TUBA, Benguet – Twelve barangays in Tuba, Benguet competed for the title of Mr. and Ms. Tuba 2024 at Tuba Municipal Gym on September 21. Armando Rynz Genna, 20, from Tabaan Norte was named Mr. Tuba, while Precy Tayamora, 22, from Taloy Sur was crowned Ms. Tuba.
Genna, who admitted he was surprised by his victory said, “Akala ko nga kung si Tabaan Sur ang nanalo kasi hindi ko narinig na number ko pala ang natawag, kaya nagpalikod po ako kasi hindi ko po expect talaga. Expect ko lang na makapasok sa top 4.”
Tayamora, who joined the competition for the second time, expressed her goal of advocating for training equipment for the youth in her barangay. “This is all for Taloy Sur’s future champion. Marami-maraming salamat po sa lahat ng sumuporta,” she said. Contestants promote the importance of culture, heritage, tourism, and physical fitness to promote the municipality and make it popular.
For the special awards, Mikiya Koyama from Twin Peaks and Liezel Peralta from San Pascual won Congeniality, Demsey Molintas and Lea Rose Aronza both from Camp 3 won Photogenic, Koeller George Saliwan and Precy Tayamora both from Taloy Sur won Best Pitch Video, Armando Rynz Genna from Tabaan Norte and Precy Tayamora won Best Production Number.
Furthermore, Armando Rynz Genna and Nikkitalie Langaoen from Tadiangan won Best Ethnic Wear, Raymund Pablo from Tabaan Sur and Precy Tayamora won Swimwear, and Orlinio Lerot from Tadiangan Sur and Gwyneth Anne Mina from Poblacion won Best in Talent and Formal Wear.
For the runner-up positions, Demsey Molintas from Camp 3 was 3rd runner-up for Mr. Tuba, Orlinio Lerot from Tadiangan placed 2nd, and Raymund Pablo from Tabaan Sur was 1st runner-up. For Ms. Tuba, Lea Rose Aronza from Camp 3 was 3rd runner-up, Nikkitalie Langaoen from Tadiangan was 2nd, and Gwyneth Anne Mina from Poblacion was 1st runner-up.
Other participants included Joey Michael Dominguez and Jing Gumtang from Camp 1, Jonard Keith Contes from Poblacion, Irajean Menzi from Tabaan Sur, Kyla Palaoag from Twin Peaks, Paul Vincent Villaraza and Maeple Lagasca from Nangalisan, Annan Jee Desierto and Kaye Pearl Bagista from Camp 4, Joerdan Avelino and Ronna Mae Pulido from Taloy Norte, and Jerwin Tomin from San Pascual. No representatives from Barangay Ansagan joined, and no female representative from Tabaan Norte was present.
The Mr. and Ms. Tuba competition was the concluding event of the 9th Ava Festival, the official festival of Tuba, Benguet. The festival highlights its discussion about high levels of vitamins and health benefits of ava, including boosting the immune system and reducing heart disease risk. The festival’s creation resulted from Municipal Ordinance No. 283 of 2017 from Municipal Ordinance No. 235, series of 2014. The amended ordinance requires the festival to be conducted annually. By Michael Dadd and Janine Laureta