Pinoys love carinderias and beauty pageants. So, it was only natural that someone would come up with a carinderia-centered pageant.
“Thirty candidates for the Carinderia Queen title were presented to the press last Sunday at the Ocean Park Manila,” reports Robert R. Requintina in Manila Bulletin.
The report noted: “This will be the fourth year that a Carinderia Queen will be chosen in a beauty contest where the major requirement is that one works in the carinderia industry.”
Sixteen of the candidates are from Metro Manila; the rest from provinces in Luzon. They were chosen by a panel of judges led by fashion designer Renee Salud, 2005 Miss Universe Philippines Gionna Cabrera, Mark Charles Salesina, brand manager of Tupperware and ramp model Ram Antonio, and Robert Requintina of the Manila Bulletin.
Unlike other beauty pageants, this one doesn’t discriminate. As in previous years, the report said “this year’s contestants are either single, married, and serve as cashier, waitress, cook, or owner of an eatery.”
Marylindbert International, Inc., organizer of the competition, said candidates were chosen in various screenings in Metro Manila and South Luzon.
Linda Legaspi, president of Marylindbert International, Inc., pointed out: “There are now three million carinderias nationwide, some 1.8 million of them are in Metro Manila. I think it’s time we give importance to this flourishing industry. This contest is not about beauty and curves, it’s about your heart and passion in the business.”
By the way, the reigning Carinderia Queen Joanna Carranza, 24, is also a teacher.
The report said the title holder and two Carinderia Princesses will get cash prizes.
Screengrab from video
