Mister and Miss Lipa Tourism 2025 Top winners wore 6

Six proved to be the lucky number at the Mister and Miss Lipa Tourism 2025 pageant held June 19 at the Plaza Independencia in Lipa City. June also happens to be the sixth month of the lunar calendar. The 9 in June 19 is also an inverted 6.  

Newly crowned titlists, Kurt Mikhael Aguilar of barangay Bagong Pook and Joey Anne Chavez of barangay Sampaguita, both were assigned Number 6 on finals night in an overwhelming display of beauty, grace, talent and personality. 

The four-hour presentation was preceded by a downpour that did not, however, dampen the enthusiasm of hundreds of Lipenos, numbering more than 600, who braved the inclement weather to cheer and support their candidates.

The proceedings were often marred by loud, nonstop noise blaring from New Year paper horns (torotot) from the gallery. 

Businessman Joel Umali Pena, president of Lipa Tourism Council (LTC), said criteria for judging were as follows: beauty, 60 per cent, wit and intelligence, 40 per cent.

A distinguished panel of judges graced by former beauty titlists and pageant experts picked the winners.

Lipa City Mayor Eric B. Africa crowned the two winners in the weeks-long contest built around the theme, Arise.

Prior, several special awards named in honor of pageant sponsors were handed out to some of the candidates. Aguilar hauled most of them. 

This year marks the first time a male counterpart has been introduced to make the pageant even more inclusive. 

The Miss Lipa Tourism contest started in 2000 under the initiative of then LTC president Leo Ona, who graced the occasion. 

Councilor Venice Manalo, chair of Lipa’s tourism committee, said Kurt and Joey Anne will help promote Lipa as a tourist destination. Lipa, spanning 72 barangays, is known for its year-long cool climate, Baraco coffee, suman and other rice delicacies. It is also home to various religious convents.

Lipa’s San Sebastian Cathedral itself is an architectural wonder that dates back to 1605 and built in the Romanesque tradition with its circular dome, massive walls and balconies.

Because of these, the local government has adopted ‘Eat pray love Lipa’ as its slogan.  

The search for Mister and Miss Lipa Tourism 2025, participated in by 12 boys and 12 girls representing the city’s various barangays, is part of the 78th founding anniversary of Lipa City. 

Lipa itself was founded as a town 420 years ago, and this rich cultural heritage is remembered and celebrated through the tourism-oriented pageant.

Named runners-up were: Phil Jabez Alejandro and Allessandra Elfante, first; 

Syrus Miguel Dimayuga and Jabeshe Coronel, second; Marcuz Wayne Acar and Wrincel Joyce Baet, third; Bob Ivan Las and Abbygail Mojares, fourth.

The contenders to the Mister Lipa Tourism 2025 included Kenzo Guillermo, John Caille Sabile, Jacquis Kristoffer Manlosa, Albert Domingo, Neil Isaac Panganiban, Glenn Darrel Quinio, and Kier Jiggs Paul Christian Venturero.

The women: Sharlit Apple Austria, Pholyn Roxas, Patricia Ali Fomias, Iannah Almero, Joyce Olgado, Jessa Mae Danao, Trisha Faye Pamplona.