Mutya ng Palawan 2018 is Reyna Michelle Ruhen

REYNA MICHELLE RUHEN from the town of Aborlan was crowned Mutya ng Palawan 2018 a few minutes ago today, June 23 at Mendoza Park Ampitheater in Puerto Princesa.

Ruhen was the first Mutya ng Palawan from Aborlan, a southern town in this province that’s known as the Philippines’ last ecological frontier. Palawan is also home to world-class islands and beaches in the world.

The search, which ended with a very political question about the hottest issue of dividing the province into three parts seemed to have faltered after the very eloquent Puerto Princesa’s candidate Anne Cherrylyn Apas didn’t make the final cut. It was however quick to recover towards the end as it crowned the eventual winner from the town of Aborlan, definitely among the prettiest candidates in this year’s batch.

Mutya ng Palawan from Aborlan – Photo by Norman Tinio (including the feature photo)

Mutya ng Palawan 2018 winners – Photo by Norman Tinio

It was a sight to behold seeing Ruhen and her closest rival, Princess Jean Lerona of Kalayaan in the final two. Lerona was crowned Mutya ng Palawan Tourism while San Vicente’s Ina Louise Abello was crowned Mutya ng Palawan EcoTourism 2018.

Completing the Top 5 are Emerlyn Traballo (Taytay) as first runner-up and Almina Marie Gange of Cuyo as second runner-up.

The pageant show, hosted by TV host-actor Robi Domingo is one of the highlights of Palawan province’s annual festival dubbed as ‘Baragatan sa Palawan’ (which I missed attending since I moved to Manila in 2009).