PINK, BLUE PREVAILS - CONHS, COED bets scoop Mr., Ms. SSU '23 crown

After leaving a lasting impact with their beauty and wit, representatives of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CONHS) and College of Education (COED) successfully earned the coveted crown of Mister and Miss Samar State University (SSU) 2023 on Friday, September 29.

Newly crowned Mr. SSU, Jude Camposano of CONHS, and Ms. SSU, Kathlene Mae Baculpo of COED, outshone five (5) other candidates from various SSU colleges and external campuses, establishing themselves as the university’s new faces.

Pink retains

Following the CONHS’ triumph in the last year’s Ms. SSU, the college asserted yet another dominance in the said pageant via its male delegate, Camposano, who stood out among the Mr. SSU aspirants.

Aside from the crown and title, he also took home five (5) minor awards including Mr. Professionalism, Mr. Eloquence, Best in Production Outfit, Best in Swimwear, and Best in Barong.

When asked about how he will exemplify the unifying power of sports in his current role as a student contributing to national development, the new Mr. SSU highlighted the role of sports in connecting people.

“Sports is one of greatest avenues to showcase the skills and talents of the students, but not only does it help us to showcase our talents, it also unifies everyone— the team, the coaches, and the spectators— and I believe that with this, we can be united, go together as one, [and] we can be more developed. In this endeavor, I believe that sports is one of the unifying elements in our life,”
Camposano responded in the final question-and-answer round.

Blue regains

Meanwhile, it is a comeback to the reign for Ms. COED after four (4) years, with only one (1) edition gap, as its delegate, Baculpo, reclaimed the title, bringing the college back to the pageant’s center stage.

Baculpo outperformed other five (5) Ms. SSU aspirants with her magical performances and remarkable wit.

In the pageant’s final question-and-answer portion, the new Ms. SSU vowed to be a role model and an inspiration when asked how she will characterize her role with artistic excellence contributing to solidarity as an ambassadress of beauty.

“In this world that we are living in, there is always inclusivity in a diverse society. And I believe that we may have different beauty standards, different religions, beliefs, and genders; let us all remember that we are equally created by God in His own image. And as ambassadress of beauty, I will use this platform to serve as a role model and [be] an inspiration to everyone that beauty is from within. I do believe that we are uniquely beautiful with a heart,”
Baculpo answered.

She also bagged five (5) minor awards which include: Ms. Photogenic, Ms. Eloquence, Best in Talent, Best in Swimwear, and Best in Filipiniana Terno.

Mister and Miss SSU 2023 are now poised to represent the university in the upcoming Mr. and Ms. State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) 2023 to be held at Visayas State University (VSU) on October 22-27, 2023.

Runners-up

Meawhile, Angelo Brin of COED and Alexa Mei Cuenco of CONHS was hailed as Mr. and Ms. SSU First Runner-up; and Lucky Hyuan De La Cruz of the College of Engineering (COEng’g) and Rea Mae Royandoyan of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) as Mr. and Ms. SSU Second Runner-up.

Other minor awards were bestowed to Lian Angel Ocenar of COEng’g as Ms. Professionalism and Ambruce Jabinal of the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) as Best in Talent.