Kristelle Lazaro – Trinity’s first Miss Philippines Fire

Half Bicolana, half Kapampangan lass is first Trinitian national beauty titlist

By RAYMOND THOM L. GOLEZ (ABMC-2006)

Binibing Pilipinas’ loss is Miss Philippines’ gain? Or it’s just her destiny?
Ma. Kristelle Micaller Lazaro (BSN-2007, Batch Centenialles) was crowned Miss Philippines-Fire 2008 becoming the first Trinitian to win the title. The 22-year old registered nurse and model became an inspiration to many beautiful young Trinitians aspiring to follow her footsteps in joining national beauty pageants.

Lazaro, representing the Municipality of Candaba, Pampanga joined the circle of six Earth beauties and third in line from 2008 Miss Philippines-Earth Karla Paula Ginteroy Henry, who eventually won Miss Earth2008, bested 40 other contestants including five representatives from Filipino communities abroad like USA, France, and Germany at the exciting finals held at the Crowne Plaza Galleria in Manila on May 11. Lazaro was crowned by Miss Philippines-Fire 2007 Sarah Kathrina Minoza.

The 5 foot 9, former Miss BNY-Trinity, Miss BNY Jeans-Philippines 2002, Miss SNA, Miss Trinity College and Miss Philippine Nurses’ Association, impressed the judges with her shining stage presence, great body, and amazing catwalk skills. Lazaro was overwhelmed when host Rafael Rosell called her name as winner.

A nursing graduate from Trinity University of Asia batch 2007 and a Nursing Board Exam passer, Lazaro said of her hometown, “Candaba is the heart of beauty of nature in Pampanga, a very beautiful place and home and destination to the natural habitat where people can see different migratory birds resting in the area of swamps and rivers, and it is now being considered as a famous tourist spot in Pampanga. As her environmental message, she said, “Be wise enough to use eco-friendly products, appliances and even vehicle to improve quality of our atmosphere.”
As a result, Lazaro really did very well in this pageant. In the semifinal interview round, she was asked by Miss Fil-USA-West Coast Nikki Martin about what she had learned during the pageant and how she will teach what she learned to others. Lazaro gave a decent but trite answer that she realized how important it is to save the planet that it is alarming that this is happening so we all have to work hand in hand to save it. She did better in the final interview, and she gave a fresh approach by saying we need to control the population—considering the Roman Catholic values of the majority of Filipinos, this might seem too progressive but she does make a good point.
Marie Razel Equia was named Miss Philippines Air, Marian Michelle Oblea - Miss Philippines Water; Maria Venus Raj – Miss Philippines Eco Tourism; and Melanie Felix of East Coast USA – Miss PAGCOR International Tourism Ambassadress.

According to a disclosed pageant news tidbits, Carousel Productions, organizer of the Miss Earth pageant, is considering Lazaro to represent the country to the 2009 Miss Tourism Queen International to be held in People’s Republic of China early next year.

Lazaro also won the Best in Cultural Attire award during the finals night. Other special awardees were Jaydielou Dilidili as Miss Congeniality; Nikki Martin of West Coast USA was Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimsuit; and Oblea was Best in Talent and Best in Evening Gown. The pageant was co-hosted by Nikki Gil and Ginger Conejero.

After being ignored at Bb. Pilipinas this year, Lazaro truly indeed vindicated herself by winning this pageant.

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