Winners announced for 2023 MISS PHILIPPINES USA; International dance winning group JUNIOR NEW SYSTEM and musical group VXON wowed the crowd with their performance!

By Oliver Carnay

“Sinigang” may be the most preferred answer by Miss Philippines USA candidates held at Alex Theatre last night when asked “what’s their favorite Filipino dish?” But I’m sure all of them gave the JUDGES a hard time picking the newly crowned Miss Young Philippines USA and the new Miss Philippines USA! .. Congratulations to Candidate #14 – MARY JAE FELIZARTA (Miss Philippines USA 2023) who answered that her favorite dish is “Arroz Caldo” versus Candidate #! – KIRRA RHEIN ABARINTOS (Miss Young Philippines USA 2023) who still preferred “Sinigang” as her favorite dish!

I don’t have the complete list of Special Awards given, but I know #4 – ASHLEY NICOLE GALLARDO won Miss Young Philippines USA – 1st runner-up, Best in Evening Gown, and Miss Congeniality.

Other top winners of the night were HANNAH MICHELLE (#15) garnering the awards for Miss Philippines Tourism 2023, Best in Talent, Miss Dhal’s and Aesthetics, Miss TANG and JAVA, Miss Gluta C, and Miss Jean Amor.

KIARA LANDON (#17) received Miss Philippines USA – 1st runner-up 2023, Best In Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Congeniality.

For twelve years, hosts Cher Calvin (Emmy award-winner KTLA News Anchor) and ABC 7’s TONY CORDOVA have been lighting up the stage with their spontaneous camaraderie, managing to keep up the excitement throughout the show — in one segment, after JUNIOR NEW SYSTEM performed an electrifying dance number, both joined the dance group learning the famous tiktok challenge “tingtingting” .. soon they were able to get the audience on their feet!

VXON, the five-member musical group (who were also good dancers, huh!) also wowed the crowd during their number. Crooner FELSON PALAD didn’t disappoint his fans singing a Michael Buble favorite (“Feeling Good”) followed by a Basil Valdez medley of songs .. and so nice to see his wife DONITA ROSE (who was very sexy, prim and proper) sitting on first row always supporting him (Donita, how did you do it? .. parang 20 lbs. nawala sa’yo kakainggit!). Another well-applauded performer was VIVA Artist Agency’s newest prime talent and L.A.’s home-grown talent (and original “L.A.’s Prince of Pop”) MICHAEL KEITH, who will soon be shooting a new film with actor Matteo Guidicelli!

Among JUDGES I know and have seen were MS. PEN DE LEON MANAHAN of Spotlight Media Entertainment, TOMMIE MOPIA of TGM Group of Companies, ELENA LAPID of Elena Lapid’s Original Lapid Chicharon, ABC 7’s news anchor and reporter IRENE CRUZ.

Thank you for the yummy pastries and hor d’oeuvres from TANG and JAVA after the show! And thank you, MONET LU and LOU RAZON, for the tickets with nice seats, di ba BRADFORD ADKINS?