Canlaon City – A forty-five (45) year old Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) of Naga City, Cebu won Mutya ng BNS 2014. Ms. Evangeline S. Cardenas of Barangay Colon, Naga City bested the eleven (11) other candidates from the other cities and provinces of Central Visayas. She got the nod from the panel of judges after she sharply answered the question "Kon dunay kalamidad sa inyong lugar ug isip usa ka BNS unsay imong unang buhaton?" (If an emergency strikes in your community and as a BNS, what will you do?). The question common to all finalists, anchored on the Congress' theme "Panahon sa kalamidad, BNS andam moalagad" ”(In time of calamity, a BNS is ready to serve”) accounts for 60% of the total score after all the top five's scores went back to zero during the final rounds. The panel of judges was composed of beauty queens from Canlaon City and the neighboring city of San Carlos, Negros Occidental.
Winning 1st Runner Up was Ms. Josephine C. Zafra of Cebu City while 2nd Runner Up plum went to Ms. Ruth R. Tagpuno from Municipality of Balamban, Cebu Province.
Major Awards given during the pageant was Miss Friendship which went to Ms. Noniluna C. Mancao of Danao City, Ms. Photogenic given to Ms. Josephine C. Zafra of Cebu City, Darling of the Crown was awarded to Ms. Cheresa L. Traya of Toledo City. Additionally, Ms. Marijune D. Ojales of Dumaguete City received the award for Best in Production Number, Best in Resort Wear, Best in Talent and Best in Long Gown.
The questions during the preliminary question and answer portion played around how the candidates put to life the core values of BNS. The Mutya ng BNS, one of the highlights of the BNS Congress is also an opportunity to educate the BNSs in a fun and engaging way. Brave, strong and witty, they have always proved that BNSs are more than just the people who weigh children every month.
Coincidentally, Ms. Evangeline S. Cardenas, Mutya ng BNS 2014 is also the President of Naga City BNS Association.//dfb
