A JUNIOR MANAGEMENT student from the College of Business Administration (CBA) bagged the title Miss Silliman Sapphire after besting 10 candidates from other colleges last Aug. 25 at the Macias Sports Complex.
Aiko Kitane is the 70th woman to win Miss Silliman, the longest running pageant in Asia. Her victory led to the 3-peat win of CBA in the pageant.
Sophia Cassandra Diago reclaimed the crown in 2014 while Genin Raya Amiscaray retained it in 2015.
According to Kitane, she has her college to thank for her victory because “they have already considered [her] their Miss Silliman Sapphire” since the start of the competition.
Dr. Gloria Futalan, dean of CBA, shared that the college’s secret as to why CBA excels in competitions such as Miss Silliman is the all-out support from their college.
“To every activity there is an adviser…somebody looks after them. They know they are not on their own. When they participate, they know the whole college is behind them,” Futalan said.
Futalan added that CBA encourages students “to give their best and not to sacrifice their academic activities.”
“Our Miss CBA [candidates] have always been beauty and brains…they are able to balance their time in academic and non-academic activities,” Futalan said.
“Whatever the activity that CBA participates in, the culture in the college has always been that of excellence. Whether it’s in the classroom or outside, our preparation has always been thorough,” Futalan added.
According to John Jalandoni, adviser of the Miss CBA, they expected Kitane to win since “CBA is the home of the champions.”
“It is the overwhelming support from the dean, college, students, advisers that makes CBA stand out,” Jalandoni said.
Meanwhile, Kitane thanked her college for being supportive and for bringing to her success.
“I don’t feel honored only; I also feel so blessed because I think that CBA molds us into becoming the best versions of ourselves,” Kitane said.
According to Futalan, they are not planning to stop participating in competitions and excelling in them “to show other students that there is no such thing as mediocrity in Silliman.”
“It’s not only the excellence in the classroom that is important; it’s also excellence in other activities that help shape them up and let them grow as a person,” Futalan said.
Kitane was also awarded as Miss Mixed Berry, Gandang Levy Salon, Best in Themed Wear and Best in Talent.
On the other hand, Jollyprim Katriz Mae Sy of the University Graduate Programs was named the Cover Girl while Michelle Lynn Wilkins of the High School Department bagged the Headline Girl title.
Dallie Guillen of the College of Education and Ellisse Anne Dolleton of the Medical School ranked 3rd and 4th runners-up, respectively.
Dolleton bagged the People’s Choice Award, Miss Photogenic, Miss Wow Them, Best in Production Number, and Best in Evening Gown.
Glynese Micole Ikeda of the College of Engineering and Design won the Miss Silliman Foundation award, Miss Mags, and Miss Fitbox. Stacey Lu Castor of the Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences was named Miss Tubig Pilipinas and Miss Professionalism.
Sy was named Darling of the Press, and shared the Miss Congeniality award with Rhobie Ruaya of the College of Mass Communication and Aliah Jehan Jandog of the College of Nursing.
Valerie Durias and Paula Izzabela Estoy represented their colleges, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences, respectively.
As part of the 70th anniversary of the pageant, 12 past Miss Silliman winners were present at the event. Verna Loo, Miss Silliman 1960, was the oldest among those present.
