Reina Kobayashi, 18, was crowned Mutya ng Dabaw 2017 on Wednesday night, March 15.
Representing Brgy. Buhangin, the chemical engineering student from Ateneo de Davao University bested 30 other candidates from other barangays during the event held at the Davao City Recreation Center.
The other finalists were Diwa ng Dabaw 2017 Carly Chua, Sinag ng Dabaw 2017 Geanne Claire Lu, Pag-asa ng Dabaw 2017, Marjorie Ormido, and Patnubay ng Dabaw 2017 Angelique Pasion.
Reina Kobayashi wowed the crowed with her winning answer to the final question: “If you will be crowned tonight, what is the life changing opportunity that will make you decide to give up the crown?”.
“I believe that to be Mutya ng Dabaw, is actually to have a pure passion for service. Therefore, given any circumstance I think Mutya ng Dabaw should be able to represent the people of Davao.
And we all know, Dabawenyos as resilient people, they are able to stand tall against all those circumstances that may be thrown at them. Therefore if there will come a chance or a certain circumstance that I will be asked to give out my crown or my throne because of something I will definitely not do it. Because if this so, I will not be able to represent Dabawenyos that well, I will fail to do my responsibility as a Mutya and we know that Dabawenyo are resilient and as Mutya ng Dabaw, I, myself should be resilient.” said Kanbayashi.
Meanwhile, Diwa ng Dabaw 2017 Carly Chua bagged majority of the corporate awards namely Miss Novellino, Miss Pepsi, Miss Coca Cola, and Miss Globe. Othew awardees were Miss Manila Bulletin Angelique Pasion, Miss Kojie San Marra Silvosa, and Miss Phoenix Petroleum Geanne Lu.
In an interview, Kobayashi firmly expressed her willingness to pursue her advocacy on promoting responsible parenthood in the community.
“Like what I have answered earlier (eliminations round) I want to inculcate in the minds of parents kung unsa ang maayong pagpadako sa ilang anak,” she said.
Kobayashi also expressed her gratitude to all those who supported her during the pageant.
Sitting as one of the judges, Department of Tourism (DOT) Region XI director Roberto P. Alabado III stressed the role of the Mutya ng Dabaw title holders as an ambassadress of goodwill who will promote the city especially that Davao is now eyed by many foreign visitors and investors.
“With the beauty that they have and the intelligence they possess, I think they will be best to be our ambassadress for Davao,” said Alabado.
