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Angel Brahms Malavega Bernarldez made history as she was crowned as the first Ms. ROTC (Reserved Officer Training Corps) during the National Finals of the inaugural Games for student cadets Saturday night at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The 21-year-old Morena beauty, representing the Philippine Army and from a small fishing town in Rapu-Rapu, Albay bested her rivals, like her all top three winners from the previous pageant held during the Visayas leg (Iloilo City), Mindanao (Zamboanga City), Luzon (Cavite) where she emerged top winner and National Capital Region (Manila).
Mikaela Ingan, representing Philippine Airforce was adjudged second runner-up, while Julianne Reyes for Philippine Army was 3rd runner-up in the contest participated by 12 reserved officers under the three branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“I was totally in shock. Never in my mind na mananalo ako sa beauty pageant. I decided to participate since my advocacy is to fight bullying and discrimination in all forms,” said the Bicol University Elementary Education freshman.
Crowning her were Sen. Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino, the brainchild of the program, and Pasay City Vice Mayor Ding Del Rosario.
Bernarldez’s triumph received accolades from officials of the organizing committee headed by Tolentino who said that the ROTC Games proved to be a rich source not just for talented athletes but future international beauty queens.
“Napagtatagumpayan natin into dahil nagkakaisa tayo. Yung importante rito may leadership, ito yung structure na wala sa NSTP, kaya ipagpapatuloy po nation ito para makuha natin ang atensyon ng kabataan at mawala yung agam-agam na makilahok sa ROTC,” said Tolentino during the media conference before the opening ceremony.
With Tolentino facing the queries of the media were Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Gen. Carlito Galvez, Rep, Edwin Olivarez, Pasay City Mayor Emi Rubiano, CHED Secretary Prospero De Vera, and PSC Executive Director Kit Tatad, Jr. representing Chairman Richard Bachmann.
“Next year, mas lalaki ito, dahil mag-eexpand tayo at mas maraming eskwelahan ang interesadong sumali. Dahil may tournament na paghahandaan, tiyak na double ang pagsasanay at paghahanda ngmga student cadet natin para next year,” said De Vera.
Meantime, action in athletics and boxing came to a fore on Monday (Oct. 23) at different venues, including the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RSMC) in Malate, Manila, while volleyball which officially started right after the opening ceremony on Sunday night continued at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Four gold medals are at stake in the men’s and women’s 200 meters, as well as men’s and women’s 4x100m relay at the Philsports track oval in Pasig City.
Elimination bouts in boxing also fire off starting at 2 p.m. at the Dacudao Court inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, even as volleyball hostilities start at 9 a.m. at the Technological State University Gym in Manila.
Adamson University starts its campaign in volleyball today against Tanauan Institute, followed by Jose Rizal Memorial State University against Tarlac State University, Guimaras State University over University of Cagayan Valley, and Northern Iloilo State University-Rizal Technological University tussle to cap the session.
Weigh-in and weapons check, as well as pairing and matching are set for arnis at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, even as the drawing of lots and solidarity meetings are scheduled for kickboxing and esports.
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