By Jose Rodriguez T. Señase

TACLOBAN CITY- Seventeen-year old Rachelle Erica Chua- Pineda, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation president of Tacloban City, was crowned Miss Tacloban 2009 at the Tacloban City Astrodome, Saturday.

Pineda bested 11 other lovely ladies from this city to win the coveted plum.

For winning the title, Pineda received a cash prize of P50, 000 plus other special prizes from the organizers

The other winners were Rosjane Tiunayan, who was first runner-up; Shierra Israel, 2nd runner-up; Noeime Claire Lee, 3rd runner-up; and Santañina Dagami, 4th runner-up.

The newly-crowned Miss Tacloban, who is also the daughter of Councilor Eden Chua-Pineda, the president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) of Tacloban City, also bagged six special awards.

Pineda copped the Best in Talent award for her flawless rendition of the song “Careless Whisper” using a saxophone. Aside from that, she also won the Miss Coke Zero, Best in Evening Gown, Globe Texters Choice, Darling of the Press, and Leila’s Collection special awards.

City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, assisted by City Councilor Cristina Gonzalez-Romualdez and Miss Tacloban 2008 Sushiela Kumar, crowned the new beauty queen

In addition to bagging the Miss Photogenic award, Tiunayan, who is a Nursing graduate of the Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation (RTRMF), also won the Miss Duptours award.

As runner-ups, Tiunayan received P30, 000; Israel P20, 000; Lee P10,000 and Dagami P5,000.

Lee was selected among the candidates as the most friendly as she bagged the Miss Congeniality award. Also, she won the Miss Royale Beauty award.

Israel went on to win the Miss New Placenta and the Miss Natasha Beauty special awards.

Dagami, who is a student at the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), won three special awards, namely: Jimms Choice award, Best in Swimwear, and Miss Digital Gleen.

Renowned cosmetologist Dr. Richard David served as the chairman of the board of judges, which also included actor Jestoni Alarcon and Evangeline Pascual, the 1st runner-up of the Miss World 1973 beauty pageant.

Actor Gabby Concepcion serenaded the top five finalists who were on their evening gowns.

Among the sponsors of the Search for Miss Tacloban 2009, which was held as part of the Sangyaw Festival celebration, are the City Government of Tacloban, Leyte Samar Daily Express, Cristina’s Saloon and Spa, Globe, Rafael’s Farm, New Placenta, Gleen Marketing, Nenas Trading, Coca Cola, Natasha, Duptours, Jimms Coffee, Robinsons, Postal Bank, San Miguel, Dana Souvenir and Flower Shop, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the Rotary Club of Kandaya.