A freshman student of De La Salle University in Manila was crowned this year’s Miss ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) Philippines at the coronation night in Tagaytay City on Saturday night.
Althessa Patetico, a first year BS Accountancy and Applied Economics student representing the Philippine Navy, bested 16 other contestants in a pageant that advocates empowerment for young women in the reserve military force.
Patetico clinched the coveted title after several rounds of competition including the battle dress uniform, athletic uniform, general office attire stages, and the question and answer portion, as well.
She was awarded by Senate majority leader Francis Tolentino, founder of the Miss ROTC search and the Philippine ROTC Games. Last Saturday night’s event was the second.
In his speech to open the pageant, Tolentino praised all the candidates — composed of the winners of the Miss ROTC regional qualifiers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao — for being good role models to their peers and ambassadors of their schools.
“I commend you for your grace, strength, and determination. Please continue to champion the ideals of discipline, leadership, and excellence among our youth,” Tolentino said.
Jeraline Acosta of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic College, who is also Miss Philippine Army 2024, was the first runner-up, while Radha Marie Cabug of PATTS College of Aeronautics, who was also crowned Miss Philippine Air Force 2024, was second runner-up.
Special awards were given to Hannah Shane T. Sabagala (Carcar City College, People’s Choice Award), Jeraline Acosta (Ilocos Sur Polytechnic College, Miss Congeniality), Radha Marie F. Cabug (PATTS College of Aeronautics, Best in General Office Attire).
This year’s board of judges was led by Tagaytay Councilor Michael Francis Tolentino, celebrity talent manager Arnold Vegafria, and athlete and model McLaude Guadaña. The other judges were Armand Aton, Eiffel Janell Rosalita, Dr. Harold Bernardo Bueno, Alexandra Marie Dayrit, Maria Julia Valdez, and Patricia Bianca Tapia.
The Miss ROTC 2024 search kicks off the national championships of the Philippine ROTC Games, which will be held from August 18-24 in various venues in Tagaytay City and Cavite province.
