princess Angel Saga strive to challenge beauty standards to improve Sillimanians’ self-esteem after winning the Mister and Miss Negros Oriental 2022 pageants during the Buglasan Festival.
Saga is the first tattooed candidate and winner of Miss Negros Oriental.
“A lot of people believed that I didn’t deserve to win because I have tattoos, but I knew that I had to be the person who was gonna change that,” she shared.
During the pageantry, she advocated for mental health awareness, challenging beauty standards, and women’s empowerment and equality.
She said, “As a tattooed woman, I’m changing the pageant industry and the minds of the people that a tattooed woman is still beautiful.”
Moreover, Arnaiz said his victory would help improve fellow Sillimanians’ self-esteem and give them more reasons to trust themselves.
“Hopefully, this will enable change in their lives and thus make them a better version of themselves,” Arnaiz said.
Saga also bagged awards in Best in Swimwear, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Production Number, Best in Active Wear, Miss Congeniality, and Miss Petron.
Meanwhile, Arnaiz was awarded Best in Production Number, Negros Oriental Best Speaker, and Best in Formal wear.
Arnaiz won the title of Mister Negros Oriental on Sept. 25, while Saga was crowned Miss Negros Oriental at Lamberto L. Macias Sports and Cultural Complex on Sept. 28.
