By Chazlee Vanhaltren and Kate Giordan Flores
Samantha Jireh Villaflores from the College of Nursing (CON) reclaimed the 80th Miss Silliman crown for the second consecutive year during the coronation night on Aug. 25 at the Silliman University Gymnasium.
She succeeded 79th Miss Silliman Kathryn Gay Saguban, marking the college’s fifth straight year of earning Best in Advocacy.
Her winning advocacy, “Project Puso: Sampung Minuto Para sa Puso,” is a community-based initiative aimed at equipping residents with American Heart Association-standard skills to respond in cardiac arrest emergencies.
Villaflores said going beyond the title means supporting initiatives like this to be more visible in communities “given the statistics that prove how significant basic life support is for individuals.”
“Miss Silliman is never about being the best in the room—it’s always been about having the capability to serve beyond that room,” she said.
The campaign trains 20 to 40 participants in Dumaguete City communities with high-risk hypertension.
Villaflores also took home the special, corporate, and minor awards for Best Speaker, Miss Professionalism, Best in Advocacy Presentation, Radiant Smile Award, and Kweba Ambassadress.
The Miss CON also said she did not expect to win the pageant, as she had considered withdrawing, but decided that showing up meant “instilling her purpose and carrying her advocacy.”
“It was really overwhelming, and I hope that you guys will not be able to give that much judgement, especially for the candidates because the whole preparation is not easy,” she said.
Other members of this year’s Royal Court are Miss SHS Darling Kaye Calaramo as Miss Silliman Runner-up, Miss CED Jehnie Au Namacpacan as Miss Eco-Ambassador, Miss IRS Vea Marguerite Arbon as Cover Girl, and Miss ICLS Sofian Alexis Villaflor as Headline Girl.
Meanwhile, Miss College of Education Arn Chelsea Malto withdrew from the competition prior to the coronation night’s commencement.
80th Miss Silliman Competition (MSC) Vice-Chairperson Bojo Jabel said the candidate experienced health issues during sponsor shoots and the technical rehearsal for the coronation event.
“We don’t want to compromise her health just for the sake of production. Health matters, that’s our main priority in Miss Silliman. We don’t want to force her to perform if she cannot perform well due to her well-being,” he said.
80th MSC Chairperson Amelie Almagro also said that College of Education Governor John Alfie Rendon confirmed the withdrawal via a signed and handwritten letter before it was announced.
This year’s theme wear segment was dubbed “Threads of the Threatened: Gubat,” inspired by the country and Dumaguete City’s endemic flower-bearing trees.
