Sydneysider Mrs Eleanor Foster-Padilla was crowned 2013 Mrs Visayas Australia as part of the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Visayas Association of Australia (VAA) held last 24th August at the All Saints Catholic Church community hall in Liverpool, NSW.
Winner of the the title of 2013 Charity Queen was Mrs Brenda dela Sala who was also declared Best in Gown attire.
Mrs Foster Padilla was also chosen as Mrs Congeniality and VAA Charity Princess.
Second runner up and winner of the title Mrs Photogenic was Mrs Isabelita Salazar Badel.
The beauty pageant capped the 10th anniversary celebration of VAA which was also attended by Federal Member for Fowler, Mr Chris Hayes and the State Member for Liverpool, Mr Paul Lynch, both regular guests of VAA celebrations.
People’s Ambassador Dr Cen Amores and her husband Ruben Amores the President of Kapitbahayan Cooperative Ltd also attended.
Judges of the pageant consisted of Ms Paola Llorando, a Health, Beauty and Weight Management Consultant, Ms Carol North-Samardzic, the President of the Liverpool Justice’s Association and Secretary-Trainer of Liverpool’s Radio Station 89.3 2GLF and popular songstress and entertainer Ms Lillian delos Reyes,.
Some 250 people enjoyed the celebration which featured a food feast withan array of Filipino cuisines.
The talented Fil-Oz Dancers and the Visayan Dance Group provided dance numbers including, song and dance acts by Sharlene Gamo, Diedre Padolina followed by a number by their younger siblings Demelza Padolina and Rezelle Gamo.
Said VAA PRO Mr Richard Ford,”The highlight of the night of course was the crowning of the Mrs Visayas Australia and Charity Queen Beauty Pageant Contestants. The judges really had a hard decision to make, for age did not dim the beauty of the three contenders for the titles.”
“The Beauty Pageant is a charity night that is held to help raise funds for a Sponsorship Program to provide educational assistance to underprivileged students to be given the chance to undertake and complete tertiary studies at the Visayas State University in Leyte, Philippines,” said Mr Ford.
“The Emcees for the night were Charles Chan and Sidney Perez who performed the opening number, assisted by the ever much talented Jhun Salazar the current President of the Visayan Association (VAA Inc.) and the Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations Inc. (APCO),” Mr Ford added.