Lingayen- – -Twenty-year old Karissa Anne A. Lopez from the town of Alcala emerged as this year’s fairest young lady during the grand pageant and coronation night of Limgas na Pangasinan held on April 30 at the Capitol Plaza.

Lopez bested 22 other equally lovely and witty candidates representing various towns and one city in the province in the most prestigious beauty tilt in Pangasinan with her irresistible charm and winsome smile.

Her poise and confidence on stage also gained her the Best in Evening Gown award.

Finishing with the first runner-up spot, on the other hand, is 22-year-old morena beauty Denielle Joie N. Magno from the town of Bayambang who bagged four minor awards such as Miss Cream Silk, Miss Social Media Award, Darling of the Press, and Best in Swimsuit.

Other ladies who made it to the runner-up slots are Perla M. Peabody (Villasis)- 2nd runner-up; Christine Joy F. Picardal (Sison)- 3rd runner-up; Diana Rose S. Untalan (Sta. Barbara)- 4th runner-up.

Candidates who were awarded with other minor awards are as follows: Vanessa Baraquio (Basista)-Texters’ Choice Award and Best in Festival Award, Perla M. Peabody (Villasis)- SMART People’s Choice Award, Diana Rose S. Untalan (Sta. Barbara)- Miss Photogenic, Keesha Maye H. Abad (San Jacinto)- Miss Friendship, Tristan Kyle Torio (Bolinao-Miss Personality, and Riza B. Diego (Bayambang)- Best in Talent.

The crown holder was awarded with P100,000 plus trophy while the runners-up were given P70,000; P50,000; P30,000; and P20,000 respectively.

Ma. Luisa A. Elduayan, in an interview, said that aside from the honor of being crowned as the Limgas na Pangasinan, the titleholder gets the chance to participate in a special task given by the provincial government specifically in the promotion of tourism and environment protection by reaching out to the community for the specific advocacies.

This year’s Limgas na Pangasinan pageant was chaired by the Provincial Employment and Services Office (PESO) headed by Alex F. Ferrer. (Ruby R. Bernardino)