By Glen Andrea Omandam
The Miss Silliman Competition (MSC) opened its advocacy defense for the first time to the public to address transparency issues from the previous year.
MSC Chairperson Amelie Almagro said the discussion to publicize the advocacy defense began after they received feedback from last year’s coronation night.
“The decision was influenced by the feedback we received following last year’s pageant, particularly the doubts vocalized by individuals who only witnessed the candidates’ performances during the Coronation Night,” she said.
The Miss Silliman advocacy defense is a platform for the candidates to showcase and defend their advocacies in front of a panel of judges.
Almagro said the MSC aimed to protect candidates “from unwarranted scrutiny” by allowing the public to follow their journey from the advocacy defense to the coronation.
“Winning the Miss Silliman Crown is a long journey and not just a one-night thing,” she said. “By opening this year’s first major event to the public, we are able to showcase the candidates’ intelligence and passion for the advocacies they represent.”
Moreover, the MSC Chairperson noted that making the advocacy defense public will ensure the candidates’ work and dedication are acknowledged beyond the coronation.
“It allows the candidates to showcase their advocacies to a wider audience and inspire more individuals to support the causes they are fighting for,” she said.
The panel of judges composed Dr. Jovito Salonga Law Center Director Atty. Mikhail Maxino, corporate veterinarian Dr. Melvin Cassion, and Gandang Negrense 2024 Scarlet Gadingan, who also serves as chairperson of the board of judges Scarlet Gadingan.
“As of now, we are retaining the format from previous years, where only the panel may raise questions after each candidate’s presentation,” she said.
Almagro said the criteria for judging will remain and no “audience impact can or will affect the evaluation and scoring of the panel.”
The 80th Miss Silliman Premiere is set for Aug. 14 at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium, while the Coronation night is on Aug. 25 at the SU Gymnasium.
