Mr. and Ms. Letran 2020

Ruben Gabas & Precious Mae Mercado

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 — After 4 years, the iconic pageant, Mr. and Ms. Letran 2020, has finally continued as part of the Paskong Arriba 2020 celebration of the Colegio with the theme, “Knights of the New Century Leaving a Legacy”. It was held through Facebook live at five in the afternoon and was participated by the student candidates from the Senior High School and Collegiate Level.

The event was spearheaded by Mitch Costales, President of the Letran Student Council, and Ms. Judea Bernardo, Senate President of the Letran Student Council. Both hosts are also a part of the committee heads. They have explained the criteria and mechanics of the pageant. They also add some reminders and rules about the event.

Moving forward, the host introduced the notable people who will decide for the winners of the event. Starting with the well rounded Human Resource Management consultant, Passionate Advocate (Personal) and Professional Development, Mr. Arvin Ramos. Continuing with the second judge, a TV Broadcasting Graduate of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Ms. Letran 2016, Binibining Paranaque, Eat Bulaga Miss Millennial Parañaque 2018, Miss Maria Isabelle Alvez. Lastly, for the third and final judge, known as Talent Manager of Liza Soberano, Popular Youtuber and Influencer, Comedian and Proud dad of five daughters, Mr. Ogie Diaz.

The online pageant started by introducing the fifteen young and feverish candidates coming from different strands and courses of Senior High School to Collegiate level that was inspired to make a mark at the Colegio’s Celebration of Mr. and Ms. Letran. It was continued by the statement of the criteria and rules for the Question and Answer portion. The host added that the use of any kind of language on which the candidates are comfortable with are highly recommended. Informing the audience, the host added that the questions asked was given a month before the actual pageant.

Soon after, the Q & A portion started, Mr. Letran’s first candidate from CBAA, Ron Samonte. Followed by Adrian Vitente of the College of Engineering and Information Technology. JD Yeres of the Letran Bataan. Next, Jan Adrian Angles of the Senior High School II. And lastly, Mark Tolentino from Senior High School II.

To keep things smooth and light, the intermission numbers of the candidates were shown. Continuing the event, the host introduced the female candidates for Ms. Letran 2020. Continuing with the Q and A portion for the female candidates, contender Ms. Mhikaela Clarivel A. Ruiz of CBAA II was questioned first. Next in line, Ms. Xazy Soriano of the CEIT department. Followed by Ms. Deocareza from the CLAS. Next is the representative from the Letran Bataan, Ms. Junella Pomer then, Ms. Merallei Roldan of Senior High School I, and lastly, Ms. Therian Diaz of Senior High School II.

The host then introduced the top three Male and Female candidates for Mr. and Ms. Letran with no particular order. Starting with the male candidates, Mr. Jan Adrian Angeles from SHS I, Mr. Mark Tolentino from SHS II, and Mr. Ron Samonte from the CBAA made it to the Top 3. Meanwhile, the Top 3 for the Female Candidates are Letran Bataan, Ms. Junella Pomer, followed by Ms. Mikhaela Ruiz of CBAA II, and Ashley Ruiz of CBAA While the other candidates who are not in the top 3 exited from the Zoom call, other aforementioned candidates began with the final part of the Q & A.

Subsequently, the final Q & A started. The questions given to the candidates were the same. Mr. Arvin Ramos asked Jan Adrian Angeles, second is Mark Tolentino asked by Miss Ysabelle Alvez, and finally, Mr. Ron Samonte asked by Mr. Ogie Diaz. Before asking his questions to the remaining candidates, Mr. Diaz acknowledged the Colegio for managing online events like the Mr. and Ms. Letran 2020 virtually. Then, the Q and A continued with the female candidates starting with Junella Pomer was asked by Judge Arvin Ramos. Next, Ms. Mhikaela Ruiz was asked by Judge Ysabelle Alvez, and down to the last contestant, Ashley Deocareza, interrogated by Judge Mr. Ogie Diaz.

Thereafter, special awards were given to the participants. First, the “Best in Talent” award was granted to Mr. Alvi Santos for the male and Ms. Ashley Deocareza for the female. The “Shining Knight” was awarded to Ms. Mhikaela Ruiz and Mr. Ron Samonte, followed by the Deus Award for Ms. Junella Pomer and Mr. Mark Tolentino. The Miss and Mister Patria was awarded to Ms. Junella Pomer and Mr. Ron Samonte. The host then called on the judges to give their final messages to the candidates of the event. Starting with Mr. Ogie Diaz who gave a thankful statement and a message saying “Maganda iyang mga pagsali ninyo sa mga contest katulad nito dahil dito nagboboost ang inyong confidence”. It was followed by Ms. Ysabelle Alvez with her congratulatory message, and lastly, Mr. Alvin Ramos with an ending message stating, “It is your time to define who Letran is and what Letranites are not only in the Letran Community but also to the People who are outside the walls of Intramuros''.

Continuing with the highlights of the event. The host then announced the much-anticipated winners of the Mr. and Ms. Letran 2020. For the 2nd Runner up, it was granted to Mr. Jan Adrian Angeles from SHS I and Ms. Ashley Deocarez from the CLAS department. Then, for the 1st runner up, it was awarded to Mr. Mark Tolentino of SHS II and Ms. Junella Pomer of Letran Bataan. And finally, the titles of the Mr. and Ms. Letran 2020 were bagged by Mr. Ron Samonte and Ms. Mhikaela Ruiz from CBAA II.

To formally end the event, the grand winners of the Mr. and Ms. Letran delivered their speech. Ending with the hosts' message about the true meaning of the theme, Knights of the New Century Leaving a Legacy.