DAUG

IN THE first modified search for the New Dabawenya, the top choice was ironically somebody who was not born and raised in Davao.
But 20-year-old Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa vowed she will be residing in Davao City for the rest of her life.
MJ, daughter of Arabian Saud Al-Shabrami and Filipina mother Marites Lastimosa, was crowned as this year’s Mutya ng Davao, under a reformatted scheme in which the contestants must not only be beautiful, witty, and intelligent but also have doable community projects.
She won a cash prize of P50,000, and a P50,000 funding from NCCC Cares for her pet project to educate less fortunate children. MJ also won two special awards – the Gandang Allan Alforque and Globe Texter’s Choice with a total of 5,213 votes.
Oscar Casaysay, Mutya ng Dabaw 2008 chair, said he could not recall any past Mutya ng Dabaw who was born outside the Davao Region. Araw ng Dabaw vice-chair Roger Layson said a three-year residency in Davao is enough to qualify the contestants for the search.
Lastimosa was born in Manila on Nov. 23, 1987, but grew up in Cotabato.
“Kahit hindi ako pinanganak dito, sa puso ko ako’y isang Dabawenya (Even if I was not born here, in my heart I am a Davaoeña),” MJ told reporters after the crowning ceremony last Friday night at the CAP Auditorium.
Mary Jean settled in Davao City four years ago for a scholarship grant.
Currently, MJ is taking up Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at the University of Mindanao. She’s a campus beauty queen as she won the Mutya ng UM crown in 2006.
The 5’7” model, also adjudged as one of Davao’s Loveliest, is connected with Glam, the most popular modeling group in Davao. She is residing in Barangay 74-A (Matina Crossing).
Ms. Lastimosa described the New Dabawenya concept of the Mutya search as “a beauty with a purpose.”
MJ said her zealous determination pushed her to shine above the four other strong contenders in the grand coronation.
During the announcement of winners, the Contestant Number 3 was initially declared as the third placer.
But the hosts — Casaysay and Richard Vilar – immediately admitted the mistake, citing that they mistook number 3 for number 5.
MJ said it was not a big deal, but it gave her the jitter.
While praying to get the top spot, Mary Jean said she was ready to take the runner-up place.
Her strong rival, Vida Maya Ayala Ko, earlier won more special prizes than her. Ko, a top executive of a Davao-based resort, won three prizes including the best in project design which counts for one-fifth of the score.
She, however, bested Ko who was crowned Diwa ng Dabaw. Completing MJ’s court are Sinag ng Dabaw Bridgette Ann Lanzanas (a B.S. Biology Student of Ateneo de Davao Universty); Pag-asa ng Dabaw Aliah Heitz (a human resource officer of a call center company); and Patnubay ng Dabaw Kristabelle Go (a nursing graduate of Ateneo de Davao University).
While her pet project was not adjudged as the best entry, MJ said she is dead serious in her campaign to educate the less fortunate children.
Citing that education is the most precious gift one can receive, the Arabian-Filipina beauty said she is one example of such less fortunate child who strives hard to get proper education with the help of well-meaning individuals.
Abandoned by her parents since she was in grade 1, Mary Jean said she went to school through scholarship.
NO WAY
Some says the Mutya 2008 looks like Alvi July Juanico, the Hiyas ng Kadayawan in 2002 who ventured in showbiz world and became the sexpot Juliana Palermo. Some says she also looks like a morena Halle Berry.
MJ expressed her delight for the comparison.
But following the footstep of Palermo is far from her mind.
“No way,” Mary Jean replied when asked if she would go bold in the movie or in any magazine.
The Mutya 2008 said she wanted to be popular. But she does not need to disrobe to get her point.
“I wanted to be an influential person… someone who has the voice to make a positive change,” Mary Jean J said.
While saying that Mutya ng Dabaw is more prestigious than the currently criticized Binibining Pilipinas, MJ said she is open in joining the national beauty searches such as the Binibining or the Mutya ng Pilipinas.
“If it gives honor to Davao, why not?” Ms. Lastimosa said.
MJ said she likes to compete, and losing should not be something to be ashamed of.
The Mutya ng UM 2006 and Prisaa-Davao queen 2007 was twice defeated in beauty competitions, but that did not stop her to reach her goal.
In the national search for Mutya ng Prisaa (Private School Athletic Association) in 2007, she ended up in second place. Two years earlier, she got the same runner-up spot in the Mutya ng Cotabato.
MJ said she is not keen in moving back to her birth place in Manila. Her elder sister is based in Manila. Her boyfriend is also from Manila.
But she wants her future husband to reside in Davao.
Davao, she said, is much better than Manila.
MJ cited pollution and the quality of living as her reasons for sticking in Davao.
“I see so many opportunities for me to grow in Davao,” said MJ.

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