BATANGAS beauty Jerelleen Alix Rodriguez, 29, was crowned as Reina Internacional del Chocolate 2022 at the 3rd Reina Internaciinal del Cacao finals held in Panama last Wednesday (yesterday morning PH time).
A graduate of BSBA Accountancy and professor at UP Diliman, CPA, public servant and future lawyer from Nasugbu, Batangas, Jerelleen topped the field of predominantly Latin American entries. Ecuador’s Maria Laura Aguilera was the other grand winner, crowned as Reina Internacional del Cacao 2022.
Runners-up, in order, were the delegates from Brazil, USA and Mexico.
Rodriguez and Aguilera topped the short list of 10 finalists and the field of 19 delegates from the Americas. Jerelleen was the only entry from outside the Americas.
Jerelleen had rigorously trained with Kagandahang Flores (KF) pageant camp under founder and head trainer Rodgil Flores for her pageant skills, including her stints in Bb. Pilipinas 2018, Miss World Philippines 2018, Jewel of the Philippines 2019 and Miss United Continents 2019.
The pageant, which will be hosted once more by Panama next year, is organized to promote the cacao and chocolate industry among the participating countries.
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Hats off to the inaugural Hiyas ng Pilipinas, spearheaded by former Mutya ng Pilipinas and Binibining Pilipinas titleholder Eva Patalinjug and Jesselle Saniel, and held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino last Sunday.
The pageant, hosted by Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry-Ammann and Miss Intercontinental 2014 2nd runner-up Kris Tiffany Janson, crowned three titleholders who will represent the country in international pageants abroad this year and next.
Baguio’s Dean Dianne Balogal Lucas was crowned as Hiyas ng Pilipinas Tourism World, Tacloban’s Azriel Atira Coloma was Hiyas ng Pilipinas Elite World, and Phoebe Tutor Godinez was Hiyas ng Pilipinas Tourism Queen International.
Like Rodriguez, all three winners also trained with KF.
