Mutya ng Distrito

 Manila's District 3 announces official pageant lineup

By Demi Braque

The 3rd Congressional District office of Manila, through its incumbent solon Hon. Joel Chua, presented the sixteen delegates who will comprise this year's pageant lineup. In a press conference held recently, the candidates gamely answered questions hurled by members of the press and online media.

Mutya ng Distrito came about after a slew of barangay-level pageants sprouted, before the global pandemic, around the third district, including Mutya ng Quiapo, Mutya ng San Nicolas, and Mutya ng Blumentritt. "It was a long time that we wanted to hold a district-wide competition. It is through these pageants that we may discover the next big name in the beauty pageant industry, not just nationwide but also globally.

"This platform is an opportunity for our ladies to showcase their talents. This could be their stepping stone to reach their dreams as it empowers them and make them ready for their respective pageant journeys. In the future, we may even field our winners to bigger pageants," enthused Cong. Joel Chua, during the open forum.

Of the 16 delegates for the Mutya ng Distrito, five hail from the San Nicolas/Binondo area, four are from Sta.Cruz, three come from the Blumentritt-Tambunting area, while four are from Quiapo.

"My district is a colorful microcosm. You have the Filipino-Chinese (Chinoy) businessmen in Binondo, then the modern-thinking residents of Sta. Cruz, as well as the Moslem communities in the Quiapo area. But what unifies them all is food because all of these areas offer gustatory delights to everyone," Cong. Chua continued.

The winners of the 2023 pageant will each receive corresponding cash prizes. The 4th runner-up will get Php 25,000, the 3rd runner-up Php 30,000, the 2nd runner-up Php 50,000, the 1st runner-up Php 75,000, while the titleholder will win Php 100,000. A cash reward of Php 10,000 will also be given to each minor and special award.

Multi-awarded indie actor Joaquin Domagoso will be the special guest during the coronation night. The much-awaited final show will unfold on May 13, 2023 at the Plaza del Carmen in Quiapo.

Hosted by Ms. Joji Cardones and Kag. Noel Pura, the media event, which took place at the district 3 headquarters, pushed through successfully, despite the heavy rains from Typhoon Amang, which flooded many low areas in the city of Manila.