By PIMO, Helen Castaño | 01:38 AM July 20, 2025
TAGBILARAN CITY – A historic milestone was reached Saturday night, July 19, as Jacky Fe Melencion, a proud Badjao woman from Dauis, was crowned Miss Bohol 2025, becoming the first from her indigenous community to win the province’s premier beauty title.
Melencion bested 13 other candidates during a highly anticipated coronation night held at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium, which remained packed with enthusiastic pageant fans despite inclement weather.
Aside from the crown, Melencion also received the Best in Interview and Darling of the Press awards, cementing her position as a strong and inspiring candidate.
During the final question round, the top five finalists were asked how they would promote innovation and create job opportunities for Boholanos if chosen as Miss Bohol.
“As a Badjao woman, I can lead and inspire. A Badjao can be your next Miss Bohol working queen,” Melencion confidently declared, emphasizing that her cultural identity is not a limitation but a platform for inclusive progress.
Completing the Miss Bohol 2025 court were:
First runner-up: Miss Buenavista, Katrina Maye Tabigue
Second runner-up: Miss Tagbilaran, Mary Love Lopez
Third runner-up: Miss Guindulman, Katherine Topsnik
Fourth runner-up: Miss Talibon, Rose Cabando
Special awards were also handed out during the event. Miss Tagbilaran took home both the Best in Swimwear and Best in Evening Gown awards, while Miss Guindulman was named Miss Photogenic, and Miss Talibon earned the Best in Production Choice award. Miss Panglao, Kimberly Grace Giroud, was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow candidates, while Miss Anda, Reniela Marie Barniego, won Fan Favorite after garnering the most online support.
Also competing this year were Kyla Mariz Ungay (Ubay), Mary Ingrid Orevillo (Valencia), Cyndi Marie Novo (Jagna), Princess Melyn Joy Vallejos (Mabini), Abegail Celis (Getafe), Claire Ann Radoc (Tubigon), and Czarina Aeri Rollorata (Duero).
As Miss Bohol 2025, Melencion receives a P100,000 cash prize, a P300,000 advocacy startup fund, and a one-year employment contract with the Provincial Government of Bohol under the Center for Culture and Arts Development.
The runners-up also received cash prizes: P70,000 for the first runner-up, P60,000 for the second, P40,000 for the third, and P30,000 for the fourth. Non-finalists each received a P20,000 consolation prize.
Winners of special awards received P7,000 each, including categories such as Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic, Darling of the Press, Fan Favorite, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Evening Gown.
Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, together with provincial board members, local officials, and invited guests, graced the event. In his welcome remarks, the governor highlighted the pageant as a celebration of the province’s beauty, culture, and untapped potential.
“Tonight, you will witness a pageant like no other. This is far more than just a beauty contest; Miss Bohol 2025 showcases the very best of our province, revealing treasures beyond what we already know,” he said, while also extending thanks to the Sandugo Committee for organizing the successful event.
First Lady and Second District Representative Maria Vanessa Aumentado served as the honorary chair of the pageant.
The panel of judges included Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo as head judge, Miss Bohol 1997 Atty. Socorro D Marie Inting, actress Elisse Joson, international designer Albert Andrada, Mister Heritage World 2024 Sharuen Hafeel, Mister Global 2024 Dom Corilla, Miss Earth USA 2024 Bea Millan-Windorski, Miss Eco International 2024 1st Runner-Up Chantal Schmidt, and Congresswoman Geraldine Roman of Bataan.
Adding to the excitement, actor and TV host Marco Gumabao serenaded the candidates during the coronation night.
Earlier this month, the creative team of Dauis also won this year’s BOHOLANA costume competition held on July 5 at the Inabanga Cultural Center, further highlighting the town’s strong showing in this year’s pageant.
The Miss Bohol Pageant, now in its 99th year since it began in 1926, continues to be a highlight of the annual Sandugo Festival, commemorating the historic blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel López de Legazpi.
This year’s pageant is part of a revitalized Sandugo sa Bohol celebration under the ‘Bibo’ stream—an initiative aligned with Aumentado’s Strategic Change Agenda and Abante Vision, which aims to spotlight Bohol’s heritage and culture across the country’s first Unesco Global Geopark Regenerative Island Province.
